CHAPTER 227: CHAPTER 225: RESUPPLYING MATERIALS

After leaving the research unit, Chen Xin was supposed to part ways with the three astronauts.

After all, he didn’t have much to do with the three astronauts; he had agreed to bring them to San Towns, and he had fulfilled that promise.

Now that things were about done, Chen Xin naturally ought to resume his own journey, cross the Yangtze River from San Towns, and then head towards Anhui Province.

However, for Zhang Chengguang and the other two astronauts, letting Chen Xin go just like that would be the biggest loss.

This loss refers not only to them personally but also to the entire Flame Country.

If not for the incident that happened at the research unit earlier, they might not have realized this.

But having witnessed how Chen Xin could improve equipment performance with just a few tweaks, they were clearly aware that Chen Xin was a genius. Their skeptical attitude toward his claim of being able to manufacture Isotope Thermoelectric Batteries had turned into firm belief.

This resulted in the value of Chen Xin in the eyes of the three astronauts rising sharply.

Although Chen Xin planned to leave as soon as possible, the three astronauts hoped to retain him as much as possible.

Yet, although Chen Xin understood the intention of the three astronauts in trying to retain him and knew his own importance in their eyes, he also understood that he only seemed impressive because of the system. Explaining those technical principles was completely impossible for him; he could only provide the finished product, not the technology.

After all, though the system could upgrade any object within Chen Xin’s view, it couldn’t provide the technology.

As for reverse engineering the technology from the system’s upgrades... one couldn’t even see the system upgrades, so how could one reverse engineer the technology it used?

One could only deduce the technology from the product provided by the system.

However, letting the country pay more attention to himself and taking the opportunity to provide improved products to aid national disaster reconstruction while he collects some survival points is also one of Chen Xin’s goals.

So after politely declining the astronauts’ request to stay, Chen Xin took the initiative to open the battery cover of his car, removed an Isotope Thermoelectric Battery from the battery compartment, and handed it to Zhang Chengguang.

"I understand what the three of you mean, it’s just that there are some things I know how to do, but I don’t know why I’m doing them, let alone how to explain them." Chen Xin showed a helpless smile and said after handing the battery to Zhang Chengguang, "You can take this battery to someone for reverse engineering research. Later, if you need, when I return from Anhui Province, you can come to Xiang Province to get the battery design from me. I can even demonstrate how I make it, but asking me to explain why I can make it and the principles behind it would really be difficult for me."

Chen Xin’s explanation clearly made it hard for the three astronauts to accept, but his attitude was very sincere, and the three astronauts couldn’t force anything more.

Still, Zhao Wu mumbled in disbelief, "You know how to do it but can’t explain the principle; then how did you design it?"

This left Chen Xin speechless. Indeed, if one were just following blueprints, one could know how to do it without knowing why.

But since Chen Xin was the designer, he should know the design principles; otherwise, how would he know how to create the thing? It’s not like they’re primitive tools that can be corrected step by step through trial and error.

Facing such a question, Chen Xin could only smile wryly, "I have no way to explain this. It’s like some people, after hitting their head, suddenly become fluent in five languages. I just know how to do it, but I can’t explain why I do it this way."

Becoming fluent in five languages after hitting one’s head is not something Chen Xin made up; it’s an actually documented case.

And it’s not a singular case. There are about dozens of such people worldwide, collectively referred to as Acquired Scholar Syndrome.

Chen Xin discovered this magical syndrome while gathering information for a book years ago, and now he used it as an excuse to conceal his uniqueness just perfectly.

After all, even before the disaster, no one could clearly explain how Acquired Scholar Syndrome occurred, so saying he suddenly awakened mechanical abilities or something, no one could raise an effective objection.

Sure enough, after hearing Chen Xin’s explanation, Zhang Chengguang also completely gave up on continuing to question him and could only helplessly accept his explanation.

"No matter the reason, Chen Xin, your willingness to contribute to the country is already very commendable." Zhang Chengguang handed the Isotope Thermoelectric Battery to Zhao Wu beside him and told Chen Xin earnestly, "I know that among your generation, there are often sayings about national requisition of private things or people with extraordinary performances being taken for research or even dissected, but these are just tales to scare children. Flame Country is not the Federation; it wouldn’t act so recklessly."

After saying this, Zhang Chengguang smiled at Chen Xin and then left his car with his two companions.

Watching Zhang Chengguang and the other two astronauts leave, Chen Xin couldn’t help but smile bitterly and shake his head. He actually didn’t have the ideas Zhang Chengguang described.

Although, as an online writer, he was aware of conspiracy theories even more than Zhang Chengguang, he didn’t actually think the country would be that dark.

Putting these thoughts out of his mind, Chen Xin activated the car’s protective mode, prepared to take a shower, have a good rest tonight, and continue his journey the next day after crossing the river.

Since it was at the parking lot arranged by Hubei Province’s capital, Chen Xin simply parked the car in a parking spot without deploying the stabilizers under the car.

The staff at Hubei Province’s capital originally arranged a place for Chen Xin, but given the current accommodation conditions, he chose to sleep in his car.

When Zhang Chengguang and the others were in the car, Chen Xin did offer them the bed, but the three of them clearly felt embarrassed to sleep in Chen Xin’s bed and opted for the couch in the living room, where they could lower the table and combine it with the couch to form a double bed, which could accommodate three people if they squeezed together.

Now that everyone was gone, the couch inside the car naturally resumed its original function.

Chen Xin took off his dirty clothes, tossed them into the washing machine under the sink, and took out some clean clothes from the wardrobe before heading into the bathroom for a shower.

Chen Xin didn’t take a long shower. After all, although the car had ample freshwater and filtration for recycling, it couldn’t be wasted too much.

However, thinking of this matter, Chen Xin reminded himself to find a way to replenish the car’s freshwater tomorrow and handle the wastewater in the gray water and black water tanks.

In addition, having three more people on board in the past few days consumed some food, so tomorrow, he should also consider restocking.

But what could he use for restocking... He gave a piece of Isotope Thermoelectric Battery to Zhang Chengguang today, which should be enough to exchange for a large batch of supplies, right?

Although he only knew Zhang Chengguang for a few days, Chen Xin didn’t think he was a stingy person.

Thinking about these things, Chen Xin finished his shower and was about to boil some hot water when he heard a knock at the door.

He scratched his head, got dressed, and opened the car door, only to find the staff member from Hubei Province’s government standing outside.

"Sorry to disturb your rest, Comrade Chen Xin. I heard from Colonel Zhang earlier that you were lacking supplies, so I brought some over. Do you want them in the car, or in the trunk?" The staff member had a small car behind him, stacked with supplies.

Colonel Zhang naturally referred to Zhang Chengguang. In Flame Country, all astronauts are active military officers, each holding at least a school-level rank, and some who had been to space even attained the rank of general later.

Seeing this car full of supplies, Chen Xin was a bit perplexed but nevertheless thanked the staff member for his goodwill and then opened his trunk.

The supplies delivered were quite substantial, including food items similar to those in the shelter food Chen Xin originally carried, as well as some dehydrated vegetables and fruit, along with a large box of processed dried meats and some other foods. These supplies even exceeded the total amount Chen Xin had prepared before setting off.

This made Chen Xin widen his eyes and couldn’t help but ask in surprise, "So many supplies, is there no problem? And there’s also dried fruits and meat; does Hubei Province have such abundant resources?"

"There is no issue with these supplies. We understand how important what you gave Colonel Zhang is, so these supplies are just a small compensation." The staff member wore a gentle smile, making a very good impression, and explained in a rather warm tone, "San Towns, after all, is the core city of the central region, and we have a large stockpile of strategic reserve materials here. If time was not an issue, we could have prepared even more for you. Comrade Chen Xin, is there anything else you need? I can help arrange it and strive to have it delivered by tomorrow morning."

Although the staff member said he would strive to do so, Chen Xin knew that if he requested it, the staff member would surely coordinate overnight and deliver it promptly the next morning.

However, after giving it some thought, Chen Xin still told the staff member, "I need two car batteries and some corresponding parts. I just gave a battery to Colonel Zhang, so I’m short one in my car, and I can only modify a car battery to make-do."

Upon hearing Chen Xin’s request, the staff member’s eyes noticeably brightened. He noted Chen Xin’s request and courteously bid farewell, promptly starting to arrange for the supply coordination and reported the matter to Hubei Province’s government.

Chen Xin didn’t know his request had already been taken by the staff member as a significant task to be accomplished, but he could vaguely guess the consequences his request might bring. However, Chen Xin didn’t mind; since he decided to showcase some things, there was no need to hide anything.