Reborn in 1993, Dark Sea

An Xiaohai was stunned for a moment, but only for a moment, before a smile bloomed on his face.

"You've arrived!"

"Yes, I'm here. I had no choice but to come!" 027 exhaled softly and said with a smile.

"Did you come to see me?"

"Yes."

"Okay, I happen to be free right now."

"I don't like chatting here, let's go somewhere else," 027 said, then smiled and turned to leave.

An Xiaohai supported himself on the armrests of the restraint chair and stood up with some difficulty. Ten hours had passed since he sat in this uncomfortable chair until now.

After stretching his numb legs and giving Xia Qing a smile, An Xiaohai finally left the small detention cell.

In the small garden behind the Public Security Bureau building, An Xiaohai and 027 walked side by side, their steps remarkably synchronized.

"Let's get to know each other again. I'm from the Security Department, and my code name is 027," 027 finally spoke softly after an unknown amount of time.

"So you really are from the security department. I thought I was mistaken."

"Is it that obvious?"

"It's quite obvious; you all have a distinctive scent."

"This is terrible news!"

"I don't think so, maybe it's because you weren't on guard with me."

"That's not necessarily true. We should always be vigilant towards everyone, regardless of whether they are on guard against us or not. We should not let you see through us so easily."

It seems I'm really getting old and it's time for me to rest...

"Yes, I also think you should rest."

"You silly child! I was just joking. I would get angry if someone else said that about me."

"You won't be angry with me."

"That's not necessarily true, I'm very stingy! Haha!"

027 laughed, and An Xiaohai laughed too.

"What are you doing hiding here? I think you're hiding here for more than just an alibi. There are plenty of ways to get an alibi."

"chat."

"Chatting? You mean chatting with that pretty girl?"

"No," An Xiaohai shook his head, "Actually, I've been chatting with him the whole time."

"Chatting with him... I get it!" 027 smiled slightly, tilting her head to look at An Xiaohai: "Can you tell me what you two talked about?"

"Yes, actually, he's been the one doing all the talking, and I rarely pay attention to him."

"Hahahaha..." 027 laughed so hard he almost fell over: "So what did he say to you?"

He said a lot of things, but it was all very disorganized. It took me a long time to sort out some of the fragments.

He told me: This world is a dog-eat-dog world. Only the strong are respected, while the weak can only fend for themselves in the shadows.

He told me that he hated the world, hated everything about it, and that the world had caused him too much pain.

He said to me: "Look, violence is the best way to solve problems. Violence can destroy all rules. As long as you have enough violence, all rules will be powerless against you!"

Violence is simple and direct; using violence to solve problems makes everything exceptionally easy.

He said: If you don't believe me, I'll show you! You'll see how I solve problems, you'll see how easy and effortless I am!

He said to me, "Come, join me. If you join me, you will have the same power as me."

"That's all?"

"That's all I've heard for now."

"I think what he said seems to be true!"

"Yes, that sounds right, and I don't know how to refute him."

After An Xiaohai finished speaking, he let out a long sigh of relief. The two fell silent again. After a long while, it was 027 who spoke again:

Why do you choose to consistently uphold your principles?

Because I can't let go!

My mother is the kindest woman in the world; my lover is the most devoted and foolish woman in the world; my best friend is a kind-hearted, somewhat eccentric teenager who has been talking about doing great things to serve his country since he was little, even though he still needs to spin his pen to determine the answers during exams…”

"Hahahaha..." 027 was amused again.

"So I can't do it. I can't let them go. If I lose them, this world will have no meaning for me anymore."

I believe that there are many people like them in this world, and many like me who are willing to do anything to protect others.

If I became like him, all the people I care about would leave me, so I can't do it.

"Excellent, that's rare!" 027 took a deep breath. "Some people are hurt and need to hurt others to find balance. But you chose to protect others. Excellent, very good!"

"Actually, I'm not that noble," An Xiaohai said with a wry smile, "I'm just protecting the people I want to protect. As for others, that's none of my business!"

"Don't think like that. You've already done very well. You've been able to stick to your principles and take care of yourself. That's already quite good."

"Thanks!"

The two fell silent for the second time, walking for a while longer before An Xiaohai spoke first: "Have you ever played games?"

"What game are you referring to?"

"Video games, or computer games."

"Does Contra and World of Tanks count?"

"This is a video game. You've actually played it?"

"Of course, I'm pretty good at these things!"

"Haha, you must be really good at games!" An Xiaohai exhaled. "Then do you know how to cheat in games?"

"Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, B?"

"Ha, yes, so how did you feel after you learned how to cheat?"

"I feel like this game isn't as appealing as it used to be."

"Yes, cheating is breaking the rules. Once the rules are broken, the game loses most of its fun. People who cheat in games don't love the game itself, but rather the thrill of being the only one who matters after breaking the rules."

My grandfather was wrong. He said his two sons were a coward and a wolf.

Actually, they were both cowards!

Only cowards, those who cannot adapt to the rules, choose to cheat. What they enjoy is not the game itself, but the thrill of breaking the rules and bullying and humiliating other players.

If there are too many people like this, the whole game is doomed. Violence that breaks the rules is no different from game cheats.

In fact, almost everyone has thought about taking shortcuts, because everyone is tired and wants to find a way to succeed. It's just that some people only think about it, while others actually do it.

027 was slightly taken aback, but did not speak. Instead, he frowned and began to think.

The two fell silent for the third time.

"You have also used violence."

"Yes, I have used violence."

I resort to violence because the rules are unreasonable. If the rules are unreasonable, then break them! However, I don't like this feeling.

The game rules are hindering the fairness of the game; that's the game designer's problem! I would rather the designers make changes than me being forced to break the rules.

But no matter what, I will fight with all my might and will never surrender!

"Yes, if the rules are unreasonable, then it's the game designer's problem. If they don't make changes, the game will slowly die out. You're right!" 027 nodded.

"I understand. You're actually reminding us that you've already guessed why he stayed at Grandma's Corner for so long, right?"

"You've guessed it by now, haven't you?"

"Yes, I think I guessed it too!" 027 stopped and nodded slowly, her expression extremely serious. "After your reminder, I think I've guessed it."

"That's good!" An Xiaohai nodded through gritted teeth.

After staring at An Xiaohai for a long time, 027 extended her right hand to him: "Thank you!"

"You're welcome!" An Xiaohai also extended his hand and shook hands with 027.

"The situation is serious, I must leave immediately."

"Please drive carefully!"

"You watch out too!" 027 turned and left, then turned back after a couple of steps: "If the game rules are unreasonable, is it possible to win without cheating?"

I think so.

"What would you do?"

"I'll try to exploit the bug."

"Bug exploit... um, a new term, but I think I'll figure it out! Goodbye!"

"goodbye."

027's steps quickened as she left, until she was practically running. An Xiaohai's gaze followed 027's retreating figure until she disappeared into the building's passageway.

------

027 dashed to the front yard of the police station, where a jeep with its door open was waiting for her. 027 lightly jumped into the back seat, and the driver standing next to her immediately closed the door for her, then returned to the driver's seat and started the car.

The jeep sped away.

Inside the Jeep, 027 took out a special phone and dialed a series of numbers.

"Murong Qian, please speak."

"027, Murong Qian, I think I know what An Zhehao is planning. The situation is very serious. I request that the Security Department activate Level 1 alert. All available Security Department members should immediately concentrate in Shenhai City."

At the same time, I requested Level 2 access. If necessary, I need to mobilize all resources in Deepsea City, including the police, armed police, fire department, and nearby military forces.

……

"Is the situation that serious?"

"I think so."

"Has it been verified?"

"I'm on my way to verify."

"Okay, I'll get on it right away. Is there anything else I need to do?"

"No more for now."

"Be careful and stay in touch."

"goodbye!"