Chapter 17 Farewell to Once, Farewell to the Past

Zhang Yuan sighed, "But I feel that the reasons for deep space colonization still aren't enough. The Dyson Sphere sounds indeed terrifying. But it directly proves the existence of truly powerful alien civilizations in the universe. Civilizations can be exposed."

"It also proves that the universe isn't a dark forest; it can be communicated with. It's not as dangerous as we imagined."

Back in the 21st century, when it hadn't been proven to be a Dyson Sphere yet, scientists were already eagerly sending electromagnetic signals in that direction. After all, scientists often did such things.

This series of signals represented humanity's "friendly greetings" and "aspirations for peace."

Although it was quite laughable to speak of "aspirations for peace," even when humanity experienced two world wars in the 22nd century, it indeed happened.

There were always many optimists in the world who believed that aliens could be communicated with amicably. If true communication succeeded, human civilization would undergo a qualitative change!

"How can you be so optimistic? Powerhouses can be exposed, but what about the weak? Earth would be toyed to death by them, so why would they help monkeys?"

Li Zhendong chuckled, these ridiculous events happened so often that they became normalized.

Even now, there were still people sending electromagnetic waves toward KIC 8462852, hoping that the "alien god" could help them escape suffering.

Secretly transmitting electromagnetic waves, the government couldn't do anything; they had no means to stop it.

Zhang Yuan teased along, "Who knows? The people over in South America might eat the monkeys; but over here, people genuinely help the monkeys. When they see a sick monkey, they rescue it and give it food. Monkeys even boldly steal things, and if you harm them, you get fined..."

"Maybe in a while, aliens will come to Earth to distribute food."

"Yeah, that would be really sweet... When the time comes, don't say it was unexpectedly good."

Fortunately, the transmission speed of electromagnetic waves was only the speed of light, taking over 1,200 years to reach KIC 8462852.

Moreover, electromagnetic waves attenuated significantly in cosmic space, coupled with cosmic radiation interference, turning into garbled nonsense 1,200 light years away.

So, there's really no need to worry too much; ordinary civilian equipment couldn't possibly send signals that far.

Whether Earth was exposed, no one knew.

Perhaps, they observed primitive people thousands of years ago, paying no attention to these native monkeys.

Looking up at the starry sky, Zhang Yuan felt a bit tired. He yawned, suddenly seeming invigorated, clenched his fist, "So, I have to study!"

"Only by becoming stronger can one evolve from a monkey to a human."

"Fighting, keep it up! Work hard!"

"..."

Li Zhendong was at a loss for words; they had just rested for a few minutes, and this guy again wanted to study.

What to do, waiting online, it's quite urgent!

But quickly, Zhang Yuan declined the thought himself, "Forget it, it's too late, not efficient, better to rest first. The time squeezed out would only be slept back, so it's better to have a regular schedule."

Li Zhendong was relieved.

"I'll report to Xisha Aviation City tomorrow."

Li Zhendong got nervous, "Why? This vacation is mandatory, you're not allowed to end it early!"

"There's nothing to do at home... I've finished all the books."

Zhang Yuan shook his head, explained, "Buying e-books myself is really too expensive; the university there allows free book reading. Plus, there are many documents available for free, and some professors and experts can be consulted; inventing things behind closed doors isn't good."

This era greatly valued intellectual property, watching pirated material was illegal, and being caught would result in hefty fines.

Professional books and papers were even more expensive. According to Zhang Yuan's current reading speed, with books and literature, he burned through hundreds to thousands of dollars daily.

"So, my plan is to read two books a day, plus five papers, for 20 consecutive days. Tens of thousands of dollars is still money... might as well save a bit and donate to the Deep Space Foundation."

Li Zhendong felt his mind was about to explode, almost fainting to the ground.

Reading two books a day...

Two books...

Two...

Are you a dog? Is a book a meaty bone?

He felt entirely unwell, mumbling, "You really are a damn... wealthy dude!"

"That's it, sleep, sleep."

Watching Zhang Yuan step into his room, Li Zhendong took a deep breath.

Thinking about how he spent his vacation flirting, playing games, teasing his silly sister, while others were studying, working hard, and diligent, he inexplicably felt a sense of guilt.

Then, he picked up the half-read "Complex Semi-Simple Lie Algebra" and began reading again.

So frustrating.

... forced, have no choice.

...

The next morning, Zhang Yuan got up early, bid farewell to Li Zhendong's parents, and returned to his own city.

Despite the heartache, after purchasing a series of the latest electronic products, he copied all sorts of materials left by his father onto 10 mechanical hard drives.

Over 3,000 years of interstellar travel, there's nothing reliable, especially electronic products. Who knows, maybe one day, this tablet would become unusable. Only by diversifying risks could these materials be preserved long-term.

Even though these things would be worthless three thousand years later, Zhang Yuan still hoped to keep them.

After checking several times, "This should be it."

The Deep Space Planning Bureau allowed every astronaut to carry 20 kilograms of personal belongings. Inside the suitcase were some change of clothes, a few mementos from his father, and various messy electronic devices, including the latest photon chips, storage devices, etc., making sure nothing significant was missing.

"Sigh, I'm about to leave here..."

Zhang Yuan looked at this home he'd lived in for more than a decade, every detail so familiar.

He had laughed here, cried here, been mocked by his father, and also been sullen alone in the room... So many, many stories happened.

It felt like his mother; hiding here brought a harbor-like warmth.

Sadly, he ultimately had to leave it.

Gone for good, with no chance of regret.

After cleaning up the place until every spot sparkled and discarding the trash, he shut the door with a "bang," the deep attachment in his heart growing stronger.

He turned back and bowed.

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye!"

Saying farewell to the past, a tear unknowingly rolled down.

Zhang Yuan wiped it with his sleeve, heading to the elevator.

A man always had to head to distant lands, dry his tears, and not overthink things.

Dragging his suitcase to the entrance of the community, there was a familiar park there; because the weather was too hot, there weren't many people inside.

He remembered playing there often as a child.

One day, he suddenly tumbled to the ground.

Then, he had a flash of inspiration and started crying at the corner of the wall, unable to stop.

His dad asked him what on earth he was doing, Zhang Yuan said, "I know I have to die eventually, so I cried. Even if I won't die now… a long, long time later, I still will, so I felt sad."

A little child, suddenly comprehending the concept of "death," couldn't wrap his head around it immediately, felt very uncomfortable, and could only keep crying.

It seemed so absurd, yet so real.

Death, such an unglamourous affair, yet the endpoint for everyone.

"So that's how it is..." his dad coolly said, "Dead is dead, what's the big deal? Do you know the meaning of living? If you don't, why be afraid?"

"Living is for eating!" Zhang Yuan, all snots and tears.

"Hahaha, makes sense!" His father just laughed heartily and uncommonly made no further comments.

As smart as his dad was, even he couldn't answer such an ultimate question.