'SEE YOU MORNING' 050 Basic Marketing

He caught a short nap at a Richmond motel across the water from San Francisco's aquatic city in the early hours. After waking up in the morning, Li Haojun and Kesiya led the convoy onward to the plaza of Realm of Mindscape. Talaski BioGen Innovations was set to hold a new product launch conference in the building together with this strategic partner.

The fleet of Talaski BioGen Innovations parked on one side of the plaza. Li Haojun stayed mainly backstage at the conference hall to handle material support. On the stage ahead, presenters introduced the product's new functions, applications and data comparisons. Volunteers also experienced the perception enhancement technology on the spot, sharing how it helped with daily life, work, study, training and entertainment. The entire venue was thick with a marketing atmosphere, which even disgusted Li Haojun. The penetration of such tech products into the mass consumer market would force ordinary people across society to join this technological race just to gain an edge. Fears stemming from human weaknesses, vanity and the desire for power could all become driving forces, and most ordinary folks would end up being manipulated by the elite amid this social trend.

The morning marketing activities came to an end, and they set off right away, aiming to reach Las Vegas by the next morning. They headed along Interstate 80 toward the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It appeared to be low tide, with shoals exposed. Some sections of the original Interstate 80 had their roadbeds raised, while others were rebuilt as elevated highways. Driving along the winding viaduct, he could see the road support structures rising further out of the water here and there, badly eroded by seawater.

After passing through Reno, Li Haojun and Kesiya got out to stock up on supplies before continuing their journey. They switched from Interstate 80 to Highway 95, and by afternoon, they had covered half the distance. Exhausted, Li Haojun found technical staff being assigned as drivers, and he wondered why the work had been arranged this way. Suffering from lack of sleep and feeling drowsy after a full meal in the afternoon, he knew he badly needed a rest. He then turned to Kesiya and spoke.

" I'll activate the driver assistance system. Would you like to take over the wheel for a while? Have a taste of driving."

"Is that allowed?" Kesiya asked curiously.

"Of course. The assistance system won't intervene if it judges there is no danger." Seeing her interest, Li Haojun went on. "Alright, let me walk you through it first. By the way, have you ever played driving simulation games? Or are you into cars and racing?"

"Never, and I don't have much interest in them either. Malaya is quite fond of those things though."

"It's fine, just give it a try. This vehicle has two pedals." As he spoke, Li Haojun gradually pressed down the accelerator, then the brake, letting Kesiya feel the acceleration while explaining. "This is an electric car with rear-wheel drive. Though its motor delivers strong torque, the braking force is even more powerful. You can feel the deceleration when hitting the brakes."

He then performed lane changes and emergency evasive maneuvers to let Kesiya experience how the suspension's compression and rebound affected the vehicle's posture, as well as the feedback from the front and rear wheels during acceleration and braking.

After activating the driver assistance system, the two swapped seats. Kesiya followed what Li Haojun had done earlier to get a feel for the car's performance. Li Haojun reminded her again.

"Once you know the operating limits, never push them. This is no drill or video game — you won't get a second chance. Always leave yourself a safe margin."

"I understand," Kesiya nodded in reply.

Yet all this activity chased away Li Haojun's drowsiness completely. He smiled bitterly to himself. He would have to wait for another long drive with Kesiya if he wanted to get some rest this way.

Luck was on their side, and they reached their destination by dusk, so there was no need for night travel and they could enjoy a proper rest. After dinner, he lay in bed browsing the news and finally figured out why the mission was so urgent — their rival was launching new products at the exact same time. Or was it just a coincidence? He could not help but wonder, for market strategy was never part of his responsibilities.

Kesiya was taking a shower. Her figure could be vaguely seen moving behind the patterned glass, and the sound of running water was like background music accompanying her movements. Looking back on the comfortable life he had lived over the past year, as someone who cared little for material comforts or status, he now had several people who occupied his thoughts entering his life. Was it fate, or deliberate arrangement? Li Haojun was lost in confusion about where the future would lead.

Moments later, Kesiya walked out of the bathroom wrapped only in a bath towel and came over to his side. He could still smell the damp scent of her hair, which reminded him of the day in Ellensburg. Back then, she had also been wrapped in a bath towel, helping him stand up from the ground, though she had worn her hair long at that time.

"What are you thinking about?" Kesiya asked softly as she looked at him.

Had he stared at her for too long, making her ask this? Or could this girl always tell what was on his mind? With these thoughts, Li Haojun answered honestly.

"I was thinking about your past."

A smile spread across Kesiya's face, and she asked playfully.

"Which part?" She gazed at him with a grin.

"Ellensburg." As he spoke, Li Haojun took her hand and put his arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.

Kesiya said nothing and lay quietly against his chest.

"Can you really tell what I'm thinking?" Li Haojun asked curiously.

"Sometimes I can, but I'm never entirely sure."

"Did you sense what I was thinking just now?"

"I think so."

"What does it feel like to perceive other people's feelings?" The question sounded awkward even to himself once he finished speaking.

"It feels just like your own emotions — vague and indistinct, flashing through the mind for a split second."

"Do you see things from my perspective or yours?"

"Neither. It's just a feeling in that very moment."

"I see." Li Haojun stroked her short hair and the nape of her neck gently, wondering what kind of fate had brought her to him.

"How did I do behind the wheel this afternoon?" Kesiya suddenly asked, growing excited.

"You did great. It must feel wonderful to be in full control of the car, right?" A neutral term had crossed his mind, but he decided to use more encouraging words to cheer the young girl on.

"Mm-hmm."

Looking at Kesiya's cheerful, youthful face, Li Haojun could not help feeling envious. She never had to burden herself with so many worries, while he still had no clear grasp of the direction his own life was taking.

They chatted for a while. Li Haojun felt the food had fully digested and spoke to Kesiya.

"Let's get some rest now. We have work tomorrow."

"Okay." Kesiya simply replied and moved to the other side of the bed. She seemed to know his thoughts. They had worn themselves out over the past two days and needed sound sleep.

The night was quiet and the bed comfortable, yet Li Haojun felt restless and could not fall asleep in the darkness. It felt as if something was lurking in the shadowed corners, and faint rustling sounds from the hallway outside suggested someone was walking by. Kesiya lay silently right behind him.

He rolled over and glanced her way. He could vaguely make out her face and silhouette as she lay flat on her back, her head turned slightly to the side. After hesitating for a while, he moved closer and rested his hand on her waist.

It turned out Kesiya was also awake. She took his hand and pressed it against her hip, then turned her head toward him and whispered.

"Why have you never... done anything to me?"

"I don't want to spoil what is beautiful about you."

Kesiya leaned closer, burying her face in the crook of his neck and shoulder. She took a deep breath and asked timidly.

"Then why did you come over here?"

"I just want to be close to you." As he spoke, Li Haojun wrapped one arm around her waist and pressed one leg against hers, drawing their bodies together.

After a full night's sleep, both were refreshed and energetic. The light in Kesiya's eyes was bright as she got into the car the next morning.

The Las Vegas launch was held at the flagship store of Elegant Charm Hall. Most of the content here focused on beauty, body care and health services. This Las Vegas outlet was more avant-garde, offering gene repair and modification services. Besides the anti-aging and beauty treatments most people sought, it also provided gene editing and enhancement programs to make people taller, faster and stronger, though these services were not open to the general public.

The morning assistance work ended quickly. They received notice that they could leave the supply vehicles on site and depart via public transport. Li Haojun felt immense relief, glad to be rid of that tedious and time-consuming work. In the lazy afternoon hours, Li Haojun and Kesiya walked hand in hand along the streets, filled with sweet affection. The slanting shadows of palm trees stretched lazily across the ground, adding to the laid-back atmosphere of the afternoon.