Envy neither lovers nor immortals, but every day of Luo Li's life
The morning light of the Morning Star seemed more regular and gentler than elsewhere, precisely shining on every inch of the capital of the Primordial Data Federation.
Outside the central palace, a little further from the core data center, is "Morning Star Square," a place where many mid-level federal officials and researchers gather in the morning to exchange ideas and grab breakfast.
The atmosphere here is relatively relaxed, with conversations in various accents and languages, and all sorts of strange costumes—after all, the Federation's membership is a veritable cosmic hodgepodge.
Around a round table set with several energy drinks and synthetic nutritional cakes, a few people wearing uniforms with federal insignia but in different styles were chatting.
"So, your ' Abnormal Logic Response Department ' exceeded its performance target again this month? Impressive, Manager Murphy!"
The speaker was a young woman with rainbow-colored hair, wearing a single-lens data eyepiece. She came from a digital civilization passionate about artistic expression and was now an officer at the Federation Cultural Publicity Bureau.
The middle-aged man she called Supervisor Murphy, sporting heavy dark circles under his eyes, ate a nutritional cake with a lifeless expression. "Don't even mention it... The over-limit issue was because Princess Shiyi 'optimized' the public transportation navigation system's 'monthly routine update' three days early, causing all the hovercars in all seventeen districts of Starport to collectively perform a half-hour tap dance... Our department spent the entire night just writing reassurance announcements and system rollback reports."
"That's still better than our ' Time Flow Stabilization Office '." A man with a calm demeanor, meticulously styled hair, and his shirt buttoned all the way up pushed up his glasses. He wore an exquisite hourglass badge on his chest, from a branch of Garden of Recollection.
Last week, in order to verify the feasibility of 'multi-threaded parallel time awareness', Shiyu simultaneously activated seven time fields with different rates in the Seventh Ecological Experimental Zone.
Now, some plants there have grown into towering ancient trees, while others are still seedlings, and the animals are living in seven different physiological time zones... We coordinated biologists and ecological engineers for three days of meetings before we could barely come up with a 'gradual time synchronization rhythm' plan, which is expected to take six standard months for full recovery."
A sigh of sympathy filled the table, but it quickly turned into a soft laugh. This kind of "sweet trouble" was already a common topic of conversation in the Federation.
"But seriously..."
The rainbow-haired girl rested her chin on her hand, her eyes shining. "To be able to work alongside the two princes, to observe them up close, and even... cough, to handle the miracles they 'create'—such an opportunity, outside, would be something countless scholars would fight tooth and nail for, right? And..."
She lowered her voice.
"The Governor is actually incredibly kind to his subordinates! The 'Data Flow Visualization Art Exhibition' design I submitted last time was just a casual internal creative idea submission, but Lord Lu Jingheng personally approved the budget! He even added a comment saying 'It aligns with the Federation's spirit of diversity'!"
"That's true."
Manager Murphy nodded in agreement; even his dark circles seemed to have faded a bit.
"Although I am often driven crazy by the two princes, the treatment and resources provided by the governor are truly unparalleled."
With ample research funding, top-notch equipment, and transparent authority, as long as you have ideas and are willing to work hard, there's real potential for advancement.
Compared to my days filling out reports and having to put up with everyone's bad temper in the logistics department of Interastral Peace Corporation, this is heaven.
Mentioning Interastral Peace Corporation, another tall, thin man on the table, who had been silent all along, with a somewhat reserved demeanor and a rather plain uniform, stirred slightly.
His name is Licha. He was originally a junior data analyst in a peripheral star region branch of Interastral Peace Corporation. He was ostracized for refusing to participate in certain shady business activities and eventually resigned in despair. He then came to the Federation, passed the basic assessment, and now works in the "Basic Data Maintenance Division".
"Really..."
Richard spoke softly, with incredible emotion in his tone.
"Here, even a newcomer like me can get feedback as long as the data analysis report I submit has merit, and it may even be adopted."
Last month, I optimized an energy consumption monitoring algorithm, saving 0.05% of my daily energy expenses. Surprisingly, I received an 'Efficiency Contribution Award' signed by Lord Lu Jingheng, along with an extra Credits reward...
He still feels like he's dreaming.
At the company, he's just a transparent cog in the machine; the credit goes to the boss, and he takes all the blame.
"I heard that several prospective members of the Genius Society have recently applied to transfer their nationality here?"
"That's what Garden of Recollection asked."
"It seems to be research in the areas of ' Intellitron mind' and ' Strand of Life Weaving '?"
"Yes," said Manager Murphy, who was well-informed.
"It is said that Ms. Herta and Ms. Ruan Mei recommended her privately."
They felt that the Federation's research environment and resource support in the intersection of 'data,' 'life,' and 'mechanics' were purer and more suitable for academic research than the infighting within certain factions of the club.
"It's not just the club and Garden of Recollection..."
The girl with the rainbow hair excitedly added.
"I heard that even fringe members of the ' Annihilation Gang ' and the ' Knights of Beauty ' are secretly inquiring about federal immigration policies!"
However, the Consul seems to be very strict about background checks on members, especially those with extreme ideologies, whom he politely declines in all cases.
Just as everyone was getting into their conversation, the public information screen above the square suddenly changed its display.
The video didn't show an official announcement, but rather a heartwarming, privately recorded, and authorized clip.
The backdrop is the famous "family courtyard" behind the central palace, designed by Luo Li himself.
Lush green grass, blooming exotic flowers, and a clear stream of data energy flows gently by.
The main subjects of the video are Luo Li's family of four.
Luo Li himself was unusually not wearing the official attire of a governor, but rather a comfortable light-colored casual outfit. He sat on a swing chair in the courtyard, holding a physical book that appeared to be an ancient text, and was looking down at it.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dancing on his silvery-purple hair.
Castorice sat beside him, weaving something with some kind of silk thread that emitted a soft glow. Her movements were skillful, her expression focused and gentle. Occasionally, she would look up at her husband and daughters, her purple eyes filled with warmth.
Not far away, Shiyu and Shiyi seemed to be "competing" in something. Several crystal balls floated in front of Shiyu. With a light tap of her fingertip, the flow of time inside the crystal balls began to change, sometimes condensing into ice flowers, and sometimes giving birth to miniature flowers that bloomed and withered in an instant, which was exquisite.
Shiyi Yi squatted on the ground, a light screen spread out in front of her. Her fingers flew across the screen, constantly generating various complex data structures and small virtual creations, from dancing mechanical birds to geometric shapes that kept replicating themselves, with wildly imaginative ideas.
The two were not simply showing off their skills; they seemed to be collaborating on a complex project— Shiyu used time to accelerate the growth cycle of a virtual plant, Shiyi Yi adjusted the plant's data model in real time to adapt to the changes.
Unexpected events are inevitable during the process, such as virtual plants suddenly growing into enormous creatures, or fluctuations in the time field causing the model to malfunction. However, the two work together seamlessly, able to quickly adjust with just a glance, and even find time to banter with each other.
The whole scene is peaceful, warm, and full of life, yet it also carries a sense of harmonious power that transcends the mundane.
Many people in the square stopped and looked up at the screen, smiles appearing on their faces.
"See..." the rainbow-haired girl murmured.
"That's why so many people want to stay in the Union, and even desperately try to get in."
"It's not just because the Governor is Aeon who can give us protection and power..."
Manager Murphy finished his energy drink, his tone complex, "Look, he's so powerful, yet he can still... enjoy family time like an ordinary person, support his wife's hobbies, and accompany his daughter as she grows up."
He is not aloof or condescending; he doesn't treat his subordinates like disposable material; he's willing to give talented people opportunities and resources...
"Moreover, the Federation is actually doing something."
The person who came from Garden of Recollection spoke up, his eyes serious. "It's not about empty talk about ideas, it's not about exploiting resources."
We repair the world, explore knowledge, and create value, Order while still allowing individuals ample freedom to develop and make mistakes... Such an environment is rare in the entire universe.
Licha nodded vigorously; he understood this contrast best.
At Interastral Peace Corporation, lower-level employees are merely numbers on reports;
Here, he felt like a "person," a valuable "member."
The information screen played heartwarming images continuously, interspersed with snippets of everyday life in the Federation: scenes of researchers engaging in lively discussions, children of different races playing peacefully in the streets, the burgeoning life on the newly formed ecological planet, and glimpses of Lu Jingheng meticulously handling official duties, yet also "helplessly" updating emergency plans after the two princesses caused trouble...
Someone, I don't know who, began to hum a variation of an ancient poem that seemed to have come from some unknown world. "I envy neither the mandarin ducks nor the immortals..."
Someone nearby immediately chimed in with a laugh, "I envy Luo Li's every day!"
This sarcastic yet sincere remark elicited knowing chuckles and agreement from the crowd in the square.
Yes, who wouldn't be envious?
Possessing supreme power, yet using it to protect rather than conquer; ruling a vast empire, yet still cherishing the warmth of ordinary life; surrounded by talents and followers from all corners of the universe, with a harmonious and happy family, a bright and lovely daughter (though a bit too "lively"), and an absolutely reliable and exceptionally capable best friend and assistant to share heavy responsibilities...
Luo Li's daily life may also involve the pressure of data deluge, the "surprises" created by her daughters, and diplomatic maneuvering from all sides of the universe.
But without a doubt, it is the life that countless people dream of—finding the most beautiful balance between Order and freedom, strength and warmth, responsibility and family.
At Morning Star Square, people with smiles on their faces dispersed in twos and threes, heading to their respective work posts.
They may come from different civilizations and harbor different dreams, but at this moment, they share a common understanding:
Under the protection and guidance of this "God of Data," within the Primordial Data Federation, we can pursue our own value and witness and participate in a brand new and hopeful future.
That in itself is enviable enough.