The cartoon face resumed its smile: “Master, please don’t worry. Although the system’s preset time is incorrect and there have been major errors in the usage environment, causing many of Little Grace’s functions to be unavailable, Little Grace still possesses technology 1,281 years ahead of the present and can provide you with the best quality service!”

“Are you talking to me?” Henry Clark blinked.

“Yes, may I ask if you need anything, Master?”

“You can really talk to me? Uh, I mean, are you really some kind of super-intelligent program?”

“Yes, Master, Little Grace is a super-intelligent program. However, Little Grace is not a complete intelligent program and can only provide limited smart services in conjunction with the entertainment watch,” the smart watch replied.

“This watch really does talk to me like the real thing. It really seems like a treasure—maybe it’s actually real!”

Henry Clark was starting to feel a bit shocked. This Little Grace was actually talking to him. Henry Clark had teased the virtual bot Microsoft Xiaoice on WeChat before, but Xiaoice was definitely not this smart—her conversations were more like picking sentences to match. But this Little Grace could converse just by voice and answer in great detail. Unbelievable.

Swallowing, Henry Clark asked again, “So, Little Grace, what functions do you have?”

Little Grace’s expression looked thoughtful for a moment, then smiled and said, “Little Grace used to have many functions, but they require network support. Now that we’re in 2015, without the networks of the future, many of Little Grace’s functions are locked. Only some simple retro functions and the core interactive task part of the entertainment features remain.”

“Interactive tasks? Tell me more.”

“Okay, Master. Interactive tasks are a capability exclusively developed for Little Grace by Xinbao Entertainment. Little Grace can issue you some simple or difficult tasks, and after you complete them, you’ll receive corresponding rewards. There are five levels of interactive tasks, from one-star to five-star. Currently, since you haven’t completed any unlock tasks, only one-star tasks are available. Higher-level tasks require you to complete unlock tasks before they can be issued.”

“I see. Hmm, give me a one-star task first,” Henry Clark said, rubbing his chin.

Little Grace smiled slightly: “Okay, creating task, beep beep. Based on your interests and needs, the first task has been generated: [Get the First Kill]—go to Hengdian and complete your first extra role in a film or TV show. The reward for this task is…”

Before finishing the sentence, Little Grace suddenly frowned: “Considering that the current time is 2015 and many rewards cannot be used by you, the reward will be automatically changed. Beep beep, updating the prize pool, beep beep, update complete. The reward for this task is: a newbie gift pack, which can contain many surprises.”

“Such a simple task, there’s no challenge at all!” Henry Clark scratched his head. “But, I bought a ticket to Hengdian for tomorrow, so I can’t complete it yet. Little Grace, give me another task, preferably one I can do right now.”

“I’m sorry, Master. According to the usage rules, Little Grace can only issue one task at a time. If you can’t complete it, you’ll have to wait until the ten-day task unlock period ends before you can choose to change the task.”

“Have to wait ten days? That’s really annoying. Fine, if I can’t change it, I can’t change it. Little Grace, tell me, what is the future world like?”

“I’m sorry, Master. Little Grace can only answer questions related to the smart watch. Other questions are beyond Little Grace’s authority. However, if you unlock the four-star task, you can choose to have Little Grace issue a task for a specified reward, and you can learn about the future through tasks.”

“I see.”

“In addition, Little Grace would like to ask you, Master, please do not tell anyone else about Little Grace. If Little Grace falls into the hands of someone ambitious, they will definitely try every means to crack Little Grace’s secrets. Little Grace has unique protection methods from Xinbao Company, including a built-in nuclear fusion power device, and will self-destruct if necessary. If self-destruction occurs, it could cause great harm to humanity. Please understand, Master.”

“Whoa, nuclear fusion! Don’t worry, Little Grace, I won’t tell anyone. But are you sure there won’t be a nuclear leak and I’ll get irradiated?”

“Little Grace has obtained the highest level of international safety standards…”

All afternoon, Henry Clark was studying Little Grace. There was no doubt that Little Grace was a high-tech watch from the future, and he had picked it up by sheer luck. But Little Grace was just an entertainment watch; it was impossible to change the world with it. He could only get some benefits by completing tasks.

Little Grace didn’t reveal exactly what benefits could be obtained, only saying that rewards would be arranged as much as possible according to Henry Clark’s ideals and strengths, at least making Henry Clark’s efforts yield twice the result with half the effort.

All in all, for 299 yuan, buying Little Grace, Henry Clark felt he’d made a huge profit.

……

Henry Clark was from Huaicheng by Hongze Lake. Since childhood, he had dreamed of being an artist and wanted to get into famous art schools like Beijing Film Academy, Central Academy of Drama, or Shanghai Theatre Academy. Unfortunately, he took the art entrance exam twice and, unsurprisingly, failed both times. Now, at eighteen, Henry Clark didn’t want to keep studying for the exams, so he decided to try his luck in Hengdian.

His parents couldn’t persuade him otherwise, so they agreed to let him go to Hengdian.