"Thump, thump, thump!" "Thump, thump, thump!" With the sound of several knocks, the door swung open, and someone entered with a tray of food. The person placed the food on the table, glanced at Old Jin in the room, then turned their head to peek into the inner room, and finally left without a word. Without waiting for any response from the occupants of the room, the person entered without a greeting. Ignoring any courtesy, they stared intently into the female's room, and after observing, they left without speaking. This sequence of actions appeared extremely unreasonable, yet Old Jin didn't say anything, because at least they still knocked on the door. This time, their knocking indicated that the visitor was not an offender.
At the beginning of this confinement, perhaps there had been a former status, honors brought by knowledge, and special treatment. As time passed, hearts changed, and science and abilities were pulled down from their pedestals, replaced by a fervent worship of personal saviors, becoming a new belief. This was not uncommon in history, especially when followers gained benefits, causing such occurrences to become more frequent. Paranoia gradually replaced rational thinking, evolving into a mad pursuit in the name of gods, seeking personal gain. During this phase, anyone who expressed doubt towards the belief would face merciless attacks from the believers. Therefore, when you don't believe in a certain god, the god won't hold a grudge, but it's often the ordinary people who will trouble you.
The delivered lunch was as simple as before, with good flavor and nutritional balance. This wasn't about generosity in captivity, but due to special reasons. First, the base wasn't lacking in food; in the forest, miniaturized humans lacked a sense of security, but once that problem was resolved, food became quite abundant. One fruit, one bird's egg, were sufficient for many, especially the bird eggs. The naive birds never cared if their eggs were stolen from right under their beaks.
Secondly, there were constraints on the quality. It wasn't about how refined the lackeys were, but rather that most people retained their original worldview. If the lackeys went too far, leaking information could easily arouse public anger. It was akin to ancient Rome, which despite its extreme decadence, still had to present an air of nobility and elegance before the common folk.
Old Jin and Jun Ya sat at the table. Jun Ya absentmindedly picked at her food with her chopsticks. It wasn't wastefulness on her part but a loss of appetite. The impolite glimpses from the lackeys into her room made her feel like a prisoner. Now, she simply turned her back to them and didn't look, as it made her feel nauseated. In a few instances of eye contact, she saw naked desire and salivation in their probing gazes. Jun Ya, who had excelled over others through her inner talents since childhood, understood that kind of possessiveness from the opposite sex. In their eyes, no matter how talented you were, they would only admire your outer beauty and physique.
Jun Ya understood well that this was Liu Xing's strategy. He explicitly presented Jun Ya with two possibilities: either be with him or be repulsed by these flies and mosquitoes. Now she carried the identity of Liu Xing's fiancée, even in the cold palace; those underlings dared not treat her badly. However, as long as Liu Xing abandoned her, this talented girl would suffer humiliation and be torn apart by this group of slobbering mongrels. Jun Ya wouldn't wait for that moment; she would end her life resolutely beforehand.
Jun Ya picked at her food, her expression inscrutable.
"Dad!" Jun Ya suddenly spoke softly.
"Hmm?" Old Jin looked up, glanced at his daughter, and followed her gaze to the fine branch within the rolled-up vegetable on Jun Ya's chopsticks.
It was clear that this had been deliberately manipulated. Old Jin quickly glanced at the door and casually pulled out the small twig as if nothing were amiss.
Seeing the crack on the twig, Jun Ya immediately stood up and quickly and quietly walked to the door, listening for any activity outside.
Old Jin, on the other hand, skillfully unraveled the twig along its grain and revealed a small note inside. His heart swelled with hidden joy as he read the contents hastily.
"Liu Xing has suddenly gained control over spiders, surrounding the base. He used poison to fake a plague and has confined hundreds. Internal and external forces are collaborating to launch a rescue."
At the end of the note was a symbol resembling a pastry. Though Old Jin's expression remained composed, his heart brimmed with excitement. This was the code he and Su Lao had used when they were younger – it meant that his old friend was still alive and nearby.
Jun Ya noticed the change in her father's expression. After Old Jin finished dealing with the twig, Jun Ya returned to the dining table. She quickly glanced at the note her father handed her, and then watched as Old Jin ate the note with a contented smile, as if savoring the most delicious meal.
Jun Ya knew her father was in a very good mood. During this period, he had been deeply frustrated. In Jun Ya's eyes, her father had always been a very rigid yet fair person. Honestly, she didn't think her father had any political acumen. Despite his wide-ranging knowledge, his expertise in technology, and his profound understanding of history, politics, and culture, he was only fit to be a scientist or a teacher. It might not be kind to say so about her own father, but it was the truth.
In Jun Ya's eyes, her father had the ability to see through the essence of things. He possessed the meticulousness of a scientist and the insight of a historian, but he lacked a certain political ruthlessness. This was a virtue in his character – kindness – but also a flaw of a leader. Her father could discuss things with Xiao Guang at length, drawing parallels between the past and present, conducting comparative analyses. Even if he hadn't directly witnessed something, he could deduce its highly probable correctness.
Kindness doesn't suit wielding military power, righteousness doesn't suit handling finances, and goodness doesn't fit governing! Her father understood these principles better than anyone else, yet when he became a manager, even though he saw, anticipated, and even had evidence, he was unwilling to take action. His most audacious move, both overtly and subtly, was to use words to awaken others, a common trait among scientists and intellectuals. These people might have a fiery temper and scold Liu Xing face to face for a few sentences, then leave in a huff. But in reality, they didn't consider it a big deal. Each of these scientists was an upright gentleman, or rather, a book-smart, upright gentleman – how could they possibly be a match for Liu Xing?
So, with all due respect to my father and uncles, Jun Ya thought in her heart, it's not that Liu Xing is skilled; it's just that his opponents are too weak, a bunch of political novices. If the dean were still around, with his all-around capabilities, good character, and charismatic personality, where would there be room for Liu Xing's antics? Now, with Su Lao alive and here, things might improve. Knowing Su Lao to some extent, Jun Ya believed he possessed certain abilities and tactics. Su Lao's nickname was "Nest Heart Rat," given to him by his adversaries. It was said that those who played tricks would find dealing with him rather unsettling. Even that Ma Lao, despite his laid-back appearance as a biologist, had a few tricks up his sleeve when things got serious.
Listening to her father's analysis, Jun Ya pondered the issue. Her father was an expert in military strategy, and he informed Jun Ya that Su Lao was likely setting up a secret infiltration. Since hundreds of people were confined, it was certain that a significant area was affected by the poison. Consequently, production must have ceased, causing them to lose contact with the outside world. Now, Liu Xing was using the formidable slogan of a virus in the base, undoubtedly restricting people's movement. He must have obtained this toxin from the spiders.
According to Old Jin's analysis, Liu Xing somehow gained control over spiders. He initially incapacitated people using spider venom, rendering his political opponents unable to resist him. Then, he isolated the populace to prevent them from discovering the truth. In the third step of his plan, he undoubtedly aimed to gain people's trust. However, from the note, it was clear that someone was suspicious and had secretly organized evidence collection and the rescue of trapped individuals. It seemed he hadn't gained their trust. The most likely next step would be desperation, perhaps a major clash. Unless he completely pledged allegiance and gained their trust, Liu Xing wouldn't spare those who were confined.
"So, we should accelerate our efforts. At the very least, we need to find out why Liu Xing can suddenly control spiders," Jun Ya said, "And, my intuition tells me that controlling spiders, it sounds very sinister, not like a skill that's benevolent."