Zhou Zhi and Cui Ni (I)

Ear Sea.

Zhou Zhi had heard of it back when he was in Xuanyuan.

Viewed from above, this vast inland lake resembled a [cochlea] in shape.

It was a famous historic site of Chengyun. Even during the Pestilence Revival, large numbers of Plague Exterminators from the Chengyun Dynasty stood guard here, protecting the area from attacks of disease mutation.

In early spring, Chengyun's peaceful citizens naturally enjoyed coming here to take in the scenery. It was said that the Ear Sea branch of [Qihuang Temple], deep within Ear Sea, offered exceptionally accurate love fortunes, making the place especially popular among couples.

"Those superstitious things are clearly useless. I believe it would be more reliable to study the regulatory expression of small-molecule RNA in genes related to controllable gonadal development and reproduction."

Twenty-Three offered a highly rational opinion.

Zhou Zhi found it amusing. "Miss Twenty-Three, not everything in this world can be expressed through transcription, translation, and decoding. Fate in love does not entirely mean mating and reproduction—it also represents a hope for a better future. Even in medicine, there are special remedies like placebos."

Twenty-Three nodded. Zhou Zhi's answer had been too flawless; even she could fully understand it.

"What next?"

"I see that most people around us are couples. Does a single dog like you not stand out a little here?"

Twenty-Three said mercilessly.

Zhou Zhi swept his gaze around. "Miss Twenty-Three, you've started using rhetoric too. At most sixty percent of the people around us are couples, and that includes families of three."

Twenty-Three replied without emotion, "Hehe."

Clearly, she was particularly satisfied with this outing.

Peach blossom petals drifted down.

The entirety of Ear Sea was breathtakingly beautiful.

It was as though the world ought to have always been this peaceful, rather than filled with countless terrifying