On the twentieth day of research, scientists from all other countries stared dumbfounded. The Chinese research team was actually working together with the American research team, and they seemed to be getting along well. No arguments, no racial discrimination whatsoever, solely focused on work. In the hearts of the scientists from both countries, national boundaries were no longer important, only the pursuit of shared scientific research, the exploration of knowledge. They had let go, nations letting go of something they hadn't let go of for thousands of years. In their hearts, there was only one race – Earthlings! This was all the power of the stele; it had narrowed the distinction between races.
They pored over various materials, records of ancient texts from different countries. By the thirtieth day, through the joint efforts of all Sino-American scientists, they finally discovered the pattern of the script. Under everyone's watchful eyes, Annie translated the opening sentence: "...All just to commemorate the unforgettable past, may the glory of my Atlantis last forever..."
Cheers echoed within the temple. Excited scientists from both countries embraced each other; some even shed tears. Though just a simple sentence, everyone understood it represented affirmation of their work; their efforts hadn't been in vain.
Subsequently, everyone's enthusiasm for work surged even higher. Even the American scientists, who adhered to a regular lifestyle, started imitating the Chinese researchers' "self-torture."
Unconsciously, the research team grew larger, and the number of "self-torturers" increased. By the fortieth day, all personnel had forgotten national limitations. The first-ever union of all humankind emerged here. Research life was tedious, but when a group, a large group of tedious people gathered, tedious life could also become interesting.
One night, to celebrate the completion of translating a section, everyone decided to hold a banquet.
Right there in the temple, French scientists contributed their private collection of red wine, American scientists brought sound equipment, Japanese scientists made sushi on the spot. Chinese scientists didn't lose face in terms of food; various local specialty snacks opened the eyes of those who only knew numbers and equations. Miscellaneous words of praise from various countries flew around constantly. Burly Russians wanted to dance their folk dances, British gentlemen performed stage plays – unbelievably, two grown men hugged each other shouting "My love...", Shakespeare's famous "Romeo and Juliet" was performed soul-stirringly, but the audience below just laughed until they bent over, who asked Juliet to have a small mustache hanging above her lip?
It was a joyous night. Everyone mingled together, drinking red wine, then white wine, then whiskey. When everything ran out, they even clamored to drink the laboratory alcohol.
By dawn, except for Nie Yun and Annie, no one was left standing. Annie, being a girl and too young, no one had the heart to force drinks on her; Nie Yun, on the other hand, was surprisingly cunning. He pretended to be drunk after the first sip and only stood up himself after everyone else had collapsed.
"Didn't expect you to be quite good at playing tricks," Annie stood playfully beside Nie Yun.
"Don't laugh at me. With my old bones, drinking like them, I'd definitely get stomach ulcers, perforation, stomach..." Nie Yun patted his chest as if in lingering fear.
Annie covered her mouth and chuckled.
Nie Yun fell silent again. Annie stopped laughing and looked seriously at Nie Yun: "Why do you keep staring at me without talking?"
"Because you look really beautiful when you smile. I always unconsciously get lost in thought looking at you." Nie Yun, lacking experience in love, had no intention of flattery; he simply stated the fact. To Annie, this 50-year-old middle-aged man seemed purer than a child, and foolishly cute.
"Let's go! The sun is about to rise." Annie once again took Nie Yun's hand, smiling as she ran out of the temple.
Sitting on the stone steps in front of the temple gate, Annie and Nie Yun panted heavily.
They gazed together at the gray horizon for a long time. Nie Yun whispered, "Actually, I'm very curious, why would America choose someone so young like you to lead a research team full of experts?"
"Do you understand now?" The night of revelry made Annie's eyelids struggle to stay open.
"I understand now." Nie Yun continued looking into the distance. "You are a genius, an out-and-out genius. Honestly, I feel inferior in front of you. Because you possess too many enviable things: youth, beauty, wisdom, temperament... you have too many, too many merits."
"Is that so?" Annie could barely hold on anymore.
"Perhaps my thoughts are ridiculous, or maybe you think I'm hoping for something impossible." Nie Yun lowered his head, his tone filled with irrepressible excitement. "I want to take care of you, take care of you for a lifetime. I won't care about nationality, won't care if people call me an old lecher. I just want to take care of you, let you smile by my side. Just seeing you happy is enough."
Nie Yun had said it. This was the first confession of his life. Even though he knew he was completely unworthy of the girl before him, he still wanted to say it, because he understood if he didn't, Annie would forever become an unresolved knot in his heart.
This time, it was Annie who fell silent. Suddenly, the island became terrifyingly quiet, and Nie Yun felt like he was awaiting the verdict of a death sentence. But the result of the verdict absolutely exceeded Nie Yun's imagination...
Annie finally closed her eyes tiredly, nestling into Nie Yun's embrace. At that moment, Nie Yun's heart almost stopped. Nie Yun, who expected ruthless rejection, was completely unprepared for acceptance. After all, her qualifications were too outstanding; even if Annie closed her eyes and chose randomly, it couldn't possibly be him.
"Really? Do you mean you accept me? Is this real? Am I dreaming?" The sudden joy made the mature Nie Yun babble like a child. If Zhao Xiang and Hong Yang saw him now, they would probably stare blankly and shout: "Is the Earth about to be destroyed?"
"Shh." Annie gently placed a finger to her lips. "Since you said you'll take care of me for life, promise me two things."
"What things? I'll definitely promise you!" Nie Yun said firmly.
"Haven't thought of the second one yet. The first is, don't move, let me sleep like this for a while. Went crazy all night yesterday, really tired." Saying this, she snuggled deeper into Nie Yun's arms.
Nie Yun stiffened, unable to move, even wishing his noisy heartbeat would stop, afraid its sound would disturb the sleeping Annie.
The distant sun rose slowly, illuminating the sea and the land.
Perhaps Nie Yun's chest was exceptionally comfortable, perhaps the sunlight was exceptionally warm. A smile of happiness appeared on Annie's face.
Nie Yun's unease vanished. This smile was a point, a point where his and Annie's parallel lines converged.
"You know? I love you," Nie Yun whispered softly in Annie's ear, his already rough large hand stroking her beautiful hair.
"Actually, I know," Annie thought silently in her heart.
The forty-first day of research was a rest day for all team members. Having worked continuously for a month, the members were exhausted. This day, everyone just slept soundly. This sleep would never be forgotten in everyone's memory, because when the Earth finally develops, perhaps it will be like this: people from all nations, without any worries, can sleep peacefully on the same land called Earth.
However, this peaceful state was like a basin of still water; just a small breeze would cause "turbulent waves."
The content of the stele was this wind, a fierce wind, one that swept across the entire Earth.
Translation of the second section of the inscription began. Because the pattern was found, the translation progress greatly accelerated.
Fifteen days later, everyone watched Annie. But Annie, who was writing, suddenly found herself strangely unable to put pen to paper. Nie Yun, standing beside her, sensed something was wrong.
"Whatever it is, we will face it together." Nie Yun held Annie's trembling shoulders tightly. Since that day, everyone knew about Annie and Nie Yun's relationship. Initially, they would tease them a bit, but now everyone had gotten used to their new relationship.
Looking at the determined eyes around her, Annie wrote: "The great Atlantis is the god of this continent. Gods need slaves they can command. But the creatures here evolve too slowly, lacking even the qualification to be utilized. Strength is sometimes also a sorrow.
We noticed a species of mammal whose learning ability far surpasses other creatures. But even so, they would need at least two million years to understand our commands. Thus, we used our power as gods to interfere with the biological evolution on this planet. We chose them to become our slaves, to replace us in performing lowly physical labor. In exchange, we accelerated their evolution, taught them to stand upright, establish groups, use fire and tools.
We believe that the great Atlantis will be revived on this new land. Our bloodline is the most noble existence."
Annie, finished writing, looked up. She could never forget the expressions on everyone's faces then, expressions of utter bewilderment. Humans, originally proud, thinking themselves a miracle of evolution, creatures capable of despising all other life, standing at the pinnacle of evolution. But with just a short passage, humanity fell from the top.
We are excellent, but excellent slaves. Was this truly God playing a joke?