Chapter 2: The Meeting with Logic_1

Picking up his phone, he dialed Logic's number, just like Ye Wenjie had pressed that button, marking an important step in altering the timeline of the Trisolaran world.

The person who answered wasn't Logic, but after some communication, they asked Mr. Lin Sen to wait. Minutes later, the phone rang, and as soon as the call connected, he heard the excited voice of Logic.

"Wumu, it's great, you've finally contacted me!" Logic said with excitement. Wumu was a nickname he used for Lin Sen when they were young—Lin Sen was a bit wooden, speaking very little, and his name had five characters for "wood".

"Logic, I need your help," Lin Sen stated outright.

"Wumu, have you encountered some trouble? Whatever you need, I can help you with it, you know my current status—I can get anything you ask for, I will certainly be of help to you."

"A Wallfacer? Indeed, you can help me, and perhaps I can also help you. I want to start a new life, not to waste away this existence. The world could be different. I've found a new purpose, and for it, I need your help."

"That's great, I'm truly happy for you, but you haven't yet told me what help you need from me?"

"I want to become your assistant!"

"Er... no, what do you mean? Sure, become my assistant, but I also don't know what I'm supposed to do, you see?"

"You'll find out... Logic, just think of it as me wanting to come over to mooch food and drink off you for a few days, can I?"

"Of course, that's absolutely possible, I would be too happy if you came over. You don't know how I've spent this year. Only in front of you can I feel the real me. Oh... It might be a bit troublesome for you to come here, but don't worry, I'll handle everything!

Oh, I forgot to tell you, I became a father; you have a niece now, haha, hahaha..."

"Really? Then congratulations! I haven't met my little niece yet. Is she cute? If she looks like you, that would be a tragedy."

"Go on, stop spouting nonsense. If you come over, Yanyan—your sister-in-law—will definitely be delighted. I often mention you to her, and she's quite interested in you."

"Logic, thank you! And please say hello to my sister-in-law for me!" After a moment of silence, Lin Sen spoke, "Logic, believe me... the children... will have a future!"

Logic, at the other end of the phone, also fell silent for a bit before speaking softly, "I'll send someone to pick you up!"

After ending the communication, Lin Sen mumbled to himself, "We haven't been in touch for so long, and he's still like this towards me, it's a pity I only have one person like this!" Soon after, he shook his head with a smile, asking himself, "Is one not enough?"

Lin Sen knew he must be under surveillance by the Sophon from the moment he made the call. He had entered the field of vision of the Trisolarans, but Lin Sen didn't care! Especially with the clear hint at the end—Lin Sen needed Logic's help to realize his plan, even though the Trisolarans might not grasp the meaning of his words now, they would surely comprehend them later.

That night, both the Earth-Trisolaris Organization and the PDC were querying all files and records of Lin Sen's life since birth. In addition to the Sophon, the PDC was also eavesdropping on Logic's phone call, growing curious about Logic's childhood friend.

After arranging for someone to collect Lin Sen, Logic also made a phone call to the PDC's rotating chairman Garanin (the UN Secretary-General was Sayi).

"Dr. Luo Ji, is there something you require assistance with?"

"Yes, I need an assistant, and I already have a candidate."

"Alright, it is within your authority. I will immediately request the authorization for your assistant. We're also very glad that you're investing yourself in the work."

By now, Logic had become accustomed to exploiting the privileges of a Wallfacer—these special rights brought him an indescribable thrill.

Yet, deep down, he couldn't so easily relinquish his sense of responsibility toward humanity.

Although he appeared unconcerned on the surface, this indifference was actually numbing himself, and such self-deception couldn't last much longer. With a wife and child, he grew attached to the world, wanting to leave the best to his beloved and child. In his heart, providing happiness to his wife was the most critical part of his plan.

Why should humanity assume it could always survive? Humans are not the protagonists of the story, bound to survive indefinitely or ascend to the pinnacle of the universe.

Trisolaris was just the first civilization with a technological level not too far ahead of Earth's that humans had faced. If humans couldn't step beyond this, they would also lose their qualification to enter the sea of stars. The gap between civilizations was like a chasm. Faced with the Trisolarans, although it was dire, who truly resigned themselves? The human world was striving, hence the creation of the Wallfacer Project.

As a Wallfacer, Logic too wanted to save humanity, but the current him really couldn't think of any method.

Instead of saying Logic was cynically wasting PDC's resources, it might be more accurate to say he wanted the PDC to give up on him quickly, to avoid pinning their hopes on him—he couldn't bear it.

Lin Sen's phone call had given Logic a glimmer of hope; perhaps Lin Sen could bring something different, and maybe he himself could also make an effort, to fight for a future for the children.

If the Logic who contemplated the Dark Forest theory looked back on this night's decision to try, he would probably curse, "If I don't try, I won't really know despair!"

The Dark Forest can be simply understood as a situation where, once a cosmic civilization exposes itself, it is bound to be attacked by other cosmic civilizations.

Survival was never easily attained—it's the harder you try, the deeper the despair!

...

The next day, there was a knock on Lin Sen's door. Lin Sen opened it, having managed to find a decent piece of clothing to wear the previous night.

A few men in black suits stood at the door, seemingly with no intention of entering, and the middle-aged leader spoke.

"Mr. Lin Sen, we have been sent by Mr. Logic to pick you up. Are you ready to leave now? Do you need any time to pack?"

"There's nothing to pack. Let's leave right now!"

Lin Sen was taken to a sedan and after driving for an hour, entered an airport and boarded an airplane, not knowing where it was flying to.

Four hours later, the plane landed, and they continued by car to a secret location. After several checkpoints, they arrived on a smooth road, which was probably Logic's estate.

Due to the time difference, it was just noon when Lin Sen met Logic, who had already been preparing a feast.

Upon meeting, Logic gave Lin Sen a hug—it had been a long time since they had seen each other.

"Wumu, you've finally come."

"Yes, I'm here. I just never expected that when we met again, our identities would be like this!"

"Why are you still the same as before? Didn't you teach me to look carefully around me, that every blade of grass has its story and happiness? So why the melancholy on your face again?

Even though I am now a Wallfacer, you will always be the person with whom I can open up my soul.

You and I are people who understand each other's thoughts with just a glance. With you here, perhaps my heart won't be so lonely.

Let's not talk about this anymore; today is a good day.

I'll first show you your little niece and also my wife—she has become my everything. Her name is Zhuang Yan."

"Sigh… You have always called me a blockhead, but isn't your heart just as closed off?

Both of us, beneath our cynical facades, possess hearts that others don't understand. It seems that my sister-in-law is the one who truly entered your heart."

"Why speak so formally? I'm not the same person I used to be; the life I live now is one I never dared imagine before. All that matters is making the most of the present."

In his heart, Lin Sen thought, do you know what it cost you to get what you have today, and how much you will have to pay in the future?

Logic's daughter was indeed adorable with her chubby face, seriously sucking on her bottle without any reaction to her visiting uncle. No wonder Logic was willing to wield the sword for humanity for nearly 60 years—to protect his wife and daughter, he must do it.

As for Zhuang Yan, Lin Sen knew she might be part of PDC's plan, but it could not be denied that her love for Logic was genuine. As a Spirit Master, Lin Sen had keen observational and insightful abilities, allowing him to judge people's innermost emotions by the details of their actions and behaviors.

This ability, although not telepathy, was often more practical since he could guide and adjust according to emotions.

With his profound understanding and application of emotions, Lin Sen was more adept at interpersonal relationships, communication, and problem-solving, helping others to overcome difficulties and achieve personal growth.

This was Lin Sen's greatest strength—he would guide the emotions of everyone around him, pulling the people of this world out of despair and giving humanity the confidence to face the Trisolarans with courage.

Interacting with Logic, Lin Sen also mimicked the emotions of his predecessor. Logic was quite sensitive to emotions; if it weren't for Lin Sen's previous life as a Spirit Master, Logic might have noticed something was off.

It wasn't that Logic thought something was wrong with Lin Sen—it's that without necessity, he would not think his good friend had been possessed. But he might feel that Lin Sen had changed and was no longer the Lin Sen of the past, perhaps no longer able to confide as they used to. A Wallfacer's greatest desire is to confide in someone, and Lin Sen was his solace in this regard. Losing Lin Sen would cause Logic's heart even more pain.

Everyone enjoyed the lunch feast with laughter and joy, warmth and harmony, except for Logic's daughter, who babbled as if expressing some discontent. This moment would be cherished in everyone's hearts forever.

After lunch, noting that Lin Sen seemed preoccupied, Logic approached to ask.

"Let's talk upstairs! I also have something to tell you."

Lin Sen followed closely behind, heading to a room on the second floor. This was Logic's study, a place where they wouldn't be disturbed. Lin Sen indeed had something he needed to discuss with Logic.

Logic spoke first. "I've requested PDC to have you as my Wallfacer's Assistant. I hope you can live here with me. The environment is comfortable and peaceful, far from the hustle and bustle, with a life of plenty. We could live serenely together."

Lin Sen: "You must have some guesses about my arrival.

Do you think if I had any plans, you would cooperate with me to reduce the guilt you feel in your heart, hoping to do what you can for humanity?

You've locked yourself away in your estate, which is also a way to avoid further draining PDC's resources.

So, you know, we won't be able to live in peace."

Logic: "We are good brothers; you should understand me.

I have no choice, I just want this peaceful life."

Lin Sen: "We can't live in peace. PDC won't agree. The moment you were chosen as a Wallfacer, all this was destined. Now, let's get down to our discussion for today."