Chapter 2 Chapter two

As soon as school was over at noon, Mei Xiaoxue quickly ran back to the orphanage and asked Mama Liu and Mama Chen who were preparing lunch: Mama Liu, Mama Chen, is Mama Mei here? Already in the county.I drove here from Wuhan, together with the uncle Xue Yu who was here last time.They first went to Xinye County in the south to do business, and they will definitely come to celebrate your birthday in the evening. Thirteen-year-old Xiaoxue cheered, and other partners, such as twelve-year-old Mei Xiaokai, eleven-year-old Huo Yuanyuan, and a group of five-, six-, two- and three-year-old daughters all cheered together.Xiaoxue asked:

Is Mama Mei's room ready? Of course it was packed.Chen's mother knew the meaning of her question, and said with a smile, the door is unlocked, if you want to clean it again, go ahead.Don't delay your lunch. Mei Xiaoxue ran happily, followed by a few children.Looking at her back, Mama Liu and Mama Chen couldn't help feeling sorry for her narrow-mindedness.The orphanage has been in operation for thirteen years, and now there are thirty-two orphans, and Xiaoxue is the biggest among them.This girl has an extremely delicate relationship, and she has the deepest relationship with Mama Mei.Dean Mei has a small room here, with only the simplest furniture, and the door is usually locked, and she will live in it for a day or two when she comes here.Every time before she came and after she left, Xiaoxue would use various excuses to stay in the house for a while.Once after Dean Mei left, Mama Liu went to the hut to take a look and found Xiaoxue sniffing the pillow that Dean Mei had used.Seeing Mama Liu come in, she blushed and said shyly that there was Mama Mei's scent on the pillow, which she loved the most.It's no wonder that orphans are not as nourished by the feelings of their biological parents, and are generally more emotionally sensitive.Like Xiaoxue, she pinned all her feelings on Mama Mei.

Most of the orphans here are girls, twenty-four out of thirty-two are girls. This is a concrete manifestation of the patriarchal feudal consciousness in Chinese society.Most of the orphans don't have definite birthdays. According to the practice here for more than ten years, every year on the first Sunday of September, when the autumn is clear, Dean Mei will definitely take time to come here to celebrate the children's birthday together.Therefore, the weight of this day in the hearts of children is no less than that of the Spring Festival. When Liu Ma and Chen Ma met Dean Mei for the first time more than ten years ago, they saw her wearing a shiny silver cross and thought she was also a believer in the Lord, but later they found out that she was not a Christian.But Dean Mei's good deeds are just like the most devout believers.She has never been married, her personal life is very simple, and her money has been spent in the orphanage.The expenses of the thirty-four people (including two childcare workers), except for a small amount of civil affairs subsidies, were all borne by Dean Mei alone.Although she is an American and earns a lot of money, she spends seven to eight thousand yuan a month, and the pressure is quite high.Liu Ma and Chen Ma always said, despite the fact that Dean Mei doesn't believe in the Lord (this is their biggest regret, why don't such a good person become a Christian), they will definitely go to heaven in a hundred years.

Xiaoxue came out of Mama Mei's room.She is the eldest sister among the orphans, and she often helps the two mothers with work, such as cooking at noon, washing dishes, etc. Now she rolls up her sleeves as usual.Thirteen-year-old Xiaoxue is very beautiful, her eyes are watery, her teeth are neat and white, her skin is especially good, red and white, very delicate;Not to mention in the orphanage, she can be regarded as the first beautiful girl in the whole city.Many people said with emotion that if her biological parents knew that she was so beautiful and lovable, they would definitely be reluctant to abandon her.There were several elderly people who wanted to adopt Xiaoxue before, but Xiaoxue herself insisted on refusing.According to the speculation of the two mothers, she couldn't leave the orphanage, especially her mother Mei.

The thirty-two children were all gathered in the dining room, seated at either side of a long table of white stubble wood.Liu Ma first led them to pray before meals: give us our daily meals today.Although this is not a purely church orphanage (the church only contributed real estate), Mama Liu and Mama Chen are devout believers, so they naturally spread prayer before meals among the children.Maine had tactfully expressed her disapproval of this, but she did not explicitly object, and the two mothers persisted.Four of the children are young and need to be fed.Besides Mama Liu and Mama Chen feeding one each, the oldest children, Xiaoxue and Xiaokai, are also responsible for taking care of a little one.Xiaoxue fed the calf, put her food nearby, and took a few bites quickly when she had time.Today, because Mama Mei is coming, the children are very excited and chattering.Xiao Niu asked: Sister Xiaoxue, does Mama Mei have parents?

Mama Mei's parents died of an infectious disease, and they are orphans just like us.But she has parents in the United States, no, only her father, her mother passed away last year. Is Mama May's American father named Mei? Xiaoxue smiled, of course not!The grandfather seems to be surnamed Dixon, and he is also a scientist. Mama Mei, and Grandpa Di, are the biggest scientists in the world, as big as Jesus, as big as the Virgin Mary, right? Xiaoxue was stopped by the question.The reputations of Jesus and Mary were naturally instilled by the two mothers, but Xiaoxue didn't know how to answer when comparing the two of them with scientists.Chen Ma said threateningly:

Mynah!Don't talk anymore, eat well, whoever behaves badly will not let him eat Mama Mei's birthday cake at night. The calf immediately shut up and ate obediently. After washing the dishes, Xiaoxue whispered, "Mama Liu, what time will Mama Mei come back in the afternoon?"I have physical education class in the afternoon, so I can ask for leave. Mama Liu knew that she wanted to have as much intimacy with Mama Mei as possible, and said: Mama Mei called and said she might be there after four o'clock.She joked, Xiaoxue, Mama Chen and I are sad, because Xiaoxue only has Mama Mei in her heart.

Xiaoxue's face turned red, and she said sweetly: Who said that?I kiss all three mothers.Smiling and ran to school. At around nine o'clock in the morning, when Mei Yin and Xue Yu arrived at the intersection of the county town, they saw County Mayor Jin waiting by the side of the road alone, behind him was a black high-end Lifan car.The county magistrate Jin was afraid that they would not see him, so he kept gesturing for them to stop.Mei Yin hurriedly told Xue Yu to stop, jumped down and asked with a smile: Hey, Xiao Jin, how did you know we were here today?You're blocking us here like a king of the mountain, what's the rush?

County Magistrate Jin feigned anger and said: What's the matter?I want to ask Ms. Mei Yin, the chairman of Tianli Company, to save face and let me have a banquet to fulfill my thirteen-year long-cherished wish.As for why I knew you came today, I have an inside line.He smiled, and took the initiative to show the bottom line, saying that the insider is bluffing you.I have known for a long time that you run an orphanage in Nanyang City, and every year on the first Sunday of September, we celebrate their birthday together.So the possibility of you coming today is very high, so I will come here early and wait for the rabbit.He said, I have a banquet at noon, which does not prevent you from celebrating the children's birthdays at night.

Maine said gently: Forgive me for being frank, I have been back to China for more than 20 years, and I am still not used to socializing in official circles in China.I think China will develop faster if people waste less time and money on banquets. Today is not an official entertainment, it is my personal host, just the few of us chatting.However, the car behind me is indeed paid by the government, and it is specially awarded to you for your contribution to the economic development of Xinye County.He said with a sullen face, first agreeing not to refuse.According to the year, your Poussin should have been scrapped long ago.I know that your money has always been tight, and you have never used the dividends from Tianli Company. More than half of your personal salary has been invested in the orphanage.

He was a little emotional when it came to the last sentence.Maine thought about it, and readily agreed to accept the car.County Magistrate Jin called out the driver in the Lifan car and asked him to drive Poussin to the county government office, while he sat in the driver's seat of the Lifan car and said, "Sister Mei get in the car, and this comrade, he is looking at the tall and tall , A smart and capable young man, his surname is Xue, right?You were here last time. Yes, I am a student of Dr. Mei, and I am studying for a Ph.D. with her.I met County Sheriff King a year ago. Get in the car, both of you.I will accompany you to Tianli Company first, finish your official business, and then come to my private banquet. Mei Yin smiled at Xue Yu, does this look like kidnapping?A little helpless got into the car. The Lifan car galloped towards Tianli Biotechnology Company.The county magistrate first praised the car's configuration: leather seats, on-board computer with wireless Internet access, GPS positioning, large-screen navigation, electric heating and electric massage seats; as for the reversing radar, dual airbags and other configurations, it goes without saying.He said: This domestically-produced car is good and not expensive. The price of the car is less than 150,000 yuan, but the configuration is almost as good as that of BMW, except for the car phone. The way to go is very different from ten years ago.The road was not widened, but it was newly paved, double solid lines were drawn in the middle of the road, flower beds were set up, and street lights were installed.The colorful flower garden extends all the way along with the beautiful artistic street lamps.The reconstruction of this road was arranged by Xiaojin after he became the county magistrate.Mei Yin watched the scenery on both sides, thinking in her heart: She chose the abandoned farm ten years ago to build a factory, one of the important factors was that it was relatively remote and unobtrusive.But the taller the tree, the stronger the wind, and the output value of Tianli has already exceeded two billion, so you can't keep a low profile. The county magistrate Jin said: Today is probably the last time I invite you in Xinye County. My transfer order has been issued to Nanyang City as the deputy mayor. Yo, this is good news.Mei Yin said with a smile, Xiao Jin, you are an official star, and your future is limitless.You are probably the youngest deputy mayor in this city, right? That's not thanks to you.He is indeed grateful to Maine. His development in official career can be said to have started from the successful investment thirteen years ago.He explained: This is only a temporary appointment, and the official appointment will have to be approved by the next National People's Congress. Isn't that just a formality?There is nothing you can't pass, unless you make a big mistake during this period.We Xiaojin are not lustful and not greedy for money, so how could we make mistakes? They talked and laughed and arrived at Tianli Company.The appearance here is still the same as it used to be, and there is a large lush pine forest as far as the eye can see, which makes the sky green.A very inconspicuous cement road leads deep into the pine forest.This road is relatively narrow, only allowing two cars to pass each other, not like the entrance of a large factory at all.The forest is very quiet, and the red roof is faintly exposed.Outside the factory area, there are no juggling slogans, colorful flags, and no label or guide signs.Sun Jingshuan, the general manager, welcomed them in the office. When he saw that County Mayor Jin was also here, he was slightly taken aback, and asked with a smile: I said the magpies were chirping today, so the county magistrate came to the door. County Magistrate Jin said: Don't play tricks with me.I asked you when Mr. Mei would come, but you kept your mouth shut.But you shouldn't say that: the county magistrate is better off now, I, the county magistrate, have no authority with you. Mr. Sun smiled and said: This is over, I offended the county magistrate, in your one-acre three-point field, can I still have a way to survive?Ask everyone to sit down while talking.The county magistrate Jin said: Don't be polite, you two are talking about business, find someone to take me to visit the factory. I haven't been in the factory for five or six years. Mr. Sun glanced at Dong Mei unconsciously.In the thirteen years since the establishment of the factory, the company has kept a low profile. As a star enterprise in the county, it is said that visits from various leaders are indispensable, but he often tactfully refuses.The county magistrate Jin is very considerate of them in this regard, unless it is absolutely necessary for business inspections, he strictly ordered all units not to disturb them lightly.Now it is the county magistrate who wants to visit, and it would be impolite to refuse.Maine said bluntly: Well, I'm here today for no business, so I'll be your guide.Xue Yu, you go too.Mr. Sun, don't go, busy with your business. The factories surrounded by pine forests are as delicate as shells.The factory buildings are all pleasing sky blue, and the factory area is very quiet, without the noise of other factories.Along the way are neat low walls of boxwood or holly, trimmed to perfection.Behind the tree wall is the flowerbed and green space, very tidy, even in the most remote corners, there is no confetti litter.Xue Yu praised: Mr. Sun's level can be seen from the management of the factory alone.Maine smiled and said: This is due to County Mayor Jin. When he led me to choose the site, he also decided on the candidate for the general manager and chief engineer. Mr. Sun was running a family farm here at that time. Well, it was in that direction.Mr. Sun is not only good at management, but also very spiritual in technology. After working for thirteen years, he has created many original things in animal cell culture. The county magistrate Jin waved his hands and said: I don't dare to covet the achievements of the heavens. It's because of your vision, Director Mei. After three hours of contact, I identified a general manager and chief engineer. They first came to the preparation workshop, where the serum-free medium is mainly prepared. There are tall containers and pipes of different thicknesses in the workshop, and the workers are all wearing white work clothes.Many people knew Maine, smiled and gestured with their eyes, and then continued to work hard.Maine said: Let me introduce you, Xiaoxue. If you can’t explain clearly, I’ll talk about it later. Xue Yu told County Mayor Jin that culture medium is one of the key factors in animal cell culture.Generally speaking, the industrial cultivation of animal cells is a new industry, and the technology is not yet mature. Generally, animal serum must be used to prepare natural medium, because serum naturally contains a variety of nutrients, which are necessary for cell reproduction, such as a variety of proteins , inorganic ions, fats, vitamins, growth factors and transfer proteins, etc.However, this natural medium also has many disadvantages, such as certain factors in serum are harmful to cell culture, such as immunoglobulin, complement and growth inhibitory factors; moreover, serum can only be filtered to remove germs, but not viruses or Mycoplasma.Moreover, the natural medium has complex components and unstable performance.In the past two decades, all countries have vigorously developed synthetic media to replace it, but synthetic media can only maintain the survival of cells but cannot proliferate them, and must be used in conjunction with animal serum.In order to completely replace the natural medium, some ingredients are added to the synthetic medium, such as insulin, transferrin, fibronectin, ascorbic acid, soybean trypsin inhibitor, etc., which become a serum-free medium, which can basically replace the natural medium. Medium. Mr. Sun developed a serum-free medium, named after him, called SJS-149.This is also based on DMEM and F-12, but it is unique in the addition of supplementary factors. SJS is low in cost and insensitive to the purity of reagents and water. It is a broad-spectrum medium suitable for the cultivation of various cells.Now, this serum-free medium has been widely used in the world. After a pause, he continued: Another technical contribution of Mr. Sun is the screening of two new infinite cell lines, one is called RYM, which is human amniocytes, and the other is called RNM, which is chicken chorioallantoic membrane cell.Can I explain the infinite cell line?He asked King County Magistrate. County magistrate Jin laughed at himself: Of course I have to explain, I am basically a science illiterate. County Mayor Jin is too modest. Non-professionals generally don't know this kind of relatively biased professional knowledge, so they can't be regarded as scientifically illiterate.He explained that after a group of animal cells undergoes primary culture and subculture, some of them will gradually die, and some will continue to proliferate until they form a cell population dominated by one type of cell, which is the cell line.Further, if they exhibit the potential to proliferate indefinitely, the population of cells is called an infinity cell line.Mr. Sun's RYM and RNM are very dynamic, especially the stable performance, which is very important for the factory to increase productivity. County Magistrate Jin took a closer look at Xue Yu, what major do you study?I see you are familiar with the situation here. I myself am a student of vaccine manufacturing.Teacher Mei wanted me to come here after finishing my Ph.D. and work as an assistant to Mr. Sun, so he has been taking me to familiarize myself with the company in advance. Well, Mei Donghui knows people with eyes, ten years later this is another boss. Xue Yu was a little embarrassed, and hurriedly said: I don't have that ambition.County Magistrate Jin said: Why dare not admit that I have ambitions?A soldier who doesn't want to be a marshal is not a good soldier.Maine smiled and listened, not expressing her opinion.County Mayor Jin said: On behalf of Xinye County, I welcome you to come early.If you have any difficulties in life, just come to me. Ok, thank you in advance. The next workshop is the main workshop, where more than a dozen large cylindrical bioreactors are neatly arranged.Xue Yu said that this is the most advanced hollow fiber bioreactor in the world.There are tens of thousands of hollow fibers inside, and the inside and outside of the tube merge into internal and external reaction chambers.The hollow fiber is made of polysulfone, polymethyl methacrylate, etc. There are micropores on the tube, and the size of the micropores can only pass small molecular substances.Cells grow outside the tube and cannot enter the lumen, nor can cell secretions such as monoclonal antibodies and other macromolecules enter.The serum-free medium is circulated in the inner cavity, and the medium seeps into the outer cavity, while the metabolic waste of cells seeps into the inner cavity and is taken away by the circulating medium.In this system, cells can proliferate three-dimensionally, and the density can be increased to 109cell/ml. Main added: In terms of cell culture density, we have always maintained the number one position in the world. County Chief Jin nodded frequently, yes, yes.You guys are doing a great job. They visited several auxiliary workshops, and Maine said: We have seen everything we need to see, let's go back to the office. The county magistrate stopped and said: There is another new workshop, the one that went into production last year. Xue Yu looked at Mei Yin, he had never heard the teacher talk about this workshop.Maine nodded and said calmly: Yes, I forgot about this workshop.Go, I will lead you there. They walked into the forest along a path, and behind the trees appeared a workshop that was also sky blue.In fact, visiting this workshop is the main purpose of County Magistrate Jin today.Tianli Biotechnology Company is the apex of his heart, and he usually protects it very much, never letting the functional departments disturb it, but recently he heard that there is a workshop in this factory that is heavily guarded, and he can't help but mutter in his heart.Mr. Mei said that this factory only produces animal cells, which has nothing to do with viruses, and there is no danger of virus leakage. So why is there such strict security?Now the central government attaches great importance to public safety, in case of any accident, the black hat on his head will be lost.His career development began with this company, and I hope it will not end with this company. The workshop was in normal production, but the entrance was locked. Maine opened the door with a magnetic card, and the three walked in together.From the perspective of the big landscape, it is no different from the previous workshop, and it is also a row of huge bioreactors.Maine explained that the internal structure of these reactors is different from the ones I saw just now. They are not hollow fiber type, but microcapsule type, that is, living cells are placed in small hollow spheres with micropores by special technology, and then put into cultured in a suitable bioreactor.Nutrients can enter the ball through micropores, cell metabolic waste can be discharged out of the ball, and macromolecular substances such as cells and monoclonal antibodies produced by cells remain in the ball and can be conveniently collected in the future.she says: The technology used in this workshop is not our original creation. It is a mature technology purchased from the Merieux Institute in France to produce Weibo high-purity rabies vaccine without aluminum hydroxide adjuvant.Nowadays, there are a lot of pet owners in China, and the country is forcing pets to be vaccinated, so the vaccine market has a bright future.She smiled and said to the county magistrate, "I made a promise to you in the past: the products of this factory will not cross borders with viruses. This promise is still valid today. The rabies vaccine is an attenuated virus that cures rather than causes disease. No danger.The management of this workshop is stricter than other places, just to prevent technology leakage. The county magistrate was relieved.Judging from the situation in the workshop, although the procedures for entering and exiting the workshop are very strict, the people in the workshop only wear ordinary work clothes and ordinary masks, and no stricter protection measures have been taken.They come to the end of the production line and ask for a finished product from the packers to watch.Maine said that this rabies vaccine has strong antigenicity, stable effect, long-lasting antibody and few side effects.The single injection volume is reduced from 0.5ml to 0.2ml, and the number of injections is reduced from five injections to two injections, which is very popular in the market. After visiting the workshop, I left the workshop, and there was a medium-sized laboratory outside. The door was locked, and there was no one inside when I looked in through the window.Maine said: This is an auxiliary laboratory, which has not been put into use yet, so it is locked.I called and asked the administrator to open the door.She called and said, Mr. Sun said he would notify the administrator immediately, and someone would come over within ten minutes, at most half an hour. County Magistrate Jin felt relieved when he saw it, and said: Forget it, I won’t see it here. Since it’s not in use, there’s nothing to see here. Then I'll call back and not let Mr. Sun notify? Well, talk back. Xue Yu discovered from the window that there are three fully sealed ultra-clean workbenches with negative pressure in the laboratory.This kind of negative pressure workbench is generally used in the operation of level 4 viruses. In case the virus leaks from the test tube during the operation, it will not leak out of the workbench, but will be sucked away by the negative pressure air, and after the killing measures, the virus will not leak out of the workbench. released into the atmosphere.He really wanted to know why a vaccine production workshop should be equipped with such a laboratory, but he didn't ask. The three of them left here and returned to Mr. Sun's office. It was almost the morning off-duty time. County Mayor Jin asked all three of them to get in the car and go to the government hotel in the county, saying that he had ordered the meals.President Sun smiled and said: County magistrate, don't bury people. When you come to my one-acre three-point land, can you treat me?Let's go, all go to my house, standard farm food, if you think it's low-grade, don't go. County Mayor Jin couldn't resist, so he had to call to cancel the banquet, and the four of them walked to Mr. Sun's house.After leaving the factory gate, a small path on the left leads to the depths of the pine forest.The path is paved with crushed stones, and green grass grows in the crevices of the stones.The courtyard and the building are vaguely what they looked like ten years ago, but they have been completely renovated.Vegetables are no longer grown in the courtyard, thick green bamboos have been added around the walls, and a wisteria trellis has been erected in front of the door.The county magistrate Jin repeatedly applauded the scenery in the courtyard, saying: This is a hermit's residence, and if scholars in Beijing and Shanghai see it, they will be jealous to death.Xue Yu also said: Living here is really a fairy day.Mr. Sun said proudly: My family is the only resident in this thousand-acre pine forest. This privilege comes from historical fate, because my family was here before the factory was built. Grandma Sun was still alive, and when she heard the voice, she hurried out to greet her. She had dazzling white hair, but her body was quite strong, and her memory was surprisingly good. When she saw County Magistrate Jin, she said, "Xiao Jin, you are here. You are a rare visitor. You are afraid that there will be ten times." Haven't been here for three years?His grandson said loudly in her ear: She is already the county magistrate!Our parents!The county magistrate Jin said: Mr. Sun, you scold me. With Grandma Sun, I am a grandson, and I am a grandson official! Everyone laughed.Mei Yin and Xue Yu had already been here once, Grandma Sun recognized them, and warmly invited them to sit down, and brought out a table of food in a short time.It is indeed farm food, such as: steamed chrysanthemum chrysanthemum, stir-fried vegetables, twice-cooked pork, mutton stewed noodle soup, etc.Mr. Sun said with a smile: My grandma only has this skill, and she hasn't improved in more than ten years. I don't think she can expect to improve in this life.The three guests all said: I am tired of the food in the restaurant, and what I look forward to most is this kind of farm food! Grandma Sun is still the old custom, squatting in front of the kitchen door with a bowl to eat, no matter how hard she pulls it, she can't get it to the table, so the guests have to do as she pleases.The three guests were having a good meal, when Grandma Sun, who was squatting at the door of the kitchen, suddenly smiled and said: Xiao Jin, and this big sister Mei, after this meal, they have to help me with something important! Both the county magistrate Jin and Maine said: You just talk about what is important. Grandma said: You have to urge my grandson to find a wife quickly, he is thirty-six this year!No matter how much I persuaded or scolded, he didn't listen.Can you really be a bachelor for a lifetime?After the Sun family died, I stretched my legs and couldn't explain to the old man.Xiaojin, you are the county magistrate, give him orders. The county magistrate Jin smiled. The county magistrate's order doesn't work for this kind of thing.But when he tried to persuade him sincerely, Mr. Sun just listened with a smile and didn't respond.Grandma Sun said: Sister Mei, you should also persuade him. I know you are the person he respects the most, and your words are the most effective. Before Mei Yin could speak, Sun Jingshuan suddenly said, "Grandma, you are looking for sister Mei to persuade me. You are looking for the wrong person. She is still unmarried."To be honest, I am learning from her. The general manager can use the chairman as an example, right?I have made up my mind that I will marry again when our sister Mei gets married. Although the last sentence seemed to be joking, County Magistrate Jin heard that it contained a very special meaning.He secretly calculated that Mr. Mei is forty-eight years old this year, a whole round older than Mr. Sun.But the face is very young, with no makeup, and a slim figure, which is a good match for Mr. Sun.But because he didn't know what Mei Yin wanted, he couldn't say anything, he could only pretend to be confused.Maine smiled and said loudly to the old lady: Don't worry, old man!I'll try to persuade him when I have time! After dinner, County Magistrate Jin said that he had to go back to the county seat. There was a meeting in the afternoon, and the car sent by the county to pick him up was already waiting at the gate of the factory.Maine said: You go first, I will also go to the city this afternoon, to the orphanage.I will return to Wuhan tomorrow, and I will not say goodbye to you before I leave.The three sent Magistrate Jin out, and after saying goodbye, Magistrate Jin walked along the gravel path to the gate of the factory.Xue Yu suddenly caught up and said, "Major Jin, I'll see you off. I have something to tell you." The two strolled along the path, stepping on the weeds and dry pine branches among the gravel.County Magistrate Jin said: Xiaoxue, what's the matter with you?Just say it. Xue Yu smiled and said: It's nothing, I just want to give them some time to be alone.County magistrate, you may have noticed that President Sun is interested in Teacher Mei. Although there is a big age difference between the two, I think it is a good marriage.County Chief Jin patted him on the shoulder with a smile, admiring him in his heart.Although this young man is young, he is more sophisticated in human relations, knows how to deal with things, has winks, and is a good young man with all-round talents in civil and military affairs.After a while, Xue Yu stopped and said, "Major Jin, I won't see you off. I'll walk around in the woods, and I'll go back when Teacher Mei calls me."The two waved their hands with a smile and parted here. Here, Mei Yin was going to help Grandma Sun clean up the dishes after returning to the house, which shocked the old lady: How could this happen!How did this work!How can I let the distinguished guests do such rough work?She forced Maine and her grandson into the living room, and went to work in the kitchen by herself.Sun Jingshuan made hot tea for Sister Mei, sat opposite her, and stared at her quietly.Thirteen years ago, this quiet woman came to this yard by chance and changed her life from then on, turning a small farmer into the boss of a high-tech company.It's not that he underestimates the profession of a farmer, but in comparison, after all, his current position has broadened his horizons.After thirteen years of getting along, Sister Mei is a perfect person and a holy goddess in his mind. He is willing to go through fire and water for Sister Mei.He said: Sister Mei, you won't listen to my grandma to persuade me, will you?My resolution will not change, unless you marry, I will be celibate for the rest of my life. Maine sighed and didn't speak, watching the hot air in the cup spiral up.Sun Jingshuan said again: Sister Mei, please promise me, the age difference is not a problem at all.He jokingly said that we are exactly one cycle apart, and we belong to the same zodiac sign. I think this is a kind of fate. Maine shook her head, I don't value the age difference, the problem is not here. So where is the problem, can you tell me? Fourteen years ago, that is, the year before I came here to set up a factory, I had a relationship with a Russian man. Although I was not officially married, I always regarded him as my husband.Then he committed suicide, and his suicide had something to do with me.Since then, I have no intention of accepting another man. For the first time in fourteen years, she opened up to outsiders.She thought of the first time she met Stepushkin on the street, and of their lingering love by the river.That was a good man, but frankly speaking, when she fell in love with that good man, it was not love at first sight, but to fulfill the godfather's commission.Later, Stepushkin committed suicide. The reason for her suicide was at least partially related to herself, which made her feel guilty to this day.Sun Jingshuan felt her heavy heart, and thoughtfully said: Oh, that's right.I don't know these details, but I once guessed that you had a broken love.It doesn't matter, I will put the broken things back together very carefully.He used jokes to dilute the heavy atmosphere in front of him. You know me, I am best at doing this kind of technical work. Maine looked at the young man quietly without speaking.These words made her very warm and made her heart younger.Over the years, she fought alone, trying to complete the tasks given to her by her godfather.If there is a man walking with her, it would be a good thing to rest on his shoulder when she is too tired, even if the shoulder is a little thin.Sun Jingshuan keenly noticed the subtle change in her attitude and was very happy. He mustered up the courage to come over, sat beside her, and put his arms around her shoulders.He thought to himself that the obstacle to this marriage was not the difference in age, but the difference in status. Sister Mei held too high a status in his heart, and she was the god he looked up to, and looking up to him could not be regarded as love.Now he has to work hard to bridge the gap. Mei Yin didn't move in his arms, but Sun Jingshuan continued to summon up courage and kissed her.Maine accepted and gave him a calm kiss back.Sun Jingshuan's blood boiled in an instant, he hugged Sister Mei tightly, and passionately kissed her face all over.Grandma was working in the kitchen and had been secretly paying attention to the movement here. At this moment, she suddenly saw the two kissing, and she couldn't help being surprised and delighted.Grandma has already seen the grandson's affection for his sister Mei. At first, she murmured in her heart that Mei Yin was too old, but after she figured it out, you just can't figure it out. What can I do?The grandson's heart has already died on Mei Yin.After figuring it out, grandma wanted to work hard to make this marriage settled earlier, so that they could get married and have children earlier.Today's women are well maintained, and they can still bear children at the age of forty-eight.Just now she took the initiative to bring up this issue at the dinner table, it was because of this idea.Now she saw that her little trick had taken effect, and she was having a good time in the kitchen. Sun Jingshuan's passionate kiss ignited Mei Yin's lust, which had been dormant for fourteen years under her deliberate freezing.She also kissed each other passionately.The two kissed for a long time, and it was Mei Yin who calmed down first. She gently pushed Sun Jingshuan away, stroked her hair, and said: Jing Shuan, I know what you mean, but let me think about it again, and decide this matter next time I come, okay? OK It's time for me to go now, the children in the orphanage are still waiting for me.What about Xiaoxue, hasn't come back yet? I'm afraid it was intentional to avoid it.This lad is very clever. Maine nodded with a smile, and said: I'll call him back.Just took out the phone, the phone rang, it was the area code of the United States.She listened solemnly, and said in English: "Okay, I will rush back tomorrow." After hanging up the phone, she said to Sun Jingshuan: It was my adoptive father's personal doctor who called. The old man had a heart attack and was just sent to the hospital. Is there any danger to life? He said it was okay, it was discovered in a timely manner, and it is estimated that there will be no danger to life.But the old man is already eighty-six years old, so it's hard to say.She thought for a while and said, how about this, you ask the company office to book the ticket quickly, and I will rush to Zhengzhou immediately, so that I can catch a red-eye flight to Shanghai, and catch the plane from Shanghai to San Francisco tomorrow. Sun Jingshuan immediately contacted by phone and asked the secretary to calculate the connection of the journey and book air tickets to Zhengzhou and Shanghai.Here, Mei Yin used her mobile phone to call Xue Yu back, briefly explained the situation, and asked for leave from Wuhan.Xue Yu said that he could send Teacher Mei to Zhengzhou, and then he returned directly from Zhengzhou to Wuhan.When they got into the car, Sun Jingshuan came over to shake hands with Sister Mei and said: Say hello to the old man for me and wish him a speedy recovery.Also, I look forward to your reply. Maine nodded, but didn't speak.Sun Jingshuan bid farewell to Xue Yu again, and asked him to take care of Dong Mei's daily life.They waved goodbye to Grandma Sun, and Xue Yu started the Lifan car. Knowing that Teacher Mei was anxious, Xue Yu drove the car very fast.When they arrived in Nanyang City, Mei Yin said: I figured out the time, let's stop at the orphanage, the children are all looking forward to me. OKBut let's not stop too much, hurry up rather than late. In the small lanes of the old city, the car reversed several times with difficulty, and finally drove into the orphanage.Hearing the sound of the trumpet, Mama Liu and Mama Chen rushed out, but they still fell behind Xiaoxue.Xiaoxue was the first to rush to the car, into the arms of Mei Yin who had just stepped out of the car, and shouted: "Mama Mei, Mama Mei, you are here."Mama Mei, miss me to death. Mei Yin picked her up and rubbed her face, I also miss my daughter Xiaoxue.After the two made out for a while, she put Xiaoxue down on the ground and said: I have seen Uncle Xiaoxue. Mei Xiaoxue looked up and said curiously: "Hello, Uncle Xiaoxue, you have the same name as me?"Then I am Xiao Xiaoxue, and you are Da Xiaoxue. Xue Yu flicked her little nose, little fool, that's not my name.My surname is Xue, and my name is Xue Yu. Xiaoxue smiled shyly, and snuggled up to Mama Mei's side.More than a dozen young orphans who didn't go to school all crowded out at this moment, surrounded Mei Yin, shouting in one go, like a nest of sparrows.Mei Yin's face was full of brilliance, she hugged each child, and greeted the two mothers.Mama Liu said with emotion: Dean Mei, the children miss you so much, especially Xiaoxue, who asked for leave today to stay in the house, ran out when they heard any movement, and went inside and out more than a dozen times. Maine lowered her head and said with a sullen face: "Xiaoxue." Knowing what she was going to say, Xiaoxue immediately interjected: Mommy Mei, I only have one PE class this afternoon, so it's okay to ask for leave.Liu's mother said that I ran in and out more than a dozen times, isn't that the same as taking physical education class? The four adults were all amused, Mei Yin scratched her nose and said: You are the only one who can make up reasons, you little starling!Turning to the two mothers, she said: Unfortunately, I can't stop longer.I just received a call that my adoptive father was critically ill and had to rush to Zhengzhou immediately to fly back to the United States.这会儿正在上学的孩子们我见不着了，大家的生日宴会我也不能在场了。你们给孩子们说明一下情况，等我从美国回来，一定为他们补过生日。今天的生日蛋糕已经定了吧？那你们就先自己吃，等我回来再定一个更大的。 听梅妈妈说马上要走，孩子们都不笑了，一个个嘟起了嘴。小雪的泪水更是刷刷地流出来。梅茵忙把她揽到怀里，责备她： 小雪你看你！孩子们中间就你大，我还指望你帮我安慰他们呢。你倒好，先哭到前头。别难过，我最多两个星期就回来，到时候不回武汉，直接到这儿给你们过生日，你说行不行？ 薛愈惊奇地说：小雪你哭啥？你们今年可占大便宜了，往年吃一次生日蛋糕，今年能吃两次。你们该笑才对。哈哈，小雪笑了！ 小雪真被逗笑了，忙扑过去捶打他，孩子们的感伤随即变成了嬉笑。梅茵同每个孩子再度拥抱，告别，匆匆离开。薛愈瞥见，站在门口挥别的小雪眼眶中又变得晶莹欲滴。 汽车开到高速路上，梅茵从离别的伤感中走出来，笑着夸薛愈：小薛你很擅长同孩子相处，刚才多亏你打岔。 我到哪儿都是个孩子王，最喜欢和孩子们闹。梅老师，我看孩子们对你感情很深，对亲妈也不过如此。 梅茵轻轻叹息一声，没错，这三十二个孩子都是我的开心果，有什么不如意的事，到这儿转一趟，什么坏情绪都烟消云散了。 那个叫小雪的，我看特别亲你。 她是我们收的第一个孤儿，那时孤儿院还没开张呢。我和她接触得最多，感情自然更深一些。 这孩子真可爱，又漂亮，一双眼睛特别水灵。叫我说，扔了她的那对狠心爹妈，真是瞎了眼。她今年虚岁十三岁了？我敢说，不出五年，她一定出落成南阳市第一朵花。 梅茵放声笑了，调侃他：你不是还没女朋友吗？别谈了，耐心等五年，等梅小雪长大。 薛愈笑着说：不行啊，我倒不怕等这五年，但我是她叔叔，不能乱了辈分。 这时梅茵的电话响了，是孙总的，告诉她联程机票已经定好，按行程算下来，可以在后天早上赶到旧金山。又说公司驻郑办事处的人员将带着机票在郑州机场等她。梅姐，一路平安。我等你回来。 好的，再见。 其后的行程中，梅茵不再说话，对义父的担心和思念逐渐膨胀，占据了整个思绪。算来离开义父已经二十三年，其间只见过两次面。义父今年已经八十六岁了。她想起义父第一次见到的她，是一个赤身裸体在雪地里疯闹的两岁囡囡。穷人孩子坚韧的生命力让义父感到震撼，又通过他的眼睛，把这种强烈的印象反向传输给自己当时她还不记事吧，但现在只要一闭眼，就能想象出自己在雪中光着身子疯闹的场景。另一个印象最深的场景就是在非洲了，那年她十五岁，义父带她到非洲看野生动物，那遮天蔽地的角马群，河中凶残的鳄鱼，草丛中眈眈而视的狮子，在地上蹒跚而行的秃鹫，还有苏丹延比奥地区惨烈的疫情现在回想起来，大概就是在那一趟非洲之旅后，义父变成了教父。 薛愈见她陷入沉思，没有打扰她，专心开着车，只偶尔悄悄瞟她一眼。三个小时后他们到达郑州机场，在机场大门口碰上了守在那里的公司驻郑办事处的小李姑娘。除了机票，小李还交给梅茵一个小皮箱，她说孙总交待，要给梅董准备一些换洗衣服和日用杂品，因为时间太仓促，只能凑合了，请梅董多包涵。梅茵谢了她，给薛愈留了一些钱，说：开车回武汉太辛苦，你也坐飞机回吧。这辆车就存到机场的停车场，等我从美国回来时仍走郑州，开车回南阳市很方便的。他们交接妥当，去上海的班机也该进港了，梅茵同大家告别，拎着那个新买的小皮箱朝安检站走去。 梅茵到达旧金山已经是第三天上午。义父的私人医生科奈瑞克在机场迎接她。得知老沃尔特康复得很好，虽然短时间不能出院，但已经没有生命危险了，梅茵这才放下心来。义父在CDC工作前曾在加州大学执过教，退休后他和妻子选择在这儿定居，房子在海边，濒临太平洋。两个老人曾笑着说，住在这儿，感觉上和我们的中国女儿更近一些。 他们沿着贝肖尔高速公路到了市立医院。沃尔特还在输液，心脏监视器单调低沉地鸣响着。不过他精神很好，半躺在可调式病床上，看见女儿进来，他张开双臂笑着说：我的小凯西回来了！ 梅茵忙跑过去，先把他的左臂按下，左手上还连着输液管呢，然后才同爸爸拥抱。 爸爸，你把我吓坏了，我以为见不到你了。她忍不住有些哽咽，稍顿又笑着说，不过我相信，你不会这么轻易被打败。 沃尔特直率地说：终归要被打败的，上帝的规则不可战胜，我已经是八十六岁的老人啦。所以，下次回来如果见不到我，也不要难过。 站在一旁的科奈瑞克说：你们父女聊吧，我先走了。梅茵送走医生，回来坐在床前，仔细端详着义父。虽然两人在互联网上经常见面，但这会儿她更真切地看到了父亲的衰老：白发稀疏，皮肤干枯，锁骨深陷，脸上和手背上长满了老年斑。她叹口气道：爸爸，也许我不该离开你，尤其是在妈妈去世后。 沃尔特责备地摇摇手指，不要这样说，你去中国发展没错。你看天力公司发展得多快，组织当年投入的三千万已经增值到十几个亿。每年一个亿的分红，给组织提供了宝贵的经费。 这主要归功于天力的总经理，那个小伙子干得确实不错。我已经把他发展成十字组织的成员，这次一共发展了十名。待会儿我把名单给你，在我返回中国前，希望能拿到刻好这十人名字的十字架。 no problem.在世界那么多个国家里，数你那儿发展得最快。 也许正如你所说，中国人的传统道德更适合接受我们的教义。 沃尔特握住梅茵的手，关切地问：你的婚姻呢？你上次在邮件里说，你可能做出某个决定。 Yes.就是天力的总经理孙景栓，他向我求过三次婚了。他今年三十六岁，按中国人的属相，正好比我小一轮，都是属虎的。所以我一直不敢答应，因为按中国人的说法，这样的婚姻不会幸福，一山不存二虎。Ha ha.她爽朗地大笑。 那么，你做出决定了吗？年龄差距应该不是问题。 对，这不是问题，问题是如果我答应与他结婚，我就要事先下决心，以四十八岁的高龄至少生育一个孩子，否则他的奶奶会伤心死的。刚才说中国人的传统道德，这位孙奶奶就是一个典型。她嫁到孙家后，可以说完全迷失了自我，淡忘了自己的姓氏。现在她念念不忘的，就是要为孙家延续宗嗣。她摇摇头说，她的这种观念非常执着，近乎于走火入魔，不仅西方人难以理解，即使在中国的年轻人中也很难接受，认为这是旧思想，是历史垃圾。不过依我看来，也许这样的执着更符合上帝的道德关注种族的延续而非着眼于个体的生死。 停停她又说：这是个很好的老人，我很敬重她。如果我决定答应孙的求婚，或者用中国人的话，嫁到孙家当媳妇，那我无论如何也不忍伤这位老人的心。正是这一点让我踌躇。 没关系的，借助于现代医疗技术，在四十八岁生育完全不成问题。目前世界上年龄最大的妈妈是六十七岁吧，那位妈妈甚至早已停经，是借用了其他人的卵子。 I know.我想，我会在回中国前做出决定。 孩子，老沃尔特笑着说，你为尊重孙的奶奶而决定生孩子，从这一点看，你虽然在美国生活了十五年，但从本质上讲还是一个中国人。美国女人不会这样委屈自己的。 I know.其实这并非我的本意，但生活在中国，那里的空气中似乎有一种很沉重的东西，让你无法拒绝。 不知不觉，两人聊的时间已经不短了，梅茵说：咱们不说话了，你闭上眼休息一会儿，心脏病刚康复，不能劳累和激动。老沃尔特听话地闭眼休息了一会儿，又睁开眼说： 凯西，你刚才说，这位孙奶奶的旧思想反倒更符合上帝的道德，让我想起一件事。这些年，这儿有一个名为上帝与我同在的自由论坛比较活沃，它偏重于哲理上的思考，都是些无君无父的言论，非常偏激和锋利，当然也不乏闪光之处。大家平常在网上交流，每季度在某一所大学定期聚会一次，这吸引了不少外国人也赶来与会。论坛成立以来我每次都参加的，这次你代我去吧，你可以把刚才的意思做个引申发言。聚会就在明天，地点在加州大学医学院的教室。 OK 他闭上眼，过了一会儿又说：我让你去，还有一个目的。你开会时多注意一个叫齐亚·巴兹的人。他是我十几年前的学生，一个非常有才华的病毒学家，阿富汗裔或巴基斯坦裔，我记不清了，只记得他是巴阿边境一个普什图族长老的儿子。我退休后一直没与他联系过，不曾想竟在几个月前的论坛聚会上邂逅了。十几年没见，他似乎有了很大变化。他在论坛发表的言论怎么说呢，这儿所有的言论都很偏激、很异端，但他的言论中似乎格外多了一些血腥味儿。我不知道他现在的政治信仰，但至少从感情上说，他与恐怖主义是同源的。你多注意一下他。 did you mean 我的想法还不成熟。我想，也许这人能为我们所用。Let's see. 梅茵点点头，好的。 说话间，一群医护人员进来例行查房。为首的是位满脸络腮胡的中年医生，很健谈，与寡言持重的科奈瑞克医生恰成对比。他一边用听诊器为病人检查心脏，一边高兴地说： 梅小姐是刚从中国回来的？不用担心，你父亲的身体基质不错，这只是小毛病、小故障，一台宝马发动机的火花塞稍许有点积炭，仅此而已。等他扛过这场小灾难，一定能活到一百岁。 One hundred years old?沃尔特怀疑地问。 主治医生看看他，放声大笑，噢，我太吝啬了，那就做一个更正吧你至少能活到一百岁。 第二天上午，梅茵来到加州大学旧金山分校医学院的会议室。屋里摆着椭圆形的长桌，能围坐四十多人。这会儿已经来的二十多人，大家都熟不拘礼地打着招唿。每人面前放着一瓶矿泉水，环桌的中心放着几盆廉价的花草。环形桌前方是一块电子黑板，讲桌上放着一个蝴蝶形的只能遮住眼部的面具。义父介绍过，说它是论坛的一个小传统：每个人在发言前都要介绍自己的真实身份，这象征着发言者要对自己的言论负责；然后再戴上面具发言，这象征着发言人超脱了个人的爱憎利害，是站在客观、也可以说是上帝的立场上的。发言人都认真遵循着这个传统，梅茵打量着黑色的蝴蝶后一双双冷静超然的眼睛，觉得这个传统倒挺不错。 这会儿是一个俄罗斯人在发言，他是圣彼得堡国立大学的教授，英语不太流利，有时要停下来寻找合适的词句，但大家都听得很认真。他的发言题目是《下一个世纪的能源》。他说，所有的物理定律都不是终极真理，而只是真理的某一级近似，比如，罗蒙诺索夫提出的物质守恒定律和能量守恒定律就是不完备的，因为现在人们都知道，只有把物质和能量联系起来考虑，守恒定律才正确。另外，其实今天的质能守恒定律也不是终极真理，而只是真理在稍高一个层级的近似。下一步需要把熵增和能量联系起来考虑，在新的守恒框架中，熵增不可逆和永动机不可能实现的结论都将被推翻。因此下一个世纪的能源将是微型黑洞。通过我设计的技术方法，发现和俘获微型黑洞，把社会代谢必然产生的垃圾从本质上说就是熵用可控方式投入黑洞，不仅可以获得符合爱因斯坦质能公式的巨大能量，同时还能一劳永逸地解决环境污染。请不要把这个设想仅仅看成是技术性的进步，不，它是划时代的革命，过去一直认为不可逆转的熵增在这儿完全转化成了能量。人类社会的可持续发展在理论上从此有了牢固的基石或者可以说，我让宇宙变和谐了。 梅茵听了他最后这句话，不由微微一笑：这人的口气太大了。不过义父事先说过，这个聚会的参加者都是些傲视上帝的家伙，那么这人的狂妄也就不足为怪。梅茵对物理学理论不太了解，但至少在她看来，此人的设想中幻想的成分居多，不能算是真正的技术设想。其他与会者大概也是同样的想法，不过这些绅士都非常认真地倾听着。有一个人举手要求提问，在发言人同意后，他简短地问： 如何控制黑洞，使它不至于吞噬地球？大家都知道，没有任何方法可以囚禁黑洞，连理论上的设想都没有。 俄罗斯人也简短地回答：用垃圾喂饱它。或者换句话说，用垃圾外壳把它同正常世界隔离，就像用磁场把可控核聚变同我们隔离一样。只要根据地球上垃圾产生的速率来适当选取黑洞的初始质量，就可以保证它不至于吃透垃圾外壳而危及地球。 以下是冗长的计算，计算一个拥有一百亿人口的地球，在正常的社会代谢强度下，需要多大初始质量的微型黑洞才能满足生产能量和吞噬垃圾的需要，而又不致造成失控的危险。梅茵没能听清结论，因为一个很像中国人的老人进来了，这个人在屋里扫视一圈发现了梅茵，立即高兴地走过来，拉过一把椅子坐到梅茵身后，伏在她耳边用汉语说：梅老师，这个世界太小了，没想在这儿会见到你。见梅茵有些茫然，他说，我是薛愈的舅舅，去年到武汉见他时，见过你一面。 他这么一说，梅茵想起来了，此人叫赵与舟，是清华大学的退休教授，一个有点偏执和神经质的老人，在武汉病毒研究所郑店实验室的楼梯上曾与她有一面之交。 我想起来了，赵先生，真是巧遇，我同样想不到能在美国见到你。 你是回来探亲？ 对，我义父心脏病发作。你呢，是来探亲，还是工作访问？ 不是，我是特地来参加这个会的。他顿了一下说，我是自费来的。没办法啊，天生的倔脾气，社会责任感太强。我在网上听腻了西方思想家们所谓敬畏上帝的滥调，特地来同这些人当面斗争一番。这些反科学主义言论是毒害青少年的鸦片。 梅茵微微一笑，心想，如果这位赵先生知道自己胸前的十字架上就刻着敬畏上帝四个字，不知道会是什么反应。不过她什么也没说，所谓敝帚自珍，每个人都会珍视自己的观点，每个人也都有权力坚持自己的观点，这算不了什么。赵先生听说她是第一次参加这个论坛，觉得有责任保护她，于是就不厌其烦地介绍起这个论坛的情况：主要有什么人参加，在网上发言者大都是什么观点，等等。梅茵觉得在下面私语对发言人不礼貌，想委婉地制止他，她正要开口，忽然赵先生不说话竖着耳朵开始听发言了。这会儿讲台上换了一个发言者，自我介绍说是美国圣塔菲研究所的。这个所是以复杂性研究而闻名的，但他讲的却是医学问题。他正说道： 卓有成效的现代医学体系保护了各种遗传病患者，使他们得以寿享天年，并且延续他们的血脉但这么一来，他们的不良基因也得以延续下去。众所周知，达尔文的进化论揭示：生物在繁衍中随机产生遗传变异，其中绝大部分是有害的，只是因为生物界中有自然淘汰机制这个残忍高效的死亡之筛，才使有害基因逐渐被淘汰，至少控制在某个比率之下。从这点上说，现代医学的重要原则救助个人而非救助人类是同进化论完全背道而驰的。 他用电子笔在黑板上板书，依据人类遗传变异的正常速率、变异中有害变异的大致比率以及人类正常繁殖率等进行了计算，得出的结论是： 据我的计算，如果保持目前状态不变，那么，最迟在两万年以内，人类的各种遗传病基因就会累积浓缩到一个临界点，产生链式反应，使人类医疗体系不堪重负而全面崩溃。怎么走出这个怪圈？怎么既救助个人又不干扰上帝规定的自然进化？目前还没有办法，依人类思想所能达到的水平，目前看不到希望，连一丝希望的闪光也没有。不过，他笑道，我是个乐观主义者，如果我的计算可靠，那么我们还有两万年的缓刑期。相信两万年后的人类比我们要聪明得多。 他取下面具，潇洒地把电子笔扔到讲台上，走回了原位。在他发言时，赵先生一直处于亢奋状态，两眼灼灼放光，就像发现了猎物的纯种寻血猎犬。He whispered: it's him!我来这儿，就是要对付这样的妄人！资产阶级的颓废、反人道、社会达尔文主义，他算是占全了。梅老师，我这就去发言。 梅茵担心他的发言火药味儿太浓，温和地小声说：赵先生，这是个自由论坛，只阐述自己的观点，一般不进行相互驳难。 赵与舟不满地看她一眼，我绝不能容忍这样的邪教教义。 梅茵不想再劝他，但坚决地说：至少你不要在讲台上骂人。 他勉为其难地答应道：好吧。 他走上讲台，先做了自我介绍，但没有照规矩戴上面具可能是太激动而忽略了。我是自费来这儿参加聚会的。他加重语气说。听众对这句话没有反应，他们都是自费来的，并不觉得需要强调这一点。只有梅茵知道他这句话的含意，这些年她对中国人的心理摸得很透了。对于平素一贯公费出国的这位老先生来说，强调这次是自费，那是隐晦地强调自己的牺牲精神和社会责任心，就像刚才对她所做的表白一样。公平说来，自费来美国一趟，对赵先生来说确实是一种牺牲，他退休得早，工资不可能太高，看样子也没有其他赚钱门路，能花费两千美元参加论坛，确属不易。可惜的是，他不了解外国听众的理解力，算是俏媚眼做给瞎子看了。赵与舟接着说： 这个论坛的名字叫上帝与我同在，我觉得很不合适。这儿一向标榜为自由论坛，但这个名字本身就表达了某种倾向，这其实是对自由的一种桎梏。我早就听腻了目前西方科学界时髦的敬畏自然或敬畏上帝的论调，科学用上千年的努力才把上帝拉下马，难不成又主动迎他复辟？不，我相信这种情况不可能发生。科学是天然正确的，一万年来的人类文明史已经完全证明了这一点。尽管有这样那样的波折，但科学一直在帮助人类社会向上发展，谁能否认这一点？偏偏有这么一些人，一边享受着科学的恩惠，一边却又卖力地诋毁科学，这只能叫忘恩负义！他说得口干，跑回原位拿了瓶矿泉水，旋即回到发言席上喝了几口，接着说，刚才有一位妄一位可敬的先生说，医学将让人类在两万年后灭亡，他的观点初看起来似乎颇具说服力，因为医学的发展确实中断了人类的自然进化，不过，不客气地说，他的阐述只是诡辩，他所说的危机其实正是文明的进步！不要怕什么有害基因的累积，科学即将发展出足够精细的DNA操作技术，在婴儿出生前就剔除有害基因；甚至还能对人类基因进行统筹设计，按照需要设计出新基因，比如，设计出能完全抗病的基因、能适应海底生活的基因、能适应太空生活的基因等等，从而实现人类的定向进化。毫无疑问，这种高效、定向的进化，与大自然随机、效率低下的进化绝对不可同日而语。说句根本不算狂妄的话吧：随着科学的发展，人类正在、并且必然代替上帝，而且会比他干得更好。 梅茵不禁暗暗叹服，这位有点神经质的老先生不仅思路相当清晰，口才也不错。真理常