Malfunctioning Utopia

Chapter 20: Hunger

Hearing the girl’s words, Sun Jack was left speechless. He didn’t know what to say.

After a few seconds of standing there dumbfounded, he reached out and gave her shoulder a comforting pat. “It’s okay. We’ll definitely find work. Don’t lose hope. Keep your chin up.”

AA sniffled, wiped her tears away with her sleeve, and stood up again. “Thank you. You’re a good person. When I heard you speak earlier today, I knew you were different from the others.”

“Heh, there’s no such thing as a job for a good person in this godforsaken place,” Sun Jack replied with self-deprecation.

Perhaps finding solace in their shared misfortune, AA suddenly felt closer to Sun Jack and even enthusiastically tried to help him.

“You haven’t found work either, right? Go inside and try. They’re still hiring men, and they haven’t filled all the spots yet. You’re definitely better than me—you’ll get in for sure. Good luck!”

After saying this, AA perked up and headed toward the nearby subway entrance.

Watching her disappear into the distance, Sun Jack turned and stared blankly at the neon-lit entrance to Club 69.

Just then, Tapai sauntered over, grinning cheekily. “What’s up? Thinking of giving it a shot? How’s your stamina? Can you keep up?”

“Give your uncle a shot! I’m going home!” Sun Jack leaped onto Tapai’s back.

Back at home, Sun Jack took a hot shower, then stood by the window in his pajamas, gazing at the neon-soaked cityscape in the rain.

Everything was quiet now, but his mind wasn’t.

“Tapai, do you think I’ve been wrong about everything? Maybe people like Song 6PUS don’t avoid steady jobs because they don’t want them. Maybe they just can’t find normal work.”

The day’s events had given Sun Jack a glimpse of the darker reality hidden beneath the city’s dazzling neon. Perhaps no one wanted to go mad; maybe they were just pushed to the brink.

“Do I really have to become like them to survive?”

“Shut up! You chose Guardian Mode, not Counselor Mode. I’m not here to chat with you.”

Sun Jack didn’t have the energy to argue with Tapai anymore because he was starving. Ever since he fell from the sky, he hadn’t eaten in over a day.

With a sliver of hope, he opened the fridge, checking shelf after shelf, hoping to find something edible. But the fridge was emptier than his wallet. In the end, all he could do was knock a chunk of ice out of the freezer and chew on it.

“Sir, are you short on cash? Learn more about our zero-interest loans today!”

“Huh?” Sun Jack, still chewing ice, froze. “Tapai, are you calling me?”

But Tapai, charging on the wall, remained silent.

Following the voice, Sun Jack realized it was just an ad playing on his apartment’s 3D television.

“D*mn it, this data tracking stuff makes it feel like I have zero privacy,” he muttered as he walked over, still chewing the ice, to watch the ad.

It didn’t surprise him much. Even in his time, shopping apps seemed to read his mind, instantly suggesting products after he merely thought about them. Technology today was just even more over-the-top. Řäℕο฿Ęs̈

“It’s an easy calculation. Based on how many times and how frequently you’ve submitted resumes today, it’s obvious you’re a broke-a** who’s nearly down to their underwear.”

Sun Jack shot Tapai a disdainful look. “Can you shut up for once? Didn’t you say you’re not obligated to talk to me?”

“Light banter, casual insults, and roasting users help maintain their mental health under high-stress conditions, minimizing the risk of mental illnesses. Tapai robots—you deserve one!凸(>皿<)凸”

“Stop selling me crap! I’m trying to watch an ad, and you’re advertising on top of it! I’m starving, alright? Stop bothering me!”

Silencing Tapai, Sun Jack started looking into the so-called zero-interest loans. But his hopes were quickly dashed. “Free” was never real. The loans required collateral—not just assets like prosthetics, cars, or homes, but even body parts.

After everything he’d experienced today, Sun Jack didn’t dare imagine what kind of methods this world would use to reclaim collateral if someone defaulted.

“D*mn, this is some next-level shady business.” He waved his hand, switching channels, only to find another ad waiting for him.

“Sir, are you short on cash? Learn about our human experimentation labs today! As long as your flesh-to-metal ratio exceeds 20%, you’re eligible for lucrative testing opportunities, from drug trials to prosthetic installations. Earn up to 15 @coins per session!”

Sun Jack stared at the ads, scratching his head in frustration. “Why does it feel like all these ads are tailored specifically for me? Is this crappy TV really not an AI?”

“Should I… try it?” The thought flickered in his mind but was quickly dismissed.

“No way. It hasn’t come to that yet. If I take something like this, how am I any different from those loan sharks’ victims?” He swiftly turned off the holographic TV and headed to the faucet for a drink of water.

“Your water card balance is insufficient. Please recharge promptly.” A notification flashed before his eyes.

“D*mn it, now I can’t even afford water.” Sun Jack wiped his mouth with his sleeve and decided to just sleep it off. At least when he was asleep, he wouldn’t feel hungry. He’d figure something out tomorrow.

But sleeping on an empty stomach was easier said than done. Who knows how long he tossed and turned before finally drifting off.

“Son, son, wake up, wake up,” a voice called. Sun Jack opened his eyes, staring at a familiar ceiling in a daze.

Suddenly, a big round face leaned in close. “Son, stop sleeping. Get up quick! The Spring Festival Gala is starting, and the dumplings are ready!”

“Spring Festival… dumplings?” Before he could react, Sun Jack found himself sitting on a small stool in front of the TV, holding a big bowl of dumplings.

Suddenly, realization struck him, and his expression lit up with joy. “Yes! I knew it! There’s no way all that ridiculous stuff actually happened. It must’ve been a dream!”

The aroma of the dumplings made his mouth water. He grabbed his chopsticks, ready to devour them.

But just as he was about to take a bite, his mom walked over apologetically.

“Oh no, I forgot you don’t like chive dumplings. Let me swap them out for shrimp ones.”

Before Sun Jack could stop her, she took the bowl away. Starving, he clung to her arm desperately.

“Mom, I love chive dumplings now! I love them!”

But his mother’s strength grew unnaturally strong, pulling the bowl farther and farther from him.

“Mom, I love chive dumplings! Please, I’m begging you! I’m starving—so, so hungry!”

As he struggled, Sun Jack tumbled off his bed and onto the cold floor, jolting awake.

He sat there, stunned, staring out at the futuristic, neon-lit world beyond his window.

He couldn’t understand it. In a world so advanced, how could anyone still go hungry?