If someone bothered to look through the database, theyâd realize that the earthâs magnetic field has been continuously weakening since the 1900s⌠At first, its effect on humans was minimal. During this time period, the number of phenomenons increased annually and when everything was added up, the result was that the strength of the electromagnetic field had been weakened by at least 10%. The countries with man-made satellites had retrieved data which showed that the force field thatâs supposed to encircle the entire planet is no longer intact. Some places, mainly the poles, have shown large, gaping holes.
The electromagnetic field is intangible, so most people donât care about it. Even if the government held a press conference saying that â oh no, the magnetic field is disappearing, this is really bad,â most peopleâs reaction would be â oh dear, how bad is it? Does this mean compasses will no longer be accurate?â
If they were instead informed about a biochemical virus, theyâd probably be more terrified and may understand the extent of the impact better. But electromagnetic fields? What are those?
There are reasons as to why various governments and scientists arenât panicking yet. Theories have been made that every 250,000 years, the earthâs magnetic poles will flip, turning the Arctic into Antarctica and vice versa. The earth itself is like a huge magnet, so the flipping of the poles is a natural occurrence. Thus, the extreme changes occurring during this time are also natural, and the preliminary assessment is that this process will continue slowly for another 2000 years. All that humans need to do is to protect the environment and adapt.
It wasnât until the evening of January 7th, when multiple magnetic gaps began to appear and interfere with each other in the Pacific regions, that a large number of marine animals began to fall into disorder. But based on previous research, the magnetic field is constantly changing; in another three to five days, these places will return to the norm. Most importantly, all the areas that experience severe electromagnetic irregularity are in the oceans, so this news that could cause public panic wasnât released. Scientists were all readily researching the environmental impacts of this disturbance and what that could mean for the climate of 2012, in case theyâd need to be prepared for natural disasters such as floods or droughts.
South China Sea.
In the pitch black night that resembled a scheming devil, the waves seemed to extend beyond infinity.
Through its surface, the brilliant luxury cruise sails smoothly. This was its last voyage, but the only ones who knew that were the gradually growing anxious captain and crew.
Around dusk, the Thalassa Goddess â communication with land connected intermittently. The radio continued to malfunction and occasionally, one could hear the static sound of electricity. Several more people collapsed with a heart attack and the captain was about to pull out his hair. Such events happen often at sea, it may be the result of weather or metal deposits underwater, but anyhow, things would improve once they left this part of the ocean.
That was also what he told the crew to inform the guests.
Itâs just that during their previous journeys across this area, never has there been so severe a problem.
The captain is an almost 40 year old man. He has a good income, more-than-sufficient experience and only needs to sail three to four times a year, each voyage lasting around a month. Heâs very content with the life he currently lives, so in order to keep his position, he doesnât dare disturb the good moods of the tycoons unless he absolutely has to.
Especially tonight, where Mr Han who chartered this cruise was hosting a party in the ballroom on the tenth floor. Except for those celebrities, everyone else present were of great power and wealth. Xia Yi was only able to stand here because he was a contracted artist. Assistants like Li Shao and the middle management of XXX companies were all turned away at the door. In the eyes of these self-proclaimed successful businessmen, assistants and subordinates were all high-level wage earners. In this setting, even bodyguards were more useful than them!
An elegant waltz echoed through the room as the hands of a renowned pianist danced across monochromatic keys. Under the chandelier, the banquet table was filled with a variety of seafood, pastries, savoury dishes, and wine. Of course, thereâs cuisine that isnât meant to be eaten together but if you do, the consequence wasnât too badâ just diarrhea. But no one cared about that; rarely did anyone come to eat at a party like this, and if someone did nothing but eat, theyâd become a laughing stock.
There was no juice, only a moderate sized bar. The bartenderâs wrist deftly maneuvered multiple drinks of various sizes, pouring out assorted cups of brightly coloured cocktails. Thatâs the ladiesâ favourite place and naturally where they were, there flocked men with distinct intentions.
Except for the tycoons, everyone was politely asked to hand over their phones and cameras because in this industry, no one was much cleaner than the person next to them.
To be honest, Xia Yi didnât want to come. However, there was no way for him to swim back to land. Fear cannot change anythingâ
If tomorrow was the end of the world, then what will you do?
Xia Yi stood in the corner with a cup of lemon tequila in hand. His parents gave birth to their only son when they were forty and spent all their energy on him. It was fortunate that his family was relatively well-off and though his fatherâs side were all doctors, it was barely possible for Xia Yi to find a normal job with his condition, muchless get into med school.
Xia Yi doesnât even have a proper diploma. His upbringing was different from everyone elseâs; he didnât go to school and refused to enter exam centers. Four years ago, his parents died in a car accident and for Xia Yi, the last door between him and the world was sealed.
He did wish to have friends and a significant other, but he couldnât become intimate with someone else. If he really cared about another person, heâd spend time and time again thinking over his every word and action to deem whether he was being appropriate. However, being overly cautious with his behaviour usually only ended up in more mistakes. Most importantly, it was very difficult for him to determine emotional changes from other peopleâs facial expressions. Acting is exaggeration on a smaller scale and there are scripts to remind him of his responses. But in reality, if someone said âhelloâ to him sarcastically, heâd really understand it as a greeting towards him.
Other than family, nobody would have such agape loveâ Xia Yi understood that.
Thus, he continues to live in loneliness because he doesnât know how to walk onto this worldâs path. Gradually, hope diminished and it got to the point where he subconsciously avoided people who showed him overt enthusiasm. Being alone was the only way he could protect himself and silence was the way he maintained dignity.
He doesnât want to live so carefully in the name of love.
He doesnât know why heâs alive, but he doesnât want to die either.
If none of this was his imaginationâŚ
Xia Yi downed his drink and took another one. Such unusual behaviour attracted the gaze of those who knew him. Technically, he was just there, not standing out, seeming boring and dull. But this aroused the interest of some who had a weird taste and liked to play; for example, Mr Hanâs son, Han Lin.
The truly rich-second-generationâs circle is quite small so based on the fact that Han Lin has never seen Xia Yi before, he assumed the latter was probably a newly employed CEO of some company. Usually, people who wore tuxedos so rigid and dull were old grandpas, not like Xia Yi, who was drinking cocktails one after another. Sometimes, he would tip the cup too fast and drops of alcohol would roll down his neckâ forgive Young Master Han, even if he had a good memory, he had never cared to watch soap operas. Thus, it was understandable for him to not recognize Xia Yi.
Xia Yi was exactly Han Linâs type. Perhaps it was during his international study in Britain, where he met countless stiff British gentlemen, that Han Lin knew very well that these types of people were either truly boring, or were very passionate in private.
Gold-collar? They were just employees; without a job and global corporation to hire them, even the utmost competent diamond-collars will find themselves to be worthless. Like his father, Han Lin believed that there was no amusement in this world that couldnât be bought.
âGood evening, and you are?â
Han Lin was one of the main targets for many at this party. The moment he moved, a lot of guests figured out his motive and gazed at Xia Yi with either disapproval or humour.
Itâs basic manners to nod in acknowledgement when others greet you.
Xia Yi took that teaching seriously.
Except he didnât reply vocally and upon feeling that heâd completed a polite greeting, Xia Yi moved to the side. He hadnât planned to eat anything but this may be his last dinner, so why not when he still has the chance. He randomly picked up a piece of black forest cake and behind him, Han Linâs eyes twitched.
What kind of serious and dull manager would eat cake under this situation? Shouldnât that be for children and ladies only?
âI presume you havenât tried these Black Sea Caviar, ah but of course, you must use a shell spoon for the metal ones will damage the tasteâŚâ
Xia Yi walked away before he finished speaking.
Han Linâs expression distorted slightly. To be honest, he has faced rejection before, but this was the first time he had been so blatantly ignored.
But the truth was that Xia Yi had no idea that he was being spoken to. Half of the floor was an outdoor ballroom while the other half was an indoor swimming pool, there were also multiple ocean-viewing balconies. He walked aimlessly and moved to the other side of a balcony.
Xia Yi looked up at the sky, the gentle breeze caressing his face. If the atmosphere was thinning, then thereâd be radiation regardless if the sun was out or not.
âXia-QianBei!â
Xia Yi turned around and saw that it was An Li. Since she was someone familiar, he didnât leave.
âQianBei isnât your usual self today?â An Li raised an eyebrow, not caring that Xia Yi didnât answer her. She pointed ahead, âLook, see that sprout of water over there! Maybe itâs a whale! Iâve heard that whale meat tastes exceptional, but itâs illegal to catch them back in China. The islands on the east however, catch them daily. So sometimes, a small action can come with big consequencesâŚâ
This time, Xia Yi didnât ponder over the underlying meaning of An Liâs words. Instead, his attention was stolen by the large splash of water. He couldnât see clearly into the areas that werenât illuminated by the ship, but Xia Yiâs head began to ache.
There was something there, watching the cruise.
Suddenly, a silver tail appeared amongst the waves.
Looking down from the height of the Thalass Goddess, even humans looked like ants. If there was a fish as big as an adultâ he prayed that it wasnât a shark.
âThatâs surprising, such a big splash but such a tiny fish!â
âOr it could be a school of fish,â Xia Yi said suddenly.
His response shocked An Li. She never expected an answer whenever she spoke with him. But tonight, Xia Yi was definitely acting strange and that was beginning to get to An Li. She was a young woman with a bright future and most importantly, she was good at judging people. Itâs not that she likes Xia Yi, she just knows that there are people who seem to be smart, but are actually stubborn idiots only looking at whatâs in front of them. Then there are others who donât speak much nor have a strong presence, but retain a clear picture of whatâs happening and can often discover many things.
In her eyes, Xia Yi belonged to the latter group.
No one would manifest their kindness if thereâs no profit to gain; she merely knew how to maintain relationships.
Her sixth sense was telling her that something wasnât right, so using the opportunity of smiling to greet someone far away, she manipulated her glass to hide her expression and asked, âWhat happened?â
ââŚIâm not sure.â
Xia Yi paused and hesitated before further speaking, âDonât stay on the outdoor deck.â
âOr?â An Li believed there was definitely more to this.
âFind a safe place and hide.â
Xia Yi desperately wished that he was making everything up to scare himself; that the truth wasnât as severe as he imagined.