"Have you intercepted any valuable information yet?" Jiang Ye asked.
"Not yet," the plainclothes team leader replied.
"Has the smart fungus and AI identified any audio worth listening to?"
"We have. Yesterday there were a total of 28 audio segments, and as of half an hour ago today, there were 37. We've listened to them all, and there's nothing problematic," the eavesdropping team leader said.
"The only worry now is whether the censors might be using coded language, speaking like they're using a cipher. For example, 'Did you eat cake?' could mean 'Did you gather any information?' If that's the case, the current capabilities of the smart fungus and AI wouldn't be able to identify it, and it would be tough for us to figure out too," Shao Wan said. "Furthermore, it's highly likely that the censors have experience with being eavesdropped on and wouldn't communicate directly on this planet at all. They might transmit key information by writing on paper."
"I considered that before. We could think of conducting city-wide surveillance, and other more powerful planets would surely think of it too. The censors must have corresponding measures," Jiang Ye said. "The possibility of actually hearing anything is very small, but you still need to give it your all. It's like having a pile of treasure maps to dig for gold; 99 of them are fake and good for nothing but wiping your backside, but if even one is real, the reward can be overwhelmingly immense."
"Yes!" The plainclothes officers nodded sternly. They were all hand-picked elites, and they would give their utmost effort regardless of how small the possibility was.
"How are the data review arrangements going?" Jiang Ye turned to Shao Wan.
"I've arranged for four hundred people, along with a supercomputer, to work at the core of the first burrow of the Earthworm. They should have already started by now," Shao Wan said. "Their computing power can sift through the information of all alien merchants who have come to Jiang Ye Star, picking out any minor discrepancies. In addition to that, I've specifically assigned a twenty-person team to check the consumption records of everyone on the entire planet. If anyone has consistently spent money in multiple cities, we'll compile a list. After all, the censors will definitely be moving around."
"Good. The logistics hub is seeing more and more alien merchants these days. If the computing power isn't enough, add more. The funds will be transferred to you immediately," Jiang Ye nodded.
...
Returning home, filled with exhaustion.
Jiang Ye immediately saw a brand-new painting. It was completed by Jiang Senlin in the past half hour, lured by Cen Yemeng with chocolate biscuits.
The painting was somewhat abstract, but Jiang Ye understood it. It was likely a little monster perched on a leaf.
Most creatures, when they become small, tend to look very cute. After all, only things that pose no threat have a chance of being recognized as cute. The little monster in this painting was no longer scary at all. Jiang Ye examined it from all angles, and it gave him a feeling of adorableness.
Jiang Senlin was already sleeping soundly in his small bed.
Cen Yemeng was showering in the bathroom, the sound of water splashing. Through the frosted glass, her indistinct white form could be seen.
Jiang Ye was extremely tired, but he still insisted on scanning Jiang Senlin's new painting and sending it to Shi Ningfu.
Soon, Shi Ningfu's reply arrived.
"Very clever! Very good! The child's composition, color matching, and ideas are flawless. The only issue is that the style is a bit rigid. Have you noticed that his current paintings all have similar brushstrokes?"
Jiang Ye scratched his head. "Teacher, don't laugh at me, but I have no talent for painting and don't understand it. However, I think it's a good thing if this child can form a unique style, don't you think?"
Shi Ningfu: "He hasn't formed his own style yet. It's just that because he's young, his expression relies on innate dexterity, which naturally leads to a rigid style. If you want to cultivate this child into a truly high-level painter, you must have him study the styles of various master painters, imitate them, and after multiple imitations, coupled with extensive practice, he will gradually form his own style. At that point, his style will be very stable, somewhat like practicing martial arts. Some martial arts prodigies can unleash fierce attacks at a very young age, but to become a martial arts master, one must learn a thousand techniques, then forget those thousand techniques, and finally form a unique skill."
Jiang Ye suddenly understood.
Experts are experts, and masters are masters. They can explain things so eloquently!
Jiang Ye: "Then, Teacher, how should Jiang Senlin learn various techniques?"
The sound of water in the bathroom stopped.
Cen Yemeng emerged, wrapped in a white towel, her hair damp. Water droplets trickled down her smooth legs to her feet, leaving wet marks on the floor. She ran barefoot behind Jiang Ye and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Husband," she said softly, "You've been working so late, you must be very tired. Why aren't you sleeping?"
"Communicating with Professor Shi," Jiang Ye showed her the chat history.
Cen Yemeng nodded, returned to the bathroom, and the sound of a hairdryer quickly started.
The sweeping robot buzzed over, sucking up the water footprints on the floor.
Jiang Ye waited for a long time, and Shi Ningfu's reply finally came.
It was a large folder.
Inside the folder were more than ten subfolders, each containing hundreds of different paintings. Although Jiang Ye knew nothing about painting, he could tell that each subfolder represented a style or school.
Shi Ningfu: "You can put the images on the large screen for Jiang Senlin to view. You can also print them into large art books, preferably 3D art books that replicate each layer of oil paint, for Jiang Senlin to learn from. Guide him to imitate similar styles, telling him it's an imitation game, not a task, to avoid him resisting painting. If he's willing, have him paint one piece a day and submit it to me, and I'll provide feedback."
Jiang Ye: "Okay, I'll have him start learning from tomorrow. Thank you for your trouble."
Shi Ningfu: "Why not start today?"
Jiang Ye was taken aback. It was already late at night. Did he have to study so hard?
Jiang Ye: "The child is already asleep. At such a young age, I still want him to get enough sleep. As you know, this child has a special physical condition and needs to be well-cared for."
Shi Ningfu: "I apologize, I made a mistake. It's only six in the morning here. I subconsciously assumed it was morning for you too. I just asked Mrs. Isabel and found out it's already past midnight on your end. I'm very sorry. Let the child sleep well. Then, starting tomorrow, he can begin with the first subfolder."
Jiang Ye suddenly realized it was a time zone difference.
Cen Yemeng had finished drying her hair.
She walked over, said nothing, and abruptly pushed Jiang Ye onto the soft, large bed.
She reached out, grabbed his phone, and tossed it onto the bedside table.
"I see you're quite energetic," Cen Yemeng pounced on him. "Come on, husband, I can't wait to have another painter child."
"Maybe the next one won't be a painter, but a musician, or a writer. I'd rather have an athlete," Jiang Ye chuckled. "I'm really tired. Let's talk about it tomorrow morning, okay?"
Cen Yemeng pouted, frowned, and burrowed into the covers. "Alright."