SEE YOU MORNING

'SEE YOU MORNING' 002 On the Road

The car was behind, and Qin Wenjing walked ahead, talking.

She was dressed in a beige business suit, a women's blazer, wide-leg trousers, and high heels. She walked gracefully, always at a leisurely pace, her feet planted in a straight line, her hips swaying gently with each step.

Though petite, she had a well-proportioned figure. Li Haojun, following behind, happened to glance down at her collar. The collar of her white shirt was turned outside her jacket collar. She had a braided pigtail running down her left neck to her chest, and an amethyst pendant adorned her right ear.

Outside the back door of the house was an arched corridor of vines. Walking inside, I saw a silver sedan parked. The dim, overcast sky and the reflection of the green leaves on the car's paint gave it a solemn and graceful appearance, especially the lines of the chrome grille, which complemented the headlights and the matching front bumper.

"Volvo, 960," Li Haojun recognized it. "Yes, it's the one you like," Qin Wenjing said with a smile as she walked around the front of the plane. Her smile was bright, and as she reached the driver's seat, she kept her upper body facing Li Haojun. Then she opened the door and slid into the driver's seat.

Li Haojun followed suit and slid into the passenger seat, buckling up. He watched as Qin Wenjing grabbed her driving shoes from the back seat, put them on, buckled up, and started the car. He was curious about what would pop into his head now that he'd actually remembered the car's model. But the sound of the car starting up wasn't that of a gasoline engine, but an electric car, albeit with a mechanical transmission.

"I thought it was a classic car, but it's actually a replica electric car," Li Haojun said.

"Yes, a fine replica. How could it be otherwise? It's almost a hundred years old." With that, Qin Wenjing had already driven the car onto the road. A silver sedan glided smoothly along a country road lined with ash trees. The shadows of the trees and the pale gray of the sky alternated and rhythmically reflected on the pale green windshield and the silver body of the car, as if everything had merged into one.

At some point, Qin Wenjing had put on a pair of glasses with gold wire frames. The wind from the side window occasionally ruffled her hair, the bumps in the road occasionally swayed her earrings, and the corners of her lipstick-coated lips curled slightly. "Can you tell me where we're going and what we're doing?" Li Haojun asked.

"To Spokane, exchanging data keys for a biotech company. Work is voluntary these days—of course, only for those with the ability. Even if you don't work, you still have basic guarantees. On the other hand, rights and responsibilities always come with equal weight, but with today's society and technological advancements, ordinary people can no longer participate."

"Lincoln once said, 'If you ask me what kind of government I want, I want a republic, but voters must be able to oversee it.'"

"Then why do you work for this company?"

"Because... you," Qin Wenjing said, hesitating.

"Because you work for this company."

"Ha," Li Haojun laughed self-deprecatingly. I don't even know who I am now." "It'll be fine. At least you're a quasi-interstellar citizen now."

"What do you mean?" Li Haojun asked after a moment's hesitation.

"We all are. Ever since the rise of artificial intelligence and the legislation allowing for human enhancement programs, we've had to assign different rights and obligations to people of different levels. After World War III, the American government ceased to exist. Those who meet the requirements for citizenship have political power, such as voting for governor. Those who don't meet the current social standards can only be residents. They also have basic social welfare and human rights, but no vote in economic and political matters."

"Of course, there are also those who disagree with the current government's jurisdiction, such as family planning, education requirements, and vaccination programs. Most importantly, they don't have to pay taxes. Otherwise, you can't escape the IRS in the United States. They've gone to nature reserves, and unless there's a large-scale humanitarian disaster, the current regime won't intervene."

"Let them fend for themselves?" Li Haojun asked.

"No As for their lives being okay, haven't humans lived that way for thousands of years? We don't enforce the law there. It's completely pristine."

"Are we enhanced humans?" Li Haojun asked.

"No, you don't have to be superhuman to meet the standards of a quasi-interstellar citizen. As long as you can keep up with the pace of this era, it's fine. We're all ordinary people, natural beings. Of course, people like us generally have an IQ above 120. Just like the people who immigrated to Mars, anyone who can handle one or more professional skills can meet the requirements."

"Yeah, that's true. Such a harsh environment does require superior abilities."

"There are also personality traits, such as teamwork and psychological qualities. These are measured through the social activity evaluation system, which is why I work."

"Cool, you're great," Li Haojun applauded.

"Haha, don't give me that," Qin Wenjing said, her face beaming despite her scornful expression. As they chatted and laughed, the car left the tree-lined road and entered a rolling hilly area. A two-way, single-lane country road meandered between the hillsides and a small river, occasionally passing small villages, shops, and cafes on the roadside. The sky gradually cleared, and the rain-washed roofs and fields looked brand new.

Reaching a flat, straight road, Qin Wenjing slowed down and parked the car by the side of the road.

"Would you like to drive for a while?"

"What? I'm still driving? I got into this mess last time."

"It wasn't your fault last time," Qin Wenjing said, glancing back, pushing the door open, and stretching.

"I'm so tired."

Following the coquettish voice, Li Haojun peered out the door frame and saw Qin Wenjing with her hands raised, revealing her slender waist. The white shirt beneath her blazer highlighted the curves of her breasts. Li Haojun also pushed the door and got out, unable to resist asking, "You said you were 42, but I look 22."

"Biology!" Qin Wenjing pursed her lips, tilted her head, and made an infuriating face.

"You said I was 36, but look at me, I look 46. How come I don't have any experience in biotechnology?"

"You're young, yet mature!" They both burst into laughter.

Li Haojun took the driver's seat, familiarizing himself with the gear lever and controls. Just as he was about to speak, Qin Wenjing got out of the passenger seat and sat in the back seat.

"Hey, I was just about to tell you that your playful behavior just now reminded me of Qingwen from the classic TV series, 'Dream of the Red Chamber.'" Li Haojun thought to himself that this girl had a playful, somewhat alluring smile, but he was too embarrassed to say it out loud. Then, as if realizing something, Li Haojun looked Qin Wenjing straight in the eye.

"Welcome back!" Qin Wenjing gave him a thumbs-up. Li Haojun drove onto the road. After a short familiarization drive, he realized he could drive. Qin Wenjing didn't interrupt him, but sat quietly in the back seat, her head resting on the headrest, slightly tilted to the side, watching Li Haojun in the rearview mirror.

Li Haojun glanced at her in the rearview mirror from time to time, feeling a strange feeling.

"Why aren't you talking?" Li Haojun asked.

"I'm tired," Wenjing replied softly, her eyes still fixed on him...