This theory is simple, and Jiang Ye immediately understood.
"The fourth, plant origin theory," Cen Yemeng said. "Plants on Earth wither in winter because the temperature drops below zero. If they don't wither, their water will freeze, their cells will die, and the entire plant will perish. As plants shed their leaves, small animals have nothing to eat and also begin to hibernate, driving the entire food chain into hibernation."
"However, the plants on many planets have leaves that are either rich in oil, low in water, or can change their internal composition during the transition between summer and winter. Some can even generate their own heat, so they don't freeze to death when winter arrives. If the plants don't wither, the animals will follow suit and not hibernate."
Jiang Ye thought of the Snow Oil Grass on Jiang Ye Star, which should be such a case.
"The fifth, werewolf game disruption hypothesis," Cen Yemeng said.
Jiang Ye laughed, "What kind of name is that?"
"Have you played Werewolf?"
"Yes, 'Close your eyes at night, open your eyes in the morning,' scheming and voting people to death."
Jiang Ye was very familiar with this game. When he was in school, he often played it with the girls in his class during self-study sessions. Jiang Ye was almost always the werewolf, but the girls never voted him out. They would even secretly give him winks, using him to kill others.
"The collective hibernation of animals in a region is similar to a Werewolf game scenario," Cen Yemeng said. "Originally, everyone was sleeping soundly, but suddenly a creature mutated. It didn't sleep in winter but instead went around digging into the burrows of other sleeping animals and killing them for food. Isn't that like the werewolves in the game, where everyone else has their eyes closed, and they secretly eliminate players?"
"That's really unfair," Jiang Ye exclaimed in surprise.
"It's evolution, deception is a part of war. Whoever evolves and gains an advantage can pass on their genes," Cen Yemeng smiled. "For the werewolf animals that prey on hibernating creatures, winter becomes an excellent opportunity. Firstly, they can eat many animals without danger, even their natural predators in their slumber. Secondly, they can stockpile food, freezing the killed animals into cured meat in the snow. Thirdly, by eating a lot in winter and gaining sufficient nutrition, they can quickly lay eggs and give birth to young."
"When spring arrives," Jiang Ye immediately realized, "other animals haven't given birth yet, but the werewolf animals' offspring are already fierce and strong, gaining an advantage."
"Exactly, which is why this Werewolf game situation has appeared on many planets," Cen Yemeng said. "Then there are two scenarios."
"What two scenarios?"
"One is the 'Nile River Massacre' type of all-werewolf situation. The number of non-hibernating werewolf species increases in winter, and the hibernating non-werewolf species become dung. So, after hundreds of generations, the entire region is almost entirely populated by creatures that can't sleep in winter, with their eyes shining brightly." Cen Yemeng explained.
"The other is a situation where the good guys rise up in resistance?" Jiang Ye followed her train of thought. "Some hibernating animals find their companions eaten in winter and decide to postpone their hibernation or wake up earlier to increase their chances of survival. As their ability to stay awake grows, these animals break their hibernation habit over a long period, is that right?"
"That's right!" Cen Yemeng reached out and grabbed his hair. "Oh, what a clever student! Such a sharp little brain, your master likes it so much!"
"Are there any other hypotheses?" Jiang Ye asked.
"There are, but they are no longer mainstream. Aren't these enough to answer your questions?" Cen Yemeng tilted her head.
Jiang Ye suddenly found her tilted head very cute, so he couldn't help but reach out and touch her.
"How dare you disrespect your master!" Cen Yemeng said angrily. "Wicked disciple! Take your paws off me!"
"Not only will I defile my master, but I will also make my master go on maternity leave!" Jiang Ye pounced.
Both of their phones suddenly rang.
Jiang Ye froze.
Cen Yemeng pushed him away. "Look at the messages, let's stop for today..."
Jiang Ye picked up his phone, and his expression suddenly became delighted.
Cen Yemeng grabbed her phone and also smiled.
The message they received on their phones was the same: a news report about Jiang Senlin.
Nowadays, there is a keyword news capture function. You set a few keywords, and when related reports appear, your phone will automatically display them. This makes it easier for some people to obtain information they are interested in. A few days ago, the couple set "Jiang Senlin" and "painting" as keywords, and now the latest reports from major newspapers and websites have popped up.
"Jiang Senlin, hailed as a painting prodigy of the millennium, has completed his second massive painting on the theme of the Mill War," Jiang Ye read the news aloud. "Our son will be home soon!"
"According to our reporter, over three thousand auction houses, galleries, and private collectors from more than 260 planets have expressed their intention to purchase. The bids range from 20 billion to 50 billion, with the highest bid coming from the private bid of Governor Yao Shuo at 62.8 billion. It is currently unknown whether this painting will be sold to the public," Cen Yemeng covered her mouth. "My goodness, our son is amazing!"
"Like the previous portrait of heroes, this new painting has once again caused a sensation in the industry. Several master painters have publicly praised its quality. Michael Gilbert claimed that Jiang Senlin's painting 'can make the blind see again,' and Wu Jing said it is the most visually impactful war painting she has ever seen. If historical war painters were resurrected, they would easily die of shame in front of this painting," Jiang Ye continued reading, feeling extremely proud, after all, it was his son.
"Currently, major painting websites have not uploaded the electronic version of this painting, but over 1.78 billion users have already made reservations," Cen Yemeng's mouth was wide open. "Our son is famous throughout the galaxy!"
"Damn, the media really knows how to brag. I want to go see the painting too," Jiang Ye scratched his head.
"Exactly, we haven't even seen the painting our own son made yet," Cen Yemeng pouted. "Li Nannan has kidnapped my son!"
Speak of the devil.
Jiang Ye's phone rang, it was Li Nannan calling.
"Commander, I saw the news. Jiang Senlin has finished, right?" Jiang Ye got straight to the point.
"Yes, he's finished, but he can't leave for now," Li Nannan's tone was slightly apologetic.
"Can't leave?" Jiang Ye's expression changed. "As parents, we truly worry when our children are far away. You said before that he could come home after finishing these two paintings. He's still a child!"
"It's not that I'm not letting him come back, it's... he himself doesn't want to come back, and many people don't want him to come back," Li Nannan sounded very troubled.
"What do you mean?" Cen Yemeng snatched the phone, her expression like a tigress.
"I'll send you a video, and you'll understand when you see it," Li Nannan said, then hung up.
The couple looked at each other.
A video?
Soon, Jiang Ye's phone vibrated, and the video was sent.
Long press, [Play with holographic projection]