Chapter 75: Departure_1

Jiang Yu cursed, "Stop freaking pretending to be the big bad wolf here! I..."

In the restaurant, where Hu Huilan was having breakfast with Sixteen, she interrupted Jiang Yu, "How can you talk to a guest like that? Speak properly! Who taught you to curse!"

Jiang Yu helplessly frowned, but did not retort to his mother's words. He tried to take another drag of his cigarette, only to find it had already gone out.

Jiang Yu lit another cigarette and said calmly, "Don't glorify yourself. The Trisolarans' technology was meant to throw us into chaos. What you're doing now is helping the Trisolarans to annihilate humanity!"

Dou Weiying still shook her head, "Those of us in the new energy sector see technology differently from ordinary people.

"I won't rule out that the Trisolarans might have some conspiracy, but we no longer have the luxury to pick and choose. We must make use of every card in our hand."

Jiang Yu couldn't help but laugh and cry, "I really don't understand how you all think, always planning to use the gifts from the enemy to defeat the enemy. Is that even possible?

"Why can't you try to make an effort on your own, always looking for shortcuts? Are there that many shortcuts to take?"

Dou Weiying sighed, "Your outdated views disappoint me. I hope you reconsider and stop hindering the progress of humanity!"

Jiang Yu was slightly stunned, then abruptly crushed his half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray, "I finally understand. Years of battling it out in the business world have built a layer of blind confidence in CEO Dou.

"If I'm not wrong, from the moment you walked in, you never took me seriously, believing that even your fart is correct, thinking every word I say is stubbornly old-fashioned."

The smile gradually faded from Dou Weiying's face.

Jiang Yu stared at Dou Weiying, "I can tell you now, you understand nothing about strategy, technology, the relationship between technology and society, the Trisolarans, or the ETO!

"ETO obliterated? They wouldn't be wiped out even if you died!

"You're just a businesswoman. You think our conversation is a business negotiation and arrogantly believe that by claiming the moral high ground, by flaunting some supposed advantage, you can win the negotiation!"

Jiang Yu tapped the coffee table with his knuckle, "Humanity's survival is at stake, and you treat it like it's a business deal!? Get lost, you have no right to talk with me."

The tapping on the coffee table sounded as if it struck Dou Weiying's heart, involuntarily causing her to shiver.

There was about half a second of stupor on her face, but then she quickly resumed her smile, "And what right do you have to speak to me like that, I..."

Jiang Yu simply stood up and asked his mother, "What's for breakfast today?" With those words, he went to have breakfast in the restaurant.

He had already seen through the petty schemes behind Dou Weiying's righteous rhetoric. There was no need for more senseless arguments.

Hu Huilan said, "The steamed buns from yesterday."

Dou Weiying hadn't had such a snub for years as she had today; she didn't know whether to leave or to stay in the living room.

Although Hu Huilan didn't fully understand why her son was arguing with Dou Weiying, she didn't want to give this woman any satisfaction, but still felt obliged to offer her an out to save face for both parties, "Have you had breakfast? If not, join us. If you have, please go ahead. We still have to go out soon."

Dou Weiying finally took the hint to leave, dejected.

Hu Huilan, who had already finished her breakfast, went to the kitchen, leaving Jiang Yu eating the buns and Sixteen drinking milk in the dining room alone.

Seizing the moment Hu Huilan was away, Sixteen quietly asked, "Why did it turn out like this?"

"What do you mean by 'why'?"

"Why are these people so senseless?" Sixteen asked, "Aren't they supposed to be part of the elite class?

"Why do they act as if they've been bewitched? Putting blind faith in the technology given by the Trisolarans?

"And those protesters, who are they even protesting for?

"Then there are those who go around causing chaos, claiming they won't leave anything of value for the Trisolarans.

"Don't they know that the Trisolarans are invading the Solar System for the Sun and Earth?

"Unless they destroy both the Sun and Earth, what's the point of their actions?"

Jiang Yu swallowed the last of his bun, "It's called, um, what's that word... oh, crisis naivety syndrome."

Sixteen took a sip of milk, seemingly searching his mind for the origin of that term.

Jiang Yu laughed, "That comes from Da Liu, cough cough, I mean, this is a, um, an obscure social theory that likely never appeared in textbooks.

"Crisis Infantilism is about when an unprecedented danger to an entire civilization suddenly emerges, and the whole civilization doesn't know how to respond. In the initial chaos, it exhibits some childish behaviors."

Sixteen nodded, "This theory does seem very fitting for the current situation."

Jiang Yu didn't continue the discussion on this topic. He quickly finished his steamed bun, then called Chang Weisi to question why Dou Weiying had been released.

Chang Weisi said, "The people we just arrested are very influential in society.

"They have specialized legal teams, and we only have a contract in hand, which isn't enough to convict most of them."

Jiang Yu sighed, "Well, as long as they've been taught a lesson, that's enough. I don't care that the combat center continues to indulge ETO.

"But please, take this opportunity to plant spies within ETO.

"Such a dangerous organization cannot be out of our control."

Chang Weisi finally breathed a sigh of relief, "I'm on it."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yu quickly adjusted his mood, casting the matter out of his mind.

He and Sixteen packed their backpacks and got into the car prepared by the military police to pick up Yang Dong.

In their casual conversation, they picked up Yang Dong and headed to the nearest train station.

Regarding the mode of travel by train, the military police guarding Jiang Yu were very cautious. They had been notified that lately many people seemed intent on harming Jiang Yu.

Their superiors also instructed them to unobtrusively monitor every move Jiang Yu and Sixteen made, evidently attaching great importance to Jiang Yu's trip.

The military police had all changed into plain clothes, and with Jiang Yu wearing a mask and a hat, the group did not attract any attention.

On the train, Jiang Yu had Sixteen sit on the outside and even left him with "homework," telling him to keep an eye on everyone in the car.

He chatted with Yang Dong about amusing stories from past train rides, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

It wasn't until dinner time that Jiang Yu asked, "What would you guys like to eat? Braised beef? Mushroom braised chicken? Oh, how about old altar pickled vegetables?"

Sixteen's mouth watered, "The train's dining service has such a rich selection of food!"

Jiang Yu smiled mysteriously and took out boxes of instant noodles from his backpack, "Since when is there a rule against eating instant noodles on a train?"

Sixteen expressed his distaste, "These are fried foods! And all additives, no nutrition, unhealthy!"

The fellow next to them eating instant noodles suddenly felt his meal was less appetizing.

Jiang Yu's face drooped, "What does a little kid like you know! It's not like I'm only eating instant noodles."

Sixteen nodded, "Exactly what I was thinking, your IQ isn't low, a meal can't be solely based on such nutrient-deficient food."

The man next door who had only prepared instant noodles suddenly felt as if he was being insulted.

Jiang Yu rummaged through his backpack again, "I also brought some smoked sausages!"

The smile on Sixteen's face disappeared instantly.

Jiang Yu greeted them with a smile, "You guys just wait, I'll go and make them for you!"

"No need to make it for me!" Sixteen quickly said.

But Jiang Yu pretended not to hear and went to the hot water dispenser with three boxes of instant noodles.

As expected, Sixteen could not resist the pervasive scent of instant noodles in the carriage, and became tempted.

Under Jiang Yu's bad influence, Sixteen took a couple of bites and then couldn't stop eating.