Chapter 88: Command of the Battlefield

Xiao Kaitian had not visited the Seventh Festival Media Consulting office often, but most of the employees knew that there was still a “boss behind the scenes.” When they finally saw him in person, they all widened their eyes, as though gazing at some rare animal, their faces full of curiosity.

It was hardly surprising. Seventh Festival Media Consulting looked as if business was booming, but those who knew the truth all understood that it was a money-burning machine. What employees were most curious about was what sort of twisted circuitry in the boss’s mind could possibly have conceived of opening such an eccentric company.

When many of them had first joined, they had worried over whether their salaries would be paid on time. By now, however, such discussions no longer existed.

“President Xiao,” Tang Tian, busy at work, was also taken aback when she saw the two of them. “And this is...”

“A friend of mine,” Xiao Kaitian replied vaguely. “Seat them beside me. Is there a place?”

“Yes.” Tang Tian answered, then could not help stealing a few more glances at Gu Zixi. This was the first time Xiao Kaitian had brought a female friend along, but Gu Zixi merely looked decent enough; and because she was so thin, she almost seemed mistreated. Was this the sort of taste Xiao Kaitian preferred?

With that thought, Tang Tian arranged seats for them. Then she sat down on Xiao Kaitian’s left. “President Xiao, I think I could host a discussion like this too.” Looking at Guo Lei, who was already prepared onstage, she thought resentfully that why should all the limelight go to Guo Lei alone?

“You’re not suitable.” Xiao Kaitian refused without even thinking.

“Why not!” Tang Tian nearly sprang up. She gripped the armrests tightly, straightened her back, and faced him down.

“Your image doesn’t fit. You’re the passionate, bold type of beauty, while Guo Lei has a more gentle, refined air. As an image, she suits this atmosphere better.” Xiao Kaitian kept his eyes on the stage and gave his answer.

Tang Tian gritted her teeth, unconvinced. Wasn’t it just hosting a meeting? What did image have to do with anything!

Sensing her dissatisfaction, Xiao Kaitian consoled her. “You have your strengths too. As for this discussion’s theme, later on go find some media and give it a bit of a push. I want this topic to have some public buzz online as well, to lay the groundwork for what comes later.”

“Hmph.” Only then did Tang Tian turn her head away and fall silent. Xiao Kaitian was right; in dealing with media and public relations, she was indeed more skilled.

Gu Zixi on the side, meanwhile, simply looked left and right. Once the novelty had worn off, she fixed her gaze on Xiao Kaitian.

With the lesson of the last time, the process for this discussion had become much smoother for Seventh Festival Media Consulting. The only problem was that there were too many observers. All the seats in the venue were full, and many extra plastic stools had been brought in. Nearly seven to eight hundred people were crammed together in a dense mass.

Guo Lei went onstage, and the room did not need heating; it was already warm enough. The exhaust fans around the hall were all switched on. These details had all been considered by Xiao Kaitian in advance, and everyone could not help admiring his foresight.

After a brief and straightforward opening statement, the discussion began according to schedule. Some of the participants were outstanding speakers from the previous session, and in order to liven up the atmosphere, they had been invited back once more.

“I’m a computer science student from Haidu University of Transportation,” said the first speaker, a bespectacled young man, pushing his glasses up. “To be frank, the theme we’re discussing today feels to me less like science and more like science fiction.”

“Artificial organs—I think everyone has seen them in some science fiction films, or in novels and comics. But setting ethical issues aside, the actual realization of such technology is a very difficult process.”

“Of course, what we’re discussing today is the content itself, not the technical problems. Rather, we’re assuming such things exist and asking what kind of changes they would bring to human society. I think that is the significance of this discussion session.”

“In other words, I personally believe that in the future human society will become divided between pure biological beings and bio-mechanical hybrids. The split between these two social groups, and the conflicts arising in between, are things that must be fully considered.”

As soon as he finished, someone immediately pressed the speaking button. It was a man in his forties.

“I’m a doctor,” he said, holding the microphone, though his words were sharp as a blade. “Social ethics and morality are not something doctors can consider in every respect. Our duty has only one purpose: to save every wounded person, even if he is an extreme terrorist.”

“From that standpoint, the realization of artificial organs would greatly solve the problem of biological organ rejection. To give a simple statistic, the death rate from heart disease has been one of humanity’s leading causes of death over the past fifteen years. If suitable artificial hearts were available as replacements, we could imagine not only a reduction in mortality, but perhaps also an extension of the average human lifespan.”

Someone immediately raised an objection. It was a female doctor from obstetrics and gynecology.

“Also as a doctor, but from a different medical perspective, I think your view is incomplete. The reason life is beautiful and captivating is that it comes from nature and returns to nature. But this kind of proposal is entirely an artificial interference in the course of nature, and that is a very dangerous thing.”

“Consider this: once artificial organs become an accepted reality, will there not be a divide between people who use them and those who do not? Will that difference not affect social status? And if it does, then I can already foresee this: those with the means will begin modifying their children the moment they are born.”

“You need to understand that I’m not talking about normal people,” the male doctor argued. “The product is defined for those with medical needs, not for everyone.”

“Even so, in a few decades we humans will all be human-machine hybrids.”

“And what will you use to guarantee that?” The female obstetrician stood up. “Once commercialization is established, the extended line of products will inevitably involve healthy people. What will you use to guarantee that?”

The sparks on-site immediately ignited. Guo Lei had no choice but to take the microphone again. “Everyone, everyone, I think the purpose of our discussion is to optimize the implementation plan as much as possible under some feasible premise. Both of your positions have valid points. Ah... may I ask whether the two of you are colleagues from the same hospital?”

“She is my ex-wife,” the male doctor replied irritably.

The venue burst into laughter. Guo Lei was embarrassed as well, and hurriedly smoothed things over. “Then it seems your minds must spark with an unusual brilliance when you communicate. I think the two of you could perhaps, in private, spend a little more time on this topic and further exchange your views.”

Another wave of laughter followed. Even the two people whose opinions had clashed looked at each other, then silently sat down.

“So I believe that honest communication is very important, whether at work or in life. Don’t you all agree?” Guo Lei said, placing both hands on either side of the lectern and smiling as she gave her conclusion.

Thunderous applause broke out across the hall.

“See? That’s her ability to control the room.” Xiao Kaitian crossed one leg over the other and said to Tang Tian with a sideways tilt of his head.

At that, Tang Tian bit her lip.