I'm trapped in a block

Chapter 1200 The Antidote to Labor Pains

"Director, did the leadership really say that? Are we supposed to make up a story?" The young researcher looked at Director Wang and asked incredulously.

"Hmm..." Director Wang nodded: "We've pretty much figured out the origin of the cube. We just need to refine our initial guesses a bit more before submitting it. After we submit it, the publicity department will continue to revise it. What the story ends up like then is none of our business..."

Hearing Director Wang's words, the young researcher's expression became even more helpless.

"Without evidence...isn't this just deceiving the public? How could we do such a thing?"

His rigorous scientific background made it difficult for him to understand such things. From childhood, he had always been taught that "to prove something, a complete chain of evidence is needed," but everything that was happening now was destroying his original beliefs.

"Director, we can't do this, it's deception... Give us a little more time, we can find the evidence, there's no need to rush."

The researchers are still stubbornly fighting against their own understanding.

Seeing the researcher's stubbornness, Director Wang sighed. Once upon a time, he was exactly like this young man.

He patted the researcher on the shoulder: "Times have changed... There's no need to dwell on some things so much, just be good enough."

"You're still young. Do your job well and you'll get the rewards you deserve. As for why you did it and what the consequences might be, someone will help you think about it and take responsibility for you."

"If the higher-ups need a research report, we give them a research report; if they need data, we give them data; if they need a logically coherent story, we give them a story. As for what happens after that, that's not our concern..."

"Isn't this great? We've been studying cubes for so long, it's time to get some results, and this result is pretty much what we expected."

"When this result becomes an inspiring story and can make a small contribution to society, that's enough. It's the most meaningful thing our institute can do."

"Our goal is to make humanity better, regardless of the means—whether it's research or deception—we must take action. Since times have changed, our methods must change accordingly..."

Director Wang didn't actually want to say so much to the young researchers, but looking at them, he saw a reflection of his own early days, when he was just as stubborn and inflexible.

He rose from a rookie to the director of the research institute, experiencing the closure of the abyss and witnessing the world change and people's hearts grow hollow. He understood the intentions of his superiors and knew that this was the only way.

"A heroic story of saving the abyss can fill the emptiness in everyone's heart... Humans are a resilient race. Temporary setbacks mean nothing. As long as we can stand up again, the future is still bright. And to 'stand up,' all we need is a role model who can touch our hearts."

A story is a spark of hope.

The firelight can illuminate the path forward, and the people who are ignited can continue to shine and give off heat. The flame will also be passed on to the next generation, becoming a torch in the hearts of mankind, until mankind emerges from the dark cave.

You will see a different world.

Director Wang looked into the young researcher's eyes and said earnestly.

The researcher's confusion was gradually replaced by the determination in Director Wang's eyes, and he finally nodded and returned to his work.

As Director Wang watched the researcher's departing figure, he seemed to see his own gradually maturing self, the same person who had been persuaded in the past.

The world is changing, but some things have never changed...

...Director Wang's finger slid across the electronic screen, the flashing images stirring up certain memories, but these were not suitable to be spoken of now, after all, there were still people watching...

He glanced discreetly in the direction of the middle-aged men and decisively chose to skip this part.

"Through the efforts of many parties, we have confirmed the origin of the cube. It was a pioneer who entered the abyss long ago. After overcoming numerous hardships, it gained the ability to save the world at the bottom of the abyss..."

"He chose to sacrifice himself, transforming into a cube in exchange for creating the Abyss Iron Layer, which could seal the abyss..."

Director Wang read aloud the story he had memorized perfectly. He knew in his heart that the story had not been fully verified to this day, but the whole world already believed it.

A hero who saves the world, a hero who sacrifices himself—the existence of the "Salvation Cube" has become a consensus among everyone.

When this story was revealed on the tenth anniversary of the Abyss's closure, lost people found their role models and a direction to move forward.

"I am also willing to sacrifice for humanity."

This is the thought that comes to everyone's mind after hearing this story.

People only understand the meaning of "cherishing" when everything they have is built on the sacrifices of others; when an empty heart is weighed down, people can rediscover the meaning of life.

Just as the authorities had anticipated, this story about "sacrifice" achieved remarkable success.

People need a role model, whether or not that role model actually exists...

Director Wang swiped his finger, and a photo appeared on the big screen. It was a photo of the cube taken by the research institute, which was also the official photo used for publication.

The photo was taken using a special shooting technique, making the cube appear very sacred. Bright lights shone on the metal surface and reflected back into the lens, creating a dazzling effect that seemed to illuminate the path for humanity.

While showing the photo, Director Wang glanced at the square on the stage.

The cube on the stage wasn't as dazzling as it appeared in the photo; it looked rather ordinary.

A fleeting look of disbelief crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Research into the Salvation Cube is ongoing..."

"In the decade following the unveiling of the cube, we mastered the technology to communicate with it, and can detect its intentions by detecting the 'observation waves' it emits."

"We found that the cube is currently in a 'low-energy' state, similar to a human's dormant state, and its response to communication is rather vague. It may need to wait for a certain opportunity to truly awaken."

“We also tried to restore the cube’s original memories and recreate its experience in the abyss, but all attempts failed. The cube’s current state is not suitable for memory restoration. We need to wait for its main consciousness to fully return before we can provide psychological guidance.”

"Since the return time is unknown, we can only monitor their daily interactions..."

Director Wang continued to swipe his finger, and one by one, square photos of daily life flashed across the big screen, with the dates constantly moving forward.

(End of this chapter)