Xing Bi seemed to have given him a heads-up. He just hummed a few words and then fell silent.
Qiu Shi didn't know what state he was in now, but he could only hold on to this only "clue" and move forward. Not to mention that he couldn't remember the tune of the song, he couldn't even remember how many times he had to sing "Happy Birthday" in the song. He could only sing it hard, because Xing Bi knew that he had turned this song into a new song since the first time he sang it.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..." Qiu Shi stared at Xing Bi's face and whispered in his ear over and over again, "Happy birthday to you..."
Until Ji Sui's voice came from the headset: "Happy birthday to you..."
"Fuck." Qiu Shi realized that he had not turned off the group call. Everyone in the group was listening to him lying in Xing Bi's car and singing a new version of Happy Birthday.
"Happy birthday to you..." Feng Zhi's voice also came out.
Next was Song Heng. After listening to the entire Happy Birthday, Sang Fan also joined in. Everyone sang Happy Birthday together in their headphones.
"Xing Bi, did you hear that?" Qiu Shi finally found the tune and started singing along with everyone else, "Happy birthday to you..."
To be honest, Qiu Shi didn't know how long everyone had been singing or how many times they had sung. He only knew that his voice was a little hoarse. Although it was possible that his voice was not hoarse from singing but just from not sleeping for a long time, they did sing for quite a while.
Xing Bi moved and opened his eyes. When everyone's singing in the headphones stopped at the same time, Qiu Shi felt that the surroundings were so quiet that his mind seemed to be empty.
After several seconds, he moved closer to Xing Bi and called softly, "Xing Bi?"
"Yeah." Xing Bi responded.
The dark lines on his face had become very light, but had not completely disappeared. They were still visible, as shallowly as the blood vessels under the skin. Qiu Shi pulled his hand over again and rolled up his sleeves, and the same situation occurred.
For a moment, he didn't know whether Xing Bi's condition was normal or abnormal, and he didn't dare to lift the control easily.
It’s not that he was afraid that Xing Bi would lose control, but that he was afraid that his previous terrible symbiotic state would reappear.
"It's okay." Xing Bi said.
"The patterns haven't disappeared yet," Qiu Shi said. "Why is that?"
"I don't know, I have no experience," Xing Bi said, "Maybe it's dyed."
"Fuck," Qiu Shi couldn't help laughing, "Can this be dyed?"
"Who knows," Xing Bi said, "Anything is possible. You sang Happy Birthday over 300 times and still couldn't find the tune, so it's not surprising that I dyed my hair a little bit."
"Stop talking nonsense," Qiu Shi could sense that Xing Bi had gotten over his previous anger, so he released his control, "If everyone sings it together a few times, I'll get it."
"It's not that you can't sing now, partner," Xing Bi turned his head and looked at him, "You're just out of tune, and you can't tell if you're out of tune yourself."
"I'm out of tune?" Qiu Shi was shocked. "I'm out of tune? Ji Sui?"
"Yes, a little bit." Ji Sui said.
"Really?" Qiu Shi still couldn't accept it. He felt that he was full of emotion and his singing got better and better.
"The kind that can't be pulled back even if you try hard." Feng Zhi said.
"I'm going to turn off the group call. I need to take a break." Qiu Shi said and turned off the group call.
Xing Bi smiled and turned off the group call, then sat up.
"What did you feel just now?" Qiu Shi looked at the faint marks on his face, "It didn't look like he was unconscious."
"It's not a coma," Xing Bi said, "It's the influence of 249, like an illusion."
"What kind of hallucination?" Qiu Shi asked.
"He is data. He has hacked into our data before. He has enough time to hide in places where we cannot detect and observe us. He knows the characteristics and weaknesses of each biochemical body," Xing Bi said. "He will tailor it for each controlled symbiote."
"You are controlled by him?" Qiu Shi asked in surprise, "Didn't you control that super-communist?"
"It is because he controls the supercommunist that he can deeply sense 249." Xing Bi said.
"Don't use this symbiotic state again," Qiu Shi said. "I'm afraid you won't wake up next time and become the next super-communist."
"Yeah." Xing Bi responded.
"Why is this happening?" Qiu Shi frowned. "You and they have completely different ways of creating super symbiotes."
"This is the price," Xing Bi said, "The price of this unconventional way of living is to give up on yourself from the very beginning."
"If you put it that way," Qiu Shi leaned back in his chair, "the deeper the degree of control and the longer the time, the fewer people will be able to wake up on their own like Song Heng, right?"
"Yes," Xing Bi said, "most of those who were controlled first were secret guards. I'm afraid few of them can come back."
Qiu Shi didn't say anything. After a while, he looked at him again: "Did you promise me just now?"
"I agree." Xing Bi said.
"Are you sure?" Qiu Shi asked, "How about you agree to it again?"
"I promise you that I will no longer use this level of symbiotic ability and will no longer directly sense 249," Xing Bi said. "Is that okay?"
"Okay." Qiu Shi nodded.
He did not ask Xing Bi to completely stop using the symbiote control ability. They were facing a symbiote, and some control was still needed before enough backup biochemicals arrived. After all, their goal was to find 249's hiding place as soon as possible and to withstand his attacks and not be entangled.
"Let's get some sleep. It's almost dawn and we have to set off." Xing Bi said.
"I can't sleep," Qiu Shi looked at him, "You..."
Xing Bi took out a pair of handcuffs from the box next to him, handcuffed himself, sat next to him, and handcuffed his hand with the other side.
"I can't open this without alarming you," Xing Bi said, "Isn't that reassuring?"
“Fuck,” Qiu Shi closed his eyes, “I’m not worried that you’ll sneak out and go crazy.”
"He went crazy and even ran away quietly. He could describe it in such detail," Xing Bi said. "I must have gone over it in my mind at least ten times."
Qiu Shi closed his eyes and laughed.
"Go to sleep." Xing Bi held his hand.
"Good night, partner." said Qiu Shi.
"Good night, partner." Xing Bi said.
Qiu Shi woke up when it was just getting light and could see people walking outside the car window.
He raised his hand and rubbed his face, feeling something shaking on his wrist. He took a look and found that it was the handcuffs that had been handcuffed on him and Xing Bi's hands before.
Xing Bi's hand was no longer on the other side of the handcuffs; it was just hanging on his wrist.
Although he knew that Xing Bi was definitely not next to him, he couldn't help but look to the side again and confirmed that Xing Bi had indeed opened the handcuffs and got out of the car without him noticing.
He opened the car door and jumped out to see Li Rui sleeping soundly on the ground leaning against the wheel.
The weather is still very cold, it just hasn't snowed in the past few days. This kid is actually sleeping on the ground holding someone's coat.
He wanted to wake Li Rui up, but then he couldn't bear to do it. After all, the fact that he didn't freeze to death proved that he could hold on and was sleeping soundly.
A biochemical being came over with a disinfection instrument. Qiu Shi made way and let him get in the car.
This is a park. When we arrived yesterday, Song Heng said that these houses were previously a small fossil museum in the park, and the collections are all very ancient stones that are hundreds or thousands of years older than those of our ancestors.
Of course there is nothing inside now. This is now a liaison station for Song Heng's organization. Because a group of team members died tragically yesterday, the atmosphere in the liaison station is a bit depressed.
When Qiu Shi wanted to go and take a look, Xing Bi, a biochemical creature and a human walked out together.
"Jiang Zhuo," the biochemical body stretched out his hand to Qiu Shi, "I am the stationmaster here."
"Qiu Shi." Qiu Shi stretched out his hand and shook hands with him. Jiang Zhuo had only three fingers on his right hand, and his thumb and little finger were missing.
Most of these biological entities that have been in the outside world for hundreds of years have wounds that cannot be repaired by themselves.
The human next to him also looked battle-hardened, with scars all over his face and neck.
"Jiang Liu." The human also shook hands with Qiu Shi, "People here usually call me Brother Liu."
"Sixth brother." Qiu Shi glanced at him.
"Keep going east, this area is relatively safe. I suggest you take a detour and go through the base. There are still many biochemical bodies near the base, but few vagrants, and there is no camp of 249," Jiang Zhuo said. "Also, we received news that since yesterday, a large number of vagrants have begun to attack symbiotic camps in various places, which will disperse some of 249's combat power, but he will definitely chase you."
"For safety reasons, I will bring a group of people with you," Jiang Liu said. "I am very familiar with the area from the base to Luhai Town in the east. After passing Luhai Town, we will reach where you want to go in two days."
"A whole car full of people?" Qiu Shi was stunned. "We can't fit so many people in our car."
"We have a car." Jiang Liu said.
Qiu Shi glanced at Xing Bi, and Xing Bi nodded.
"Thank you," Qiu Shi said, "but it might be dangerous if you follow us..."
"As long as 249 is still here, there will be no place in this world that is not dangerous," Jiang Liu said. "If we want peace, we can't rely on a single hero. We all need to work together."
"Okay." Qiu Shi didn't say much.
"Our car will go ahead in a while. There are some roads that are not on the map and are not easy to be ambushed by 249," Jiang Liu said. "My father and I have explored this many times before. This way, 249 can follow us all the way without ambushing us in advance."
"...your dad?" Qiu Shi was a little confused.
"Jiang Zhuo." Jiang Liu said.
"What the hell?" Qiu Shi found it a little difficult to understand. Jiang Liu looked to be in his thirties. Most of the factory settings of biochemical bodies were below thirty years old. This Jiang Liu looked obviously older than his "father" Jiang Zhuo.
"He raised me. I am the descendant of vagrants and all my family members are dead," said Jiang Liu.
"Oh..." Qiu Shi nodded, "I understand."
In this way, Jiang Liu does not look like a human being raised by humans. Whether he is a vagrant or a refugee, Jiang Liu looks more like a biological entity with no apparent emotional fluctuations.
"I have already contacted Yuncheng this morning," Xing Bi and Qiu Shi walked towards the convoy, "Xu Jie's men will be able to catch up with us tonight, and there will be basically no obstacles on the road."
"We have to clean up the tunnel we blew up," said Qiu Shi.
"They brought construction vehicles." Xing Bi said.
"Is it such a big noise?" Qiu Shi asked.
"If we find where 249 is hiding, it might be useful. Maybe the situation will become more complicated," Xing Bi said. "After all, he has been hiding there for more than 200 years without being discovered. Even if he was discovered, it has not been destroyed."
"Yeah." Qiu Shi nodded.
It seems that although the journey is difficult, it seems that compared to the final blow, the difficulties along the way are relatively simple.
The convoy is ready. The soldiers rested in the museum yesterday. The conditions were pretty good and everyone seemed to be in good spirits.
When Qiu Shi was standing by the car checking, he found that Sang Fan and Song Heng had switched seats and returned to their car.
"Li Rui no longer needs Sister Sang Fan?" Qiu Shi asked.
"He wanted to ask about Water Margin," Sang Fan said. "I don't know what it is, but Song Heng knows, so he went to tell him about it."
"What tiger?" Qiu Shi asked.
"Ask again later. Maybe the refugee school will teach it in the future." Xing Bi patted him.
“Fuck,” Qiu Shi sighed, “Li Rui really doesn’t look like someone who grew up in this kind of world.”
"So humans are amazing," Xing Bi said. "There are always things that surprise you, no matter how many years pass or what the environment is."
"You said..." Qiu Shi thought for a moment and asked in a low voice, "That Jiang Liu, he was actually raised by a biological body, he looks like Jiang Zhuo's elder brother, and he can call him 'my dad' so easily."
"Jiang Zhuo is more than a hundred years older than him," said Xing Bi.
"Then you," Qiu Shi took a breath and looked at him, "when you look at me, do you look at me like your son?"
"Like caring for his grandson." Xing Bi said.
"Fuck your ancestors." said Qiu Shi.
Xing Bi laughed: "It's different. I met you when you were 25 years old. I didn't have any idea that you were a child, and I don't have any childish feelings for you."
"Oh." Qiu Shi frowned, feeling that he almost understood.
"It will only produce the emotion of 'Oh, this handsome guy is very attractive to me.'" Xing Bi whispered in his ear again.
"Oh shit." Qiu Shi was so shocked that he even took off Xing Bi's headphones to confirm whether the group call was on.
"It's just turned on now." Xing Bi put on his headphones with a smile.
"Can you hear me? I'm Jiang Liu." Jiang Liu's voice came from the headset.
"Yes." Xing Bi said.
"You can set off now. Our car is waiting for you at the east gate of the park." Jiang Liu said.
"Okay." Xing Bi said and got in the car.
Qiu Shi glanced at the convoy behind him and gestured, and the vehicles started one by one. The people at the liaison station did not come out to say goodbye or anything, which was probably a kind of etiquette and sustenance that only existed in a relatively peaceful place like Yuncheng.
For people living in the outside world, no blessing can give them a real sense of security and psychological comfort. Only when the day is over and they are alive and well can they feel truly safe.
Qiu Shi used to think that many refugees regarded Yuncheng as the final paradise and wanted to reach it until their death, which was too naive. But now it seems that Yuncheng is undoubtedly the paradise for those who are struggling to live in such a world.
The convoy passed through the park and drove towards the east gate.
Parks are places that can be seen frequently since entering urban areas. Such open spaces that occupy a huge area just to provide various entertainment functions do not exist in Yuncheng. However, Qiu Shi was a little confused. On the one hand, such tall and densely built buildings were built and everyone lived together, while on the other hand, such a large area was left for planting flowers and plants for people to stroll.
Jiang Liu's car was parked inside the east gate. When he saw the convoy coming, he flashed his lights and started leading the way.
However, when Qiu Shi saw their vehicle, he was still quite surprised. It was not just a car, but an off-road vehicle followed by four three-wheeled motorcycles, all of which had people on them.
These vehicles are full of nomadic style. The modifications and camouflage make it almost impossible to recognize their original appearance. Various iron plates, steel cables and tools with hooks allow people to intuitively feel what kind of life the people in the liaison station usually lead.
Even those people sitting in the car, if he just met them on the road, Qiu Shi would subconsciously classify them as vagrants. The simple, rough and bloody equipment perfectly matched the ferocious expressions on their faces.
Jiang Liu's men skillfully led them to a fork in the road and then began to travel through various ruins.
Because they were not taking a regular road, there were countless intersections in various buildings where they could turn at will, which effectively allowed them to avoid ambushes.
"Are we going to take a detour to the base now?" Qiu Shi asked.
"Yes." Xing Bi said.
"You haven't been back since you left there, right?" Qiu Shi asked.
"Well," Xing Bi looked out the window, "I'm back to visit an old place."
“Will that place also be a ruin?” Qiu Shi saw almost no intact buildings along the way. Except for the bridge that was built very solidly from the beginning, almost all the houses had collapsed, and some were left with only a pile of rubble.
"The base's construction level is different, so it should be stronger under the same conditions," Xing Bi whispered, "but there were battles, explosions, and fires there, and it was destroyed when we left."
Qiu Shi sighed softly. What exactly does the existence of the base mean to humans and biochemical organisms? I'm afraid no one can tell now.
"But there are some underground areas in there. Maybe if we look for them, we might be able to find something useful for Yuncheng," Xing Bi said, "medical equipment or something like that. If the data isn't completely destroyed, there might still be some information."
"What information?" Qiu Shi asked sensitively, and touched his headphones to make sure they were turned off.
"It's medical related. The base was researching long-acting inhibitors before the war," Xing Bi said. "If it's possible, it might help Zheng Ting's condition."
If Zheng Ting's condition is reversible, it means that Xing Bi and their symbiotic state may also be reversible.
"You didn't mention it before." Qiu Shi said softly.
"There's no point in talking about something that doesn't have much hope," Xing Bi said. "The longer time goes by, the more expectations will grow."
"Are you afraid of disappointment?" Qiu Shi said.
"I'm afraid everyone will be disappointed." Xing Bi said.
"You've said it now." Sang Fan said.
"Because we're almost there, we need to go in and look for it," Ji Sui laughed, "so I told you a little earlier."
"Oh." Sang Fan nodded, "I won't be disappointed."
"You are like an axe." said Ji Sui.
Qiu Shi couldn't help laughing.
"I don't think anything will happen on this journey," Xing Bi said with a smile, "You can get some sleep."
"No need." said Qiu Shi.
Xing Bi pushed him aside.
"What do you mean?" Qiu Shi moved to the seat next to him and looked at him, "You're not letting us sit next to each other?"
Xing Bi didn't say anything. He stretched out his hand and pulled his shoulder towards him. Qiu Shi was caught off guard and was pulled down on the seat with his head resting on his legs.
"Take a nap." Xing Bi pressed his shoulder.
Although Qiu Shi didn't feel sleepy, the moment his head rested on Xing Bi's legs, a feeling of comfort and relaxation quickly took over his body, and he suddenly found it difficult to open his eyes.
“Actually, I…” Qiu Shi wanted to struggle, after all, Ji Sui and Sang Fan were sitting behind him.
"Go to sleep quickly," Sang Fan said, "It's no use staying awake now."
“… Shit.” Qiu Shi laughed when he heard this.
Director Wu walked out of the experimental cabin with a frown on his face.
"No way?" Li Feng turned and looked at him while lying on three chairs put together.
"Ordinary biochemical bodies may not be able to adapt to Zheng Ting's system," Director Wu said, "After all, we can't completely separate the fungus from the system now, but if..."
"No buts, no ifs," Li Feng said, "No one can touch Zheng Ting before Xing Bi comes back."
"I'm not trying to move. What I mean is that the current experiments are based on our own symbiotic experiments, and we haven't really tried Zheng Ting's system." Director Wu took two sips of water. "Maybe if we use it directly, he can adapt himself."
"Wait until he comes back," Li Feng said, "Don't learn from the Chief, or I'm afraid I won't be able to save your life."
"I'm not that crazy," said Director Wu.
"I think you are quite crazy." Li Feng said.
"Is there anyone crazier than you?" Director Wu said, "You are just a psychopath."
"Just chat, don't curse at me all of a sudden," Li Feng said, "You can't control your temper at your age."
"I..." Director Wu didn't finish his words when the door of the laboratory was pushed open. He looked at Chen Dang who walked in and said, "Another one, right? Why do I need a password here? Anyone can just push the door and walk in."
"Xing Bi and the others have arrived at the base." Chen Dang said.
"Have we arrived yet?" Director Wu was too busy complaining.
"We are now at the entrance of the base, at the location of the first gate," Chen Dang said, "It is still some distance away from the core area."
"Didn't you go in?" Li Feng got up from three chairs with wheels with difficulty, trying to control himself not to fall down.
"The team waiting for Xu Jie," Chen Dang propped up the chair with his foot, "We need to leave more people on guard, as there are many biochemical bodies in that area."
"Well, let's connect the call here." Li Feng stood up and walked into the meeting room.
Qiu Shi’s face was projected onto the wall of the conference room: “You dog official, come and see the world.”
"Is the communications set up?" Li Feng smiled.
"Yeah," Qiu Shi responded, pointing to the black silhouettes behind him that were scattered in different heights under the setting sun, "Over there, is the main part of the base."
Qiu Shi walked away from the screen, and the dark shadow in the distance was gradually enlarged, and it could be gradually seen that it was a huge, silver-white building complex.
Li Feng had seen photos and some videos of the base in the archives. The buildings before him, more than half of which had been destroyed by the war, were not as spectacular as those in the pictures.
But the dilapidated and abandoned buildings before our eyes, which are truly displayed in the afterglow of the sunset and only the outlines can be seen, can give people a stronger impact.
Life science research base.
This is where it all begins and where it all ends.
The author has something to say:
To be continued tomorrow⊙▽⊙.
Ah, the revisiting stage has begun, and it looks like it’s almost over.