Three-body: The Most Competent Wallfacer in History

Jiang Yu was not confused; it was simply that the room he was in was too beautiful. Aside from the ceiling adorned with highly artistic paintings, the entire room could be described as filled with birdsong and the fragrance of flowers.

The windows were large and frameless, as if there were just a square, regular hole left there.

Outside was a blue sky with white clouds, the blue as vivid as a gemstone; Jiang Yu could no longer recall when he had last seen such a blue sky.

Outside the window stood a cherry tree, its fruit red and juicy, just ripe for the season, looking quite delicious.

An ivy climbed up one side of the window towards the top, with one of its branches reaching into the middle of the window.

A gentle breeze blew, causing that branch of ivy to sway as if it were greeting Jiang Yu.

The curtains were light blue, dancing a cheerful dance as they fluttered in the wind.

There weren't many things in the room, but each one seemed like a work of art.

Especially the person standing by the bed—tall and handsome, every word and gesture exuded elegance.

The clothes he wore resembled the garments of ancient times, a soft-colored robe with patterns like pieces of art.

But what that person said made Jiang Yu suddenly awaken.

He sat up, "Milky Way Year 1977?"

Then he discovered that his voice was very clear, not at all like the lack of breath he had before falling into a coma.

"Yes," the other person said with a gentle smile, introducing himself, "My name is Wei Xiang, but you can also call me Wei Zero Two.

"You have spent 15 centuries in the Consciousness Space!"

"It felt like just a moment!" Jiang Yu, having seen many grand scenes, quickly calmed down, "Why do you have two names? Why does the second one include a number?"

Jiang Yu suddenly remembered the person from the future he had spoken with before, Liu Siqi.

Wei Xiang explained, "Before your consciousness was restored, you were in a hazy state, so you had no sense of the passage of time.

"As for my names, Wei Xiang is the name my parents gave me, and Zero Two is somewhat like my official title.

"In today's Solar System State, only by becoming a Wallfacer can one add a number after their surname, the smaller the number, the greater the authority."

Jiang Yu was slightly taken aback, then suddenly thought of Liu Siqi, and asked, "How many Wallfacers are there now?"

"15," Wei Xiang answered patiently. "I know you may be afraid that the Wallfacer mechanism has turned into a Wallfacer Council.

"It was unavoidable; the Solar System State is now too large to be managed by just one or two Wallfacers."

"So the fifteenth Wallfacer is the one with fifteen added to their surname?" Jiang Yu thought to himself: Liu Siqi, is she the forty-seventh Wallfacer?

But now there are only 15 Wallfacers; when there are 47, Liu Siqi will appear.

Wei Xiang replied, "In theory, that's how it is."

Through their brief conversation, Jiang Yu had completely leveled his state of mind. He touched his face, and immediately a mirror appeared beside his bed. Jiang Yu saw himself, looking to be in his early twenties without a wrinkle in sight!

He asked, "Why have I 'died' for more than a thousand years?"

"That starts with your grandson, Qin Ming," Wei Xiang said. "He believed that Wallfacers are the elite of humanity, and even after death, their consciousness should be preserved so that in times of difficulty, one could attempt to seek help from past Wallfacers.

"Thanks to the Wallfacer Qin Ming's plan to prevent a crisis before it happened, we can awaken you in these difficult times."

"Damn!" Jiang Yu couldn't help but swear. He suddenly remembered that after falling into unconsciousness, he faintly heard Qin Ming saying he wanted to make him the "last line of defense."

He never imagined it would be in such a way!

Indeed, he really was my splendid grandson! He ensured even in death I wouldn't pass away easily!

Jiang Yu asked, "Did Qin Ming also preserve his consciousness?"

"Yes! We reawakened him in Milky Way Year 1266, and now he has once again entered Consciousness Space, waiting for our next awakening."

Jiang Yu furrowed his brows and said, "So you mean I can never die, and I must always be ready for you to revive me?"

"No, no, no, you are the only exception," Wei Xiang said. "The Consciousness Preservation Plan requires Wallfacers to volunteer to continue contributing to humanity. You are the only case where we have preserved your consciousness without your personal consent."

Jiang Yu pulled at the corners of his mouth. "You make it sound as if I lack dedication!

"Let me tell you, not to blow my own horn, but I consider myself the most competent Wallfacer in history!"

Wei Xiang nodded and said, "Yes, yes, we do not deny that. Please let me finish explaining.

"Actually, we also know that there was a personal motive behind Wallfacer Qin Ming's plan; he confessed in his later years that he greatly envied Jiang Yanqi.

"Our interpretation as successors is that he wished to have a life as prolonged as Jiang Yanqi's.

"Those Wallfacers who later volunteered for the plan all harbored the notion of immortality.

"It is almost an open secret; to have an extended lifespan, one must become a Wallfacer and join this plan, always ready to contribute to the Solar System State.

"A long time ago, we established a corresponding review mechanism; only those who have made outstanding contributions are eligible to participate in the plan.

"In cases such as yours, you can exit the plan at any time.

"Given your contributions to the Solar System State, you're fully entitled to enjoy the privilege of a new life through consciousness technology.

"Even if you exit the plan, you can still begin your new life, and your right to exist won't be immediately revoked."

Jiang Yu nodded. His children were still quite sensible. "Since I'm here, let me hear about the difficulties you've encountered."

Wei Xiang heaved a sigh of relief. "Right now, the Solar System State is facing the risk of division!

"After the Great Depression... oh, I should start by giving you a brief history of the past millennium.

"The Solar System State maintained good development for over two hundred years after your death.

"But since we no longer have any rivals in nearby star systems, our Stealth technology is sufficient to hide from the occasional passing ship of an Advanced Civilization through the territories of the Solar System State.

"People began to question: why do we still have to be so tense all the time, unable to fully enjoy the conveniences brought by high technology?

"For instance, assigning all work to artificial intelligence, the Governing Council offering human beings the maximum life arrangements, so that every individual can enjoy life to the fullest at every moment."

Jiang Yu laughed. "Looks like they're starting to demand more again."

Wei Xiang gave a wry smile and said, "This is actually a cycle in human development; throughout history, humans fall into collective confusion periodically.

"The Wallfacers at the time made all kinds of efforts, but people still lacked motivation, and life seemed hopeless.

"The social structure gradually solidified, making it difficult for Wallfacers to redistribute wealth evenly, which further worsened the situation, resulting in a huge wealth gap and the emergence of the New Aristocracy.

"Then the Great Depression came, lasting nearly two centuries, with the Solar System State regressing continuously.

"Thankfully, the Wallfacers continued to follow the duties you established, always standing with the majority of the populace.

"In Milky Way Year 923, the contradictions between all parties became irreconcilable, and the Wallfacer Jiao Zuo initiated an armed rebellion against the Governing Council comprised of the New Aristocracy.

"After more than thirty years of struggle and the sacrifice of millions of lives, Jiao Zuo finally overthrew the existing Governing Council, the Wallfacer Office, and all the New Aristocracy."