Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
After everything was over, Ye Feng and Chen Xi returned to campus. The sun was still shining brightly, and students hurriedly moved between the classrooms. Everything felt so familiar yet strangely foreign.
Ye Feng stood in the corridor of the Psychology Institute, his gaze fixed on the cherry blossom tree in the distance. The pale pink petals fluttered down with the wind, resembling a delicate rain. He reached out, and a petal landed perfectly in his palm.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Chen Xi said softly, having approached him without him noticing.
Ye Feng turned to look at her; the sunlight cast a gentle glow on her profile. He nodded but remained silent, unsure of what to say. The absurd "Identity Trade" incident had ended nearly a month ago, yet those memories were etched in his mind like a brand, impossible to erase.
"How have you been lately?" Chen Xi asked with concern.
Ye Feng pressed his lips together and replied quietly, "I'm okay. Just not sleeping well."
He didn't tell Chen Xi that every time night fell and he closed his eyes, memories that weren't his would flood back to him. Sometimes he was a street artist, other times a business elite, or even a lonely old man. Those unfamiliar yet familiar snippets of life replayed like scenes from a movie in his mind.
"Me too," Chen Xi said softly. "Sometimes when I wake up, I can't tell who I really am."
Ye Feng looked at Chen Xi; an unexpected understanding seemed to blossom between them. Only those who had experienced similar things could truly grasp each other's feelings.
A few days later, on a sunny afternoon, Ye Feng sat in a corner of the library surrounded by stacks of books on brain science and artificial intelligence. He had been immersed in these professional texts for several days, trying to uncover the scientific principles behind the "Identity Trade" technology.
"How long are you planning to read all these books?" Chen Xi asked as she brought two cups of coffee, placing one in front of Ye Feng.
Ye Feng rubbed his tired eyes and chuckled wryly, "I don't know. Maybe I'll never finish."
He closed the book titled "Frontiers of Neuroscience" and sighed. "Have you ever wondered why Professor Luo developed such technology?"
Chen Xi sat across from him and pondered for a moment. "Maybe out of curiosity? Humanity's exploration of the unknown never really ends."
Ye Feng shook his head. "No, I think it's more than just curiosity. From his research notes, it seems he wanted to understand the essence of human consciousness through this technology."
"The essence of consciousness?"
"Yes." Ye Feng pulled out a notebook filled with his research insights from the past few days. "We all believe we are unique individuals, but if our memories and experiences can be copied and exchanged, then what exactly is 'I'? Is it merely the sum of memories or something that transcends memory?"
Chen Xi nodded thoughtfully. "That is indeed a philosophical question. However, regardless of that, this technology is too dangerous."
"Exactly." Ye Feng's gaze became resolute. "Technology itself isn't inherently good or evil; it's the people who use it that matter. If 'Identity Trade' falls into the wrong hands, the consequences could be unimaginable."
He recalled the mastermind who had nearly taken over his body, and a chill ran through him. If he hadn't woken up in time that day, if Chen Xi hadn't found him, perhaps Ye Feng would no longer be himself.
As he stepped out of the library, the sun had already set, casting a soft orange glow over the campus. Ye Feng and Chen Xi walked side by side along the tree-lined path, their shadows stretching long behind them.
"Do you remember what we saw in the lab that day?" Ye Feng suddenly asked.
Chen Xi nodded. "I remember those experimental data and the list very clearly."
"I did some checking," Ye Feng lowered his voice, "the people on that list are all top talents in various fields. Scientists, artists, businessmen, politicians... What would happen if their identities were swapped?"
Chen Xi's face paled slightly. "That's terrifying; it's like a silent coup."
"And," Ye Feng continued, "I've recently discovered that some research materials about 'identity swapping' are circulating online. Although Professor Luo's lab has been shut down, the theoretical foundation of this technology has leaked."
"You mean..."
"Yes, I'm worried that someone will continue this research." A flicker of concern crossed Ye Feng's eyes. "Once a technology is invented, it cannot be eradicated. It will only be mastered by more people and continue to develop."
That night, Ye Feng tossed and turned in his dorm room, unable to sleep. He got up and walked to the window, gazing at the distant city lights. Those twinkling points resembled countless lives burning in the darkness. Behind each light was an independent consciousness, a unique life.
Realizing this, Ye Feng suddenly understood what he needed to do next. He opened his computer and began drafting an email to contact his mentor. He decided to shift his research focus toward the ethical issues surrounding neuroscience and artificial intelligence, hoping to contribute to establishing an ethical framework to prevent technological abuse.
The next morning, Ye Feng received a text from Chen Xi: "I just saw the news; there was an explosion at a research institute in the north, supposedly related to a secret experiment."
Ye Feng's heart tightened as he immediately opened a news website. Just as Chen Xi had said, an explosion occurred at a private research institute in the north, resulting in multiple casualties. Preliminary police investigations indicated that it might be related to an illegal experiment.
"Isn't that too coincidental?" Chen Xi said worriedly when they met in the afternoon. "Just one day after we discussed this issue, such an event happened."
Ye Feng remained silent but felt an ominous premonition within him. This was no coincidence; it was some kind of omen. The Identity Trading Technology had not disappeared; it was merely lying dormant, waiting for its next eruption.
A few days later, Ye Feng connected with several like-minded classmates from the Psychology Institute and formed a group called "Watcher." They began to focus on unusual events related to neuroscience and artificial intelligence while researching relevant ethical issues.
"We cannot stop technological development," Ye Feng said at their first group meeting, "but we can do our best to ensure it is not misused."
Chen Xi sat beside him and nodded in support. She gazed at Ye Feng's profile and saw the determination and passion shining in his eyes.
On a summer evening, Ye Feng and Chen Xi sat by the small lake on campus, watching as the sunset cast golden rays upon the water's surface.
"You know," Ye Feng said softly, "after experiencing so many different lives, I cherish who I am now even more."
Chen Xi looked at him curiously. "Why is that?"
Ye Feng smiled and replied, "Because I've come to understand that every life has its unique value and meaning. The reason I am who I am is not just because of my memories and experiences, but also because of my attitude and choices in facing those memories and experiences."
"So, you’re no longer afraid of those dreams?"
"It's not that I'm not afraid; I've just learned to accept them." Ye Feng gazed into the distant sky. "Those different life experiences have shown me a broader world and made me appreciate every moment of the present even more."
He turned to Chen Xi and said sincerely, "Thank you for being by my side during the most difficult times."
Chen Xi smiled gently and took Ye Feng's hand. "We promised to protect this world together, didn't we?"
Their silhouettes were reflected on the lake's surface, appearing particularly harmonious under the sunset. Although they knew that various unknown challenges awaited them in the future, as long as they stood together, there was nothing to fear.
On the way back to the dormitory, Ye Feng received an anonymous message: "The research on Identity Trading Technology has not stopped; the real crisis is just beginning."
Ye Feng stared at his phone screen and took a deep breath. He understood that this exploration and struggle regarding human identity, consciousness, and technological ethics was far from over. But no matter what awaited him ahead, he was ready.
Because he knew that the real challenge was just beginning.
Comment 0 Comment Count