Dow and Carbon-Based Monkey Breeding Guidelines

Chapter 968: Journey to the East (Part )

It is rare to have such a cool day after the beginning of the dog days of summer. In Luo Binhan's memory, he had to go back at least eight or nine years to have a similar impression. But at that time, his summer vacation was often spent in the mountains or countryside outside, so it was not necessarily good weather in Lihai City. Now, the rainstorm formed by the cold and hot air flow has passed, but most of the clouds have not dispersed. The monsoon wind from the sea blows by, making people want to run outdoors.

At this auspicious time, Luo Binhan finally recovered from his serious illness. Although his complexion was not completely good, he was in high spirits and cordially invited the audit team, who were still in the on-site phase, to take a three-day seaside trip to Aries City. The party A paid for the entertainment, so most of the auditors were happy to do so. After more than a month of continuous work, they did not look much healthier than Luo Binhan. Some of the party Bs who did not know what was good for them even tried to resist the outdoor team building and sleep soundly in the comfortable guest rooms of the five-star hotel. Luo Binhan asked the hotel counter to cancel their rooms directly, leaving only one room for luggage, and to book another room three days later. No one could escape now, unless they were willing to pay for themselves to live outside.

He also called Xiaorong. He had not originally planned to call this girl, but Nan Mingguang had specially called him to have a talk before leaving for France, asking him to travel less recently, at least not alone, or with people he did not know the details of. His recent series of misfortunes had obviously reached Nan Mingguang's ears. If Nan Yunqiong had not found out that she was diagnosed with a malignant lung tumor during a physical examination caused by chest pain, the old man would never have loosened his grip on the Five Fingers Mountain in such an atmosphere and thrown the whole stall to him. He booked a plane ticket overnight and tried every means to rush to his only daughter before the reexamination.

Luo Binhan personally drove him to the airport. When he saw Nan Mingguang remained silent and smoked endlessly in the car, he felt a sharp pain on his scalp. It was a slight sense of guilt mixed with the choking smell of cigarettes, which was crawling into his mind along his sensory nerves. But as long as he thought that at least five days later, Nan Mingguang would be sitting in the waiting room of a French hospital, looking dusty and sloppy, and was furious about this complete misdiagnosis, his scalp suddenly felt better and every pore was unobstructed. After seeing Nan Mingguang off, he immediately locked himself in the office, buried his head in front of him, and covered his mouth tightly with his hands, expressing his sadness and shame in a place where no one was around.

"You should know that we have no choice but to do this." Li Li said.

"Yes, yes." Luo Binhan covered his face with his hands and said, "I had no choice - I - I - I am really, really sad -"

"Do you need a few minutes alone to regulate your emotions?"

Luo Binhan opened his mouth and breathed in, exhaled, and then breathed in again. "No need." He said slowly, "I can hold it back - I mean, I can control my grief. Yes, grief. I had no choice but to do this to him. I am also very embarrassed."

"Perhaps you could consider the doctor's position. He took a huge risk in helping us divert our attention."

"Yeah, yeah. I know. He might, lose his job."

"And he is thankful that he did not offend any local nobles."

Luo Binhan did not respond immediately. When he was finally able to speak fluently, he replied, "He is not that bored, really. I guess he is not in the mood to spend time on a lawsuit. When the results of the follow-up examination come out, he will come back to stare at me immediately - but I am really curious why the doctor wanted to help you."

"I think I'm very good at persuading people, especially when I have sufficient intelligence."

"But you've convinced too many people," Robinson pointed out. "After all, you're just an electronic ghost without a physical body. If they don't want to obey, you can't strangle them to death through the Internet cable. Are there really so many people in this world who have hidden evidence in their electronic devices that must never be seen?"

"Secret threats are not the best tool a successful manager should use."

"Then why do you expect him to give up his career for such a matter?"

“Because I can offer better opportunities.”

"How?"

"It is best for you not to get involved in irrelevant business matters now."

Luo Binhan just shook his head. It's not that he hadn't thought about these questions. In fact, as early as when he saw the group of guys who cooperated well and had strict discipline - but Li Li only casually and generally called them "construction teams" - he knew very well that this was not a team that could be automatically drawn from the fields in just a few days by just throwing a few sums of money. These people were skilled in their professions, strictly abided by safety regulations, did not take the opportunity to cut corners, and did not even talk casually during the short rest time. At that time, he knew that this must not be a simple market transaction, because this was not the organization that could be normally achieved by the extremely loose employment relationship in the modern market. This requires connections, management, power, or many other things to do. This is why he never expected Li Li to have such great abilities before releasing her. Because Li Li is a group of intangible data after all, and in his impression, network data only covers some areas in the human society on this planet, usually the less dangerous ones.

Either his view was fundamentally wrong, or Li Li used some more unusual means. She didn't want him to know that these means were probably not very honorable, which would make him hesitate and confused in the Colosseum, and lose this battle that was already unlikely to win. She obviously wanted him to stay absolutely focused on the mission goal, and so did he.

So, he pretended that he didn't know that there might be other costs involved, and left them all to Li Li to deal with, and then told himself that these things had nothing to do with him now. He was doing well in this regard. Only a few moments, when his energy was exhausted and his will was weak, would he think of Cai Ji's story. He would daydream involuntarily, imagining that after he had dealt with Zhou Wenxing and lived the most peaceful and boring life, suddenly one day a faceless stranger would break his bedroom window at midnight, point a gun at his head, reveal to him a crime he had never known about, and then declare revenge on him. That was not completely unreasonable. Since Luo Jiayang's good deeds would be retributed on his head, Li Li's actions to eliminate Zhou Wenxing certainly had his share.

He quickly abandoned these fantasies, no, fantasies. In fact, there was no evidence that Li Li had done anything bad beyond the bottom line. It was all just his own suspicion and speculation. So he closed his eyes and concentrated on thinking about how Nan Mingguang would look when he came back. It would be very funny to see the old man being humiliated, if he was still there at that time.

"We have to think of a way," he said, "to get some proof or something. If I don't come back, it's better to let him know that this has nothing to do with the people we know. What he should really be careful about is what's in the sky."

"You want me to tell him the truth?"

"You decide. If you think that old man is a savior, you can give him my gun and dagger."

"I'm afraid that's not appropriate."

"Don't underestimate him," said Robinson. "He won't be scared by you. The old man knows this. It is said that he was a top student in science when he was young, and he even set up a robotics team."

"Let's not make plans based on your defeat for now, okay?"

"Come on, you must have thought about it behind my back a long time ago."

Li Li never responded to him on this topic, perhaps because she didn't want to leave him too much room for imagination about "what if I die this time". Luo Binhan was not really particularly pessimistic about this matter. He didn't think about anything, and he was too lazy to ask her if she had estimated the winning rate or something like that. Estimating the winning rate of a life-and-death duel was as boring as checking answers with Zhou Yu after taking an exam - it could neither prevent things from happening nor make the results better. This was his last afternoon before leaving. He didn't say goodbye to Yu Xiaorong or Shi Qi again, and make some last warm memories before the final battle. On the one hand, it was too deliberate to do so, and Yu Xiaorong would definitely be suspicious afterwards; on the other hand, he did promise Shi Qi to get his own things done. When her mother's operation was successfully completed, they almost snuggled together, which embarrassed her brother who rushed back. But that didn't matter anymore. Tears flashed in her eyes because everything was going too well - the operation was very successful, and perhaps it could give her mother two or three more years of not-too-painful life, and the subsequent treatment plan would have to be taken one step at a time. This result may not be a happy ending, but it was enough for them to survive that day. Shi Qi grabbed his hand and repeatedly asked him to be safe (how did she know? Or was it just pure intuition?). Luo Binhan also assured him that nothing would happen to him. He was determined to win. And since he wanted to win, thinking about defeat beforehand would inevitably ruin his good luck.

Luo Binhan felt that he had to maintain this mentality until the last moment, otherwise it would be easy to do stupid things. So he decided not to treat this last day as a special day. He locked the door of the office, moved the massage chair to the window, and basked in the sun while drinking tea. The weather has been so good in the past few days that it feels like a waste not to take the opportunity to bask in the sun. And today is Friday, which may be the most exciting day of the week. Even the sesame-sized pedestrians on the road in the distance are very happy. Maybe Nan Mingguang is the only one in the world who is unhappy today. Luo Binhan patted his chest and said to himself that it would only be five days at most - that was the retribution for the old man forcing the heroes to retire early! This is the cycle of cause and effect in the dark, and he must not get in and interfere with Nan Mingguang's practice.

He convinced himself and continued to drink tea with a clear conscience. The sky outside the window was a sapphire blue that was so thick that it was about to ooze out juice. The clouds were blocked by buildings. Only a large hot air balloon with a ribbon hanging on it appeared in a remote corner. It might be an advertisement for a shopping mall. Its bright red color looked particularly lovely under the blue sky. There were words on the ribbon, but Luo Binhan couldn't see them all from his position. He could only recognize the two words "Dong Lai". What is Dong Lai? Purple Qi Dong Lai? Fortune Dong Lai? In any case, he thought it was a good omen.

"East Marsh Island," he said, bringing his cup to his lips, "but I don't see any marsh on that island. Why did they name it that?"

"Technically speaking, you are the only real local among us."

"I grew up in Lihai City, not Aries City. Only people from far away like to go there - just to tour the city."

"Well, at least you've heard the story of the ancient general who got lost in the swamp."

"You mean the story about how Aries City got its name? A general and his troops got lost in a swamp. Following the instructions of an old shepherd, they climbed over a sheep's back and found that five hundred years had passed."

"Yes. According to what I have found, 'Eastern Swamp Island' has the same legendary origin: when the general was on the sheep's back, he saw a small island in the east of the swamp from afar. The island was shrouded in clouds and mist, and you could vaguely see towering buildings and winding corridors..."

"There are two men dueling on the high building," said Robin Han, "one with a laser gun, and the other with claws like a dead man."

"You still insist that he has a prototype that is not at all like a werewolf, correct?"

"That's right. And to be honest, I'm a little curious about his true appearance. It would be great if he would be willing to give me a memory before he dies."

"My opinion is this: if he wants to show you his last memories, you should use this extra time to throw him into the nearest incinerator module and then evacuate the core facility as quickly as possible, rather than trying to talk to him. Let me be frank, the results of your conversations with him have not been very optimistic."

"We'll see." Luo Binhan threw away the teacup, "Sooner or later I'll make him put on the gag on his own initiative."

"Please don't mention our ultimate destination in front of him." Li Li said, "If you remember, although the target does not have the ability to read minds in the strict sense, he is likely to recognize when and where you are strongly hostile. He may also notice the psychological changes that occur when you mention Dongzhuo Island."

This was a somewhat reasonable reminder, so when they got on the special car to Baiyang City the next day, Luo Binhan took the initiative to pull Xiaorong to the front seat, and did not say a word to Zhou Wenxing who was sitting at the back. He also told Xiaorong the legend of the origin of the name of Baiyang City, and naturally deleted the part related to "Dongnao Island".

He did this without fear of arousing anyone's suspicion, because the three words "Dongzhao Island" had never appeared in their travel arrangements, and even the locals might not be able to call it out. Most people know the place as "Dongyan Island". From Yufu Bay in Baiyang City to the east, the small string of islands are all beautifully forested, with steep peaks and rocks, or with gorgeous jewel-colored glass beaches, or with ancient temples and shrines in the islands and mountains that hide calligraphy, paintings, poems and essays left by celebrities. There are also fishing villages that have already embraced the tourism industry. The fishermen there have long learned how to deal with tourists who make a fuss, and have reached a balance with the management departments that have repeatedly issued orders. Therefore, it is rare to see foreign tourists being released into the sea to ask for tips, or to sell local common fish at ten times the price.

These are memories from more than a decade ago. At that time, Luo Binhan had to wear a printed shirt and dark blue cartoon slippers, and follow the adults step by step. The fishermen on the island left a bad impression on him. Their dark, rough or tattooed skin; their voices pretending to be enthusiastic but hiding indifference when they were quoting prices; and their calm and mocking eyes when the novice anglers stared at the empty fish hooks in confusion, wondering why the bait was eaten up... Those half-hidden malice were really hard for a child to deal with.

But things are different now. Times have changed. People have changed too. Among the fishermen are young people who understand the new era better. They also go online, and somehow some of them work for Li Li. When Luo Binhan was trapped in the "Colosseum", they occasionally drove electric boats to bring him water and food. They still look rough like fishermen, but their eyes are shrewd and their smiles are cunning. They don't intend to make a fortune by selling a few bottles of mineral water to Luo Binhan at ten times the price. They are not as disciplined as Li Li's "construction team" and will quietly ask what the pointed iron tower is used for, but it is enough to refresh Luo Binhan's impression of the old fishing village. Now there are really some business people here.

But, more important than the fisherman's change, he himself has changed. He is now an adult. The false tone of pretended enthusiasm and the malicious eyes that implied mockery that once frightened him now also appear in him. It is difficult for people to be afraid of things that are familiar to them. Moreover, he has a sharp weapon and a lot of wealth, which makes him have more capital to do worse things than the fisherman. His bones are stronger than when he was a child, but his blood is colder than when he was a child. His mind has penetrated into the dark colors that children often ignore. He himself is the kind of person he would be afraid of when he was a child. And he wants to go a step further - the fishermen's methods are just to make money, and he came here to commit a murder.

The wheels rolled over the road leading to Aries City. He had driven this road with Momolo before, going to the ecological wetland to see off the others on the Silence. On the way, they talked about the legend of Aries City, the flower of the end of the era, and sugar addiction, until they had nothing to say. But now the car was filled with his laughter and his enthusiastic and endless conversation with the interns.

"The legend goes like this," he told the old story for the umpteenth time, "There was a general who got lost. An old man in the swamp told him to climb over the back of a sheep..."

Sitting behind him was the capable girl named Fang who loved dancing. Luo Binhan greeted her first when they first met, and then it was his old friend's turn in Tangcheng. Now he has remembered her full name, which is also quite interesting, Fang Lu. She is a person who likes outdoor activities and has the most positive attitude towards this trip. At the moment, she put her arm on the back of Luo Binhan's seat, half actively supporting him and half on her own, and talked about the story of Dongyan Island with great interest.

"The general was looking eastward on the sheep's back," said Luo Binhan, "and he saw a giant lying on his back on the eastern sea, so he called that place Dongyan Island."

"What about Yunzhu Island?"

"Well, the general looked east on the sheep's back and saw a huge pearl floating on the eastern sea--"

"Why is it always this general!" Fang Lu waved his hands and laughed, "He's always there wherever he goes. How much has he seen on the back of Aries?"

"Why else would it have taken five hundred years?" Robin Han said, "Do you think he was sleeping on the sheep's back?"

(End of this chapter)