Past memories
by M1zushiTrigger warning: suicide
Remember,
On Flower planet, a quiet rural courtyard is situated in front of an ordinary small road.
The yard is full of flowers, with different types of flowers divided in their respective areas, and various primitive flower planting tools are placed next to them, some of which are still covered in soil.
A man in a black trench coat slowly walked into this rural courtyard.
The yard’s owner heard the doorbell ring and hurried out.
After opening the door, he was first surprised, then immediately put on a smile, turned his head back, and excitedly shouted, ‘Xiaomei, look who’s here!’
Xiaomei. Yu Xiaomei.
Yu Xiaomei is Nie Cen’s nominal wife and was originally a senior researcher of the Empire.
Because they were involved in the Empire’s secret experiments, they were sent into seclusion here by the Emperor, with the main task of supervising Experimental Subject 01.
As the child grew up and could recognize people, in order not to arouse his suspicion, they naturally took on the role of the child’s parents. Over time, the two really developed a bit of an old couple’s feeling and conversations.
Listening to Nie Cen’s excited call, Yu Xiaomei, who was cooking, wiped her hands on her apron. She thought it was a neighbor she hadn’t seen in a long time, but she saw someone unexpected.
“Senior Brother He?”
Yu Xiaomei and Empress Gu Nan were classmates, so He Yunan was also her senior brother.
She frowned slightly in surprise, “How did you come over?”
He Yunan pointed to the optical brain on his wrist.
“Through the optical net.”
“Nie Cen’s writing style hasn’t changed in so many years. Even if he publishes an article under a different name, I can still tell it’s him.”
“You can easily find it after searching for your mailing address.”
Nie Cen was not surprised at all that He Yunan could find his way here and explained,
“Xiaomei, you don’t need to ask about this kind of thing. How high is our Chief Researcher He’s IQ? Everyone knows about it. If he hadn’t chosen the path of scientific research, he might have gone to work at the Interstellar Court.”
“Xiaomei, help me make a pot of tea for Senior Brother. Let’s go in and sit on the sofa and chat.”
Nie Cen put his hand on Yu Xiaomei’s shoulder and let her go into the kitchen first.
Then he turned around and led He Yunan into his own house. Yu Xiaomei looked somewhat disapproving, but seeing that Nie Cen wanted to chat with He Yunan, she didn’t say anything.
The two walked into the living room and each took a seat on one of the two sofas facing each other at right angles.
He Yunan sat upright with a somewhat scholarly air.
Nie Cen calmly leaned on the soft sofa armrest, one leg raised. He leaned over, wanting to know about He Yunan’s current situation and seemingly somewhat curious about the outside world.
“I heard, Big Brother He, you’ve been transferred back to the Capital planet? And you’ve been appointed as the Dean?”
He Yunan nodded lightly, “Yes, the Emperor personally sought me out.”
Nie Cen hammered the sofa with one hand, and his mouth seemed to curse the Emperor silently for a few moments.
Isn’t it the case that one won’t turn back until one hits the southern wall?
He had to wait until Gu Nan died to start reflecting on his own mistakes.
They were disbanded since they conducted the experiments and he brought back He Yunan, who had not conducted any experiments… What’s the use of pretending to have a sudden awareness?
It is impossible for Gu Nan to come back from the dead.
“The Emperor values you, so do your best. He finally had a moment of clarity, who knows how long that will last.”
Nie Cen poured a cup of already cold tea from the table into his throat and continued, “Regardless of all, it’s a height that many people aspire to but can’t reach. I should congratulate you.”
Setting down the cup, this cold tea was indeed not good.
“Brother, if you’re going to the research institute, stay away from the people in the Senate. They’re too good at playing power games there. It’s not something we, scholars, can handle. Even if you’re truly smart, don’t provoke them. As long as you do good research, they won’t be able to do anything to you.”
“I know.”
“The most troublesome is that Duke. I always feel like he’s up to no good.”
He Yunan was about to speak when Yu Xiaomei, who had just left to make tea, came over with a plate, a few cups, and a teapot.
There were several pieces of sugar in the small plate.
“I don’t know if Senior Brother likes sweet things, so I didn’t add sugar. You try it…”
The sugar probably had ginger juice in it, adding a slightly bitter taste. After throwing in a few pieces and stirring, it melted.
He Yunan gently took a sip of the tea.
“What kind of tea is this? It’s quite fragrant.”
“Oh, there’s no shortage of anything on this planet except flowers. Xiaomei picked some flowers a few days ago, dried them, and put them in a jar. Today, she took them out and brew them for you.”
The two of them raised a yard of flowers. They were usually considered to be under semi-house arrest here, and they didn’t have to go out to work, their living expenses all being provided by the Imperial Research Institute.
It has to be said that they were living quite a comfortable life.
To live a life and have feelings, this was a fairy-tale life that was unimaginable when they were in the lab every day a few years ago.
Raising flowers, raising children, and, incidentally, falling in love at the same time.
If it weren’t for He Yunan’s sudden appearance, he would have almost forgotten that he was still a researcher. A touch of loss flashed through Nie Cen’s eyes, but he hid it.
“It seems like you’re doing well.” He Yunan glanced at Nie Cen’s belly.
Yu Xiaomei also saw where He Yunan was looking, tidied up the strands of hair that had fallen in front of her eyes, sat down next to Nie Cen, and pinched the soft flesh on Nie Cen’s belly.
“More than just well. When he was in the research institute, he wore a white coat, and others would even praise him for being handsome. He’s only been here for a few years, and he’s even grown a belly.”
Eating and drinking well every day, and not worrying about anything.
The six-pack abs turned into a single pack, and then bulged out.
His smile became increasingly kind, and he no longer had the vigorousness he had back then at all. He would even pester her every day from what to have for breakfast to what to have for dinner.
Nie Cen felt awkward about his belly.
“The living space is too small, and I’m getting older. My metabolism can’t keep up.”
“How is it possible that the yard is so big, and it’s not enough for you to move around? You’re just making excuses.”
“The average lifespan of interstellar people is two hundred years. You’re not even forty yet. Where’s your old age?”
Yu Xiaomei glared at him, and Nie Cen responded, “Okay, okay, you’re right.”
The atmosphere between the two made it hard for anyone to interrupt.
He Yunan set down the tea in his hand, “It seems like I’ve really disturbed you two by coming over this time.”
“Senior Brother, what are you saying? We’re especially bored here. We’re eager for anyone to come and see us, but there’s nothing we can entertain you with. All the special food here is related to flowers. Can you handle it?” Hearing He Yunan say this, Yu Xiaomei stopped teasing Nie Cen and smiled awkwardly.
He Yunan waved his hand, “It’s not necessary. I came to find Nie Cen today.”
“I want to ask him about a study from several years ago and whether he’s continued it.”
Yu Xiaomei frowned, and glared at Nie Cen as a warning, and Nie Cen nodded in a bitter smile. She then smiled and greeted He Yunan, “You two talk. I’ll go make dinner first.”
After Yu Xiaomei left, Nie Cen picked up his teacup and fumbled with its rim.
“Big Brother He, you know what’s going on.”
“Living here seems comfortable, but in reality, it’s living in shackles. It’s not as free as it used to be. I’ve long since given up my identity as a researcher, and I’m no longer the Nie Cen I used to be.”
“What I researched before, that’s all in the past. Don’t bring it up. Let’s just reminisce about the past and act as if we’re only old friends.”
He Yunan put down the teacup in his hand and clenched his fists. “If you’ve really given up on the experiment…”
“I wouldn’t have seen your new scientific articles on the internet.”
Nie Cen immediately retorted. “Geez, that’s different.”
“That was just for fun. I didn’t think that piece would be published.” That article was written by a whim of his. According to different cultivation methods, the brilliance of the flowers he cultivated varied. He didn’t think that the work diary he wrote with his own hands would be selected and published.
“That’s because you still have the skills to write articles. After all, you were once a senior researcher at the Imperial Academy.”
Nie Cen didn’t know why He Yunan kept talking about his glorious “past”.
Looking back at those memories, they were not as pleasant now. As long as there was an experiment, there was failure.
He lost count of how many shapeless children left his hands. Because they were weird and failures, he monotonously ended their lives, all in accordance with the regulations.
At that time, in that environment where everyone was doing the same, it didn’t seem that wrong. Now, looking back, it feels like a chill. They had done such inhuman experiments, could they really get a peaceful life now? Some days, he when he thinks about it, and it makes him unable to sleep all day and night.
The only thing that could ease his pain was to protect Nie Chuan, listen to Nie Chuan’s cries, give Nie Chuan milk, and play with Nie Chuan.
“Anyway, I don’t want to do any research anymore. I just want to raise that child and let him live a normal life. It’s best that he does not know his true identity.”
“He is the only one left alive in the entire experiment.”
“No.”
“He is not.”
“Experiment number 0, he is still alive.” He Yunan’s words had just fallen, and the sound of dishes falling in the dining room came, and Xiaomei, who was next to the door frame, looked over there in horror.
“You’re serious?”
He Yunan nodded, “Yes, I am. Experimental Subject Zero has never died”
“It’s a fake death, right?” Yu Xiaomei put her finger on her lips and walked over, “I knew it.”
“That child, no matter how much he suffers, A-Nan will not let him die. That would be inconsistent with his character, and he can’t possibly do it.”
She would change her position and feel that this was a completely wrong experiment, all because of Gu Nan.
Because of the impression she had in college, she felt that everything Gu Nan did must be right.
Since what he did was right, then what she is doing must be wrong.
So when Gu Nan lurked in their research room and indirectly killed No. 0, she realized that what they had sacrificed so many innocent lives in exchange for might not be peace, but more war.
They had no reason at all to sacrifice others’ lives for the peace they desire, even if their original intention was to eliminate the Zerg race.
“Where did that child go? Is he okay? His psychic power has long exceeded the limits that humans can endure. How did he survive?” Yu Xiaomei, abandoning her previous guarded style and unwillingness to discuss serious matters, incessantly asked.
Nie Cen, on the other hand, fell silent, huddled on the sofa, his hands covering his head.
“How is it possible, how could this happen, what should we do…”
As the experimental subject No. 01, Nie Chuan was much happier than 00. When 01 was born, Empress Gu Nan committed suicide, and the Imperial Research Institute immediately closed their doors. Apart from being artificially cultivated at birth, Nie Chuan did not undergo any other experiments.
00 was different. They conducted numerous experiments on 00 to make him control the Zerg race, even considering the idea of having him live with Zerg larvae. Before Gu Nan arrived, that child had never spoken, always remaining quiet. They were afraid he would speak to them because speaking would lead to communication, and communication would involve emotions… making him more human-like. They could only treat him as a tool to briefly appease their consciences.
“After I left the Capital, Gu Nan contacted me.”
“He told me that he sent 00 to an orphanage, but his condition was extremely unstable, and he hoped I could take care of him.”
“So that’s how it is…”
Yu Xiaomei murmured, her hands clasped together.
“What about his psychic power diffusion issue? Did the Empress fail to find a solution in the end?”
“We found it.”
“And because I just found it, I came to find Nie Cen.”
“He wrote a paper before, and it had a method to save 00.”
Yu Xiaomei turned to look at Nie Cen, who was still in a daze, not understanding what He Yunan was talking about.
If he had a way to save 00, Empress Gu Nan wouldn’t have infiltrated our laboratory just to save him.
“Brother He, you’re overestimating me. I couldn’t have researched something that even the talents specialized in mental power like Gu Nan couldn’t figure out,” Nie Cen waved his hand. Seeing He Yunan still staring at him, he bit his lip and asked with a trembling voice, “Really?”
“Yes.”
“Which paper is it?”
He conducted too much research.
He Yunan took out a golden crystal from his bosom and placed it in his palm.
“It’s this. You recognize it, right?”
Nie Cen’s trembling fingers reached out, accepting the crystal from He Yunan.
“Do you recognize this?”
“I know… This thing seems to be able to store mental power, but it can’t store it for too long. I haven’t figured out how to make this thing store mental power for a long time so I participated in the experiment of creating artificial humans. Later, the experimental article I wrote was only wrote the beginning. Dean He, did you figure it out?”
Nie Cen involuntarily changed his address to a more respectful one.
“Yes. I found that using this crystal, we can store 00’s psychic power. His mental power can control the Zerg race and communicate with the Zerg Queen.”
Nie Cen almost couldn’t steadily hold the crystal in his hand, tilting it from side to side. He then fiercely grabbed it in his palm.
Yu Xiaomei covered her mouth tightly.
“So, our experiment… was successful?”
She walked over and shook Nie Cen’s shoulder.
“Did you hear that? Our experiment was successful!”
He Yunan sipped his tea, expressionless.
“The experiment was successful, but the results may deviate a bit from His Majesty’s plan.”
“He doesn’t want to help.”
Nie Cen tightly gripped the golden crystal in his hand, sighing heavily. “As expected.”
He was a bit afraid of 00 from the beginning. The fear lingered in his body even now; he feared those golden eyes… so cold, as if judging all his sins.
He was too good-looking. He was always dressed in a pristine lab gown and when you looked at him in a certain way, he seemed like a doll that had come to life.
“He has come for revenge.”
“He is still here for revenge.”
“I’ve decided to stand by his side and help him.”
“You were the first to discover this crystal… I don’t know if you’re willing to join us.”
Nie Cen laughed, and suddenly tears streamed down his face.
Yu Xiaomei didn’t understand why Nie Cen suddenly became so emotional. She tried to comfort him, but it didn’t work.
Nie Cen’s expression became somewhat manic for some inexplicable reason.
“Communication, how could we communicate? Can you use his mental power to summon a Zerg? If you can, then I’ll believe you.”
Yu Xiaomei wanted to stop Nie Cen, but she couldn’t. She knew he had been driven a bit mad in recent years, even if it wasn’t so evident on the surface.
While she worried, the five or six-year-old little Nie Chuan was awakened by the thunder outside. Nie Chuan, spoiled since childhood, was a bit squeamish. Yu Xiaomei couldn’t scold him and could only accompany him back to sleep.
Watching the child leave, He Yunan thought carefully and finally agreed to Nie Cen’s request.
“I can. But don’t get close to the Zerg I summon, be cautious.”
Nie Cen stood up.
“Dean He, thank you. I’m counting on you.”
He Yunan took out another crystal from his pocket and meditated for a moment.
Suddenly, thunder roared from the sky, and a sharp sound hidden within it resonated. Nie Cen, eyes wide open, staggered out and saw a Zerg hovering in the air. He murmured,
“It’s true, it’s really true.”
“Zergs can really be controlled by humans.”
No, not necessarily by humans.
“Did I save him?”
“All these years… I did so much just to cultivate a monster that can summon Zergs and destroy the Empire?”
So many children died, his friend Gu Nan had also died, and the researchers involved in the experiment at the time, hardly any had a good outcome.
Including him.
They were all confined in this small garden.
Everything was retribution… Nothing could be redeemed. Even if he let Nie Chuan grow up peacefully and safely, he couldn’t atone for his sins.
He Yunan and Yu Xiaomei watched helplessly as Nie Cen approached the Zerg that suddenly appeared on the Flower Planet.
The Zerg halted, and from its appearance, it wasn’t clear whether it was in the Zerg tide period or the incubation period. However, the most recent time a Zerg appeared it was in the Zerg tide stage.
In theory, this should also be an Zerg in the Zerg tide stage, as the Zergs in that period appeared in groups.
So, the appearance of this Zerg was definitely not a coincidence.
Nie Cen had completely lost the will to live. He stared blankly at the Zerg with a gaping, blood-stained mouth, smiled faintly, and walked towards the Zerg with a relieved expression.
Seeing him approach the Zerg, Yu Xiaomei shouted, “Nie Cen!” and rushed after him.
“Nie Cen committed suicide. Yu Xiaomei tried to pull him back but angered the Zerg I summoned, so both of them died together.”
“You mean, my father committed suicide?”
“My mother died because of my father’s involvement?”
“The Zerg didn’t actually want to kill them?”
After listening to He Yunan’s story, Nie Chuan shook his head. “This is impossible.”
“If that’s the case, why did you let me go?”
“You’re not the murderer, why would you let me go?”
Nie Chuan felt he had caught a loophole in He Yunan’s words.
“It was you who summoned that Zerg and ordered it to kill them.”
“No. That’s because when you came downstairs. I was afraid you would see everything. So, I originally wanted to kill you.”
“After all, you were only 5 or 6 years old,”
“And our secret hadn’t reached its turning point of being exposed.”
“But later, you only remembered that the Zerg bit your parents to death.”
Hearing a child constantly talking about revenge against the Zergs, others dared not provoke him further, especially since he had just lost his parents and encountered the most terrifying monster in the world.
So the police didn’t inquire much. They only brought in a psychologist to control his emotions and provide psychological counseling.
Nie Chuan bit his lip.
He Yunan continued to influence him. “You are an artificial human.”
“Like Gu Huan, you should also stand on his side… shouldn’t you?”
“Come with us.”
“Your two little friends are over there.”
“Genetically speaking, they are your family.”
He Yunan reached out with both hands this time.
“As long as you want to go, I can take you with me.”
Both He Qixing and Nie Chuan stared at the outstretched hands, neither making a move.
“Xingxing, do you think what he’s saying is true?”
Nie Chuan asked, looking straight ahead.
He Qixing lowered his eyes slightly, then lifted them, tightening his fingers.
“I hope… it’s all true.”
“But there are some things he lied about.”
M1zushi: Happy Holidays for everyone!