CHAPTER 221: CHAPTER 219: ENCOUNTERING OBSTACLES ON THE ROAD

There were three more people in the car, astronauts who were super elites trained systematically and professionally, so Chen Xin naturally saved a lot of effort.

To say the least, the three astronauts could take turns driving with him, even though he could previously let the operating system drive automatically by himself.

Moreover, these three astronauts were considered experts in various professional knowledge, and the planting box placed in the living cabin by Chen Xin was fiddled with by Zhang Yao, who planted vegetables.

"I didn’t expect astronauts could also grow vegetables? It seems you can do more than just fly spaceships." Chen Xin jested upon seeing Zhang Yao watering the planting box and adjusting the temperature.

"Ha, astronauts must know how to do everything; you can’t go to space only knowing how to fly a spaceship." Zhang Yao also laughed at Chen Xin, but continued to explain: "Originally, before this disaster, the Aerospace Bureau was preparing for manned lunar missions, and we were also constantly preparing for lunar missions.

According to the plan, a lot of scientific experiments would be conducted during the journey to the Moon, including experiments on crop planting. I was responsible for the operation of this experiment, so I received extensive training in this area.

Unexpectedly, we didn’t get to go to the Moon but ended up on an asteroid instead, which is really a twist of fate. I just wonder if there will be another chance to go to the Moon in this lifetime—I prepared for it for ten years!"

As Zhang Yao spoke, he couldn’t help but show a sentimental expression on his face.

Chen Xin could empathize with his feelings; astronauts are selected from pilots, who are already one in a hundred elites, and astronauts can be described as one in a million. Out of a population of over a billion, only a handful of astronauts are chosen, so calling it one in a million is actually generous.

And these astronauts are selected and undergo extensive training but may not necessarily be able to actually go to space.

Since Flame Country started the manned space program, about a dozen astronauts have been selected, but only a few have actually been to space, and some astronauts might never go to space in their lifetime.

Just like Zhang Yao said, he prepared for a lunar mission for ten years, but how many ten years does one have in a lifetime?

And he was still lucky; at least he got to go to space.

"You have to think of it this way, you at least went to space! You might even be the last human to go to space for a long time now that the dust in the sky hasn’t cleared and we can’t continue with space missions." Chen Xin playfully patted Zhang Yao’s shoulder.

Perhaps due to their similar ages, Chen Xin and Zhang Yao got along well.

"You’re right; after all, I did go to space and lived there for half a year!" Zhang Yao smiled and soon adjusted his mood: "These seeds are growing nicely. With careful care, they can be harvested quickly, and this planting box is pretty good with comprehensive functions. Where did you buy it?"

"I made it myself. In the apocalypse, you can’t survive alone without knowing these things, and given the current environment, even if I wanted to buy, there are no shops open! It’s not like before when you could shop online." Chen Xin chuckled and explained why he had to make it himself.

Zhang Yao couldn’t help but slap his forehead, realizing his misconception.

He went to space before the disaster struck and stayed there for half a year, so his mindset hadn’t shifted from the pre-disaster mode.

That’s why he thought Chen Xin’s planting box was purchased, which wasn’t surprising.

However, Zhang Yao also understood that things weren’t like before, so he was trying to adjust his mentality and adapt to the current post-apocalyptic world.

"Comrade Xiao Chen, could you tell me more about the current situation? We spent half a year in space and don’t understand the situation on the ground. Could you tell me more about how everyone is living after the apocalypse?" Zhang Yao requested Chen Xin, hoping he would share more about life after the disaster.

"Can’t say it’s bad, but it’s not great either." Chen Xin nodded slightly and then shook his head to explain: "Official shelters have gathered many survivors, so the survival conditions naturally can’t match my private shelter, but they’re not too bad either. At least people can have three meals, a place to live, and medical care. Although life is a bit hard, they’re able to survive."

"Hearing that, I feel reassured; as long as people are getting by, everything will get better." Zhang Yao was optimistic, feeling things weren’t as bad as he imagined after listening to Chen Xin.

For the people of Flame Country, as long as they can get by, there won’t be any issues, and they can always rebuild their homes and make life better.

Although he spent half a year in space and didn’t know how the country planned its arrangements on the ground, both Zhang Yao and Chen Xin believed Flame Country certainly had a comprehensive national reconstruction plan.

It’s not about praying for divine intervention during a catastrophe or considering it a punishment to be endured, but about working hard to self-rescue.

When the sky breaks, make stones to mend it; when floods come, don’t ask the prophet, just dig channels; in disease outbreaks, don’t seek miracles, try medicines and treat yourself; drowned in the East Sea, fill the East Sea, baked by the sun, shoot down the sun...

For the people of Flame Country, we will never be lambs on our knees, never crave elusive divine grace, but always wipe away blood and tears, lick our wounds, and stand up to rebuild our homes.

Therefore, for every Flame Country person, they never doubted their ability to rebuild their homes; the only question was when and how to rebuild.

In fact, from the current situation, after overcoming the first wave of disaster, Flame Country has already started gradually restoring production and rebuilding homes all over.

Just as Chen Xin and Zhang Yao were discussing these matters, Zhao Wu walked over from the driver’s cabin and said to them, "We’re about to reach Xianning City; Old Zhang asked me to find out if we should enter the city for supplies."

"We’re reaching Xianning?" Chen Xin was a bit surprised; Xianning is also one of the important cities in Hubei Province, north of which lies the Three Towns.

"Almost there, as we’re hurrying along, Old Zhang is driving quite fast." Zhao Wu nodded.

Because they were eager to deliver the data storage to the nation, the three astronauts were quite anxious, so when they drove, the speed was noticeably faster than when Chen Xin drove alone.

Chen Xin didn’t have any objections to this, but he walked to the driver’s cabin, opened the map on the console, carefully checked it, then nodded and said, "We’re well-stocked with supplies, nothing needing replenishment. As for water, there’s still half a tank left, enough to reach the Three Towns before refilling."

"So we’re not entering the city for supplies?" Zhang Chengguang sought Chen Xin’s opinion. Even though there were three of them, the car belonged to Chen Xin, so they had to respect his decision.

Chen Xin nodded and said, "Let’s just pass through the city as before."

Chen Xin’s decision was exactly what Zhang Chengguang wanted, he was eager to drive straight to the Three Towns without stopping, so since Chen Xin said no need for supplies, he didn’t steer the car toward Xianning City but followed the road outside onward, intending to pass directly.

But Zhao Wu was still a bit worried, he curiously asked Chen Xin, "Doesn’t this car need refueling? We’ve passed two cities, and Chen Xin, you haven’t stopped for refueling—is there enough fuel to reach the Three Towns?"

Regarding this issue, even Zhang Chengguang was curious, he chimed in, "Yeah, Chen Xin, your car is a bit strange; there’s no fuel gauge on the dashboard. Is this car an electric one by any chance?"

Zhang Chengguang’s last words sounded like a joke; electric cars are common, but electric trucks are rare, he said it casually, yet he unexpectedly guessed almost right.

"This car does run on batteries, so there’s no need to worry about refueling." Chen Xin said no more but tapped a few times on the console to show the battery level: "The vehicle’s three batteries are basically full, even if I drive to the Imperial Capital and back, it won’t run out."

"What’s this battery that’s so powerful? Could it be these past six months in space the country made breakthroughs in energy storage?" Zhao Wu’s first reaction was disbelief since no electric vehicle would claim it could travel from the Yangtze River bank to the Imperial Capital and back without charging.

Even a fuel-powered vehicle wouldn’t make it unless equipped with a large oil tank.

However, Chen Xin didn’t answer this question; while Isotope Thermoelectric Battery isn’t extraordinary, it’s not technology that should be found in civilian vehicles, and evidently, Chen Xin’s use of this is different.

Seeing Chen Xin avoiding the topic, neither Zhang Chengguang nor Zhao Wu pressed further, realizing it was Chen Xin’s secret, and they weren’t the type to pry.

The three in the driver’s cabin fell into silence, Zhang Chengguang drove onward along the road, but as the car passed by Xianning City and was about to cross a road, they were stopped.

Looking at the roadblock set up at the intersection and the checkpoint nearby, Zhang Chengguang and Zhao Wu turned their gaze to Chen Xin. They didn’t know the situation and hoped Chen Xin knew what was going on.

However, Chen Xin was equally puzzled, but he gestured for Zhang Chengguang to stop the car, and then got out from the driver’s seat to take his place, planning to check out what was happening.