my slow journey to infinity.

Chapter 162 This is the first wife
The most common scene in war is population migration.

But on the first day of the war in the central city of Dulin City, the migration of more than three billion people did not cause much commotion. At least on the shallow public network, the war seemed to be nothing but gunfire.

It's not that the city council deliberately blocked the news, but the people in the safe inner city would autonomously and rigidly focus their attention on the front battlefield.

However, even on a planetary scale, three billion is an extremely large number.

Moreover, given the management situation in the Central City District, there are probably still many people outside the household registration system.

Under the flames of war, the vast number of people in Central City are not only a burden that causes the parliament a lot of headaches, but also an important strategic resource that the parliament cannot ignore.

Therefore, when the Parliament's [Intelligent Computing Core] was demarcating the [Command Centers] at various levels, digital intelligence was also building war shelters by demarcating several layers of areas close to the dome of the inner city, relying on command centers at various levels.

The ultra-efficient computing core completed the construction of the [wartime social system] within the first hour of the war.

In the second hour, a large number of unmanned trains and trucks, already loaded with all kinds of building materials, rushed outside the dome.

Shelters with sound infrastructure were quickly built by construct robots and low-level transcendents, but command centers at all levels still needed to wait for more scarce building materials.

A few hours later, the newly built shelter welcomed the refugees from Midtown in the [AF] district. These six super-large districts are the "first ring" of Midtown closest to the inner city.

Although there were still many riots caused by the refugee crisis under the deterrence of force, thanks to the efficient scheduling of the computing core, the large number of refugees were quickly resettled.

Of course, this is what the intelligent computing core considers to be "appropriate".

This is the foundation of [intermediate civilization] - only when it has basically broken through the limitations of [energy] on civilized society and has the data organization and computing capabilities to regulate the entire society can it be called an intermediate civilization.

Technological capabilities such as interstellar travel and space exploration are not hard indicators.

However, intermediate civilization is also constructed by humans.

Many social structures and rules have been imprinted on the inside and outside of society since the beginning of civilization. Ordinary people, limited by resources and knowledge, can only watch the chaos on the world stage.

"Doing nothing" has gradually changed from a derogatory word to a helpless neutral word.

And when it comes to doing nothing, it's not just the lower class world.

Amid the flames of war, aren’t those “big guys” who used to call the shots in the central city and had some influence in the inner city now also trapped in the shelter?
Their rooms will not be larger, their rations will not be greater, and their costly clothes will just as well get stained with dust!

They also had no privilege to escape from the war and no ability to return to the inner city.

Yesterday’s big guys, together with the “poor guys” and “people” as they called them, stood outside the crystal dome and the military fortress under construction, staring blankly at the tranquility and prosperity inside.

Protesting and roaring, they demanded that the parliament open the gate and let them in. They wanted to give back their previous empty life of debauchery and they wanted to live!

The protests continued for one hour, two hours... and then it was dark.

The first night of the war came quietly, and by the time everyone noticed, the temperature had become very low.

The environment forced the vast majority of refugees to return to the shelters like a receding tide.

Outside the simple iron net, there was only a "thin" layer of people left, and these people were obviously more willing to return to the inner city.

Especially those guys in gorgeous clothes, who seemed to be brewing a different kind of energy under their gradually cold gazes.

Suddenly, a shuttle vehicle quietly passed through their sight, drove straight into the heavily armed fortress gate, and entered the inner city.

It was an ordinary shuttle bus with a certain cargo capacity. Because it was cheap and sturdy, it was very popular among the "poor people in the inner city" and was very common in ordinary neighborhoods in the inner city.

Even the big guys who usually only go to high-end neighborhoods have an impression of this type of small car.

But compared with the luxury cars in the shelter parking lot, the dull paint and simple lines of this ordinary little car are almost blinding the eyes of the big guys.

They usually have cunning minds, but at this moment their thinking is unusually simple - some people can get in, but they can't. If neither money nor status can open the door of the fortress, it means that their money and status are not enough.

The car gradually drove out of their sight, and they put away their complicated looks and turned to face reality.

Everyone’s joys and sorrows are different, and people of different identities and statuses live in different worlds.

Mia (MIA), who drives a shuttle bus, cannot empathize with the melancholy of those "big guys".

Mia didn't have a chance to explain to them - I have no money, no status, I just have knowledge and the value of creating wealth.

Of course, even if she had the chance, Mia wouldn't bother to explain.

Under the familiar night sky of the inner city, the breeze blew in through the car windows, and the soft light passed through the leaves, leaving a fast-moving silhouette on the dashboard.

The light and shadow ruffled Mia's short silver hair. She tapped the steering wheel lightly with her right index finger, looking at the world listlessly in silence.

There were almost no private cars on the road except for unmanned vehicles loaded with supplies heading out of the city.

After driving two blocks in silence, Mia finally broke the silence:
"They actually managed to get in. The pile of detection equipment in the fortress gate should have some "anti-space capabilities", right?"

"Of course there are, but the level is still not good enough. It can only detect those stubborn novices. As long as the spatial ability reaches [Proficient] or above, you can basically force your way through."

From the empty co-pilot seat came Wang Shui's calm yet slightly sarcastic voice. His slightly rising tone was very distinctive, with a sense of arrogance that was about to overflow.

Mia glanced at the side unconsciously, secretly complaining in her heart——

This guy disappeared for a while and actually changed into casual clothes. The light blue ceramic cup in his hand was still there.

Before falling into new silence, Mia glanced at the autopilot route and asked:
"The car is mine now. Do I need you to be taken somewhere?"

"Where are we going... It seems like a good idea to go to the Tree of Origin. It's one of the top five high schools in the world, so the scenery should be pretty nice, right?"

Oh, you are quite casual.

Mia didn't have to worry about anything. Although her "Water Brother" was only at the second level, his whereabouts were extremely strange, so she didn't have to worry about being discovered.

"Scenery? I haven't noticed it. There's nothing good to eat in the cafeteria or the shops. If you want to have fun, you might as well go to the [Wasteland Area·Dungeon].

Oh, I'll inform you in advance that most of my permissions have been revoked, my laboratory has been closed down, and all the previous experimental products and finished medicines have been taken away by the college to recover the investment.

After I go back, the extraordinary items on me will be taken back, and I will lose the title and privileges of [Origin Star]. The only thing that really belongs to me is the few hundred yuan in my account...Brother Shui, will you support me?"

Mia spoke calmly about her tragic future, but when she said the last sentence, she felt a little shy.

She stretched forward and shielded her face with her arms.

"Reclaim it... If I steal your equipment now, or if you go back and claim that you lost your equipment on the battlefield in Central City, will the academy still pursue the recovery or ask you to compensate?"

Mia paused at Wang Shui's unromantic thoughts, but she followed Wang Shui's thoughts and said:

"Probably... no?

Although it is expensive, this set of equipment is customized, and it is only of the third level. I won't ask for compensation, but a detailed loss report and troublesome procedures are inevitable... Otherwise, I will just leave my cane, which is the most expensive piece."

"You seem to care a lot about money?" Wang Shui changed the subject again.

"How dare you say that to me?! Who was the guy who tried to hack into the [Turbid Abyss] network and launch a surprise attack a few hours ago to make money?!"

"That's different. If it can be done, it will be a single order worth tens of millions!"

Wang Shui is very confident and he never loses in an argument.

"Oh, that's a pity. You're wasting your life trying to make money...

Alas... I don't really care about money. Normally, I am not sensitive to the cost of experiments. Apart from scientific research indicators, the remaining funds, including the money I earned myself, are invested in private research and converted into knowledge.

Now I have been kicked out of the laboratory, and I probably won’t be used again in the short term...Those old guys are very timid, and they won’t let me do any dangerous experiments.

Alas, I still have four years to graduate. I wonder if there is any company that dares to hire me. Otherwise, I will really have to rely on you for support, Brother Shui."

As Mia sighed repeatedly, she became more and more accustomed to calling him Brother Shui.

"What was the average annual funding for your previous scientific research career?" Wang Shui knew very little about this kind of academic laboratories.

"Average... I didn't realize that budget calculation is the job of the "Intelligent Computing Core".

I have had my own laboratory since my third year. The highest amount of money I received was 1.2 million standard currencies, and the smallest was several hundred thousand. I have relatively few business orders, and I mainly use these funds to produce finished pharmaceutical products and formulas for the School of Medicine and Pharmacy where I am.

Don't pretend to wipe your sweat, that's just the cost of scientific research, I don't spend much myself..."

At this point, Mia's voice gradually died down.

Yes, she didn’t spend much on a normal basis. Only after she made friends with her brothers and sisters did she start buying some small items and various delicacies… Now, she has lost the reason to spend money.

Wang Shui immediately noticed Mia's mood change and said with some dissatisfaction:
"You are abnormal. Your [Spirit] attribute is very high and your will is strong. It is not difficult for you to get rid of your obsession. It is you who are willing to indulge in regret. I don't like it."

Mia listened quietly, looking at the night view outside the car, without refutation or reply.

Wang Shui sighed silently. He handed the cup to his right hand, stretched out his left hand, pinched Mia's cheek, and warned:
"I'm not trying to persuade you, I'm giving you an order. If you can't let go of the past, I'll transform you into a doll that can only think and respond mechanically, and then you won't feel sad anymore."

"Then do it..." Mia resisted softly. Then, she lost consciousness.

Waking up from a deep sleep, the fresh air and the familiar ceiling made Mia feel particularly relaxed. She hadn't had such a deep sleep for a long time.

The third-level extraordinary person has a very low demand for sleep, but the relaxation and recovery effects of sleep cannot be replaced by extraordinary abilities or drugs.

Mia looked around in a daze while feeling relaxed - this was her bedroom, a single dormitory she had earned with her own ability at the Tree of Origin High School.

Her memory stopped at last night, at Wang Shui's warning.

She was still driving at that time, but now she has returned to the college, to her dormitory, and seems to have taken a nap.

A prompt popped up on her personal biological brain computer, reminding her to confirm the precautions for her stay on campus for observation.

Mia then realized that she had submitted a detailed incident report and a very sincere self-review without realizing it.

Several professors who had scientific research collaborations with her, the dean of the School of Medicine and Pharmacy, and even the school principal, had approved her report and given reasons for sealing her away.

Looking at the dean's sincere advice to her to study hard and graduate in a low-key manner, as well as her own slightly disappointed but very obedient answer, Mia suddenly felt a little creepy.

She walked out of the bedroom and looked at the sofa in the living room. Her brother Shui was flipping through a physical book, which was Mia's collection.

Mia, standing in the soft sunshine, felt a chill.

She seemed to be back in the alley on that rainy night, the cold rain soaking her body, and a demon was fiddling with her scars in a teasing tone.

Snapped--

Wang Shui closed the thick book in his hand, interrupting Mia's hallucination.

Putting the book on the low table, Wang Shui picked up the water cup and moved in front of Mia instantly.

Looking at Mia's complicated eyes, he said softly:
“I didn’t manipulate your memory, nor did I clean up your regrets and pain. That’s something you have to face and deal with on your own… but I don’t want you to dwell on it and waste our time.

I am not a demon, nor am I a patient psychiatrist. You understand the concept of "strong medicine" better than I do. I hope the strong medicine I used last night will have a miraculous effect on you."

Wang Shui's expression was not ferocious, but Mia could not ignore the strength and arrogance in it.

"I see."

Mia did not speak in a humble manner, her expression was as dull as her answer, but deep down, she did surrender.

Along with surrender comes an inexplicable sense of relief and dependence.

From Wang Shui's perspective, the yellow lock icon on Mia's digital avatar clicked, closed, and turned green.

At this point, [Mind Lock] is fully formed.

"Transcendents are very sensitive to loss of control. It's normal for you to feel uncomfortable. Now that the strong medicine has taken effect, I promise that I will no longer control you, and you must belong to me wholeheartedly."

Wang Shui no longer acted solemnly, relaxed his demeanor, controlled his tone, and comforted Mia with just one sentence.

As Mia nodded, the water cup in Wang Shui's right hand disappeared in a flash, and was replaced by an exquisite dark silver key.

Wang Shui handed the key to Mia and said:
"Turn around and use it on the door behind you."

Mia turned around obediently, but soon asked again:
"how to use?"

"Tap the door, or insert it into the keyhole and turn it. If there is no door, just make an unlocking motion with the air."

Mia closed the bedroom door, inserted the delicate key into the keyhole and turned it.

The clicking mechanical vibration and the slight damping feeling in her hands were completely different from the feeling she usually had when unlocking the door.

The touch at this time was obviously richer, and it also consumed Mia's own energy. Although it was not much, she noticed it.

Without waiting too long, Mia carefully pushed open the door of her bedroom. Sure enough, as she expected, there was a new room behind the door.

Standing outside, she could only see a large number of bookshelves that extended all the way to the door. The huge number of books on the shelves blocked her vision. There was only a narrow aisle at the door, which led to a bright area.

"Relax, this is my study, your safe house."

Wang Shui moved sideways to get in front of Mia and walked into the aisle first. He also patted Mia on the shoulder and motioned her to follow.

The size of the study far exceeded Mia's expectations. There were 20 to 30 layers of bookshelves in the corridor, and at the innermost part of the study, the bookshelves were stacked layer upon layer, and it was impossible to tell how far they extended.

The central space surrounded by bookshelves is also very large. There are several huge solid wood desks, a few low tables, and a large number of sofas, rattan chairs, small beds, etc. There is even an inexplicable fireplace in the innermost part.

There are a lot of sundries such as books, manuscripts, food and drinks, but it is not messy and the layout makes people feel very comfortable.

Mia really wanted to give a sincere compliment, but the current atmosphere... didn't seem quite right?
Twenty-three glances passed over Aqua Regia in front of them and fell on Mia, while Mia cast a more complicated look at Aqua Regia.

"Why are you just standing there? Just sit down and I'll introduce you."

As Wang Shui spoke, he walked towards the largest desk inside. He did not go in and sit down, but leaned against the desk, crossed his arms, and said to Mia very casually:
“To be honest, I recruited you because I was impressed by your knowledge, not only your knowledge of pharmacy, but also your solid scientific foundation and research ability.

Let me introduce you, these eight people on the right, plus this short person in charge, are all the scientific researchers of our [Yeyu Prototype Workshop].

You social phobia people should discuss the specific names and titles among yourselves.

Well, although they have strong scientific research capabilities, they all grew up with me in a wild way and are very unsystematic.

I am beyond help, so your responsibility is to teach them systematic scientific knowledge and scientific research thinking. "

"Me... me? I'm here for class? Really?! I'm only in sixth grade!"

Mia looked incredulous.

“Calm down, I’m just teaching you the basics. Of course, I can also teach you pharmacy. I will build a new pharmacy laboratory for you in our prototype workshop.

Okay, let me introduce the five in the middle.

These are the five executives of our [Yeyu Technology] Group. They are all my dear sales champions. They are responsible for the business activities and financial operations of the entire organization. All the companies that we open to the outside world are operated and maintained by them.

That’s right, we also need their approval for research funding, especially the glasses-wearing part, which is the most difficult to deal with. Calling her “Choco” will work wonders.”

The most dignified and mature sister, "Hill Chocolate", was wearing a formal dress that she usually hated, and nodded very politely.

No one asked questions, so Wang Shui continued to introduce:
"The eight great gods on the left are the face of our organization (the laborers). They are responsible for solving problems that cannot be solved with money and face. If you need military support or to buy something that is not available on the market, just call them directly.

This big girl can be hired with good food, but be careful not to keep her overnight;

This masked girl can be hired with energy coins, but never, ever let her touch the car, never let her touch any vehicle!
Hmm? What's the problem Mia? "

Wang Shui smiled and became happier the more he introduced. The eyes in the study began to move towards him with murderous intent.

Mia didn't want to help Wang Shui out, but the twenty-three people who looked extremely similar made it impossible for her not to make associations.

"Um...I also...they..."

"Oh, they are not clones, nor are they the product of some evil experiment. Each of them is unique and each of them is the best among the extraordinary ones."

Wang Shui opened his arms proudly and showed off his treasure to Mia.

"Um... I mean... they are... the harem?"

Mia's cheeks were already a little red when she asked this question.

Wang Shui's face turned serious and he said seriously:

"Every extraordinary person is an independent individual. I am a loyal believer in independent will. I believe that the sanctity of independent personal will is no less than that of any divinity!
Please don't insult my beliefs and personality!"

Mia was shocked. Although she felt something was wrong, Brother Shui seemed to be really serious.

Cough cough--

The deliberate cough broke Wang Shui's funny atmosphere. Mia looked towards the source of the sound. It was the beautiful sister who was right in front of Wang Shui and had never been introduced. Her temperament was like the clear moonlight, gentle and sharp.

It was fine when she wasn't paying attention, but once they looked into each other's eyes, Mia could never forget this kind of beauty that made her heart beat faster.

"Oh, the finale hasn't been introduced yet, this is the first wife."

Boo! ——

Mia only felt a bright moonlight flash before her eyes, and soon her vision was restored. But strangely, everyone was in their original positions, only the aqua regia was gone, and the fireplace was also extinguished...

At this point, Sylvia could only stand up and said helplessly:

"Welcome to join [Yeyu], we are souls saved by him just like you."

(End of this chapter)