The Edge of the Star Field

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"Now is the accurate time signal. The current time is six o'clock in the afternoon."

A sweet voice echoed simultaneously on all floors of the spacecraft.

Evening six o'clock is the government-mandated time for getting off work and school. Except for some special positions that require overtime and certain departments that need 24-hour duty, everyone needs to return to the "living area" on the towering 300th floor.

When Lin Fan arrived at the school corresponding to the 72nd floor, it was exactly 6 o'clock in the afternoon, and after the sweet voice repeated three times and stopped, the loud bell immediately rang throughout the campus.

Immediately, a buzz of voices erupted, and a large number of students streamed out, chatting in groups and walking towards the corridor.

In an instant, the originally open "street" became crowded.

"Xiaomin, Lin Xiaomin!" Lin Fan stood in the crowd, waving vigorously.

In the crowd of students, a girl walking with books in hand, her eyes brightened. After waving goodbye to her classmates, she ran to Lin Fan's side.

"I'll take it!" Lin Fan took the books from Lin Xiaomin's hand with his right hand, held Lin Xiaomin's small hand with his left hand, and walked towards the elevator.

On the way, Lin Xiaomin kept talking about the interesting things that happened at school today, while Lin Fan listened quietly, smiling from time to time.

The siblings walked and talked, blending into the crowd, and successfully reached the elevator.

Because it was the peak time for getting off work and school, each elevator entrance was already filled with a long line. Lin Fan, holding Lin Xiaomin, followed the people in front and walked towards the leftmost elevator.

After waiting for about ten minutes, it was finally their turn. After entering the elevator, Lin Fan immediately pressed the number 80.

The elevator quickly ascended, and in no time, it arrived at the 80th floor.

When Lin Fan and Lin Xiaomin arrived at the "Material Supply Center" on the 80th floor, there were still about 10 minutes before the canteen opened at 6:30. For those who arrived early at the "Material Supply Center" waiting for the canteen to open, the other part of the "Activity Center" was the best place to pass the time.

For just 5 contribution points, you could order a simple snack and chat about life, work, and endless prospects for the future under the lights.

As Lin Fan and Lin Xiaomin walked in, they saw a group of residents gathered around a row of old chairs, as if discussing something important.

"It seems like something is happening over there... should we go and take a look?" Lin Fan bent down and asked Lin Xiaomin's opinion.

Lin Xiaomin nodded, following Lin Fan towards the crowd.

Lin Fan walked to the outskirts of the crowd, scanned around, and saw a familiar person. He couldn't help but ask, "Xiaoyan! What are you all talking about here?"

The Xiaoyan he mentioned was a girl who looked only fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing a light yellow dress. She had a beautiful face, bright eyes, and long black hair naturally falling on her shoulders, giving her a touch of gentleness.

Her name was Su Yan, Lin Fan's classmate.

Su Yan glanced at Lin Fan and immediately walked over. Only when she approached did she realize that there was a little companion next to Lin Fan.

"Is this your sister?" Su Yan squatted down, extended her right hand, and greeted Lin Xiaomin, "Hello, I'm Su Yan, your brother's classmate. I often hear your brother mention you!"

"I'm Lin Xiaomin. Hello, Sister Su." Lin Xiaomin hid behind Lin Fan, shyly extending her hand and whispered.

"You're really cute!" Su Yan praised and lifted Lin Xiaomin.

"Sister Su..." Lin Xiaomin was startled in Su Yan's arms, at a loss.

"Cough..." Lin Fan cleared his throat and said, "Xiaoyan, what are you guys talking about gathering here?"

At this time, quite a few curious people gathered around.

Su Yan sent Lin Xiaomin away, looked around, and excitedly said to Lin Fan, "It is said that a new planet has been discovered ahead. The drone has preliminarily explored and found signs of life on it."

"Ah?" This topic obviously caught Lin Fan off guard, and for a moment, he was a bit stunned.

Su Yan glanced at the stunned Lin Fan, smiled knowingly, and continued, "This was told to me by my second uncle who works in the 'Management Office.' If it is confirmed suitable for human habitation, our 100-year journey in space should come to an end."

"The sea, the desert, the blue sky, white clouds, green mountains, and blue water, volcanoes, rainforests... these things that only exist in books, we can see them with our own eyes in the future."

"We humans don't need to live in the darkness of the spaceship anymore."

Su Yan said this, and Lin Xiaomin asked curiously, "Is there anything wrong with where we live now?"

"I'm certainly not saying that living on the spaceship is bad. Without the spaceship, humans would probably have become extinct on Blue Star! But..." Su Yan solemnly said, "No matter how good the spaceship is, it will reach its limit one day. Humans should live under the blue sky."

"Yes, yes." A middle-aged man in the crowd touched his head and echoed, "With a habitable life source star, there will be no more restrictions on energy quotas."

"That's right, with land, we can plant food, raise livestock, and solve the problem of food."

"Speaking of it, I really want to experience the feeling of stepping on the land."

...

People began to echo one after another, imagining their future lives.

Su Yan nodded frequently, very approving of what they were saying.

At this time, a middle-aged woman in her forties smiled and said, "Aren't you guys too serious? Haven't there been similar rumors over the years? But in the end, it turned out to be a false hope. In my opinion, isn't it better to live peacefully on the spaceship?"

"And that 'Outbound Operations Legion' on the spaceship, I don't know how much energy has been consumed, and I haven't seen any good news brought back anytime soon. Many employees have sacrificed."

This statement caused many people to agree.

Su Yan put her hands on her hips, just about to argue, when suddenly a crisp bell rang in her ears.

"Ding Ling Ling..."

Almost everyone stood up at the same time.

This bell came from the canteen, reminding everyone that the canteen was about to open.

The residents who were originally watching the excitement started moving towards the canteen, sighing helplessly. Then they turned to look at Lin Fan and Lin Xiaomin. "Xiaofan, what do you think? Do you also think that humans need a suitable planet to live on?"

Looking at Su Yan, who was full of anticipation, Lin Fan nodded without hesitation, saying, "Yes, definitely."