Deep Space Wandering Fleet-Chapter 45 - : One Man’s Doomsday
Chapter 45: Chapter 45: One Man’s Doomsday
Holiday balance: 1 day.
Zhang Yuan finally experienced the feeling of restlessness that Ye Kaifu had before leaving.
His heart felt hollow, nothing he did seemed to have a spark, he didn’t want to study, didn’t want to think, and didn’t want to play games.
He even tossed and turned in bed, losing a whole night’s sleep.
This feeling was as if the end of the world was approaching.
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If tomorrow were the end of the world, what should he do today to make it meaningful?
...
This topic had always been popular on the internet, if the apocalypse arrived and the world was in chaos, some people would choose to indulge, to fall; some would choose to go home and stay with their parents; others would confess their love, do things they normally wouldn’t do, to make up for any regrets in life…
After all, humans are emotional creatures; living long in one place, no matter how many shortcomings it has and despite numerous complaints, the over-familiarity and habit makes it hard to leave.
This place was his mother star—Earth.
Looking again at the crowds on the street, where everything was in order, it appeared to be just his own personal apocalypse.
Zhang Yuan sighed deeply, shook off the wild thoughts in his mind, and hastened his steps forward.
He went to Professor Wang Zhong’s office, prepared to donate his shares in “Genesis Technology Co., Ltd,” though the company was still in the process of registration.
“Zhang Yuan, it’s good that you have this intention,” Professor Wang Zhong said amiably after taking a sip of water. “I think, for now, you should hold on to the shares; don’t donate them to the Foundation.”
“Why?” Zhang Yuan couldn’t help but ask, “Isn’t the Foundation short of funds?”
Professor Wang waved his hand and sighed, “Even if they are short of funds, they don’t need your few million.”
“The Foundation has grown over a hundred years into a true behemoth. Its industries have increased, some obviously came into success because of fortunate misfortunes, such as the Space Elevator and some shares in Space City, and others were through investments.”
Professor Wang made a gesture, “The longer the reach, the greater the influence on the entire world.”
“You mean…” Zhang Yuan was a bit unclear.
Professor Wang sighed, “What’s the purpose of the Deep Space Foundation? To support the development of aerospace, not to obtain massive profits; it’s not a capitalist entity that needs to make profits in the long term.”
“Today, the size of the Foundation has become somewhat bloated. Where there is power, there will be corruption. A large organization, regardless of how well-regulated it is, with more people and over time, will inevitably form chaos and have all kinds of dark sides.”
“So, hold on to your shares. Many companies managed by the Foundation are not doing well.”
Zhang Yuan pondered thoughtfully.
Professor Wang smiled and said, “Flowers don’t bloom for a hundred days, and people don’t stay good for a thousand days; the Foundation can’t keep growing stronger. Especially when our generation is gone, the next generation may not have that vigor, and it will gradually weaken.”
“If you are truly concerned, come and offer help in three hundred years—if the Foundation still exists by then.”
Zhang Yuan expressed surprise, “Professor Wang, three hundred years later, my company might have already collapsed. After all, I’m just a minor shareholder, not involved in management, and I don’t even look after it…”
Professor Wang spoke indifferently, “Who can predict the final outcome? I still suggest you keep the shares and simply donate the dividends to the Foundation. The Foundation doesn’t lack assets, just future security.”
“I say the same to other asset donors.”
The two talked for a long time.
A person with no forethought will surely have immediate worries.
Professor Wang indeed made sense; their generation had risen from ruins and destitution, and the consciousness of hardships differed from those behind them. Days without sufficient energy allowed everyone to feel the bitterness of life and the taste of downfall, deeply influencing even the mindset of the ruling class.
“To develop, to endlessly develop!” Professor Wang pointed at his head, “That’s the idea imprinted in my mind from our era.”
“But for many kids who grew up in the new era, that kind of thinking is gone. Life is too affluent, so why bother developing?”
Going from frugality to luxury is easy, but going back is hard. That’s why Professor Qi Yuanshan believes that humans had only a couple hundred years to step out of the Solar System—it’s just this reasoning.
“He predicted a long time ago that, in a few hundred years, humans would likely revert to the old ways of the past era, with all sorts of contradictions emerging… The warmth brought by nuclear fusion is just too wonderful, far better than oil. Plus, with the Solar System being vast enough to accommodate trillions of people, who then would have the will to develop a second civilization?”
“This isn’t a problem of technology, but of spiritual will.”
…
When Zhang Yuan stepped out of his office, his mind was tirelessly pondering. He could understand these social predictions, yet found them hard to truly grasp, perhaps.
Zhang Yuan casually found a corner in the university campus to sit down, gazed at the azure sky, and aimlessly scrolled through his social media feed.
“Person in Xisha, just got off the high-speed train, boarding a spaceship tomorrow. Any ladies willing to accompany me on my last day?”
[Selfie]
[Selfie]
[Selfie]
It was his close friend Li Zhendong showing off in his social media feed, and the responses below were a heap of blessings and likes.
Everyone was quite friendly toward the astronaut who was about to leave.
Zhang Yuan replied, “I’m right here at Xisha University, come over.”
Li Zhendong responded, “Scram, you’re not a lady!”
“I have lots of ladies here!”
Li Zhendong immediately replied, “Coming, coming, wait up, I’m going to report to the Aviation Planning Bureau first.”
About half an hour later, Li Zhendong sneaked up at the entrance of the university, looking nothing like a student, and even had his ID checked by the security guard.
The moment they met, he asked, “Where are the girls? I knew you were tricking me, you idiot!”
“What’s the hurry? They’ll be here in a bit.”
“Ha-ha.”
Li Zhendong shrugged, clearly unconvinced, “How about we go play games? Last day, how about pulling an all-nighter gaming? LoL8 has just come out, I’ve got two beta accounts…”
Zhang Yuan shook his head, “That’s all you ever think about. We’re not going to an internet cafe. Just wait five minutes!”
A few minutes later, Han Ziyue indeed appeared, her voice carrying from afar, “Zhang Yuan, come on out and play!”
Li Zhondong’s eyes nearly popped out, and his mouth hung open wide enough to fit a pear!
He glanced back at Zhang Yuan and cursed inwardly: This guy was actually hitting on girls, and such a beautiful girl at that!
I’m so dumb!
To think I bitterly studied books at home for a whole month!
As the girl approached, Li Zhendong stuttered, “Hello, beautiful girl, nice to meet you. My name is Li Zhendong, I am friendly and honest. I’m good at mechanical and information sciences, love surfing the internet and playing online games. I also like playing basketball. I once dreamed of being an athlete. I love watching the seagulls fly freely over the sea, which is why I often go to the beach in summer. White is my favorite color because I think it symbolizes purity…”
It was like he was reciting a textbook.
