There are undercurrents in invisible places, and those who are perceptive have already sensed that something big is brewing.
But on the surface, the daily lives of most people remain normal.
Ordinary and lively.
After all, the New Year is coming soon!
During the Chinese New Year, everything else is put aside, even fewer people pay attention to entertainment gossip. The hot topics on the Internet every day change constantly, from arguments over year-end bonuses to Spring Festival travel holidays, from Laba porridge to New Year's Eve dinner.
Years ago, Feng Yi went to Xiaofeng Mountain.
At the same time and place, the sun was shining brightly and it was as warm as summer last year, but this year it is chilly and breezy.
The temperature in Yangcheng has dropped recently, and it has been cloudy for several days in a row. The gluttonous snakes raised on Xiaofeng Mountain have also disappeared. I don’t know where they have gone to avoid the cold.
It is still the same old house. The Feng Family Ancestral Hall in Yangcheng has been moved away, but it seems to be no different. It may even be more lively.
Although there were no other guests here at this time, judging from the lingering smell, there were usually quite a few visitors.
Some come frequently, while others only appear once.
Because they had an appointment in advance, Uncle Ya stayed at home. When Feng Yi arrived, the old man was fighting with others online with his mobile phone.
Feng Yi didn't bother them. He put down some snacks suitable for the elderly made by Xiao Bing and walked around the house.
There are no big changes. It is almost the same as when Feng Yi came last time, and it is also very clean.
His footsteps stopped at the door of a secret room. This time Feng Yi did not go in, but just stood outside and felt it for a while.
I didn't sense anything.
There are too many secrets hidden inside, and it is not easy to dig out.
Behind Feng Yi, Uncle Mute, who had just finished playing a game, walked over with a wary look that said, "I suspect you will dig up your ancestors' graves."
It's like watching a naughty kid who might do something evil at any time.
Feng Yi turned around and said with a smile: "You worry too much."
He won't dig up what's underneath.
He had a hunch that even if someone came here specifically to dig, they might not be able to find it.
That’s “old technology”, Feng Yi himself hasn’t figured it out yet, so he won’t dig it at this stage!
"Well, are you done with your work? Let's celebrate the New Year together this year?" Feng Yi asked.
Uncle Ya firmly refused: I have an appointment!
Feng Yi was not surprised by this reply.
Uncle Ya’s days are packed with activities.
Nowadays, when playing cards, you don’t need voice assistance from your mobile phone, and you don’t need someone to help call the cards. You can just use intelligent voice broadcasting to announce mahjong!
True technology changes life!
It is said that an anonymous person donated more than ten sets of fully automatic mahjong tables and smart mahjong with voice broadcast to the nursing home at the foot of the mountain. In addition to shuffling the cards, the cards can also be automatically announced after they are played!
The elderly people in nursing homes who have clumsy hands and feet, unclear speech, speech disorders or soft voices especially like these things.
Of course, the premise is that no one uses this high-tech stuff to cheat.
Someone did try to tamper with it before, and then... and then someone tampered with it (physics).
Since then, the atmosphere for playing cards has been much better.
Feng Yi came here today just to take a look.
Visit the ancestral home, visit Uncle Ya, and ask about his plans for the New Year.
After looking and asking questions, my hands were stuffed with tea and wild fruits, and then I was driven down the mountain.
After returning home, Feng Yi began to pack his things as he had to go to the island before the New Year.
"The New Year is coming soon, let's take Xiao Xin to Yangcheng and celebrate the New Year together."
The housekeeper didn't follow this time. Feng Yi just went there to pick someone up and check the progress of the decoration.
Compared with the recent drop in winter temperature in Yangcheng, the island near the equator remains the same.
Compared with the last time, the progress of the island's renovation has made a big leap. The communication station, solar power generation system, security facilities, fresh water system... have all been fully upgraded.
Several houses have been completed, and the one where the owner lives has begun detailed decoration.
A painting more than one meter wide made of sand, shells, etc. is also placed here.
Across the island, a style wilder than the previous version is gradually emerging.
Feng Yi was very satisfied. This was a nice vacation spot. It would be more comfortable if there were no satellites overhead.
The marine iguanas on the rocky beach have grown larger.
Or maybe it just expanded a bit and became rounder.
Their growth trend seems to be calling out to the wild in an outrageous direction.
Overall, they are doing well.
It’s too good.
Not long after Feng Yi arrived at the island, a guest arrived.
Santos, the leader of the special investigation team under the jurisdiction of the Joint Security Bureau of the region to which the island belongs, came over specially upon learning that Feng Yi had flown to the island.
At that time, he personally decided to keep these marine iguanas on the island. Santos has been paying attention to it and this time he came to talk to Feng Yi in person about the situation of the marine iguanas.
Since these marine iguanas settled here, Santos has been amazed at the strong adaptability of these little guys.
When Feng Yi was not on the island, Xiao Xin was the person in charge. From the last time they met until now, the communication between Santos and Xiao Xin was not pleasant. It was not a verbal conflict.
Santos looked at Xiao Xin who was standing behind Feng Yi.
The island guard was averse to verbal communication and was still not very enthusiastic about text messages. Apart from matters related to marine iguanas, don't expect to get more information from him.
Turning his attention back to Feng Yi, Santos said:
"I came here today just to see how they are doing, and they are really enjoying themselves here. They are such lovely animals."
After taking pictures of the marine iguana, Santos walked from the rocky beach to where Feng Yi was.
Those marine iguanas were still very afraid of Feng Yi, and as long as Feng Yi approached, they would jump into the sea, jumping decisively and swiftly.
Every time he saw this situation, Santos would wonder: Was Feng Yi really marinated so well that the snake smell couldn't be completely dissipated, which is why these marine iguanas are so scared
Out of respect for the experts from the Federal Insurance Bureau, Santos did not dwell on the matter.
Looking around, he said to Feng Yi: "This island is very interesting. If you want to sell it someday, please contact me first!"
"Okay." Feng Yi said.
Anyway, he had no intention of selling in the short term and was just agreeing verbally.
When the day comes for the property to be sold, no one knows whether Santos will still be around.
However, in Feng Yi's opinion, although Santos had some interest in this island and did come here today to pay attention to the marine iguanas, these were just superficial purposes.
Wait quietly for the other person's next words.
"The night sky here must be beautiful!" Santos exclaimed.
Meaningful.
"Maybe. Most of the time when I'm here, all I can see at night are the clouds in the sky, not the stars," said Feng Yi.
If there are no clouds, create them.
"Maybe one day the weather is good and we can see a more beautiful starry sky here."
Santos smiled and said a few words about the investigation of the smuggling case some time ago. He briefly talked about what he could say and didn't mention anything he couldn't say.
"Recently and in the coming period, maritime patrols will be stricter. Oh, a small reminder, if you are going to travel by ship, check the information in advance. There will be joint maritime military exercises involving many countries in the future."
"Thank you. If I had a relevant plan, I would avoid those sea areas." Feng Yi said.
Is the joint military exercise at this time a simple military exercise, or is it a preparation for something
Santos raised his index finger: "I have another small question for you strange... not-so-mainstream experts."
"what is the problem?"
Feng Yi didn't bother about the unfinished word in Santos's words, but just responded with a polite smile.
Santos didn't show any embarrassment for his mistake, and continued, "I saw a Chinese program from a Chinese colleague, 'Survivor'? Is that what it's called?"
Feng Yi: “Yeah, that’s right.”
Santos: "You must have experienced a cold snap there, with the lowest temperature being minus 40 degrees Celsius?"
Feng Yi: "Fifty degrees below zero."
Santos: "Oh, even colder. Do you think people in tropical areas can withstand extreme low temperatures?"
Feng Yi said nothing and just looked at him quietly.
Extreme cold temperatures in the tropics
What are you alluding to
Does it involve meteorological weapons
Bold!
It's such a sensitive period, such a sensitive topic, why don't you just say it yourself, but you drag me into it? Our relationship is far from being close enough for you to tell the truth!
Santos: “Just hypothetical.”
Feng Yi's expression remained unchanged: "It's a very good hypothesis. I can write it in the report. It was proposed by Santos, the leader of a special investigation team in a certain region..."
Santos: "Forget it, forget the assumption, let's talk about cute animals!"
Feng Yi said: "Cute animals are indeed worth talking about, but before that, I also have a question to ask."
"You ask."
"I know there are many different opinions within the Joint Security Bureau. So, Santos, what do you think of other wild animals in nature?" Feng Yi asked.
The diversity of ideas within the Bureau is no secret, and some views are semi-public.
Santos did not shy away from answering this question: "Animals? They are important data to me. They are closely related to the sixth database and may even affect the future direction of all mankind. Anyone who destroys this data will be sent to... prison!"
"I thought you would be the type who prefers animals." Feng Yi said.
"Ha! Quite the contrary. I actually prefer humans. But in my opinion, people are divided into three categories: good people, people who are worse than animals, and people who are worse than animals. If a natural disaster strikes, I will do my best to protect the first category and treat the second category as appropriate."
There is nothing more after that.
Feng Yi asked: "What about the third one?"
Santos: “Oh, God bless them.”
Translated: Send them to see God!
Feng Yi was silent.
As the head of a special task force in a large region, it was not appropriate for Santos to say this, but in Santos' opinion, it was already said very tactfully.
He is a passionate and casual person, but he also has a side that hates evil. Behind all this, there may be another side, or many sides, that are unknown to the public.
Santos has experienced periods of abnormal climate and witnessed social unrest firsthand.
People who have experienced abnormal climate periods have very complex human nature.
Santos did not want to analyze his own complexities. There was not much time for small talk, so he quickly said goodbye.
Before leaving, Santos asked Feng Yi: "I saw your plane is still parked at the airport. Are you going back later?"
Feng Yi: "No, the weather is nice today, I want to take a look at the starry sky of the island."
Santos: "It's a wise decision. I hope you can see what you want to see. Even if you can't see it today, it doesn't matter. You have an island and a plane. You can check the weather forecast and fly over whenever you want. Problems will always be solved. Technology changes life."
Feng Yi also smiled and said, "Well, technology changes life."
Santos boarded the plane back, and there was still a lot of work waiting for him.
Sitting down, Santos opened an electronic document and marked a few symbols behind Feng Yi's name.
There was another person sitting opposite him, a colleague of Santos who also held an important position in the regional joint security bureau. This person had never left the plane before, but was just waiting here.
Seeing the symbol Santos marked, he was slightly surprised: "Feng Yi is actually a staunch supporter?"
Santos responded: "I am not sure whether I am firm or not, but I definitely support it."
"I am really surprised that a young man of his age, who has never experienced an abnormal climate, can make such a clear choice. He is totally different from the two people you asked yesterday who were hesitant and ambiguous."
"Yeah, I'm surprised too. Before this, when I watched the variety show "Survivor", I suspected that he was only promoting it as an investor because of the mission given by the boss and his own interests. But today I found that this guy thinks differently from others!"
"Do you think he'll show up at the first exercise?"
"Obviously, yes! He has the ideas and the ability."
"Yes, where are the shareholders of the Ancestor Factory?"
On the island, Feng Yi watched Santos' plane take off and then looked away.
As the invitation cards of the Butterfly Project were distributed to the invitees, more preparations were carried out and more and more people learned about the Butterfly Project.
Compared to the overall situation, only a very small number of people know this information, and considering Santos's position in the local joint guarantee bureau, he is also among the "very few".
Feng Yi and Santos both understood that the other knew about the Butterfly Project, but neither of them would say it out loud.
This can also be considered a consensus.
Surface confidentiality.
It was just a brief exchange in which both parties understood each other.
Stop and look into the distance, towards the sky where it meets the sea.
I heard that during this period of time, many high-ranking personnel in the Joint Security Bureau have been collecting information and gathering the attitudes of experts of all ages within the organization towards the Butterfly Project.
Santos should have made a record today, right
etc!
Will Santos, the unruly guy, include me in his report
Feng Yi remembered that he had just threatened Santos with the report, so he used the communication station on the island to send a message to Santos.
Write me better when you write the report!
Otherwise you'll be on my report too!
As time passed, the sun set, the weather was perfect, and the scenery was beautiful, but Feng Yi was not interested.
Keep waiting, the light dims and night falls.
Today, he saw moving dots of light in the night sky that looked like stars. They were the light reflected by artificial satellites.
Compared to twenty years ago, a larger and more complex satellite network is deployed outside the planet.
Feng Yi looked at the "starlight" in the night sky.
From the time I encountered the "old technology" until now, I have been so cautious, and it turned out to be right!
Well, I have looked up at the starry sky, so I might as well cover it up. Clouds are coming!