"This is absurd! This is simply..."
Mei Ziqing felt that today's conversation was more like a second-rate screenwriter discussing the original settings of a science fiction script, rather than taking place in a high-level science laboratory.
"You said that those Ghost wandering the universe chose felines as their hosts, and Toxoplasma gondii is also a parasite that uses felines as its final host. Are you trying to say that Toxoplasma gondii is Parasitic Consciousness? But according to Mr. Lester's reasoning, Parasitic Consciousness has no physical form and does not depend on the existence of matter."
Situ Yuli said, "Mr. Lester is right. These invading consciousnesses can exist temporarily detached from matter, but Mr. Lester also said that they are not immortal, but rather have their own unique way of reproducing."
"Reproducing and expanding their own species is the nature of all life. Since they have chosen material life as their host, it means that they cannot live without material things, at least their method of reproduction cannot be separated from material things."
"Toxoplasma gondii is likely a pathway for Parasitic Consciousness to reproduce. Primitive consciousness splits off, enters the Toxoplasma gondii larvae, and, using the larvae to find a new host, releases its own primitive consciousness, coexisting with the host's original consciousness within the host's body. We can also view Toxoplasma gondii as a spore or sperm, lurking within humans and animals, waiting for an opportunity to be activated."
Mei Ziqing asked, puzzled, "That hypothesis is reasonable, but what does it have to do with the Gray Brain Virus? The damage the Gray Brain Virus causes to the brain and the target it wants to parasitize are contradictory!"
Situ Yuli said, "In the materials the professor gave me, several cases involved intense conflict between the original consciousness and the invading consciousness before the brain began to malfunction. We can think of it this way: every species has a self-protection mechanism during reproduction and survival, and many species even have a self-destruction mechanism. The Parasitic Consciousness may activate this mechanism when the invasion encounters strong resistance, with Toxoplasma gondii, that is, their spore consciousness, releasing the Gray Brain Virus to destroy the resister's brain."
Mei Ziqing said, "This requires a prerequisite—the virus must have already existed in Toxoplasma gondii so that they could control its release at the appropriate time. But the academic community has been studying Toxoplasma gondii for many years; it's impossible that they haven't discovered it, right?"
Situ Yuli his head and said, " The Gray Brain Virus is less than ten nanometers, which is too small! Moreover, we cannot yet prove that it is a virus. Perhaps it is produced by the direct metamorphosis of Toxoplasma gondii, just like biological enzymes? Of course, I don't have experimental data to support this, so so far, everything I've said is just speculation. The actual situation can only be determined by Professor Mei and Ms. Mei Ziqing's hard work in their research."
Mei Ziqing fell silent. After all, she was just the professor's assistant. Under normal circumstances, she would not express her opinions in public or in front of important guests without the professor's permission. But today, because Situ Yuli looked like a young woman about her age, and given the absurdity of the topic, she said a few more words. However, she knew the importance of knowing when to stop and that everything should be done according to the professor's opinion.
Mei Yiqiu stood up, slowly walked to the window, and puffed on his pipe. Fortunately, the laboratory was equipped with a first-class purification system, otherwise the room would have been unbearably smoky.
Situ Yuli smiled and quietly watched Mei Yiqiu's retreating figure.
Little Meimei sat obediently in her chair, appearing very well-mannered. Perhaps she was a little unaccustomed to the sudden silence, because she began to blink and curiously observe the adults.
After a long while, the professor turned around. His pipe had gone out, but he was still puffing on it. Mei Ziqing went over and took his pipe, refilling it with tobacco.
While Mei Ziqing was packing cigarettes, the professor walked over and said, " Situ. Situ, what you said today can only be described as shocking. Whether it's the Internet possessing self-awareness, Toxoplasma gondii releasing the Gray Brain Virus, or the reproductive method of spore consciousness, all of these are very enlightening for the predicament we are facing now and are worth studying in depth."
Situ Yuli said, "Professor, you flatter me. I'm just offering a starting point; the road ahead is much more difficult."
The professor pointed to the USB drive and said, "Actually, I don't quite understand why Situ. Situ entrusted me with something so important, and your ideas just now—any one of them could cause a stir in academia."
Situ Yuli smiled and said, "Those weren't all my work, and I only came to Professor Mei at my husband's request."
What does your husband mean?
"Yes," Situ Yuli said, "Apart from the data on that USB drive you have, everything I just mentioned is my husband's work. Actually, our initial idea was to give it to Mr. Lester, but firstly, Mr. Lester is too old, and secondly, he has been targeted by the intruders. My husband tried to save him, but he himself was in danger, so he asked me to come to China to find Professor Mei."
"Did you know about these things before Mr. Lester?" Mei Yiqiu surprise.
Situ Yuli said, "We discovered similar cases to Mr. Lester earlier, but our findings weren't as accurate as Mr. Lester's. At the time, my husband even went in the wrong direction, briefly linking it to some classified experiments during World War II. Mr. Lester gave his life to correct our course; he was the greatest scientist of our time!"
Thinking of Lester, Mei Yiqiu a pang of sadness. A great scientist who was most likely to complete the unified field theory, given just a few more years, he could have become one of the greatest figures in the history of science, alongside Newton and Einstein. Unfortunately, he was invaded by a consciousness and, for the sake of humanity's fate, perished together with the enemy.
Situ Yuli added, "Please forgive me for not coming to see you immediately, but waiting until today, because I needed to confirm your safety."
Mei Ziqing packed the tobacco, handed the pipe to the professor, and lit it for him.
The professor took a sip of his drink, nodded, and said, "You're right. We must be careful now; every plan must be flawless." He then asked, "Excuse my intrusion, but could I perhaps meet with your husband?"
Situ Yuli said, "I'm sorry, it's been half a year since I last saw him."
"Oh..." Mei Yiqiu, "Then, if I may be so bold as to ask, who is your husband?"
Situ Xingzhi.
A brief silence fell over the room. Little Meimei's big eyes darted around, curiously watching the adults. After a while, she suddenly asked, "Daddy's gone. Can you find my daddy?"
" Meimei!" Situ Yuli said softly, "Don't talk nonsense!"
The little girl lowered her head, looking a little aggrieved, with tears welling up on her long eyelashes.
Mei Ziqing really wanted to say that she had seen Situ in Copenhagen, but she wasn't entirely sure if this Situ was the same one as the Situ.
Just then, Qingmu had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up, " Miss Xia, may I have a word with you in private?"