The room was dimly lit, its walls adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to narrate forgotten tales. Gentle rays of light filtered through the narrow windows, casting fleeting shadows upon the dusty floor. Amidst this ambience, a father and daughter stood together, their gazes locked on a secret path that led downwards.
"Father," Jun Ya spoke in hushed tones, her finger pointing towards a specific direction. "I heard sounds from a room over there. If we descend two floors from here, I can make out fragments of a conversation."
"Tell me what you've heard," her father urged.
And so, Jun Ya began recounting the fragments of dialogue she had overheard:
The room echoed with the voices of several individuals engaged in discussion.
"It won't work this way; someone will grow suspicious." "That's why we must ensure foolproof certainty." ... "What should we do?" "Can we initiate this by tomorrow?" "Establish an epidemic control center." "Mainly, we must restrict visitors." ... "Any changes in the troops?" "You need to reach out to someone you trust." "We're running out of time." ... "We must remain discreet." "The trump card—do you understand? It can't be revealed carelessly." "Eliminate the worst-case scenario first!" ... "The essence lies in timing." "We need to avert any suspicion!" "If necessary, a few real attempts might be required!" "Secrecy, it's of utmost importance!" ... "Somebody's already becoming suspicious." "What about the provisions?" "At the very least, maintain the facade of democracy." ...
Jun Ya maneuvered through the tunnel-like passageways between the walls, her journey punctuated by the sounds emanating from various rooms. She had spent the entire night straining her ears, deciphering the enigmatic discussions that pervaded the air. Most rooms seemed to be occupied, as evidenced by the rustling sounds suggesting objects being shifted. Yet, conversation was conspicuously absent, which ignited her skepticism. The urge to investigate often welled up within her, but the stern command from Old Master Jin had thwarted her every impulse. Friend or foe remained uncertain; therefore, venturing into any peril was unequivocally forbidden.
In the midst of Jun Ya's weary limbs and encroaching drowsiness, a room finally emitted the sound of voices. She strained to get closer to the wall, catching only fragments of the conversation.
"Father, that's all I heard," Jun Ya concluded, glancing at Old Master Jin.
Old Master Jin lifted Jun Ya's sleeping robe, touching her reddened arms and knees with a hint of concern.
"Today's findings are truly significant. Get some rest; it's commendable that you've endured despite your recent illness."
"I'm fine, but I am a little sleepy."
After maneuvering through the passageways all night, Jun Ya was considerably drained, her complexion pallid due to her recent illness. These cramped spaces were not easy to navigate; some tunnels barely allowed one person to crawl through. The dim, stifling tunnels imparted a sensation of being buried alive, and Jun Ya spent every night within their confines, subject to a pressure that was easily imaginable.
"Sleep well and rest," Old Master Jin tucked her in and gently patted her head.
"Okay, Dad. The contents of their conversation are riddled with doubts. I believe we need to deduce carefully; it feels like they're deliberating something quite ominous."
"Be good, leave the rest to Daddy." Old Master Jin affectionately caressed Jun Ya's head. "As long as I'm here, there's nothing to fear."
"Mhm." Jun Ya looked at her father and smiled. She was truly exhausted; she had only just heard someone enter a room as she was about to retreat, which cost her additional time. Consequently, she felt overwhelmingly tired, her eyes seemingly ready to close at any moment. The exhaustion of these past days had accumulated, though she refrained from admitting it to her father.
As she watched Jun Ya, who was falling asleep so quickly, Old Master Jin gazed at her tenderly from the side. Every time his daughter went on reconnaissance missions, he never slept either, perpetually waiting for her return. As a father, how could he not be aware of his daughter's fatigue? He wished he could take her place on these investigations, but sometimes the sentries stationed at the entrance would conduct surprise checks, rendering him unable to leave. And as for letting his daughter rest for a night, Jun Ya was unwilling; she believed time couldn't be wasted, displaying the same stubbornness as Old Master Jin.
After his daughter had fallen into a deep sleep, Old Master Jin got up and began pacing softly within the room. During this time, Jun Ya had gathered an abundance of information; now, he needed to connect these fragments to deduce the truth behind the situation.
Around ten or so minutes later, Old Master Jin sat down, closed his eyes, and started recalling all the events of the past year. He remembered what he had personally witnessed, not relying on hearsay.
A year ago, he and his daughter returned to the base, undertaking the responsibility of construction. Liu Xing, who previously managed textile work, had gained prominence and was referred to as Director Liu.
Two months later, it became common knowledge that Liu Xing was Jun Ya's fiancé. He began taking charge of logistics.
Half a year later, Liu Xing established a clinic.
Eight months later, he expanded the logistics department, augmenting the management team.
Three months prior, Liu Xing integrated and expanded the team producing insecticide powder.
And two months prior, Liu Xing expanded the medical center.
...
Old Master Jin pondered over Liu Xing's approach and the events unfolding within the base. Due to the departure, disappearance, and sacrifice of a significant number of young men, many women began seeking emotional solace. While Xiao Guang managed to rescue people each time, he also brought back lists of names, marking those who had vanished forever.
The pressure to survive left little room for other considerations. However, it also led some individuals to abandon their principles and morals. When night descended, certain men and women indulged in morally questionable behavior. They justified it by numbing themselves, using their own debauchery as an excuse, rationalizing their betrayal.
Those who returned later often found themselves not living with their partners, discovering the situation. Here, there were no civil affairs departments overseeing divorces, no neighborhood committees mediating disputes, and certainly no one willing to fight over a woman.
People clung to the societal norms they had known from the old world. In the face of survival pressures and the specter of death, these norms held, at least in the short term. Over time, however, they became little more than empty words. The number of young women greatly outnumbered the men, and primitive worldviews and instinctual desires propelled them to seek food and resources from men. In this primitive environment, and within the confines of their subconscious, the notion of relying on men dominated.
Just as Old Master Jin began to perceive the problem, Liu Xing initiated the large-scale transfer of management personnel to oversee the scientific and technical teams. This approach displeased Old Master Jin. He believed that during any developmental phase, there should be specialized professionals in each field taking the lead, ensuring quality completion. The role played by management personnel in the meantime should only involve coordinating communication among technical department heads.
Liu Xing's actions were overly political, elevating management above the technical departments. It transformed into an independent administrative department, utilizing administrative commands to restrict the development of various departments, forcibly shaping their progress and direction. Consequently, Old Master Jin and the scientific and technical personnel voiced dissatisfaction multiple times. However, those who actually did practical work could rarely overcome political tactics; their methods were not as cunning and low. Moreover, scientists never wielded political power to the extent of politicians. Furious scholars who turned and left often handed the bureaucrats a golden opportunity.
Here, Jun Ya was akin to a relocated princess. Liu Xing's marriage to her naturally gave him political capital. Old Master Jin had privately discussed with Liu Xing several times; he believed that even if they couldn't return to their former world, they should use this opportunity to cast off the blemishes of human history. By utilizing this group of highly qualified individuals, they could establish a utopia, genuinely pioneering a new world.
Yet, Liu Xing acted contrary to his words, and the management department's power expanded, overshadowing Old Master Jin and the group of scholars. It was at this juncture that Old Master Jin discovered Liu Xing's involvement with several women. Finally, he saw through Liu Xing and his team. Hence, he wrote a letter to Xiao Guang, seeking a chance to take Jun Ya away from this situation.
However, Old Master Jin hadn't anticipated the rapid escalation of events. Xiao Guang's mission to find Su Lao's group seemed to have resulted in a near-fatal failure. The information brought by Su Lao's daughter appeared to inflict painful blows on those who held firm, while granting those who had already found an escape route a comforting reassurance. The disloyal women and morally corrupt men no longer needed to fear conflict upon the return of the rightful authority.
When Xu Dekai confronted Liu Xing head-on and led the final group of resolute women out of the base, what remained were those content with stability, those who avoided trouble, and the agile jesters. For a time, they publicly flaunted their affections and released themselves completely, even fashioning themselves as representatives of the new world.
The base had descended into chaos!