Chapter Seven: The Lottery Outlet

"Test computing power?" Zhou Yongtai was momentarily confused. "Ada, compared to the robots of this era, you are like an elephant facing a squirrel—a higher-dimensional being. What is it that you need to prove?"

Ada pointed to the center of her chest. "But if my power supply stops, I am nothing more than a pile of scrap metal, less useful than a streetlamp post. Therefore, we need sufficient funds to gain access to the right facilities to recharge me."

"Ah... how foolish of me!" Zhou Yongtai realized.

In the year 2085, advanced humanoid servants like Ada had achieved bionic integration for their internal batteries. All energy storage structures were based on flexible zinc-air battery technology, designed to mirror the pathways of the human circulatory system, perfectly contoured to the servant's frame. Their power source had achieved a generational breakthrough—electromagnetic energy from the Earth's rotation, harvested by space-based power stations and transmitted to the servants' charging hubs.

But right now, it was 2035. The technologies for bionic structural batteries and geomagnetic power transmission were far from mature. Even the leading nations in AI technology on Earth could not possibly provide the necessary recharge for Ada's bionic battery.

Fortunately, just as a luxury carmaker would provide a traditional key alongside a high-tech remote, Ada had a backup. In addition to her "bionic heart battery hub," she was equipped with a solid-state battery near her ribs with decent energy density and a ten-year cycle life, serving as a "reserve force" for her primary system.

Just moments ago, from the park to the university and then to the food court, Ada had observed that the humanoid robots of this time and space used solid-state batteries with interfaces identical to her own. This meant that here and now, in Singapore, there were charging stations she could use.

"Look at this advertisement, A-Tai," Ada said, pointing to a poster on the back of a bus stop sign. "Purchase an AI-Link card and enjoy the convenience of mobile charging for your servant, starting at 99 Singapore dollars per week."

Zhou Yongtai shook off the guilt of having only worried about his own hunger while neglecting Ada's power needs. He nodded. "Yes, we must keep making money."

Suddenly, he realized something and asked directly, "You mentioned computing power... you, are you planning to go to a casino?"

During their days hiding on a deserted Indonesian island, his mother had given them human books and films. Zhou Yongtai remembered that Ada was particularly fond of a dated, dull series of spy films—007. Just days before they were stranded, Ada had been rewatching the installment titled *Casino Royale* and had expressed great interest in how to use computing power to outplay the house.

Ada shook her head. "No, I have already searched. Although this country has casinos, they are strictly regulated. Only foreign passport holders are permitted entry, likely to prevent their own citizens and permanent residents from becoming addicted and failing to work. As for us, we have no passports. Therefore, we must buy lottery tickets."

Under the scorching August sun, the two followed Ada's map data and arrived at a lottery betting outlet after walking one block. Beneath the blue sign with white lettering that read "Singapore Pools," a long line had already formed.

Because no one had won the jackpot for two consecutive draws, the TOTO prize pool had climbed to ten million Singapore dollars.

Zhou Yongtai’s gaze shifted from the expectant faces of the crowd to the robot responsible for issuing the tickets.

"Ada, it seems you need identity verification to buy a lottery ticket. What do we do?"

"I am aware. That is why I have already hacked into the government database and retrieved your grandfather's permit information. A-Tai, you look so much like him."