Countdown: Humanity's struggle to survive against yesterday

"Since Jiang Ning's mysterious space can monitor all of humanity, it is a hundred times more powerful than the Luo Shu."

"Why should we go through the motions? We can simply have Jiang Ning observe one bead, or a few beads, and then we can deduce all the changes in reverse..."

With a new direction in mind, everyone regained their confidence and began to discuss along the lines of Chang Niankong's ideas.

In just half an hour, Jiang Ning voluntarily abandoned his original plan, truly heeding advice.

Sun Fumin: "Xiao Ning, I don't think we need to find any more experimental subjects. Just observe me."

"Okay!" Jiang Ning did not refuse.

After returning from the world, the group had not rested, nor had they slept.

Since you've decided to observe someone, you can consider choosing from people who haven't slept yet.

Instead of finding new people, it's better to test them one by one from within the team first.

After the new plan was finalized, the group didn't rush to verify it, but instead went to eat breakfast as usual.

The so-called "breakfast" is no longer the traditional morning meal, but a new form under the great disaster - people define the time just after waking up as "early", and most people will replenish their energy after that.

After finishing breakfast, the group suddenly found themselves with plenty of free time, but then realized they felt strangely uncomfortable.

Sun Fumin then suggested that everyone go back to Taiqing No. 1 Courtyard to play mahjong, but Jiang Ning and Su Mian did not participate.

Jiang Ning wanted to enter the mysterious space to continue his research, but Su Mian stopped him, and the two stayed in the living area of ​​the hall to chat.

After chatting for about half a cup of coffee's time, Su Mian suddenly asked, "Team Leader Jiang, if it's really discovered that sleep is related to the Great Regression of Humanity, what would you do?"

The two were chatting about some interesting things online when this sudden turn of events startled Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning remained silent for a moment, then looked at Su Mian and said, "Then you'll probably need to continue your research!"

Su Mian remained silent, and Jiang Ning continued, "Discovering and cracking are two different things! I might be lucky enough to discover a problem, but I may not have the ability to solve it. It's best to leave professional matters to professionals."

"So what will Team Leader Jiang do?"

"I might go back to the bustling neighborhood..."

The rest of the sentence was left unsaid, but Su Mian roughly understood.

"I'll definitely go back and wait quietly for Lin Wei."

After spending the past two months together, Su Mian has gradually figured out Jiang Ning's personality.

Actually, Jiang Ning doesn't really like the current environment. To put it nicely, he likes quiet; to put it bluntly, he's indifferent.

It was as if he could accept the destruction of the entire world.

However, most of the time Jiang Ning was actually trying his best to show a positive side.

However, this proactive attitude is more like a "doing one's job well" attitude.

Su Mian couldn't help but think to herself, "If Jiang Ning weren't Team Leader Jiang, he might be even more indifferent! Is this indifference something he was born with, or did it only appear after Lin Wei's death?"

Su Mian naturally wouldn't ask this question.

Su Mian: "I might go back to Dawn University too..."

At this point, Su Mian chuckled self-deprecatingly, "It's true what they say, you only realize how little you know when you need it! Compared to professionals, my so-called master's degree is practically worthless."

Jiang Ning picked up her coffee and took a sip without saying a word, unsure of what to say.

During his observations over this period, Su Mian had been mostly silent and reserved since joining the Huitian Group. This wasn't because she was unsociable, but because she always seemed preoccupied.

Jiang Ning once observed her for a few days out of curiosity and found that, apart from her daily work, she spent most of her time relearning.

Su Mian even developed the habit of writing a diary at any time.

Jiang Ning was filled with emotion when the diary was mentioned.

I haven't written anything for a long time since I chose to report to the state.

Every day seems free, but in reality, there are always big and small matters to attend to. It should be said that since I took on the "quantum storage" on my shoulders, I seem to be free on the surface, and the country will satisfy any request I have.

But this backpack was always with him, and it kept weighing him down, making it hard for him to breathe.

Just like what I said to Chang Niankong at the farewell ceremony last time, "I can't get off the boat anymore."

This was not what he wanted, but he had no choice but to accept it.

"When a building is about to collapse, no egg remains unbroken!"

These are Chen Xiao's words, and they make a lot of sense. Sometimes I really struggle with these kinds of questions.

On one hand, he longs to return to the bustling city, fantasizing about growing old together with his wife after her resurrection, a life of harmony and prosperity for their family. On the other hand, he is also influenced by his own "unique" circumstances, forcing him to do something within his own power.

Seeing Jiang Ning staring blankly at his coffee, Su Mian smiled faintly and asked, "Team Leader Jiang, do you think finding the root cause of the great disaster is a good thing or a bad thing?"

"What do you mean?"

Jiang Ning snapped out of his daze, his expression puzzled, not quite understanding the meaning behind Su Mian's words.

Su Mian: "What I mean is, assuming the world's great regression really is related to sleep, what should we do?"

"Naturally, we should continue digging deeper..."

Jiang Ning was halfway through his sentence when he suddenly realized something.

He wondered to himself, "How can I dig deeper?"

Academician Zhao once gave an example: suppose time is a river, we were originally all flowing downstream, but now the river course has suddenly changed, and everyone has started to flow backward.

According to this account, the river was diverted on March 21, 2047; even if the reason for the diversion has now been found, people will no longer have the opportunity to change it.

Su Mian: "Hegel once said that time is not an external container, but the way in which it exists."

Without watches, clocks, and other timekeeping devices, humanity would still be living in a primitive state, with sunrise and sunset every day. Would we even have a concept of yesterday and tomorrow? Is time something we experience, or something we create?

Jiang Ning didn't respond. He knew Su Mian wasn't asking him a question, but rather expressing her feelings.

Su Mian: "We think of time as a river, and we are floating in it. But what if this river itself doesn't exist, and it's just an illusion created by our eyes? Each reset isn't time going backwards, but rather us re-observing time."

"Just as you believe that the great regression is caused by lack of sleep, this is very similar to the collective consciousness of locusts. Going deeper, it is very likely that our own consciousness after sleep also resonated, which led to this disaster."

"Of course, this is just my guess. I'm more inclined to believe that our collective sleep deprivation, caused by the re-observation of time, led to hallucinations..."

After Su Mian finished speaking, she smiled sheepishly, feeling that she had only spoken out of the heart and now, upon reflection, it all seemed like nonsense.

Jiang Ning laughed heartily: "So, that's where your continued efforts come in. If it's truly confirmed that the disaster is related to sleep, you'll definitely be busy from now on."

"By the way!" Jiang Ning paused, then looked earnestly at Su Mian, "Su Mian, I hope you can continue your research. Even if the Huitian Group is gone, I hope you and Xiaoxue can continue your research. Even if I return to Fanhuali, I will support you."

The last sentence can be considered a promise: regardless of the outcome of this dream-seeking plan, Jiang Ning intends to return to the bustling neighborhood.

He could continue carrying the "quantum storage," but he really didn't want to stay in Taiqing Mountain anymore.

He wanted to give himself some time to prepare for welcoming Lin Wei. He really didn't want to be Lin Wei's savior, nor was he interested in it.

Su Mian met Jiang Ning's calm eyes and said softly, "I'll try my best."