Chapter 99: Aesthetics_1

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yu thought for a long time and still decided to wait until his two planning teams were formed before making a trip to Yang Dong.

Firstly, it was his responsibility, as having become a Wallfacer, Jiang Yu had to prioritize the work of the Wallfacers.

Secondly, Jiang Yu was quite reassured about Yang Dong. Although many people would want to befriend her, she came with a built-in "friend block feature," so there was no need to worry too much.

Moreover, Professor Ding Yi had other projects and was often in space. After making some indirect inquiries, Jiang Yu found out that Professor Ding Yi was currently in space and estimated it would take two or three months before his return.

Once he made up his mind, Jiang Yu called Sixteen and said he wanted to take him to see Yang Dong, and then let the kid call her "Mom" in front of everyone—how delightful that would be.

Sixteen was very happy about Jiang Yu's invitation. He had also gained lots of inspiration from his interactions with Yang Dong and had long wished to exchange ideas with her again.

After Jiang Yu finished the call, Di Fengyi handed him a document: "This is a research report on the aesthetic tendencies of the people in our country in recent years, it was just delivered this afternoon."

Jiang Yu briefly flipped through it. It was over twenty pages and extremely detailed: "Very good, don't disband the research team just yet; there might be more work to do later on."

"Alright," Di Fengyi continued, "The image designer we found for you can come over tomorrow. When shall I schedule it?"

"At eight," said Jiang Yu as he read the document carefully. "Have him come to see me as soon as I arrive at the office."

After Di Fengyi left, Jiang Yu focused on reading this research report.

The research team, composed of aestheticians, sociologists, and media professionals, conducted extensive visits and surveys among the masses in various regions.

Thanks to Jiang Yu's supporters all over the country, the initial investigation went smoothly, allowing the research team to draw conclusions quickly and form the report.

According to the conclusions of the research team, before the Crisis Era, the general populace's aesthetic preferences leaned towards the gentle and soft-beautiful.

There were many reasons for this aesthetic tendency, several of which were listed in the report, such as the country being in a long-term state of peace, with people having no concerns for safety and disputes mainly being resolved through law and moral norms.

This led many people to prefer appearing harmless or like victims to garner sympathy and moral superiority from others.

In a relatively fair society, strong individuals are easily disliked by everyone.

For instance, women in the country have a high degree of liberation and their aesthetic views in many respects represent social aesthetics, hence the tendency towards soft-beauty.

For example, the media heavily promoted male and female idols with a soft-beautiful image.

For example, in education, there was no focus on cultivating a sense of responsibility in students, nor on physical training.

As Jiang Yu read on, he was somewhat shocked. He hadn't expected that many underlying causes of the "beautiful era's" shortcomings were related to many actions of the general public.

Furthermore, many of these were behaviors that would exist in a peaceful country, such as protecting vulnerable groups only in a relatively fair society.

For instance, without the threat of war, the only path to advancement was through education, so teachers and parents would undoubtedly urge students to devote themselves completely to their studies to gain an edge in competition.

In a country engaged in war, on the other hand, vulnerable groups have little to no say, and everyone's focus is on survival, rendering education less important.

Take relative fairness, for example; in the country, it's clearly more beneficial than detrimental, and one must not self-destruct the city walls just to change everyone's aesthetic views.

Fortunately, the research report also mentioned that since the onset of the Crisis Era, the general public's aesthetic views have gradually leaned towards the masculine and resolute.

The research team also provided reasons for the change in aesthetics. In this age of uncertainty, masculinity and decisiveness could offer people a sense of security.

This security was not solely the sense of safety desired by women but a sense of survival security sought by everyone once the whole society could easily achieve food and warmth.

After reading the report, Jiang Yu remained silent for a long time. He was gradually forming ideas about the proper guidance of future aesthetic perceptions, but whether they would work or not, he had no certainty in his heart.

So, Jiang Yu asked Di Fengyi to schedule a meeting with the research team members for the next afternoon at the Star Defense Department.

The next morning, as soon as Jiang Yu arrived at his office, he first met with the image consultant they had invited.

He had seen her on entertainment programs—her name was Wei Keke, a well-known agent, in her thirties, short-haired, dressed in a professional suit, not particularly striking in appearance, but with an excellent aura.

After exchanging greetings in the office's reception area, Jiang Yu laid out his requests.

After listening intently, Wei Keke asked, "Mr. Jiang, could you tell me the purpose of wanting to change your image?"

As she spoke, she casually placed her cellphone on the coffee table.

Jiang Yu replied, "There's no special purpose, just that I feel that the scholarly aura about me is too strong and doesn't fit the image of a Wallfacer."

After he finished speaking, he couldn't help but rub his left temple as he suddenly felt a bit of a headache coming on and, inexplicably, his mood started to irritate him.

Wei Keke said, "Then, let me first tell you the basic information about image transformation."

Jiang Yu was taken aback; why did that tone sound so familiar?

Looking at Wei Keke again, her impeccable professional smile made Jiang Yu think of someone.

Jiang Yu pinched his forehead, "Sorry, I've got a bit of a headache, I'll get a pill to take."

Wei Keke reached for her bag, "Go ahead."

While walking to his desk, Jiang Yu asked, "My assistant told me you've been waiting in the reception room for half an hour?"

Wei Keke responded, "Yes, your assistant said you would come in early, and sure enough, he was right."

She seemed to be concerned about Jiang Yu's health and followed him to offer aid, but at the same time, she pulled out a stocking from her bag.

It looked like an ordinary stocking, but it was interlaced with fine steel wires.

Wei Keke wrapped it around her hands, ready to strangle Jiang Yu's neck, but then she saw the dark muzzle of a gun.

The drawer Jiang Yu opened contained no medicine; it was where he kept a handgun for self-defense:

"ETO really underestimates me. After all this time dealing with you, would I not know what 'self-destruct' means?

"Stay where you are, don't move!"

Wei Keke's eyes suddenly showed resignation, and she indeed remained motionless.

Jiang Yu quickly stepped on Wei Keke's phone lying on the ground, smashing it thoroughly, and that inexplicable irritability indeed vanished.

Wei Keke declared, "Kill me if you wish, but I won't betray the organization!"

Jiang Yu ignored her and quickly entered the Wallfacer's Shop. He spent twenty thousand Deception Points to purchase a "Stealth" device and chose to use it immediately.

A line of text appeared in his mind: A quantum storm will pass between the Solar System and the Three-Body Star System, affecting the quantum entanglement motion of the two Sophons, to be restored after three minutes.