Chapter One:An Ordinary Day

May 15, 2124. Wednesday.

Lin Tianqi opened his eyes, gazing at the holographic clock flowing smoothly on the ceiling. 6:30 AM, another ordinary workday. He gently rolled out of bed, trying not to wake his still-sleeping wife, Su Mengyao. Su's sleeping face was serene, her black hair spread across the pillow, contrasting with her fair skin. Lin couldn't help but smile, feeling blessed to have such a beautiful and intelligent wife.

"Smart Home, activate morning mode," Lin Tianqi said softly.

The room's intelligent system immediately responded. The curtains silently slid open, letting the soft morning light flood the bedroom. The air purifier began working, preparing fresh air for the new day. In the kitchen, the coffee machine started brewing Lin's favorite black coffee. The entire home system was operating silently, preparing for the family's new day.

Lin Tianqi walked into the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror. At 42, his temples had started to show traces of gray, and there were fine lines around his eyes. But his gaze remained sharp, full of enthusiasm for technology. As a top quantum computing engineer, he knew he was at the forefront of human technological development. He recalled his twenty-year journey in the field of quantum computing, from a naive college student to a globally renowned expert. The path had been full of challenges, but also countless joys and a sense of achievement.

After washing up, Lin Tianqi walked into the kitchen, smelling the aroma of fresh coffee. He picked up the coffee, took a sip, and then turned on the holographic news projection. A virtual news anchor image immediately appeared in the center of the room.

"Morning news: The lunar base 'Moongoddess One' reports abnormal fluctuations in the communication system, experts are investigating the cause," the news anchor's voice echoed in the kitchen. "It is reported that this abnormal fluctuation may affect daily communication and material transportation between Earth and the Moon. A spokesperson for the Space Administration stated that the situation is under control and urged the public not to worry excessively."

Lin Tianqi frowned. As one of the main designers of the Earth-Moon communication system, he knew what this could mean. Quantum communication systems were theoretically impossible to interfere with or eavesdrop on. If there really was a problem, it must be a very serious situation. He began to review the system design details in his mind, considering where problems might occur.

Just as he was pondering this issue, his 16-year-old son, Lin Xingchen, walked into the kitchen. Xingchen sported the popular short buzz cut, was tall and lanky, with traces of youthfulness still on his face.

"Morning, Dad," Xingchen said with a yawn, his eyes still showing signs of fatigue.

"Morning, Xingchen," Lin Tianqi came back to reality, "Another late night?"

"Yeah, I was working on a new programming project in virtual reality, got too engrossed and lost track of time," Xingchen scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. "I'm trying to develop a smarter AI assistant, hoping it can better understand human emotions and needs."

Lin Tianqi nodded, feeling proud of his son's talent but also worried about his sleep schedule. "Innovation is good, but you need to take care of your health too. You're still growing and need adequate sleep."

Xingchen smiled, "I know, Dad. By the way, have you heard about the communication issues at the lunar base? Is it serious?"

Lin Tianqi was surprised by his son's perceptiveness but answered cautiously, "I'm not too clear on the specifics. The Space Administration should handle it well, no need to worry too much."

Just then, 12-year-old younger son Lin Haiyang bounced into the kitchen. Unlike his brother, Haiyang had inherited his mother's round face and big eyes, always full of energy.

"Dad, Xingchen! Guess what I discovered in the school's biological garden yesterday?" Haiyang asked excitedly, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"What is it, little Haiyang?" Lin Tianqi asked with a smile, temporarily putting aside his work worries.

"I found a plant I've never seen before! Its leaves change color with the intensity of sunlight, and it seems to absorb pollutants from the air. I think it might be a completely new species!" Haiyang explained enthusiastically, gesticulating wildly.

Lin Tianqi and Lin Xingchen were both infected by the little one's enthusiasm. "That's amazing, Haiyang," Lin Tianqi encouraged. "After school, you can take some photos to show us. It might really be an important discovery."

Just then, Su Mengyao also came into the kitchen. She was wearing a robe, her hair slightly messy, but still beautiful and charming. She looked lovingly at her family, her heart full of happiness. As a gene therapy expert, she knew well the preciousness of life.

"Good morning, everyone," Su Mengyao said with a smile, "Looks like everyone's up early today."

"Morning, Mom," both children said in unison.

Lin Tianqi got up to pour his wife a cup of coffee, "Morning, Mengyao. Did you work late last night?"

Su Mengyao took the coffee and nodded slightly, "Yes, we had some progress with the new project at the lab, we all got a bit over-excited." She paused, seeming to consider whether to say more, but finally decided to change the subject, "Kids, hurry and eat your breakfast. I'll drive you to school later."

The family sat around the dining table, enjoying the nutritious breakfast prepared by the smart kitchen. Although technology was advanced, family time together was still one of the most precious things in this era.

Lin Tianqi looked at the warm scene before him, feeling a surge of warmth in his heart. In this high-tech world, the companionship of family was still the most precious. However, he didn't know that a storm that would change their fate was about to arrive.

After breakfast, Lin Tianqi prepared to leave for work. Just as he was putting on his coat, his holographic communicator suddenly lit up, showing a top-level encrypted message. His heart rate suddenly increased - what could this mean?

Lin Tianqi took a deep breath and opened the message. As he read the contents, his expression became grave. He knew that the peaceful days might be coming to an end.

"What's wrong, Tianqi?" Su Mengyao noticed her husband's change in expression and asked with concern.

Lin Tianqi tried to maintain his composure, "There's an urgent situation at work, I might need to go on a business trip for a few days."

"Is it related to the lunar base communication problem reported in the morning news?" Lin Xingchen asked perceptively.

Lin Tianqi was surprised by his son's insight but shook his head, "I'm not sure about the specifics. You all stay home safely, I'll be back as soon as I can."

He hurriedly kissed his wife and children, then quickly left home. As he walked out the door, Lin Tianqi looked back at this warm home. He didn't know if everything would still be as peaceful when he returned.

As Lin Tianqi's figure disappeared into the elevator, Su Mengyao thoughtfully looked at the closed door. She sensed that her husband was hiding something from her, but she chose to trust him. As a scientist, she knew that some things must be kept confidential. She turned to the children and said, "Alright, we should get going too. Xingchen, don't forget your virtual reality programming class today; Haiyang, remember to bring your plant observation notebook."

As the four members of the Lin family each headed towards their own posts, this seemingly ordinary morning came to an end. However, the wheels of fate had already begun to turn, and a thrilling adventure spanning Earth and the Moon, reality and virtual reality, was quietly unfolding...