Wandering Spaceship in Deep Space

Chapter 17: Bidding Farewell to the Past

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Zhang Yuan sighed with regret. “However, I feel that these reasons are insufficient for deep space colonization. A Dyson sphere does indeed sound terrifying, but it has also directly proved that powerful alien civilization exists in the universe. Also, it was possible for civilizations to be exposed.

“It has also proved that the universe is not a dark forest1; that communication is still possible and it’s not as dangerous as we have expected.”

In the 21st century, before it was proven as a Dyson sphere, scientists of that era had already excitedly sent electromagnetic signals in that general direction. Generally, scientists always did these types of stuff anyway.

Those electromagnetic signals represented cordial greetings and intentions for peace from mankind.

Even though messages such as peace were ridiculous, and two world wars had happened in the 22nd century, those signals had indeed been sent.

There were always numerous optimists in the world who believe that aliens could be communicated with, in a friendly way. If communication succeeds, then human civilization would usher in a qualitative change!

“I’m not as optimistic as you are. Strong civilizations can afford to be exposed, but what about weaker civilizations? Earth would ultimately be colonized by them if they found out. Think about it in the perspective of a higher civilization, why would they help a bunch of monkeys out of their cage?” Li Zhendong scoffed in response. This type of bullsh*t optimism had happened too many times to count so he did not find it strange.

Until today, there were still people who were sending electromagnetic signals towards KIC-8462852 in hopes that the ‘Alien Gods’ could relieve them of their sea of misery.

Unfortunately, the government had no way or means to prevent people from secretly releasing electromagnetic signals.

Zhang Yuan started to joke around. “Well, nothing is definite. People in some countries see monkeys as delicacies, but we would help monkeys instead. When we see sick monkeys, we will help them and give them food. Monkeys are even brave enough to steal things from us and if you harm them in any way, you’ll be slapped with a fine…”

“I presume that after a period of time, aliens would come down to Earth to give us free food. That’ll be really fantastic… and you better not say that it’s delicious at that time.”

Fortunately, electromagnetic waves only traveled at the speed of light so it would take at least 1200 years before it would reach KIC-8462852.

In addition, electromagnetic waves attenuated greatly in space. Coupled with cosmic radiation interference, it would just become a string of random codes after it arrived there.

Therefore, there was no need for much worry. It was impossible for the equipment of civilians to send a signal that far.

As for whether Earth had been exposed or not, no one knew the answer.

Perhaps they might have already detected and observed the primitive people tens of thousands of years ago before deciding to not give a hoot about those groups of indigenous monkeys.

Zhang Yuan felt sleepy after gazing at the skies for a while. He yawned and suddenly, he seemed to have been injected with chicken blood as he clenched his fists tightly. “Therefore, we have to study harder!”

“We can only evolve from monkeys to humans by becoming smarter,”

“Fighting! Let’s work hard!”

“…”

Li Zhendong wanted to cry and weep. They had only taken a breather for a few minutes but that monster already wanted to study again.

‘What to do? Asking for help online, it’s pretty urgent!’

But very soon, Zhang Yuan rejected his idea. “Oh, forget it, it’s too late and my efficiency will drop. I should rest first. Time squeezed out would ultimately be given back to and used for sleeping. It is better to work and sleep regularly anyway.”

Only then did Li Zhendong relax.

“I will be reporting to Xisha Aviation City tomorrow.”

Li Zhendong turned nervous again. “Why? Your vacation is compulsory. You’re not allowed to return in advance!”

“But I’m feeling very bored at home… I’ve read through all the books available.”

Zhang Yuan shook his head and explained, “It’s too expensive to purchase e-books, but I can read for free in the university there. Moreover, there are tons of documents I can browse through without paying a single cent, and there will also be some experts and professors that I can seek help from. Working behind closed doors alone is not a good thing.”

The current era attached great importance to intellectual property rights and reading pirated books were illegal. There would be a hefty fine if anyone were caught.

Professional books and papers were priced even more expensive. Based on Zhang Yuan’s current speed of reading books and literature, he would have to spend hundreds and thousands of yuan every single day.

“This is my plan: Read two books a day, five literature for a total of 20 days. Thousands of dollars are also considered money… I might as well save the money and donate it to the Deep Space Foundation.”

Li Zhendong felt his head was about to explode. He almost fainted on the spot.

Read two books a day…

Two books…

Two…

‘Are you sure you aren’t a dog and that books are your dog bones?’

He felt like he was becoming sick. He replied with nonsensical words, “You’re really a dog… I mean conspicuous spender!”

“That’ll be all. Let’s go and sleep.”

When he saw Zhang Yuan returning to the guest room, Li Zhendong took a sharp, deep breath.

He then thought about himself who was busy flirting with girls, playing games, and fooling around with his dumb sister, then at Zhang Yuan who was reading books, working hard, and studying hard. An inexplicable sense of guilt surfaced in his heart.

After that, he grabbed the half-read and continued to read through the book.

Gosh, he felt so angry.

But he had no choice and was forced to continue…

…

Zhang Yuan woke up early in the morning and bid farewell to Li Zhendong’s parents before he returned to his city.

He then endured the heartache and purchased a series of the latest electronic devices and copied all the materials his father left behind into ten mechanical hard disks.

It was an interstellar journey of 3000 years so no storage device was truly reliable, in particular those electronic products. Perhaps one day, the tablet would stop working. Therefore, he could only create more copies of the same disk to ensure that those data could be stored for a long period of time.

Even if those electronic devices became worthless after 3000 years, Zhang Yuan still wished that the materials could still be preserved.

He then checked his belongings repeatedly and said to himself, “This should be it.”

The deep-space planning agency allowed every single astronaut to bring 20 kilograms of personal belongings. He packed some clothes in the luggage, a few mementos his father left behind, and various sorts of electronic gadgets which included the latest photonic chips, storage devices, and etcetera. There should not be any important items he had left behind.

“Sigh, I’ll be leaving here soon…”

Zhang Yuan looked around the house he had resided in for dozens of years. Every single detail of it was as familiar as it was in the past.

He had laughed, cried, gotten ridiculed by his father in this very house, and stayed depressed while cooped up in his room… There were many incidents and stories that had happened in this house.

This house was like his mother, where he would feel the warmth of an embrace if he hid inside.

Unfortunately, he was about to leave here forever.

Once he left, it was impossible to return. There was no room for regrets anymore.

Before leaving, he cleaned the house, making sure that every single area was spotless and any signs of rubbish that should be thrown were disposed of.

With a loud bang, he closed the door and the deep attachment he felt in his heart only increased.

Zhang Yuan turned back and took a deep bow.

“Goodbye!”

He bid farewell to his past. A tear could not help but trickle down his cheeks.

Zhang Yuan wiped the tear with his sleeve and walked towards the elevator.

‘Men would ultimately leave for a faraway place, I should wipe away my tears and stop being so emotional.’

He tugged his luggage and came to a residential area. There was a familiar park there but there was no one there due to the scorching heat.

He remembered that he would often play there when he was a child.

There was one day when he accidentally fell on the ground.

After which, a sudden thought came to Mini Zhang Yuan’s mind and tears welled up in his eyes. He quickly went to a corner to cry, and the tears would not stop coming out no matter what.

His dad asked him what he was doing and Mini Zhang Yuan replied, “I know that I will die someday in the future, so I cried. Even if I won’t die right now… but in the distant future, I will still meet my end. So I’m feeling sad.”

A child had suddenly understood the concept of death and could not straighten his thoughts for a while. As he felt sad, he could only keep crying.

That type of situation was very comical but simultaneously very real.

Even though death was a saddening thing, it was the end of everyone’s road.

“So, it’s like that…” Zhang Yuan’s father said coolly, “Isn’t it just dying, what’s the big deal about it? Unless you know the meaning of living? But if you don’t know, why are you afraid?”

“The meaning of living is to stay alive and eat!” Mini Zhang Yuan’s face was covered in snot and tears.

“Hahaha, what you said makes sense!” His dad only cared about laughing out loud and did not make any comment, which was very rare.

Even a smart person like his father most probably could not solve such an unanswerable question.