"Without knowing the full story, it's best not to judge," Xie Han said to Zhang Chenyan, her tone still gentle. "Haven't I told you? Many things aren't as they appear. We're not the ones who experienced it firsthand, so we don't really know the truth. It's best not to make any comments, just observe."
Zhang Chenyan nodded. He trusted Xie Han, but not everyone could be as rational as she was.
He wanted to tell her that the boy didn't harm his parents or sign them up for a human experiment; it was himself he signed up. But he couldn't say it out loud, knowing that Xie Han would become suspicious and he wouldn't be able to explain it.
Yes, many times, what people know is just what others want them to know. Most people, inadvertently, might become tools for others.
Zhang Chenyan sighed, not knowing what to say.
"Why are you suddenly interested in this? You usually just brush it off. Today you seem genuinely curious," Xie Han asked, puzzled.
She could see through Zhang Chenyan's supposedly clever evasions but chose not to expose them.
Today, Zhang Chenyan's attention to this matter was unprecedented.
"Maybe because they're my age," Zhang Chenyan lied easily.
While they were talking, a new push notification came through on Xie Han's device. She glanced at it, then said to Zhang Chenyan, "It looks like your peer is in trouble."
At first, Zhang Chenyan didn't understand what Xie Han meant. But after seeing the video, he became anxious.
He had read some old literature where people jokingly said they would "follow the network cable to find you." It might have been an exaggeration in the past, but now people could literally do it.
It turned out that shortly after he parted ways with the boy, the boy was cornered in B City. When they were queuing earlier, those people didn't act because there were adjudicators around. Later, the boy probably wandered around, giving them an opportunity.
Watching the video of the boy being beaten, Zhang Chenyan felt a surge of anger. It was the first time he remembered the boy's name—Chen Yijing.
Chen Yijing, the boy, was crouching in a corner, protecting his head. Although he chose to log out quickly, he still took several hits before he could react.
As previously mentioned, while injuries in the virtual world don't cause real physical harm, the pain is transmitted.
This meant that the pain Chen Yijing felt in the digital world was simultaneously experienced by his real body.
"Why are they doing this?" Zhang Chenyan couldn't hold back his anger while watching the video.
Even though they were just strangers, and he found Chen Yijing odd, it didn't mean the boy deserved this.
"Look at the video title. These people think they're doing a righteous deed," Xie Han sighed.
Zhang Chenyan glanced at the title and scrolled through the comments, feeling his blood freeze.
He couldn't believe people could be this crazy!
The video naturally caught the attention of the adjudicators, and those involved in the violence were punished according to Alphabet City's rules. Yet, they felt no shame and even saw themselves as heroes.
The comments below praised these people as righteous, with some even saying they were too lenient and wishing they could beat Chen Yijing in the real world.
"Hero! See injustice, act on it."
"You did what I wanted to do."
"Any brothers want to team up? When are we giving him another round?"
"Doing this in the virtual world only makes him feel a bit of pain."
"Anyone know where he lives in real life? I want to do something bigger!"
More frighteningly, someone actually replied with an address, albeit uncertainly: "It should be this place. I've seen him here before! Knowing we might be neighbors disgusts me!"
Though the address was quickly deleted by the information security staff, many had already saved it and shared it in smaller groups, discussing forming a team.
"Why are they so crazy?" Zhang Chenyan was perplexed, unable to understand.
Xie Han sighed, "They've always been this crazy. Not everyone is like you, ignoring the outside world. You're just starting to notice it now, so it seems new to you. In fact, this has happened countless times before, without you knowing."
Xie Han was right. Zhang Chenyan had always lived calmly and rationally, so he was surprised. But for most people, this was all too familiar.
"Aren't they afraid of punishment? They're breaking the law and the rules!" Zhang Chenyan asked Xie Han.
"They don't think they're doing anything wrong," Xie Han said, reopening the previous video for Zhang Chenyan. "Look at the comments—the attackers are being praised, while the adjudicators are being scolded."
Zhang Chenyan's mind raced, feeling he should do something.
Seeing him grab his coat, Xie Han quickly stopped him, "What are you doing? You're not really going to get involved, are you?"
Zhang Chenyan didn't know how to answer. Indeed, that was his instinct, though he didn't want Xie Han to worry.
"I'm just going to take a look. I vaguely remember Chen Yijing's address; it seemed close to us."
He was lying. How could it be such a coincidence?
Calculating the distance, he realized it would take hours to get there even at the fastest speed, meaning he'd arrive around midnight.
Even knowing this, Zhang Chenyan couldn't allow himself to be a bystander.
After all, he had met and talked to the boy.
Seeing his determination, Xie Han, though worried, let him go. She knew her son well. Most of the time, he was obedient, but once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.
"As your mother, I don't want you to get involved in something so dangerous," Xie Han took a deep breath. "But I know my disapproval won't stop you. Just be rational. Don't act rashly. If you see anything, gather evidence and go to the authorities."
"I understand," Zhang Chenyan nodded.
Then he left.
Going out wasn't difficult for Zhang Chenyan. He wasn't a total homebody, having recently visited the ground-level experience center.
But traveling so far this late was a first.
As he bought his ticket and boarded the train, he kept following the news. He even joined the so-called "Alliance of the Righteous," monitoring their movements.
Upon joining, he was warmly welcomed. Someone asked for his location, saying a group had just set off to find Chen Yijing. They wanted nearby supporters.
Recalling Chen Yijing's address, he gave a false, faraway location.
The leader was dissatisfied but said, "Do what you can. If you have strength, use it. If you have money, donate. Even a kind thought helps."
This moved some people, who genuinely believed they were heroes fighting for justice.
After joining, Zhang Chenyan stayed silent, merely observing.
According to the group, some had already set off and expected to form a sizable team within two hours.
They even had people raising funds.
They truly were organized, with everyone contributing.
Zhang Chenyan found it ironic, wondering what they were fighting for. Was it for their idea of justice or unspent anger?
The group chat buzzed with updates, and someone leaked Chen Yijing's contact info.
Immediately, someone suggested sending him harassing messages to pressure him mentally.
This proposal was met with widespread approval and participation.
Some handled offline attacks, some raised funds, some sent harassing messages to cause psychological stress, and others kept the event's heat up by flooding bad reviews.
Seeing their organized, trained behavior, Zhang Chenyan realized most were experienced in such acts.
These people scared and depressed him. It was as if they had forgotten the dangers surrounding them, even though it had been less than twenty years since the disaster.
What were they doing? How did these meaningless actions benefit their lives?
But for some, even seven days were enough to forget everything, let alone twenty years.
The group chat continued updating, with nearby people reaching Chen Yijing's home.
One scout was monitoring, awaiting reinforcements.
The scout reported not seeing Chen Yijing, suggesting he had fled.
This news relieved Zhang Chenyan slightly. As long as they couldn't find Chen Yijing.
But the group was resourceful. Someone provided a map of Chen Yijing's neighborhood, marking key points, ready to fight to the end.
Zhang Chenyan found it laughable, wondering what grudge they held against Chen Yijing to go to such lengths.
Could Chen Yijing have wronged so many? They acted like he was their sworn enemy, all righteously furious.
The group chat buzzed with more people arriving near Chen Yijing's home.
Zhang Chenyan's anxiety grew as each checkpoint was covered, more people gathering. He worried for Chen Yijing, knowing the boy was clever but the situation was dire.
He regretted not getting Chen Yijing's contact info.
He even hoped Chen Yijing would reach out, so he could help. But no call or message came.
Zhang Chenyan rarely stayed up late, usually maintaining a strict routine. Tonight was his first time traveling so late, yet he felt wide awake, knowing many others were in the dark, underground city.
And one boy, possibly facing the most dangerous moment of his life.
The group chat buzzed with increasing frequency as more people reached Chen Yijing's place.
Perhaps the growing crowd made them bolder, their actions more frenzied, even knocking on doors, seeking neighbors' info on Chen Yijing.
"They must be insane!" Zhang Chenyan thought repeatedly. But these people felt no such thing. They were excited, believing their actions were just. Those opposing or questioning them were seen as heartless.
Zhang Chenyan didn't know what he could do, only praying the train would move faster.
He wanted to find Chen Yijing but feared finding him, knowing if he could, others might too.
His only thought was that Chen Yijing must be safe.