The real aim is hidden behind the surface

After a long while, Ethan Yuwen finally warmed up his cold and stiff limbs. There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world; that 400 million, and the ability to travel across time and space, certainly didn't come without a cost. It was practically life-threatening.

Ethan suddenly felt as though he had unwittingly boarded Anna Noelle's pirate ship. As he pondered, his stomach growled again, indicating his hunger. He laughed bitterly to himself, "It's a good thing I have that 400 million prize. Otherwise, my meager salary might not even cover the expenses of this high-maintenance brain of mine."

Might as well indulge in a good meal. He pulled out his phone and searched for the most expensive restaurant in the city. A seafood buffet priced at 998 yuan per person seemed perfect. Arriving at the restaurant, he paid upfront. The décor was opulent, featuring a strong Dubai millionaire style with dazzling crystal chandeliers. The restaurant boasted a collection of global delicacies, with nearly 500 dishes spread across eight sections, including a wide variety of fruits and pastries.

Ethan chose a large table close to the buffet area. What to start with? Hearing that the restaurant offered some of the world's most expensive seafood, he decided to begin there. He ordered three Boston lobsters, ten Danish oysters, three queen crabs he had never tried before, and five abalones braised with sauce to mix with rice later… French foie gras, peony shrimp, Arctic shellfish, bluefin tuna, red starry grouper, and Australian abalone… he took several portions of everything delicious.

An hour later, Ethan felt he had eaten enough. The table was piled with dozens of empty plates. The restaurant manager, seeing the aftermath of Ethan's meal, was somewhat shocked and even suspected that a competitor might have sent someone to sabotage the place. He approached Ethan with great respect and asked, "Sir, are you satisfied with our food?"

"Yes, very much so. I feel it's worth every penny. I'll definitely be a regular here," Ethan replied, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

The manager thought to himself that if you were to come regularly, it would be difficult to explain to the boss. "Our restaurant has a special Belgian-imported Leffe Brown beer that has a unique taste. It's an additional charge of 198 yuan per bottle. If you're a regular drinker, I'd like to offer you a couple of bottles for free to try."

"Sure, thank you very much. I won't be polite then. Bring them over," Ethan responded.

The manager instructed the waiter to bring two large bottles of beer and a large beer glass, personally pouring it for Ethan. "Enjoy your meal. I won't disturb you any further." The manager thought that if you could fill up on beer, it would be better than having you eat more of the expensive seafood.

After finishing his meal and drinks, Ethan didn't head home immediately. It had been a while since he last walked along this bustling street. As night fell, the street lights began to shine, and snowflakes started drifting down. As Ethan walked, he reminisced about the past, recalling the conversations with Professor Wang and the words spoken by Professor Feng at the funeral. He suddenly thought about the questions Professor Feng had asked him about fishing and the impact it could have on his health and luck.

Ethan wondered, "Could it be that Professor Feng anticipated everything I've gone through? Even though I've never actually fished, the ice fishing at the reservoir that day was still a form of fishing. Since catching that cola bottle and winning 500 million, accepting Anna Noelle's volunteer invitation, my health has indeed been affected. Besides increased appetite, today's time travel nearly led to disaster… None of this could be a coincidence!"

There are no coincidences in this world; the more coincidental something seems, the more it's been planned.

As Ethan was lost in thought, he suddenly noticed people around him looking at him oddly, and a few young women were even giggling. Just then, he happened to see his reflection in a glass shopfront, realizing that his head was emitting a white mist. It turned out that the snowflakes melting on his head were evaporating and forming fog in the cold air.

"Could I be running a fever?" He quickly hailed a taxi and rushed home. Ethan frantically searched for a digital thermometer, pointed it at his forehead, and heard a beep. The temperature read 45°C. "This thermometer must be broken," he thought, and then used a mercury thermometer instead. After five minutes, it showed 36.5°C, normal!

Ethan used the digital thermometer under his armpit and it showed 36.1°C. "Could it be that my head temperature is different from my body temperature?" He took a wool hat from the wardrobe, placed the mercury thermometer between the hat and his forehead, and after five minutes, saw the mercury column rise past the 42°C mark, reaching the top.

Ethan grew anxious. Such a high temperature might cause irreversible damage to his brain cells. Even if he didn't faint, he might end up in a vegetative state. He needed to consult Anna Noelle urgently. Ethan wet a towel with cold water, draped it over his forehead, and closed his eyes, repeatedly thinking of Anna Noelle.

Beep… Beep… Beep… Various devices emitted alarms one after another. Ethan opened his eyes to find a glass visor in front of him. Opposite sat a person in a spacesuit, who said, "Hello, Ethan Yuwen." The voice was Anna Noelle's. Ethan looked around and saw that he was also wearing a spacesuit and was strapped into a seat. The narrow space was filled with various electronic instruments.

"What is this place? A spacecraft?" Ethan asked.

"Yes, this is an interplanetary immigrant spacecraft traveling from Earth to Mars," Anna Noelle replied.

"What year is it now?"

"2050."

"Has Elon Musk's Mars colonization plan been realized?" Ethan asked excitedly.

"Yes, it has. This is a monumental achievement, and you have played a role in making it possible."

"My role? What significant contribution have I made to this plan?" Ethan asked, even more excited.

"I cannot reveal it yet. It is against the rules to disclose such information," Anna Noelle said calmly.

"Oh, right, I forgot the most important thing. I'm worried that my head temperature has reached 45°C. This issue seems very serious. Could it cause irreversible damage to my brain cells? Even if I don't faint, I might become a vegetable."

"You needn't worry. The temperature is still under control. You must resolve the issue of consciousness detachment from your body as soon as possible. I suggest you try meditation."

"Alright, I'll give it a try. Please send me back quickly; this space is too confined for me."

A sudden acceleration pressed Ethan back into his seat, and the sensation of gravity made it hard for him to breathe…

He finally returned to reality, gasping for breath. He grabbed his phone and found Professor Feng's WeChat: "Hello, Professor Feng. I'm not sure if this message is bothering you. If you have time, I would like to visit you again."

Professor Feng replied: "Sure, I am available tomorrow morning."

Ethan responded: "Great, Professor Feng. See you tomorrow."

The next morning, Ethan arrived at the office, had his usual hearty breakfast, briefed his team on work matters, and then drove to Professor Feng's villa.

The housekeeper greeted Ethan in the living room and served him a cup of hot tea. "Professor Feng is practicing yoga and will finish in about ten minutes. Please wait a moment."

Ethan thanked her and waited. After about fifteen minutes, Professor Feng entered with a lively step. "Hello, Ethan Yuwen. Sorry for keeping you waiting."

Ethan stood up promptly. "Not at all, Professor Feng. I heard from the housekeeper that you were practicing yoga."

"Yes, it's a habit I've maintained for over twenty years. I don't like intense exercise or noisy environments, so yoga suits me perfectly. I practice yoga for thirty minutes and meditate for fifteen minutes every day."

"That's impressive. Maintaining such good habits for over twenty years explains why you always seem so energetic."

"Seeing you again, you seem to be in much better condition than before. What would you like to discuss today?"

"I've been pondering something since our last encounter at the funeral. You advised me not to fish, saying it could negatively impact my luck and health."

"Oh, that. It's not based on the theory of karmic retribution," Professor Feng began to explain as she stood up. "Fish are caught because they are lured by bait, eventually leading to their demise. And when people go fishing, they are lured by the fish, risking drowning. If they drown, they end up in the same fate as the fish."

"Professor Feng, I understand now. I seem to have made a serious mistake, thinking I was the fisherman when, in fact, I was the one being caught."

Professor Feng gently patted his shoulder from behind. "Don't be too pessimistic just yet."

"Oh, right, Professor Feng. You mentioned earlier that you practice meditation every day, and someone else suggested I learn it too. What insights can you share about meditation?"

"You can certainly give it a try. Meditation is a way to alter consciousness and enter a state of deep tranquility. With practice, your brain can cease its rational and cognitive activities. Indian meditation masters can achieve amazing feats like going months or even years without eating."

"Is it really that miraculous? How should I start practicing meditation?"

"Getting started with meditation is not difficult and anyone can do it, but reaching an advanced level depends on your ability and approach. Initial methods are

generally the same, but later you'll need to find your own insights and understanding."

"Could you provide me with some materials and methods?"

"Certainly. I will organize the materials I've accumulated over the years and send them to you."

"Thank you, Professor Feng. I've learned a lot today. I'll take my leave now."

Returning to the research institute, Harlan burst into Ethan Yuwen's office with a large stack of documents, slamming them onto Ethan's desk. "Professor Yuwen, I've got some fantastic news! After you adjusted the experimental parameters last time, we've made significant progress. The superconducting critical temperature of material 3023 has increased from 125K to 212K; material 4406 shows significant diamagnetism at room temperature… These are the detailed experimental observation reports."

"Really? That's wonderful news! At last, our efforts over these past few months have paid off!" Ethan Yuwen said, visibly excited.

"Professor Yuwen, the food you've been eating hasn't been in vain—indeed, eating more seems to correlate with more progress. At least it hasn't been a waste of the nation's resources."

"You speak as if research progress should only come with the right amount of food. If we hadn't made progress, would it mean I wasted national resources?"

"Hehe, I see a saying in your actions."

"What saying? Who said it?"

"Eating is the primary productive force," Harlan quipped with a grin.

"Ha ha ha!" Ethan Yuwen laughed heartily, amused by the comment.

"Professor Yuwen, with such a significant breakthrough, shouldn't there be a celebration? Since tomorrow is New Year's Day, how about treating everyone?"

"Of course, we should celebrate. Notify everyone that tomorrow I'll be treating everyone to a luxurious seafood buffet in a Dubai-style restaurant. Family members are welcome to join."

"Professor Yuwen, are you sure about this? Do you realize how expensive that place is? With more than twenty people from our institute, and adding family members, we'll be thirty or forty people. Aren't you worried about the cost?"

"Harlan, in the face of such great success, spending this money is worth it. While the material foundation of our research is provided by the state, the spiritual foundation relies on our own efforts. And don't come alone—bring your family along as well."

"But I don't have a family. My boyfriend is still under probation, so I can't bring him out."

"Isn't Sophia Yi your family? Invite her along."

"Ah, I see. You're not just treating us but also aiming to win over my cousin. Better eat more and win her over—then she'll be your family too."

"Alright, arrange it. The time is set for noon tomorrow."

"Understood, I'll make sure it's done!" Harlan saluted playfully before leaving Ethan's office.

The next noon, Ethan Yuwen, leading a group of thirty or forty people, arrived at the luxurious Dubai-style seafood buffet restaurant. The restaurant manager, overwhelmed by the large group, was flustered. Ethan approached him and said, "I had a great experience here last time. Since we're holding a team-building event today, we chose this place again. Given our number, could you offer us a discount? And can we still get the complimentary beer we had last time?"

The manager, relieved, said, "Certainly, certainly. It's all on us. Please come in." He thought to himself that if everyone at the institute had an appetite like Ethan's, he'd be losing money today. Offering more beer was a way to mitigate the costs.

Upon entering the restaurant, everyone was awestruck by the opulent décor and the array of exquisite dishes. As most of them were salaried employees, it was their first time in such a luxurious setting. They eagerly began to select their dishes, with some even looking up dining tips on their phones.

Ethan Yuwen, Harlan, and Sophia Yi sat at a small table while the rest of the team occupied several larger tables nearby. Once everyone had settled and chosen their dishes, Harlan took the opportunity to liven up the atmosphere: "Dear colleagues, are you satisfied with today's lunch?"

Everyone responded in unison, "Very satisfied!"

"Then, let's remember the one who made this possible. Please welcome our team leader, Professor Yuwen, to give a speech. Let's give him a round of applause!"

Ethan Yuwen stood up and spoke, "Dear colleagues, today we have gathered here to celebrate not only the hard work and achievements of the past phase but also to express our gratitude to your families for their support. As it is New Year's Day, I wish everyone a happy New Year! May we continue to achieve brilliance in the coming year! Cheers!"

"Cheers, cheers, cheers!"

The atmosphere was lively, and Sophia Yi, sitting across from Ethan, looked at him with admiration. A colleague at the nearby table asked Harlan, "Harlan, is the beautiful lady at your table your family or Professor Yuwen's family? Why haven't you introduced her?"

"Currently, she is my family. This is my cousin, Sophia Yi, a doctor at the City Center Hospital. Once Professor Yuwen tackles the next challenge, she might just become his family," Harlan teased.

"Ah, that makes sense now," everyone said, while teasing Sophia Yi, who nudged Harlan playfully.

Ethan Yuwen raised his glass to Sophia Yi and said, "Dr. Yi, please don't mind the jokes. Our colleagues enjoy having a bit of fun."

"No problem. I really like the atmosphere of your team. Congratulations on your achievements," Sophia said, raising her glass to clink with Ethan's, her eyes showing a hint of affection.

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