Day three in the Nevada desert. Once again, in the afternoon, Li Haojun and Kasiya were invited into the base. The same security screening process followed, but this time they signed even more confidentiality agreements. Guided by base personnel, they walked down another corridor—still dimly lit, with rough walls and armed guards patrolling. Li Haojun noted the guards bore no military insignia or names, suggesting they were likely security personnel or mercenaries.
内华达沙漠第三天,同样是下午,李皓珺和凯西娅再次被邀请进入基地,同样的安检流程,但是这次又签署了更多保密协议,随后由基地人员引导,沿着另一侧的走廊步行,依旧是同样的昏暗灯光,粗糙墙壁,有持枪武装人员巡逻.李皓珺留意了武装人员没有部队标识,没有士兵名字,所以他们可能是安保人员或者雇佣兵.
At the corner of the corridor's end stood an old elevator with metal grating, a compact space designed for personnel use. Clearly, access here required specific authorization. Li Haojun and Kesiya followed the guide into the elevator, which descended downward. It didn't stop at the first basement level—its purpose remained unclear—nor at the second basement level, though this floor appeared remodeled, featuring a spacious layout and bright lighting. As the elevator reached the third basement level and the doors opened, the two were led into a room that was clearly a changing area—specifically, a changing area for a cleanroom facility. Li Haojun glanced around the surroundings, then looked at Kesiya without saying a word. He thought to himself, Thank goodness it's not a virus lab.
走廊尽头的拐角,有一台老式电梯,金属栅栏,空间不大,供人员使用的.显然这里任何通行都是需要相应权限的,李皓珺和凯西娅跟着引导人员,进入电梯,然后,电梯是向下运行的.地下一层没有停,不清楚用途,地下二层也没有停,但是似乎改造过,空间宽阔,照明明亮.随着电梯到达地下三层,门开了,二人被引领到一个房间,很明显是更衣室,但是这是属于清洁厂房的更衣室.李皓珺环顾一下四周情况,然后看了一眼凯西娅,什么也没有说,心想,还好不是病毒实验室.
After passing through the cleaning and disinfection zones, the clean production room should be ahead—a modestly sized facility. The assistant who guided them yesterday was positioned directly in front, while the guide from earlier followed behind Li Haojun and Kasiya. This time, they were shown some biomanufacturing equipment, but the focus was on the connected material and chemical supply systems. Projection devices integrated into Li Haojun and Kasiya's goggles allowed the assistant to explain the basic operations and encountered issues through these interactive systems. Afterward, they returned to the office to complete the questionnaire.
经过清洁区与消毒区,前面应该是洁净生产产房,规模不大,前面正好是昨天那位助手引导,刚才那个领路的人则跟在李皓珺和凯西娅.这次给他们展示的是一些生物工程制造设备,但重点是这些设备相连的物料和药剂供给设施.李皓珺和凯西娅佩戴的目镜上有投射装置,助理人员通过这些交互设备向他们介绍了基本情况和遇到的问题,然后又是回到办公室答卷.
After returning to the hotel and having dinner later than yesterday, the moon was already high in the sky. The two of them put on extra layers and decided to go for a walk anyway.
今天回到旅馆吃过晚饭比昨天更晚了一些,月亮已经很高了,两人多穿了些衣服,决定还是出来走走.
Moonlight filtered through Katsiya's headscarf, casting a soft, gentle glow upon her face. Her hips and thighs, fuller than Malaya's, gave her steps a more measured, steady rhythm.
月光透过凯西娅的头巾,照在她的脸庞含蓄而柔美,她相对玛莱雅更丰满的臀部与大腿,步伐也显得更加稳重.
"Ethan, what do you think that equipment is used to produce?" Kasiya chatted with Li Haojun as they walked.
"伊森,你觉得那些设备是生产什么的?" 凯西娅边走边与李皓珺闲聊,
"They have many practical uses, but clearly they're not environmentalists, and they're not meant to resurrect prehistoric animals."
"实际用途很多,但显然他们不是环保主义者,不是用来复活史前动物的,"
"Do you think it's a clone?" Kasiya asked.
"你觉得是克隆人吗?" 凯西娅问
I'm not too familiar with this area, but judging by the equipment size, replicating tissues or organs shouldn't be an issue. Especially since they appear to be a paramilitary unit—they might even have a rehabilitation program for disabled soldiers.
"这方面我不太了解,但是从设备尺寸看,复制组织或器官应该没问题,尤其他们看起来是准军事单位,没准有残障士兵恢复项目."
"Hmm, why don't they go to the hospital? Hospitals can do it too."
"嗯,为什么他们不去医院呢,医院也能做到啊,"
"Perhaps there's a need for covert operatives, or aspects that violate ethics or regulations, or they have their own research projects that are more advanced than what the public can access. Sometimes technology is a form of power, and possessing power grants the privilege of premium access—so technology is power." Li Haojun glanced at the full moon and sighed helplessly.
"也许是有什么秘密行动人员需要,或者有违背伦理或监管的方面,或者他们也有自己的研究项目,比公众能接触到的更先进.有时候技术也是一种力量,而有某种力量就有溢价的权力,所以技术就是权力." 李皓珺看了看那轮明月,无奈地说,
"So they can trade their technology for power with those in control."
"所以他们可以用他们的技术和掌权的人交换他们的权力,"
"Well, unfortunately, that's how things work. It's not exactly fair to ordinary people. Of course, their technological advancements will eventually benefit the general public. But before that happens, the elites might just solidify their dominance even further." Li Haojun gestured toward the moon and stars on either side. "Take this difference in brightness, for example—"
"嗯,很不幸事情就是这样运行的,对于普通人来说不太公平.当然了,他们的技术进步有一天也会惠及到普通社会公众.只是,在那之前,可能是精英们更加稳固了他们的统治地位."说着李皓珺指了指两边的月亮和星星,"好比这样的亮度差异,"
"Yeah, that's right. For ordinary people, there's no way to participate in this process, nor the means to oversee it. They can't escape their disadvantageous position."
"嗯,是啊,对于普通人来说没办法参与这个过程,也没能力监督这个过程,不能摆脱自己不利的地位."
Yes, Darwin's law. Though we may strive to intervene in society's workings through public authority and maintain fairness as much as possible, Darwin's law is everywhere.
"是啊,达尔文法则,虽然我们可以尽量用公权力干涉社会运行,尽量保持公正,但是达尔文法则无处不在."
"Unless—" Kesiya laughed, then stopped mid-sentence.
"除非,"凯西娅笑着说到一半又停了,
"Unless what?" Li Haojun asked curiously.
"除非什么?"李皓珺好奇地问,
"Unless there's a traitor among those elites! Ha ha,"
"除非那些精英里面出了叛徒!哈哈,"
Oh, yes, it's not impossible. People with a conscience might either sympathize with the masses or strive to save the world and reform corrupt customs. Or perhaps it's infighting over unequal division of spoils, ha ha. Looking at it this way, we might not necessarily end up in hell after all.
"噢,是啊,也不是没有可能,有良心的人,或者同情大众,或者济世愤俗的.噢也可能是分赃不均内讧,哈哈,这样看来我们还未必会掉到地狱里面去."
"Yeah, no need to be so pessimistic."
"是啊,也不用那么悲观,"
"Yes, but for those people, the pressure would be immense—they might even vanish without a trace. Still, throughout history, human society has always alternated between light and darkness."
"是啊,只是对于那些人来说压力会很大,被消失也说不定,不过人类社会从历史上看总是光明与黑暗交替的."
As the moon climbed higher, its light bathed the earth in a blanket of snow-white radiance. Two figures pressed close together cast their shadows in the glow, like exposed film, revealing that fleeting moment of eternity within the void.
随着月亮越爬越高,月光照耀大地,雪白一片,两个紧靠的身影在光亮中投下他们的影子,如同曝光的底片,在虚无中呈现那一刻的永恒.
Back at the inn, Kesiya shed her coat and flopped onto the bed, pouting as she called out,
回到旅店,凯西娅脱下外衣往床上一躺,娇嗔地喊,
"Ugh, I'm too tired today. I'm skipping my shower," she said, then glared at Li Haojun.
"哎啊今天太累了,我不洗澡了,"然后瞪着眼睛看着李皓珺,
Li Haojun looked at her and wanted to snap, "You're tired, why aren't you sleeping?" But he held back. The words stayed bottled up, though his smile couldn't be contained—it spread across his face. Let her think whatever she wanted. Then, as if tending to a child, he grabbed the blanket from the opposite bed, lay down sideways facing her, and gazed into her eyes, waiting for her to say more.
李皓珺看她的样子,想怼她说,累你还不睡觉,但是憋住了,话憋住了,笑没憋住,全都挂在了脸上,随她怎么想吧.然后像关爱小孩子一样,拿了对面床的毛毯,面对面侧身躺在她对面,看着她的眼睛,等她还想要说什么.
"If only you could always..." Kesiya trailed off mid-sentence.
"要是你总能..." 凯西娅话说到一半,闭口不语了,
Li Haojun felt a pang of guilt inside. He knew Kasiya needed his affection, yet he couldn't be by her side often. These sisters had never known the warmth of a family since childhood, and now that they'd come to depend on him, he couldn't fulfill their needs. Thinking this, he wrapped one arm around her shoulders, letting her head rest against his neck, while his other arm encircled her waist, pulling her close to his body. He hoped his warmth could convey enough love to sustain her through the days he couldn't be with her...
李皓珺内心也不是滋味儿,他清楚凯西娅需要他的关爱,可是自己却不能够经常陪伴她身边,本来这姐妹就自小没有家庭的温暖,现在情系自己却不能满足她们.想到这,他一手搂着她的肩背,把她的头靠在自己的肩颈,一手搂着她的腰靠紧自己身体,希望自己的体温能传递给她足够的爱,够她度过没有自己陪伴的日子...
When the sun rose the next day, the base's flying car arrived early to pick them up—a bit unexpected, as this clearly differed from the pattern of the previous two days.
当第二天的太阳升起,基地的飞行汽车早早就来接他们过去,有点令人意外,这显然不同于前两天的模式.
Everything felt like yesterday, a familiar journey, yet the elevator seemed to descend deeper. It was impossible to tell which underground level they were on, as part of the shaft was enclosed. When the elevator doors opened again, they followed the same procedure to enter. This was an unmanned production facility. The same technical assistant from yesterday was waiting, but no one else had followed. Following the guide through the walkway, they could see the electrical support sections of the industrial production facilities. Li Haojun leaned close to Kasiya's ear and whispered, "Watch your step. Stay close to me. Don't wander off. Stay safe."
一切如同昨天,轻车熟路,但是电梯似乎下降的更深了,无法区分是地下第几层,因为有一段是封闭的的竖井.当电梯门再次打开,同样程序进入,但这是无人的生产设施,同样昨天的技术助手在等候,但是回头没有其他人跟进来,跟在向导后面,走过人行通道,可以看到工业生产设施的电气支持部分.李皓珺趴在凯西娅耳边对她说,注意脚下,跟紧我,不要到处乱走,注意安全.
After passing through the utility area, one enters a relatively spacious section where numerous petri dishes of varying sizes are systematically arranged within a three-dimensional steel framework. Each set of equipment features its own unique identification number on the stainless steel casing.
经过公用工程区域后,来到相对宽阔的区域,大量不同尺寸培养皿在立体钢结构框架中分类布置,每套设备不锈钢外壳上都有自己的编号,
Li Haojun couldn't help feeling a little thrill at the sight of such a massive facility. As an engineer, he was like a boy who'd just found his ultimate toy. Amidst his excitement, he glanced back at Kasiya—whether to check if she was keeping up or to share his inner joy, he wasn't sure. Kasiya said nothing, simply smiling as she followed quietly.
李皓珺看着这样规模的设施,心中不免有点小兴奋,做工程技术的他犹如一个男孩看到了自己的大玩具.兴奋之余他又回头看了看凯西娅,不知道是看她有没有跟上还是想分享自己内心的喜悦.凯西娅什么也没说,微笑着静静地跟着走.
After passing through the previous area, the group arrived at another office on the opposite side, which was unattended. Here, the technical assistant briefed Li Haojun and his companion on the status of each production line and the various issues encountered. Based on his understanding, Li Haojun requested more detailed technical documentation for analysis. Due to confidentiality concerns, both hardware and software could only be used on the equipment provided by the other party, within the underground facility. Fortunately, the company respected labor rights, and after their shift ended, the two were escorted back to their lodgings.
走过刚才的区域,几人来到另一侧的办公室,无人值守的,在这里技术助理向李皓珺二人介绍了各条生产线的情况以及遇到的不同问题,李皓珺也根据自己的理解要求对方提供了更详细的技术资料用于分析,由于保密原因,软硬件都只能使用对方提供的设备,在地下设施里进行.还好对方是尊重劳工权益的,下班时间二人又被送回了旅店.
After dinner, it was still time for a stroll. Since they had gone to work early today, considering the physical demands of the job, the other party had sent them back a bit earlier. After dinner, they still caught the sunset's glow. Walking through the fiery sunlight, the crimson hues filtered through Kasiya's headscarf and flowing hair. Li Haojun couldn't help but miss the times he spent with Qin Wenjing. He wondered what she was doing at that moment. An inexplicable urge surged through him, reaching his arm as if to pull out his phone and contact her. But his right arm merely twitched—it didn't move.
晚饭之后依旧是散步时间,今天由于一早就去工作,考虑劳动强度因素,对方送他们回来也早了一些,吃过晚饭还未错过夕阳夕照,走在火红的阳光里,那红霞透过凯西娅的头巾与秀发,李皓珺不禁想念与覃文静在一起的时光,也不知道这时候她在做什么,内心莫名一股冲动已经传导到胳膊想要拿出电话联系她,但是右臂只是抖了一下,没有动,
Li Haojun glanced at Kasiya beside him. Her gentle gaze was like the warm embrace of the setting sun.
李皓珺看了一眼身边的凯西娅,她温柔的目光,就如同这夕阳的温暖抚慰,
"Do you miss her?" Kasiya asked softly.
"你想她了吗?" 凯西娅轻声地问,
"What? You can really sense it?" Li Haojun was a bit surprised.
"怎么,你真的能感觉到?" 李皓珺有点惊奇,
Kesiya smiled, looked at him for a moment, and said,
凯西娅微笑着,看了他一会儿,说,
"It's written all over your face. Go say hello to her. I'll wait here for you." With that, she stopped in her tracks.
"都挂在你脸上了,你去问候她一下吧,我在这等你,"说完,她站住了脚步,
"Oh," Li Haojun replied, still feeling skeptical inside. Could it really be that whatever I think shows on my face? Even if it does, it shouldn't be that obvious, right? For a girl in her early twenties to notice it—or are women just naturally this perceptive?
"哦,"答应着,李皓珺心里还在狐疑,真的是我想什么都会表现在表情上吗?就算是也不至于那么明显吧,被一个二十出头的姑娘看出来,还是说女性天生都这么敏感?
After taking a few steps, Li Haojun turned to look at Kasiya, and both of them smiled simultaneously.
走出一些步,李皓珺回头看着凯西娅,两人不约而同笑了.
Dial the phone.
拨通电话,
"Hey, Haojun, how's it going over there?" came the familiar voice through his headphones.
"喂,皓珺,在那边过的怎么样?"耳机里传来他所熟悉的声音,
"It's okay, sorry I can't walk with you. I just finished dinner, and the sun is still high over here."
"还好,抱歉不能陪你散步了,我刚吃过晚饭,这边太阳还很高,"
Oh, what a contrast—it's been raining nonstop here this autumn," Tan Wenjing said as she turned on the video. A steady drizzle slid down the living room windowpane, while the roses in the corner outside the living room wall looked even more vibrant in the gentle rain.
"哦,有点反差哦,这边秋雨连绵,"说着,覃文静开了视频,绵绵细雨正从客厅玻璃外滑落,客厅外墙角的月季在细雨中更添几分娇艳.
That familiar little nest, that familiar beloved—unconsciously, they stirred in Li Haojun a longing for the journey home.
那个熟悉的小窝,熟悉的爱人,不觉让李皓珺内心泛起对归途的向往.
The two watched each other and each other's worlds through video chat, easing the longing across the vast distance. After exchanging words of care, they ended the call.
两人视频看了对方和对方的世界,缓解天涯相思,互相叮嘱后挂断了通话.
Looking back, Kasiya was walking slowly toward him. She simply stopped in front of Li Haojun, neither taking his hand nor wrapping her arms around his waist, just quietly gazing into his eyes.
回首凯西娅正缓缓走来,她只是站定在李皓珺面前,没有拉他的手或者搂着他的腰,就那样静静地看着李皓珺的眼睛.
After a long, lingering gaze, Li Haojun took her hands in his, shaking them gently, unsure of what to say.
对视了良久,李皓珺拉起她的双手,摇晃着,不知道该说些什么.
Only a faint streak of crimson remains on the horizon, Adding yet another touch of melancholy.
天边只剩一抹残红,又凭添一丝伤感,
"This isn't fair to you," Li Haojun whispered to Kesiya.
"这样对你不公平," 李皓珺轻声对凯西娅说,
"How did you know?" she asked, taking his hand and resuming their walk.
"你怎么知道?"说着,凯西娅拉着他的手,继续之前的散步,
Li Haojun was puzzled, unsure why she would say such a thing. He followed her along, staring blankly at her as he walked.
李皓珺有些疑惑,不知道为什么她会这么说,愣愣地边跟着她走边看着她,
Kesiya said nothing either, but like a little girl, she swayed her arms as she walked, pulling Li Haojun's arm along with her, giggling all the while.
凯西娅也不说话,只是像个小姑娘一样,边走边摇摆着胳膊,拉着李皓珺的手臂也一起摇摆,然后嘻嘻地笑着.
After taking a few more steps, she let her smile fade, stopped abruptly, and pulled Li Haojun to a halt. She looked him straight in the eyes.
又走了几步,她收敛了笑容,停下脚步拉住李皓珺,看着他的眼睛,
As the last vestiges of twilight faded from the horizon, gazing into the gleaming eyes in the dim night, Kesiya whispered softly,
当天边最后一抹余辉散尽,看着灰暗夜色里闪亮的目光,凯西娅轻声说,
"Kiss me."
"吻我,"
Whether it was the earlier indifference and neglect that had wronged her, or whether Kesiya's presence stirred karmic ties from a past life, Li Haojun gently drew her into his embrace, kissed her lips, and then... the heat and fusion of dry kindling and raging flames...
不知道上刚才的对她不公的淡漠与冷落,还是凯西娅的身影牵扯了前世的因果,李皓珺轻轻拥她于怀中,亲吻了她的嘴唇,然后就是干柴与烈火的炙热和交融...
In the night, finally satisfied with their moment of embrace, the two held hands and began walking back to the hotel.
夜色中,终于暂时满足相拥时刻,两人手拉手开始返回旅馆.
Looking at Kasiya, it seemed she truly didn't ask for much. After their intimacy, her face glowed with sweetness as she strolled back at a leisurely pace. He had no idea where this relationship might lead, but at least she hadn't demanded more than he could give. Yet somehow, she stirred something deep within him. Thinking this, Li Haojun tentatively asked,
看着凯西娅,似乎她真的要求不多,亲热之后,脸上甜蜜蜜的,不紧不慢地往回走,也不知道这样的关系会走向何方,好在这姑娘一直没有索要更多,到自己无法满足她的程度.而自己却不知为何被她撩动心神,想到这,李皓珺试探着问,
"Tonight, shall we each sleep in our own beds? If this keeps up, I'm afraid—"
"今晚我们各自睡自己的床好吗?这样下去,我怕,"
"What's there to be afraid of?" Kasiya countered with a smile, looking at Li Haojun. Before he could answer, she continued,
"怕什么?"凯西娅一边反问一边笑嘻嘻地看着李皓珺,没等他回答又接着说,
"I won't bother you tonight. Get some rest."
"今晚我不打扰你了,你好好休息吧,"
Back at the hotel, Kasiya did as she said and went to sleep obediently in her own bed. Li Haojun quickly washed up and returned to the room to find Kasiya already asleep, lying on her side facing away from him. He tiptoed over and slipped into bed. Reflecting on the wonderful experiences of the past few days, he decided it was best to stop while he was ahead. He didn't want to risk damaging their friendship or hurting her feelings. After all, she was still young, with a long road ahead of her.
回到旅馆,凯西娅如她所说,回到自己的床上乖乖去睡了.李皓珺随后简单洗过,回到房间看到凯西娅已经睡着了,侧身面对这边.于是自己蹑手蹑脚,躺在床上,想想这几天经历的美好,还是适可而止,不要最后连朋友也做不成,再伤害了她的感情就不好了,毕竟她还年轻,未来的路还长.
However, middle-aged Li Haojun did not sleep well. Even with his eyes closed, the brightness kept him awake. Glancing up, he saw the full moon bathing the earth in light, streaming through the curtains and cracks onto the nightstand and Kesiya. Diffused moonlight illuminated her hair, a strand of naturally curled bangs resting on her cheek, making her appear even more delicate in the moonlight. Her clear, luminous eyes were fixed on him.
然而中年的李皓珺睡眠并不好,闭上眼睛依然因为光亮难以入睡,抬眼看看,正是明月普照大地,也透过窗帘和缝隙照在床头柜和凯西娅身上,而透过窗帘的漫射光照亮了她的秀发,一丝天然卷的刘海压在她的脸庞,月色中显得更加清秀,一双透亮的眼眸,正看着自己.
Li Haojun looked again carefully. Sure enough, she was staring right at her. Unable to help herself, she sighed and said,
李皓珺又仔细辨认了一下,果然,她正在看着自己,不由感慨说,
"Oh, alright," he said, stepping back to make room and extending his arm toward her.
"哦,好吧,"说着自己往后让出空间,向她伸出手臂,
Kesiya said nothing, wrapped herself in the blanket, and moved closer again.
凯西娅什么也没说,用毛毯裹着身体又凑了过来.
When he held Kasiya in his arms once more, Li Haojun felt an unexpected sense of peace wash over him. The two drifted off to sleep, embraced in each other's arms.
当再次把凯西娅搂在怀中,李皓珺不知为何内心终于感到了宁静,两人相拥中平静入睡了.
As the sun rose once more, another day brimming with energy began. With yesterday's unfinished work still pending, Li Haojun reviewed the preliminary analysis results entered the previous day in the control room of the base's underground facility. After consulting with the other party's technical assistant, the group decided to inspect the actual pipeline routes. Given the facility's vast scale—rows upon rows of culture dishes occupying immense space—long distances and complex material and control lines were unavoidable. Verifying the system's full functionality thus became imperative.
当太阳再次升起,又是元气满满的一天,需要继续昨天未完成的工作,在基地地下设施的控制室里,李皓珺查看了昨天输入的初步分析结果.在与对方技术助理讨论后,一行人决定去查看一下实际管线路径.因为设施规模很大,成行列的培养皿占据了巨大空间,不可避免的导致长距离和繁琐的物料和控制线路,所以不得不检查系统功能完备情况.
Inspecting the rows of petri dish racks, verifying some questionable data points—the work was rather tedious. Just as Li Haojun and the other technical assistant were cross-checking the system status, Kasiya suddenly let out a startled cry from behind them.
在行列林立的培养皿框架中巡查,验证一些有所怀疑的数据点,这工作有点枯燥,正当李皓珺和对方技术助理核对系统相应情况的时候,突然凯西娅在身后发出了一声惊叫,
Li Haojun hurriedly turned to look. Kasiya pointed at a petri dish and whispered,
李皓珺急忙回头一看,凯西娅指着一个培养皿,小声说,
"It, it, it's moving."
"它,它,它在动,"
Li Haojun walked toward the direction indicated. The culture dish featured tempered glass on the front for easy observation, while the stainless steel plate marked with a serial number served merely as a cover. For some reason, the cover hadn't snapped back into place, revealing human toes and the ball of a foot, the skin pale from prolonged immersion in the culture solution. Judging by the dish's height, it was clear a complete human body might be inside.
李皓珺循着方向走过去,原来培养皿是有正面钢化玻璃的,便于观察,那个印着编号的不锈钢只是一个遮挡盖板,由于某种原因这个设备的盖板没有复进到位,可以看到有人类的脚趾,前脚掌,皮肤被培养液泡得有些苍白.依据培养皿的高度,显然里面可能是一个完整的人.
At that moment, the other party's technical assistant also approached and casually explained that,
这时对方的技术助理也走了过来,无关紧要地解释说,
Ah, that's bioelectricity. It's beneficial for normal biological growth. Don't worry—it's just an unconscious organism.
"啊,那是生物电,有利于生物正常生长,别担心,那只是个没有意识的生物体."
For the rest of the day, Li Haojun kept an eye on Kasiya. She stayed close behind him, no longer looking around. It seemed she had been quite frightened—clearly, at her young age, she couldn't handle such psychological shock.
这天接下来的时间,李皓珺留意了一下凯西娅,她一直紧跟着自己,再也没有四处张望,看来她是有点被吓到了,显然年轻的她还承受不了这样的心理冲击.
After inputting the new data into the computer for overnight analysis, Li Haojun and Kasiya wrapped up their work for the day. On the way back, Kasiya couldn't help but ask in the flying car,
把新填的数据补充到电脑里,让它晚上去分析,李皓珺和凯西娅结束了今天的工作.回程的路上,在飞行汽车上凯西娅就忍不住问了,
"Is that a clone I see?"
"我看到那个是不是克隆人?"
It's quite possible, though it could also be modified, unconscious, used for experiments or medical purposes.
"很可能是,不过也可能是改造的,没有意识的,用于实验或者医疗."
"Is that a headless zombie?"
"那是没有头的僵尸吗?"
"It's also possible they're zombies with heads—like ones implanted with control programs, chips with some AI processing and control capabilities, or indirectly controlled by brainwaves. But why dwell on the terrifying possibilities?" Li Haojun asked her with a smile.
"也有可能是有头的僵尸,比如被植入了操控程序,有一定的AI处理和控制能力的芯片,或者被间接脑波控制,但是你为什么要往恐怖的方面去想呢?" 李皓珺笑着问她,
You're already scared, yet you insist on thinking about that?
"本来你就害怕,还偏要往那方面想?"
"Oh, I guess I'm just scared because I don't know what it really is." Katsia paused and asked again,
"哦,我想,我想我就是不知道它到底是什么才会害怕的吧." 凯西娅想了想又问,
"So could we end up with brain-control chips implanted in us?"
"那我们会不会被安装了大脑控制芯片?"
"You wouldn't, would you?" Li Haojun replied to her, then countered with a question of his own.
"你应该不会吧," 李皓珺回答她,接着又反问,
What do you think?
"你觉得呢?"
"I don't know," Kasiya said, rolling her eyes as she thought about it.
"我不知道,"凯西娅翻着眼睛想了想说,
"Probably not. If you were, you'd be put to some use right now, exploited by others. Clearly, you're free," Li Haojun added after a moment's thought.
"应该不会,如果有的话你应该现在被用作某种用途,被他人利用,显然你是自由的," 李皓珺想了想又补充说,
"Typically, young women are primarily valued for their sexuality, but you haven't been sexually exploited. You're free to pursue romantic relationships, right?"
"通常年轻女性主要是性价值,而你并没有遭到性剥削,你可以自由恋爱,对吧."
"Yeah, that's right," Kasiya nodded.
"嗯,是的," 凯西娅点了点头,
Facing this young woman, Li Haojun suddenly had a flash of insight. Could it be... related to him? But he didn't say anything to Kasiya. He merely chuckled to himself,
面对着这位姑娘,李皓珺却脑中灵光一现,难道?与自己有关?但是他并没有对凯西娅说什么.只是自嘲道,
Look, I just regained my memory after being unconscious. There's a high chance I have a mind-control chip implanted. Do you still want to be with me?
"你看,我刚从昏迷中恢复记忆,很有可能被安装了脑控的芯片,你还要不要和我一起?"
Kesiya looked at Li Haojun, momentarily at a loss for words. After returning to the inn, dinner and their post-meal stroll felt dull and uneventful. Li Haojun couldn't figure out whether it was something he'd said that had upset her, or if the content of his remarks had been inappropriate.
凯西娅看着李皓珺,一时不知道该说什么,就这样回到旅店之后的晚饭和饭后的散步也变得乏味无奇,李皓珺也搞不清楚自己的话哪里让她觉得不舒服了,还是自己说的内容有什么不妥.
Lying in bed, Li Haojun reflected on the day's work, reviewing whether any issues had been overlooked—perhaps this would help in analyzing the production facility's status.
躺在床上,李皓珺回想着白天的工作,回溯一下有没有遗漏什么状况,或许对分析生产装置状态有帮助.
The sound of rushing water came from the shower stall—Kesiya was bathing. The dim glow of the light spilled into the bedroom doorway. Suddenly, her urgent cry echoed through the room.
淋雨间传来哗啦啦的流水声,正是凯西娅在洗澡,昏黄的灯光从那边照进卧室门口,这时忽然传来她急切的呼叫声,
Ethan, Ethan, come here quickly!
"伊森,伊森,你快过来,"
Li Haojun hurried over to see what had happened. Upon reaching the shower stall, he peered through the frosted glass and saw that nothing untoward had occurred. She was washing her hair, the lather preventing her from opening her eyes.
李皓珺急忙赶过去查看出了什么事情,赶到淋雨间外透过压花玻璃看见她并没有什么意外发生,她在洗头,泡沫让她无法睁开眼睛,
"What's wrong? Is something the matter?" Li Haojun asked urgently.
"怎么了,有什么事?" 李皓珺急忙问,
"Don't go. Stay with me, okay? I'm a little scared."
"你别走,陪着我好吗?我有点害怕,"
"Alright, I'll stay right here and keep you company," Li Haojun exhaled softly, finally realizing—was she afraid I'd turn into a zombie?
"好的,我就在这,我陪你说话,"舒了一口气,李皓珺这才明白过来,她这是怕我变僵尸么?
Soon she finished washing, wrapped herself in a towel, and came out, but she didn't leave.
很快她洗完了,围了浴巾出来后并没有走,
Ethan, go take a shower. I'll wait here for you.
"伊森,你去洗澡吧,我在这里等你,"
"Oh, alright," Li Haojun stepped into the shower stall and slipped his discarded clothes through the door crack. Hot water cascaded down from above, obscuring his vision, yet he could still make out Kasiya sitting in the chair he'd just vacated. Being watched by a young woman while showering felt distinctly uncomfortable. To ease the awkwardness—and perhaps dispel her doubts and fears about his transformation into a zombie—he resorted to small talk.
"哦,好吧," 李皓珺走进淋浴间,把脱了的衣服从门缝递了出来.热水从头顶淋下,遮蔽了视线,但是依然能够依稀看到凯西娅坐在自己刚才的椅子上,被一位年轻女子注视自己洗澡还真的有点不自在,只好不是闲聊打发尴尬,同时也消除她对自己变僵尸的疑虑和恐惧.
After quickly finishing my shower, I realized I had no towel and hadn't brought a bathrobe. Seeing Katsia sitting there, I hesitated to return to my bedroom alone, yet didn't want to trouble her to fetch one. So I wrapped a towel around my waist, peeked out, raised my upper body, and stepped out of the bathroom. Katsia showed no unusual reaction; she simply slipped her arm through mine as if taking a stroll and carefully guided me back to the bedroom.
很快洗完才发现,自己没有浴巾,也没拿浴袍,看凯西娅坐在那里不敢自己回卧室,也不好麻烦她去拿,只好自己用毛巾围在腰间,探出头,上半身,然后迈出浴室.而凯西娅并没有什么异样的反应,她如散步一样挽着自己的胳膊小心翼翼地走回卧室.
Lying on the bed, gazing into Kesiya's eyes, Li Haojun hurriedly explained to her.
躺到床上,望着凯西娅的眼睛,李皓珺赶紧给她解释,
"You don't need to be afraid of me. I don't think I have a mind-control chip. Even if I did, my will is strong enough that I wouldn't be completely controlled. My body won't turn into a zombie instantly. Don't be scared anymore, okay?"
"你不用害怕我,我觉得我没有脑控芯片,即便有我的意志很强的,也不会被完全操控,我的身体也不会秒变僵尸,别怕了,好吗?"
"Mm," Kesiya murmured softly, placing her arm across Li Haojun's chest as she whispered,
"嗯,"凯西娅轻声答应,把手臂放在李皓珺胸前,轻声说,
I'm not afraid you'll turn into a zombie. I'm afraid you won't be you anymore. Then I wouldn't know where to find you.
"我不是害怕你变成僵尸,我是怕,你不再是你,到时候我不知道又要去哪里找寻你."
Suddenly, Li Haojun realized how superficial his previous understanding had been. He turned his body closer to Kasiya, wrapping his right arm around her waist while his left hand gently lifted her hair to reveal her cheek. He kissed her lips softly, then gazed into her eyes and whispered,
忽然之间,李皓珺感到自己之前的理解是多么的肤浅了.他又把自己的身体更多转向凯西娅,右手搂着她的腰,左手挽起她的秀发,露出脸颊,轻轻亲吻了她的嘴唇,然后看着她的眼睛轻声说,
"I will never leave you. Even if I die, my soul will stay with you." With that, he held her tightly in his arms.
"我不会离开你,就算我死了,我的灵魂也会陪伴你."说完把她紧紧搂在怀里.
"Mm," Kesiya murmured softly, then buried her face beneath Li Haojun's cheek.
"嗯,"凯西娅轻声答应,然后把头埋在了李皓珺的脸颊之下.