Chapter 220: Three Questions for Doll

While Lu Xin watched, utterly bored, as a little girl endlessly fiddled with plastic blocks.

Meanwhile an impromptu meeting was being held in the Qinggang Special Cleaning Department’s emergency operations room.

Attendees included: Su Xinzhing, Chairman of the Qinggang Administrative Hall; Professor Bai, Director of the Special Pollution Research Institute; Shen Lei, Minister of the Qinggang City Defense Department; Professor Chen Lixue, a neuroscience expert from the Research Institute; Ms. Yuan Qinqin, a professor of the occult; Mo Yi, a new-generation expert in mental alteration research known for wearing wigs; and Ms. Jia Mengyi, a psychology expert, among other high-level experts ranked level five or above in Qinggang City.

Chen Jing, serving as the liaison for this incident, joined the meeting remotely from a command vehicle next to the Donghai Grand Hotel.

Many had dropped whatever they were doing and rushed over upon hearing about the major incident.

…

“Doll came to Qinggang at the age of six and has been with us for twelve years. We’ve never seen this kind of abnormal behavior before.”

At the head of the conference table, Mr. Su, usually amiable with his round face, wore a rare serious expression. He looked intently at the surrounding experts and professors, saying, “So, please give me an answer. What exactly is causing Doll’s current abnormality? And could this bring terrible turmoil and danger to Qinggang?”

The atmosphere in the meeting room was heavy; everyone felt an inexplicable tension.

“There’s no definitive answer right now, only speculation.”

Professor Bai spoke up softly:

“Doll’s unusual affinity for Mr. Lone Soldier might be related to their similar psychic power levels.”

“Similar psychic power levels can sometimes create a sense of kinship. We’ve already estimated Mr. Lone Soldier’s psychic power to be at the S-level, while Doll’s is effectively… infinite.”

“So, it’s quite normal for them to develop a kind of mental attraction. I don’t think everyone needs to be overly anxious.”

He added gently with a small smile, “After all, Doll is indeed very lonely.”

Everyone in the meeting room exchanged glances, seeming to visibly relax slightly.

Mr. Su’s question had underscored the seriousness of the situation for everyone.

Professor Bai’s explanation, however, eased their tension.

“I have a question.”

A cold, hard voice spoke up—it was Minister Shen from the City Defense Department. He stated expressionlessly, “The girl codenamed ‘Doll’ has long been confirmed to have severe autism. Autistic individuals don’t feel lonely; they simply don’t welcome others into their world.”

Professor Bai looked toward Minister Shen and smiled. “But what if someone manages to break into their world?”

Minister Shen frowned slightly but didn’t answer immediately.

Professor Bai continued, “Typical autistic individuals find it difficult to connect with the outside world. Their minds exist within their own reality. But if someone truly manages to enter their world, the autistic person can develop an unusual emotional dependence on that intruder… or perhaps, an irreplaceable sense of security.”

“Emotional dependence…”

Everyone present had seen the materials distributed and naturally knew what had transpired.

Listening to Professor Bai’s explanation now, they felt a slight sense of surprise.

Mr. Su carefully considered Professor Bai’s explanation and slowly nodded. “I’m not deeply versed in mental alteration research, but I have thoroughly reviewed the files on ‘Doll’. Given her condition, someone entering her world could actually be a good thing. However, since both ‘Doll’ and the person who entered her world are powerful Mentally Altered individuals, therefore…”

He paused briefly before saying, “I need a risk assessment report from all of you.”

Minister Shen also nodded slightly. “The risk doesn’t just come from Doll. Mr. Lone Soldier is also inherently unstable. If they influence each other, or worse, both approach a state of loss of control… how much trouble would that cause?”

Silence fell over the meeting room once more.

Everyone attending this meeting had a voice in this field.

But because the stakes were so high, even those with authority didn’t dare to act recklessly as they might have before.

“We must admit, this situation has indeed exceeded our expectations.”

Just then, Professor Chen raised the pen in his hand and spoke slowly, “The suggestion to have Mr. Lone Soldier communicate with Doll, hoping to create a breakthrough in interacting with her, was mine. A formal proposal was submitted. The initial reason for this plan was the observed interaction between Doll and Mr. Lone Soldier during the riots in the Second Satellite City.”

“However, initially, we didn’t realize Doll’s reaction to Mr. Lone Soldier would be this strong. Based on their previous interaction, it seemed Mr. Lone Soldier could merely communicate with her. But this time, Doll has shown intense dependence on him.”

“…”

Many in the meeting room had read that report and the description of the situation at the time.

When Doll went to the Second Satellite City to provide support, she encountered Mr. Lone Soldier and had a brief exchange.

It was then that many people learned for the first time that Doll could speak.

But at the time, it was just a simple question and answer. While unusual, it wasn’t enough to cause excessive alarm.

Until now, when Doll’s reaction suddenly became far stronger than anyone had anticipated.

…

…

“However, although it exceeded expectations, it hasn’t necessarily worsened.”

Professor Chen paused, then continued, “Based on current observations: 1. Mr. Lone Soldier exhibits strong resistance, possibly even complete immunity, to Doll’s negative influence. He has now been in the same room with Doll for over two hours without any emotional fluctuations. We can infer from this that Doll’s negative influence won’t affect Mr. Lone Soldier’s state.”

“2. Doll shows a high tolerance for Mr. Lone Soldier. From our previous observations, Doll has intense mysophobia, varying degrees of OCD, anxiety, and so on. Yet, she tolerated Mr. Lone Soldier entering her room without removing his shoes, allowed him to sit beside her, and even tolerated him using her remote control to change channels and turn up the volume…”

“From every angle, these appear to be positive developments…”

“…”

Having said all this in one breath, he finally looked up at Mr. Su at the head of the table. “Therefore, I have a suggestion. Since they’ve already started interacting, why not take this opportunity to initiate the plan I proposed earlier?”

“…”

Mr. Su listened to Professor Chen, falling into thoughtful silence, his fingertips tapping lightly on the conference table.

“Actually, I personally agree with Professor Chen’s plan.”

Minister Shen also spoke up slowly, “My only concern is that this plan requires Mr. Lone Soldier’s cooperation, and he himself possesses many uncertainties. Also, this opportunity arose very suddenly. Are you sure you’re prepared?”

Professor Bai chuckled, “This isn’t the time before the Red Moon; we don’t have the luxury of ample preparation time.”

Minister Shen glanced at Professor Bai but didn’t get angry; apparently, he didn’t take the response as an offense.

At this point, Mr. Su also looked up towards Professor Chen. “What do you intend to do?”

Professor Chen stood up, remote control in hand, and pointed it forward.

“First, I plan to have Mr. Lone Soldier ask Doll three questions on our behalf.”

“…”

As an image appeared on the projector screen at the end of the meeting room, everyone’s attention was drawn to it.

…

…

“Three questions?”

When Chen Jing reminded him over the channel that he could start working, Lu Xin had already spent two hours watching cartoons out of sheer boredom.

Staying in this room wasn’t comfortable.

The room was too quiet; he felt awkward turning the TV volume up too high, almost like watching a silent film.

The room’s occupant didn’t seem to like interacting with people. She just crouched on the floor, endlessly picking through the plastic blocks in her hands, searching for the right colors, fitting them together, then taking them apart again as if unsatisfied.

Half an hour ago, a staff member brought dinner – a plate of round, colorfully cute sandwich biscuits.

Although the staff kindly provided two servings, Lu Xin still felt hungry.

Chen Jing told Lu Xin over the channel that they were called macarons, a very popular and expensive snack before the cataclysm. But honestly, Lu Xin had his own taste when it came to food, and he felt these definitely weren’t as good as a chicken leg…

Fortunately, Chen Jing finally told him what he needed to do.

“Hey…”

Lu Xin called out to the girl who had her back to him, silently assembling the plastic blocks.

After a few seconds, the girl seemed to realize Lu Xin was calling her. She slowly turned her head and looked at him quietly.

Following Chen Jing’s instructions, Lu Xin slowly asked, “Are you satisfied with your current life?”

The girl listened quietly but didn’t react for a long moment.

She just looked at Lu Xin for a bit before turning her head back to continue fiddling with the plastic blocks.

“No reaction?”

Over the channel, Chen Jing sounded a little tense, perhaps disappointed.

They had prepared three questions, but if they couldn’t even ask the first one, how could the whole plan proceed?

“Maybe it’s not that there’s no reaction; she just didn’t understand.”

Lu Xin thought for a moment, then looked back at the girl. “What I mean is, are you happy?”

The girl stopped fiddling with the plastic blocks. She turned her head and then gave Lu Xin a smile.

Then, she nodded emphatically.