Chapter 220: Three Questions

Lu Xin watched idly as a little girl tirelessly fiddled with small plastic blocks.

In Qinggang at that moment, an impromptu meeting was being convened in the Emergency Operations Conference Room of the Special Clean-up Department.

Attendees included: Chairman of Qinggang’s Administrative General Office, Su Xinzhong; Dean of the Special Contamination Research Institute, Professor Bai; Head of Qinggang’s City Defense Department, Shen Lei; along with Research Institute professors like Brain Neuroscience Professor Chen Lixue, Occultism Professor Lady Yuan Qinqin, and the wig-loving new generation Mental Aberrant research expert Mo Yi; Psychology expert Lady Jia Mengyi; and other senior Qinggang City research personnel of Level Five and above.

Chen Jing, serving as the liaison for specific details regarding the temporary incident, joined the meeting via video link from a command vehicle next to the East Sea Grand Hotel.

Many of them had rushed over, abandoning their current tasks upon hearing about the significant event transpiring.

…

“The ‘Doll’ arrived in Qinggang at age six and has lived here with us for twelve years, devoid of any such abnormal behavior until now.”

At the head of the long conference table, Mr. Su, typically genial with his round face, now bore an uncommon expression of gravity. He looked around earnestly at the assembled experts and professors and said, “Therefore, I ask you all to provide me with answers: What precisely is the cause of this abnormal state in the ‘Doll’? And crucially, could this potentially trigger a terrible upheaval or danger for our Qinggang?”

The atmosphere in the conference room was oppressive; everyone felt inexplicably tense.

“There’s no definitive answer at present, only plausible speculation.”

It was at this moment that Professor Bai spoke softly:

“The ‘Doll’s’ abnormal affinity for ‘Lone Soldier’ may relate to the proximity of their respective Psychic Magnitudes.”

“Similar Psychic Magnitudes can sometimes indeed foster a sense of intimacy akin to recognition between peers. We have previously inferred and confirmed that Lone Soldier’s Psychic Magnitude attains S-class levels. Conversely, the Doll’s Psychic Magnitude is equivalent to… infinity.”

“So, it’s entirely plausible that they might experience a mutual spiritual attraction. I believe there’s no need for excessive tension.”

He spoke lightly, even offering a slight smile. “After all, the Doll truly has been very alone.”

Everyone in the conference room exchanged glances; they seemed to feel a subtle easing of their tension.

Mr. Su’s questions had instilled a sense of the issue’s gravity.

Professor Bai’s explanation then alleviated some of their apprehension.

“I have a question.”

A cold, firm voice spoke up. It was Minister Shen from the City Defense Department, his expression impassive. “The girl codenamed ‘Doll’ has long since been confirmed to suffer from severe autism. Autistic individuals do not feel loneliness; they simply do not welcome others into their world.”

Professor Bai looked towards Minister Shen and responded with a smile, “But what if someone from outside did force entry into their world?”

Minister Shen frowned slightly, not offering an immediate reply.

Professor Bai continued his line of thought: “Typical autistic individuals find it difficult to connect with the external world. Their spirit resides within a world of their own. However, should someone genuinely manage to enter that world, the autistic individual is likely to develop an intense emotional dependency—perhaps inextricable reliance—on that intruder… a sense of irreplaceable security.”

“Emotional dependency…”

Everyone present had seen the reports distributed to them and naturally understood what had occurred.

Hearing Professor Bai’s explanation now, they all felt a flicker of surprise.

Mr. Su pondered Professor Bai’s words seriously and nodded slowly. “I haven’t studied Spiritual Mutation extensively myself, but I have meticulously reviewed the data concerning the ‘Doll.’ From the perspective of her symptoms, someone entering her world could be considered a positive development. However…” He paused slightly, “given that both the ‘Doll’ and this individual who entered her world are formidable Mental Aberrants…”

He continued, “…I require you to provide me with a risk assessment report.”

Minister Shen also nodded gently. “The risk isn’t solely from the Doll. Lone Soldier is himself an entity possessing unstable traits. If they mutually influence each other, perhaps even simultaneously teetering towards Loss of Control… what magnitude of trouble could that unleash?”

Silence descended upon the conference room once more.

All attendees possessed the authority to speak on matters within their field.

Yet, the sheer weight of the issue meant that even with that authority, none dared to speak lightly or frivolously as they might have before.

“We must acknowledge that this situation has indeed exceeded our initial projections.”

At this point, Professor Chen raised his pen slightly and spoke deliberately. “The suggestion of facilitating communication between Lone Soldier and the Doll, thereby creating a breakthrough for interaction with her, originated from me. An application report regarding this proposal has already been submitted. The primary reason for initiating this plan was the observation of communication between the Doll and Lone Soldier during the chaos in Satellite City No. 2.”

“However, initially, we did not anticipate the Doll’s reaction to Lone Soldier would be this profound. From their previous interaction, Lone Soldier merely demonstrated the ability to communicate with her. This time, the Doll has exhibited intense dependency towards him.”

“…”

Many people in the room had read that report and the description of the events at the time.

When the Doll went to provide support in Satellite City No. 2, she encountered Lone Soldier, and a simple exchange occurred.

It was then, for many, the first time they learned the Doll could speak.

But that had been a brief, albeit unique, interchange, hardly sufficient to cause significant alarm.

Until this incident, where the Doll’s reaction suddenly far surpassed anyone’s anticipated intensity.

…

“…However, even though it has exceeded expectations, the situation is unlikely to deteriorate.”

Professor Chen paused before continuing. “Based on the observed results thus far:

1. Lone Soldier possesses strong resistance—one might even say complete immunity—to the Doll’s negative influence. He has now remained in the same room as her for over two hours, yet exhibits no emotional fluctuations whatsoever. This observation strongly suggests that the Doll’s negative influence does not affect Lone Soldier’s state.

2. The Doll displays considerable tolerance towards Lone Soldier. Previous observation indicated the Doll suffers from acute mysophobia and varying degrees of obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. Yet, she tolerates Lone Soldier entering her room without removing his shoes, allows him to sit beside her, even tolerates him taking her remote control to change the channel… and turning up the volume.”

“From every angle observed, these impacts appear to be positive…”

“…”

Having explained all this without pause, he finally lifted his gaze to Mr. Su at the head of the table. “Therefore, I propose a course of action: Now that they have begun interacting, why not seize this opportunity to advance the plan I previously introduced?”

……

Mr. Su, upon hearing Professor Chen’s words, fell into a thoughtful silence, his fingertips lightly tapping the conference table.

“Actually, I personally agree with Professor Chen’s plan.”

Minister Shen spoke slowly at this point, “The only thing that makes me uneasy is that this plan requires the cooperation of Lone Soldier, and he himself carries many uncertainties. Furthermore, this opportunity came too suddenly. Are you sure you’re fully prepared?”

Professor Bai smiled. “This isn’t before the Crimson Moon; we don’t have much time to prepare.”

Minister Shen glanced at Professor Bai but did not get angry; he didn’t seem to take this response as an offense.

Mr. Su also looked up at this moment, turning to Professor Chen. “How do you plan to proceed?”

Professor Chen stood up, holding a remote control, and pressed it towards the front.

“First, I intend to ask Lone Soldier, on our behalf, to ask Doll three questions.”

……

“Three questions?”

When Chen Jing’s voice came over the channel, reminding him he could start working, Lu Xin had already endured two hours of boring cartoons, watching listlessly.

Staying in this room wasn’t exactly comfortable.

Because the room was incredibly quiet, and even with the TV on, he felt embarrassed to turn it up too loud, making it feel like watching a silent film.

The room’s occupant also wasn’t inclined towards conversation; she just squatted on the floor, continuously picking up her plastic blocks, meticulously searching for the right colours, snapping them together, then seeming dissatisfied and taking them apart again.

Half an hour ago, staff had brought dinner – a plate of round, colourful sandwich biscuits that looked quite cute.

Although the staff had kindly prepared two servings, Lu Xin still felt like he hadn’t eaten enough.

Chen Jing, over the channel, had told him these were called macarons, a very popular and expensive snack from before the disaster, but honestly, Lu Xin had his own tastes when it came to food – he felt these things definitely wouldn’t taste as good as chicken legs…

Still, fortunately, Chen Jing had finally told him what he needed to do.

“Hey…”

Lu Xin called out towards the girl whose back was turned to him, silently tinkering with her plastic blocks.

After several seconds, the girl seemed to realize Lu Xin was addressing her. She slowly turned her head and looked at him quietly.

Following Chen Jing’s instructions, Lu Xin asked slowly, “Are you satisfied with your life now?”

The girl listened quietly. For a long moment, she gave no reaction.

She just looked at Lu Xin for a while, then turned her head back and continued fiddling with the plastic blocks.

“No reaction?”

Over the channel, Chen Jing seemed both nervous and disappointed.

They had prepared three questions. But if even the first couldn’t be asked, how could the entire plan proceed?

“Well, maybe it wasn’t exactly no reaction; she just didn’t understand.”

After thinking for a moment, Lu Xin looked at the girl again and said, “What I mean is, are you happy?”

The girl paused in her manipulation of the plastic blocks. She turned her head, then gave Lu Xin a bright smile.

Then, she nodded firmly.