Chapter 206: The Sour Smell of Love

The aftershocks of the press conference continued to ripple globally. The announcement of the three major projects—"Deep Space Eye," "Rule Probe," and "Civilization Spark"—was like three strategic-level boulders cast into a calm lake, utterly transforming humanity's perception of the "New Era" and Qin Feng.

Public opinion underwent a fundamental reversal, shifting from viewing them as "crazy private projects" to seeing them as "possible beacons guiding civilization's future." Snowflakes of collaboration requests, investment intentions, and job applications from top talents flooded into the "New Era." The Science Council's doors were nearly trampled down; the Review Committee was overwhelmed.

Qin Feng welcomed this development. He delegated the screening and liaison work to Sun Zhe and the Council, while continuing to focus on more core matters—the final fine-tuning of the "Lingxiao" platform and overseeing the "Rule Analysis" team's increasingly forbidden research.

Yet, amid this rapid development, where everything revolved around grand narratives, subtle and "mundane" changes began quietly taking root within the "New Era."

This Sea City-State gathered elites from across the globe: white-haired academic titans, middle-aged technological pillars, and vibrant young people like Lin Wan'er, who chose to stay here for various reasons.

When survival pressures were eased by advanced technology and abundant resources, when shared trials of the tsunami forged bonds of life and death, and when immersed in this isolated yet futuristic environment, emotions transcending professional ties began sprouting like vines through the cracks of steel and concrete.

That evening, after completing a fine-tuning of the "Lingxiao" platform's power core, Qin Feng strolled along the aerial bridge returning to the Living Quarters.

The sunset dyed the clouds a magnificent orange-red; the sea breeze carried cool, damp air. Below the bridge lay the meticulously planned Central Park—lush grass, flourishing flowers and trees—where many, having finished their day's work, walked or rested.

Qin Feng's steps paused slightly.

His gaze settled on a peculiar "Bioluminescent Banyan" tree in a corner of the park. (This tree was a product of the "New Era"'s biology lab, its leaves and branches emitting a soft glow at night.)

Beneath the tree sat two people.

One was Li Wen, a core member of the "Rule Analysis" team, the wildly imaginative young mathematician. He was not in his research suit but dressed simply in a T-shirt and jeans, gesticulating wildly and beaming as he spoke to the girl beside him, seemingly explaining an extremely complex mathematical problem.

Sitting beside him, chin propped on her hand, listening with intense focus (perhaps slightly bewildered), yet clearly smiling in her eyes, was none other than… Lin Wan'er!

She wore a light purple long dress; the evening breeze stirred her hair, and under the soft glow of the Bioluminescent Banyan, her profile appeared exceptionally gentle and lovely.

Li Wen seemed to reach a key point, excitedly snatching up a twig to sketch on the ground. Lin Wan'er laughed softly, covering her mouth at his gesture, then leaned closer curiously to examine the "scribbles" on the ground, whispering a question.

Li Wen immediately put down the twig and re-explained, slower and more patiently, even with a touch of indulgence.

Sunset, bioluminescence, banyan tree, young man and woman…

Formed a scene brimming with… youth and ambiguity.

Qin Feng stood high on the aerial bridge, taking in the entire scene.

His Spiritual Attribute of 35 allowed him to clearly perceive the unspoken, wordless… affection flowing between them.

Li Wen's eyes sparkled with intellectual brilliance and tenderness toward the girl beside him. Lin Wan'er's face bore curiosity—perhaps not fully understanding—toward the knowledge, and more clearly, appreciation and… admiration for the speaker himself.

A sour, pungent odor called "love," utterly out of place amid the "New Era"'s grand scientific atmosphere, seemed to drift to Qin Feng's nose from afar.

For the first time, a look appeared on his face—something between "shock," "amusement," and a faint, indescribable strangeness.

Li Wen and Lin Wan'er? These two people who had nothing to do with each other—when had they… gotten together?

He remembered Li Wen as a classic research fanatic, his mind filled almost entirely with formulas and models. And Lin Wan'er—though she stayed in the "New Era"—did so mostly out of fondness for its environment and novelty; fundamentally, she was still a girl who longed for romance and dependence.

These two…

Qin Feng rubbed his chin, a spark of keen interest flashing in his eyes.

This was interesting.

He did not disturb the young couple lost in their private world. He simply watched for a few seconds, then turned and continued walking along the bridge.

Yet, unconsciously, a faint smile—so subtle even he didn't notice—curved his lips.

This feeling… was strange.

While he planned deep-space exploration, analyzed World Rules, and pondered civilization's survival, the most ordinary yet eternal human emotion beneath his feet was naturally sprouting and growing.

It made him feel that the "New Era" was no longer merely a cold technological fortress or research Base, but a… living city.

Top-tier intellects clashed here, and humble warmth flowed freely.

Back in his top-floor apartment, Su Wenqian had already prepared dinner.

Over dinner, Qin Feng casually mentioned: "I saw Li Wen and Lin Wan'er together in the park today."

Su Wenqian's face broke into a "I knew it" smile and nodded. "You noticed too? They've been together for a while. Dr. Li acts like a madman during research, but privately, he's very considerate toward Miss Lin. She seems to enjoy listening to his incomprehensible theories—even if she probably understands half of them."

Qin Feng sipped his soup and said simply: "Good."

Su Wenqian glanced at Qin Feng in surprise. She had expected someone as lofty-minded as him to sneer at such "romantic trifles," yet his reaction was so calm—even… slightly approving?

"Sir… don't you think this might… affect work?" Su Wenqian asked cautiously.

"Affect work?" Qin Feng set down his spoon and looked at her. "If a healthy relationship allows a brilliant mathematician to remain joyful and sparks more inspiration, it's not an obstacle—it's an asset."

He paused, his tone carrying a detached wisdom:

"Humanity advances not only because of its thirst for the unknown, but because these seemingly 'useless' emotions give us drive and resilience."

"As long as they don't violate the 'New Era''s principles or interfere with core missions, personal emotional lives are their own freedom."

Su Wenqian nodded thoughtfully.

Qin Feng dropped the subject, yet within him, that chance glimpse had stirred a faint ripple.

The sour odor of love? Perhaps.

But it was precisely this seemingly "sour" human warmth that gave cold technological creations warmth and soul.

His "New Era" needed wise minds gazing at the stars—and also… ordinary people who cherished the earth.

Only then could it become a complete, enduring… Civilization.