The ship's whistle blared as the cruise liner cut through the golden sea. The deck was bustling, the clink of colleagues' glasses mingling with their dreams of traveling around the world.
The announcement system suddenly crackled to life. The captain's voice was hoarse and solemn: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final watch of my forty-year career at sea... Thank you for choosing us, and I wish you all a pleasant journey."
A conversation nearby drifted over.
"Professor Ma, I hear your artificial intelligence has made a major breakthrough?"
"That's right. Common prosperity is just around the corner... Soon, money won't matter anymore."
Chen Li curled his lip and wandered into the shadow by the rail to take out a cigarette. As the flame flickered to life, a young security guard beside him, also puffing away, grinned. "Bro, I just proposed to my girlfriend, who's fresh out of college, and she said yes. She doesn't want a bride price! When this trip is over, I'm going back to my hometown to get married."
Chen Li sneered inwardly: If money won't matter anymore, why would you need a bride price?
He gazed at the blood-red setting sun, and an utterly absurd thought came to him...
If I jump now, is there still time?
Travel novel, very creative