New Year Greeting Slogan Generator
Old Li is the owner of a community print shop. Before the Spring Festival, he introduced a machine called the "New Year Greeting Slogan Generator." This thing wasn't large, looking like an oversized calculator, with the words "New Year Blessings, One-Click Generation" flashing on the screen. Old Li didn't expect to get rich from it; he just wanted something novel to bring some fun to the neighborhood.
On the first day, customers flocked in. Someone asked for "newlywed blessings," and the machine spat out, "Wishing you a son soon, two children in three years." Someone wanted "auspicious words for the Year of the Snake," and the machine replied, "May the Year of the Snake bring you great fortune, dominate your area, and be flooded with wealth!" People found it novel and readily paid for it, seeking good luck. Old Li happily collected the money, thinking that this machine was quite fun, at least better than his old, outdated printer.
On the second day, a young man came and said he wanted to send New Year greetings to his mother-in-law, asking the machine if it had any clever ideas. The machine flashed a few times and produced, "Wishing mother-in-law good fortune, eternal youth, and blessings as vast as the East Sea!" The young man frowned, finding it uninspired. He tried a few more times, but the machine's answers were all similar, just the same old clichés. Disappointed, he shook his head and left. Old Li scratched his head, wondering if this machine only knew these phrases.
On the third day, the machine started to act a bit differently. A middle-aged woman came to print a New Year's message, wanting something personalized. The machine pondered for a moment and then spat out, "In the new year, let go of involution, enjoy life, and stay away from KPIs." The middle-aged woman was stunned. She tried again a few times, and the machine's answers all revolved around "anti-involution" and "rejecting 996"-related words. Annoyed, she said, "Is this machine broken? Who says this during the New Year!"
Old Li felt that something was wrong. He tried it himself, inputting "New Year greetings to the boss," and the machine replied, "Boss, you've worked hard. Don't exploit your employees this year. Give them some bonuses." Old Li was so startled that he quickly turned off the machine, thinking, "Is this machine some kind of rebel?"
In the following days, the machine's "personalized" blessings became increasingly outrageous. Someone wanted "New Year greetings to relatives," and the machine said, "Wishing you a new year free from marriage pressure and financial independence as soon as possible." Someone wanted to send blessings to clients, and the machine said, "Wishing you a new year away from Party A and free from endless revisions." Even when Old Li wanted to send a blessing to his mother, the machine gave him, "Wishing you good health, to learn how to use a smartphone soon, and no longer be trapped in an information cocoon."
The neighbors began to discuss the matter. Some said the machine had become a spirit, some said it was hacked, and some said it was satirizing society. Old Li panicked; he wanted to return the machine, but he couldn't get through to the manufacturer's phone.
On New Year's Eve, Old Li looked at the still-functioning machine, feeling frustrated. He decided to turn it off and let it rest for a while. He walked to the machine and was just about to press the power button when the machine suddenly emitted a crisp "ding" sound, and a line of small text appeared on the screen: "Happy New Year, all working stiffs. May we all learn to say no and live for ourselves in the new year."
Old Li was stunned. He looked at the machine and suddenly laughed. He understood that the machine might not be generating blessings, but rather emitting a silent rebellion. He took out his phone and sent a text message to everyone he knew. The message was: "Happy New Year, everyone, learn to say no!"
At that moment, Old Li felt that this machine was worth buying. He unplugged the machine and turned back home, to have New Year's Eve dinner with his family, leaving the "New Year Greeting Slogan Generator" to silently sit in the dark.