After the intense encounter at the coffee shop, Li Feng's mind latched onto the fleeting images from Julian's notebook like a high-priority data packet. The unique network topologies, the unfamiliar symbols, the advanced equations – these were not just anomalies, they were fragments of a new system, a complex puzzle piece he needed to integrate into his understanding.
He spent the next few days in a relentless research dive, a self-imposed academic sprint far more rigorous than any university course. He scoured online academic databases, obscure forums, and cutting-edge research papers. He delved into theoretical computer science, looking for concepts that transcended current network models. He explored nascent fields like quantum entanglement for data transfer, and even ventured into the periphery of theoretical neuroscience, searching for any existing framework that might explain Julian's hinted-at architecture of information or consciousness.
It was like searching for a specific grain of sand on an endless beach, but Li Feng's mind thrived on such challenges. He found vague references to 'consciousness-as-data' theories, speculative papers on 'non-Euclidean network topologies,' and niche discussions about 'self-organizing information structures.' None of them fit Julian's distinct signature perfectly, but they offered tantalizing glimpses into the theoretical landscape Julian was operating within. He began to piece together a preliminary understanding: Julian wasn't just building a powerful network; he was attempting to redefine how information itself existed and interacted.
Meanwhile, Julian's paranoia seemed to amplify. Li Feng noticed Julian had changed his usual campus routes, taking circuitous paths, always glancing over his shoulder. The low hum from the basement at Chloe's house, according to Chloe, had intensified and become more erratic, suggesting Julian was pushing his system even harder, perhaps attempting to evade further detection or accelerate his 'connection' efforts.
Chloe herself was increasingly stressed. She cornered Li Feng after a lecture. "He's barely eating, Li Feng. And he snapped at Mom when she tried to bring him food. He's talking to himself, sometimes whispering about 'frequency alignment' and 'the universal truth.' He's losing it, isn't he?" Her voice trembled, a crack of raw fear.
Li Feng processed her words. "His behavior indicates extreme dedication to his project, potentially bordering on obsession. The 'frequency alignment' comment is consistent with the theoretical frameworks I am researching. It suggests a goal of synchronization or resonance with an external entity or system." He didn't offer false comfort. His analysis was direct.
"But what does that mean?" Chloe pleaded. "Is he trying to talk to aliens? Or break the internet?"
"The data is still insufficient for a conclusive hypothesis," Li Feng admitted. "However, the implications are growing. A system aiming for 'universal truth' through non-standard information architecture... could have unforeseen consequences if not handled with extreme care." He didn't mention the unsettling realization that had begun to dawn on him: Julian's drive, his singular focus, his willingness to disregard all other factors for the sake of his project… it mirrored Li Feng's own intensity, just channeled differently. The thought was a disquieting variable he hadn't yet quantified.
Li Feng knew he needed more than theory. He needed a direct way to understand the nature of the external connection Julian was seeking. If Julian's system was looking for a specific 'frequency,' Li Feng needed to understand what that frequency sounded like, without directly broadcasting his presence. The puzzle was deeper now, spanning beyond just networks and into the very nature of information itself.