In fact, Zhang Chenyan didn't just think about it, he actually did it! He ran wildly in the snow and unsurprisingly fell on his butt. Even so, his face was still beaming with joy, the excitement evident.
Unlike Zhang Chenyan, Liu Xixi had been to this place before, so she was calm, not like Zhang Chenyan who looked like he had never seen the world before.
"Remember what the trainer said," Liu Xixi couldn't help but remind him.
"Don't worry, I'm just a little happy. I'm not really crazy," Zhang Chenyan responded with a smile.
He knew Liu Xixi was worried about him.
Zhang Chenyan got up from the snow, looking around at the endless ice and snow. He suddenly imagined his father at work. Of course, this was only his speculation, as he had never actually seen his father at work. What he was seeing now was merely his father's work environment.
Looking at the thick protective suit he was wearing, he sighed: It really is like the books say, the peaceful life everyone enjoys is because someone silently bears the burden.
Although the underground city existed below the surface, it wasn't completely detached from it. The entire circulation system of the underground city included the surface, making surface workers essential.
Everyone knew about the hardships and dangers of surface work, so the alliance had to compensate with high merit points or other benefits.
Zhang Chenyan had lived a happy life for so long precisely because of his father's silent contributions.
Time passed by quickly. Perhaps because he was too happy, Zhang Chenyan lost track of time. It wasn't until the trainer reminded him that there were only five minutes left that Zhang Chenyan felt regretful.
Time went by too fast. He hadn't had enough yet, but he knew that the surface wasn't a place where you could stay as long as you wanted.
The surface experience had strict time limits, unlike amusement park rides where you could pay more to extend your time.
Zhang Chenyan looked at Liu Xixi, both of them showing reluctance in their eyes, but they could only agree to come again next time.
Just as Zhang Chenyan and Liu Xixi were about to leave, Liu Xixi suddenly let out a loud gasp. She covered her mouth excitedly, her eyes widened, and she tugged at Zhang Chenyan's sleeve, signaling for him to look at something.
Following her finger, Zhang Chenyan saw a black and white, round little creature sliding towards them.
Yes, it was using its belly to slide on the ice, looking extremely cute.
"It's a penguin!" Zhang Chenyan exclaimed. He had seen this animal in textbooks and in laboratories, but neither the textbook penguin nor the lab penguin were as lively and adorable as the one in front of him. At least their way of moving wasn't belly sliding.
This one was just too endearing!
Unlike the excited Zhang Chenyan and Liu Xixi, the trainer beside them was in a state of high alert.
"Don't get close to it! And don't panic! The barrier is very safe, nothing will happen!" These words seemed to be more for his own reassurance than for Zhang Chenyan and Liu Xixi, as he appeared much more nervous than they were.
How dangerous could such a cute creature be? Zhang Chenyan was puzzled.
Just as he was about to comfort the trainer, the penguin suddenly hit the barrier with a "thud."
The barrier, though transparent, was very sturdy, and the penguin immediately fell to the ground.
Zhang Chenyan and Liu Xixi instinctively felt concerned for the penguin, but to their surprise, it got up and immediately hit the barrier again, determined not to give up.
They were both puzzled and tense. The penguin should have pain receptors and should avoid harm. But this one seemed exceptionally persistent.
It got up more slowly each time but never gave up.
By the fourth time the penguin hit the barrier, Zhang Chenyan and Liu Xixi couldn't hold back anymore.
"Will it keep doing this?" Zhang Chenyan asked.
"Your viewing time is over," the trainer answered evasively, forcefully ushering Zhang Chenyan and Liu Xixi back to the elevator.
"If this continues, it will hurt itself! Aren't you going to do something?"
For the first time, the two of them showed resistance. Up until now, they had been very cooperative.
Seeing their resistance, the trainer relented and allowed them to get a bit closer to take a look.
Puzzled, Zhang Chenyan and Liu Xixi approached the barrier. When they got closer, the penguin got up again and hit the barrier. Perhaps noticing their approach, it opened its mouth wide, revealing rows of sharp teeth.
Its call was terrifying, sending chills down their spines, and its behavior made it clear—it was craving food.
Zhang Chenyan and Liu Xixi were unsure how they were herded into the elevator. By the time they realized it, they were already inside.
The sensation of weightlessness returned, magnifying the discomfort they hadn't felt before.
Back in the training room, the trainer looked at the still-shaken Zhang Chenyan and Liu Xixi and didn't rush them out. After helping them remove their gear, he gave them each a cup of hot tea and reassured them, "Warm yourselves up. Everyone reacts this way the first time they see that thing."
Seeing Zhang Chenyan and Liu Xixi sipping their tea and gradually calming down, the trainer began to speak, "Actually, the first time I saw that thing, I was also scared. It's too cute to seem dangerous, and I got much closer than you did. Can you imagine it opening its mouth right in front of you? Closer than what you saw today."
Zhang Chenyan and Liu Xixi tried to imagine that scene and realized it would indeed leave a significant psychological impact.
To be precise, today's events were already enough to leave a lasting impression.
If something looks inherently scary, it's one thing. But when something appears harmless and you get close only to find it can tear you apart, that's a different level of fear.
Such a stark contrast is not something most people can handle.
"Was it always like this?" Zhang Chenyan asked, "I mean, before the virus infection."
Of course, he knew the answer, having read textbooks and watched documentaries, but he needed someone else to confirm it, as if that would make a difference.
"It wasn't like this before, it's because of the Winter Silence Virus!" the trainer replied, understanding his need for confirmation.
Zhang Chenyan nodded.
This answer comforted him.
It's because of the Winter Silence Virus that these once cute creatures became aggressive.
On the way back, perhaps because of this incident, Zhang Chenyan and Liu Xixi didn't talk much.
Seeing the now silent Liu Xixi, and recalling her earlier chatter, Zhang Chenyan couldn't help but try to comfort her, "Very few people see creatures at the experience center. In a way, we were lucky. If you can, just remember it as the cute creature it used to be."
Unexpectedly, Liu Xixi didn't respond to his long-winded comfort. Instead, she asked out of the blue, "Do you think they're actually evolving?"
"Evolving?" Zhang Chenyan was taken aback by the question.
"Yeah, they can adapt to an environment humans can't, and survive in it. Isn't that a form of evolution?" Liu Xixi looked at Zhang Chenyan seriously, "They're animals, and humans are too. They aren't just pets meant to look cute for humans."
Hearing Liu Xixi's words, Zhang Chenyan didn't rush to refute her.
If Zhang Chenyan had any strengths, being understanding and tolerant would certainly be among them.
Perhaps influenced by Xie Han, Zhang Chenyan's first reaction to differing opinions was not to argue or disagree. He would first try to understand why the other person thought that way and confirm if he had understood them correctly.
Like now, he didn't lash out or call Liu Xixi crazy for her opinion. Instead, he asked calmly, "Why do you think so? Can you elaborate?"
Encouraged by Zhang Chenyan's response, Liu Xixi explained, "As far as I know, humans can't be infected by the Winter Silence Virus. Many people feel relieved by this, but the virus isn't entirely harmful to those it infects. Like that penguin and other infected creatures, they become more aggressive, grow larger, and lose some rationality. But they can survive in harsh environments, unlike us who have to live underground."
Zhang Chenyan nodded, "In some ways, you're right. Survival of the fittest, natural selection. But if humans lose their rationality and become like them, are we still human?"
"But how can you be sure humans are superior to other creatures?" Liu Xixi quickly countered.
Before Zhang Chenyan could answer, she waved her hand dismissively, "I'm not thinking clearly. I shouldn't have said that. Don't take it seriously. I'm getting off at the next stop…"
With that, Liu Xixi quickly ran to the door. As the train stopped, she waved at Zhang Chenyan and dashed out.
Seeing this, Zhang Chenyan could only sigh slightly.
He then sent Liu Xixi a message through his device: Humans may not be superior to other creatures, but I won't question it because I am human.
This was Zhang Chenyan's most sincere response. He didn't want Liu Xixi to overthink things. Since meeting her, he knew she was a deeply thoughtful person, perhaps because of her experiences. If possible, Zhang Chenyan wished she could be as cheerful as when they first met today.
When he got home, it was already dark, and the smell of food made his stomach growl.
He walked into the house and said to Xie Han, "We had an unexpected encounter at the surface experience center today!"
"What kind of encounter?" Xie Han asked as she placed dishes on the table.
"We saw an animal from the surface, a round penguin. It was super cute," Zhang Chenyan answered excitedly.
To his surprise, Xie Han immediately became tense. She rushed to Zhang Chenyan, checking him over as if to make sure he wasn't hurt.
"You saw an infected creature?" Xie Han asked, grabbing Zhang Chenyan, "Did it attack you? Were you scared?"
Xie Han's anxious questions and intense gaze showed her concern.
Zhang Chenyan knew why Xie Han was worried. He nodded and then, pretending to be disappointed, said, "We saw it, but it was already time to leave, so we only saw it from a distance before being rushed into the elevator. We didn't get a good look."
Hearing this, Xie Han relaxed.
She pushed Zhang Chenyan down into a chair by the dining table, "It's good you didn't see it closely. Those things just have a soft appearance. Never let your guard down around infected creatures. Always stay vigilant!"
As Zhang Chenyan ate, he nodded in agreement, not arguing with Xie Han. He knew her anxiety stemmed from love and concern for him, and he didn't want to worry her.
"You still have two days off. How do you plan to spend them?" Xie Han asked with a smile, "I heard some people who spend a lot of time in the digital world don't know how to live outside of it. You're not one of them, are you?"
Zhang Chenyan understood that his mother was worried about addiction, a real issue many faced. But Zhang Chenyan knew he wouldn't fall into that trap because he was clear about what he wanted, and it was all in the real world.
So, Zhang Chenyan quickly reassured her, "I'm not like that at all. I can clearly distinguish between virtual and real. Staying home is great, spending time with you and doing things I want to do."
"You're good at sweet-talking," Xie Han laughed, tapping Zhang Chenyan with her chopsticks.
"By the way, what's the name of that girl I met last time?" Xie Han asked casually.
Hearing this, Zhang Chenyan's guard went up immediately, "What are you planning?"