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Chapter 1 – Long Time No See

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November, North City.

By the time Jian Li left the company, it was already midnight. The bustling city had quieted down. The ground was slick with rain—the exact moment it started raining was unclear, but it had already scattered the leaves on the roadside trees. Looking up, the street appeared as if it were a green line guiding the way to anywhere one wished to go.

“It’s raining.”

As the words fell, an umbrella appeared above her head. A fully silver robot walked to her side. On the left side of its chest was engraved the word “Rainbow.”

Rainbow was the name of Jian Li’s company.

The robot beside her was a new companion-type model developed by Jian Li and her team—three years in the making. It was an upgrade from the previous generation in both functionality and appearance, with movements more human-like. Unlike the rigid robots on the market, this one prioritized flexibility. Before it could launch commercially, it had to be tested in real home environments, collecting data 24/7.

To ensure everything went smoothly for the tech launch at the end of the month.

The robot was named Neo.

Its arm bent slightly while holding the umbrella, mimicking a human’s natural posture. It could adjust the angle based on wind direction. On its back was a storage compartment for holding everyday items like umbrellas, keys, cups, and medicine. When detecting a relevant scenario, it would retrieve and offer the correct item automatically.

The white sedan’s headlights flashed. Jian Li opened the driver’s side door. “Neo, get in.”

The robot nodded, folded the umbrella, and opened the backseat door.

This was an advanced voice recognition system, independent of mobile connections. Each robot could store 3-5 voice profiles. Just calling its name and issuing a command would activate it.

The road home was clear. The robot automatically familiarized itself with the layout of her apartment and turned on the air conditioner.

Jian Li poured herself a glass of water before opening WeChat.

[Already an Award-Winning Actress]: You won’t believe this, there were fifty-seven ants on set today. With so few ants, their queen must be starving.
[Already an Award-Winning Actress]: Waiting between scenes is soooo boring, I’m sleepy but can’t sleep!
[Already an Award-Winning Actress]: How did the closing go?

The pinned contact was her best friend, Tan Xueying.

After graduation, Tan Xueying chose not to return home and inherit the family business, instead diving into the entertainment industry. She gained a decent fan base from a couple of second-lead roles in idol dramas and had recently joined a new production.

Since college, they hadn’t seen each other much—Jian Li was busy with her company, Tan Xueying with filming—but their friendship remained strong.

Jian Li replied to each message, the green chat bubbles quickly filling the screen.

Just as she was about to exit, a call popped up at the top.

Jian Li was a little surprised. Xueying rarely called when on set, citing too many prying eyes.

She answered, “Hello, Ying—”

Before she could finish, Xueying’s voice burst through with excitement: “Big news! I just heard Zhou Shubei is back!”

Jian Li froze. The voice on the other end seemed to grow distant, then snapped back to clarity.

“Really?” Her tone was calm. “That’s good.”

“You don’t sound surprised at all,” Xueying said.

“He’s from North City. It was only a matter of time before he came back,” Jian Li replied.

“It’s not just a simple return. My brother says Zhou Shubei brought back a top-tier manufacturing team to expand into the tech industry. He’s never shown interest in this before. I bet it’s because he knows you’re in this field. He wants to challenge you.”

“On one hand, he’s bitter about the breakup; on the other, he can’t stop himself from testing the waters. A classic love-hate relationship. Eventually, love wins over bitterness, and you two get back together.”

Jian Li chuckled and shot down her friend’s drama plot. “Miss Best Actress, please stop.”

“Why? Tell me it doesn’t make sense?” Xueying insisted. “He really liked you. Almost broke ties with his family for you. Never dated anyone after going abroad. Now he’s back right before your robot launch. What a coincidence, huh? If he didn’t care, why rush back at this moment?”

Even though Jian Li knew it was impossible, she still paused. The central air blew across her neck, making her shiver. The water in her cup cooled, but she had no desire to drink it anymore. She set it aside and leaned against the glass counter, looking at the robot in the corner.

She touched the sleeping robot’s panel, and her own tired, overworked reflection stared back.

Jian Li rubbed her temples, steering the conversation away, “How’s the filming going?”

“Not bad, just a lot of night shoots. My sleep schedule’s completely flipped,” Xueying yawned. “Next time I’m picking a daytime role.”

“You’re working hard, Actress Tan. Once you’re done filming, we’ll celebrate properly,” Jian Li said.

Xueying’s voice perked up, “I want one of your new robots!”

Jian Li smiled, “Sure.”

They chatted a bit longer before the director called Xueying back to set.

Her phone buzzed with a low battery warning. Jian Li plugged it in, and the screen lit up—midnight, Friday.

Her eyes, strained from long hours, were dry. One word blurred on the screen:

Zhou Shubei.

Memories hidden in an old tin box rushed out uninvited. A teenage boy’s face became clearer in her mind.

“You sure run fast.”

“…”

“What’re you hiding for? I say a few things and now I can’t even kiss you?”

“…”

“Jian Qingli, you’re so domineering.”

“…”

“Let me lean on you for a bit.”

Each scene replayed like a movie, finally drowned out by a torrential rain.

“Fine.”
He laughed bitterly, kissed her with rough, wild force—bit her lower lip hard, his thumb brushing over the blood on her lip and chin. “Jian Qingli, is your heart made of iron?”

“Yes.”
Her voice was calm, like a bystander. “So, can I go now?”

Zhou Shubei let go. Under the crisscrossing lights, she saw him rip something from his wrist and throw it into the rain-soaked trash.

His tall figure walked away and never looked back.

…

Jian Li took a deep breath. The blurred name on the screen became clear again.

She shoved those memories back down, set the phone aside, and turned off the lights.

—

The product launch was held at the South City Tech Exhibition Center.

“Why are there so many people today?” said Yu Yue, the programmer in the passenger seat. The outdoor lot was nearly full of luxury cars. “Which big shot’s showing up?”

“Probably because people heard about our robot launch,” said the guy in the backseat, pride in his voice. “Our last model was a top-seller. Neo is gonna blow their minds.”

Jian Li smiled quietly, knowing it couldn’t be that simple.

Currently, only 20% of the AI market was focused on humanoid robots. Most companies cared about utility and efficiency. Making robots resemble humans reduced practicality and value. Jian Li’s company specialized in personal companion robots, which sold well to individual consumers—but not on the enterprise level.

The venue design was futuristic—glass structures, LED screens looping AI lifestyle promos. Lights refracted on the floor like a starry sky.

At the entrance, guide robots checked every team’s credentials. Waiter bots served drinks and snacks.

As with all banquets, the core was networking—people mingled, exchanged business cards, chatted in groups.

“President Jian, long time no see.” A man in a black suit approached. His beer belly strained against his shirt, and his eyes shamelessly roamed her. “Still as beautiful as ever. No wonder they call you the belle of the industry.”

As a service bot passed by, the man grabbed two glasses of wine and handed one to her. “A toast, President Jian.”

Over the years, Jian Li had attended enough of these events to go from clueless to composed. She accepted the wine with a graceful hand.

“I toast to you, Mr. Zhu.”

Under the lights, her snow-white skin, willow brows, crescent lips, and long lashes all painted a cold beauty—elegant and distant.

The man stared, then leaned in. “Only a sip? Do you look down on me, President Jian?”

She subtly stepped away—only for a silver hand to intercept his.

“What kind of junk robot is this? Move!” he snapped.

Jian Li’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “This is our new companion robot. You think it’s junk? We spent years developing it. I didn’t expect such low regard from you, Mr. Zhu.”

Zhu Yunchuan realized her words had flipped his own tactic on him. He quickly backpedaled with a smile and drank the wine to save face.

“Very professional,” Jian Li said to Neo afterward.

The robot nodded. “Thank you.”

Their company was the last to present. Just as she was about to move, a commotion stirred at the entrance.

She turned—and saw him.

Zhou Shubei.

Tall, sharp-featured, dressed head-to-toe in black. Cold, distant, eyes narrow and cutting.

He walked like the world owed him nothing. Calm. Untouchable.

Gasps followed him.

“Who is that? He looks familiar.”

“You don’t know? That’s Zhou Shubei, heir of the Guanghui Zhou family.”

“They invited him? No wonder it’s packed.”

“Didn’t he nearly fall out with his grandfather over a girl in college? How is he heir now?”

“That girl took a payout and dumped him. After that, he came to his senses and played the obedient grandson. His brothers were incompetent, so naturally, he rose to the top.”

“Damn. That girl must be kicking herself now. Gave up the whole Guanghui empire for a few bucks. Right, President Jian?”

Caught off guard, Jian Li tightened her grip on the glass and forced a polite smile. “Maybe.”

Then the crowd quieted.

Zhou Shubei’s gaze found hers.

The event host stepped in, introducing her. “This is President Jian from Rainbow, creator of the market’s leading home robot tech.”

Zhou Shubei repeated the name slowly. His eyes—once filled with affection—now cold and distant.

“Rainbow. I’ve heard of it.”
His voice was calm and cutting, like the sharpest blade.
“Long time no see.”

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