CHAPTER 262: CHAPTER 260: TWO BROTHERS

The vehicle’s new upgrade didn’t bring any significant changes, except for making it more comfortable to live in than before, and the body becoming larger and taller.

For Chen Xin, after finishing the three upgrade improvements to the village’s shelter, his vehicle has also been upgraded again, and he can now take his parents and leave.

So naturally, Chen Xin began to prepare to leave the village and return to Xiang Province.

This seemed quite normal to Chen Xin and his parents, but it wasn’t good news for those in the village who wanted to hitch a ride with them to live a good life in Xiang Province.

All these relatives started to panic, trying every means to cling to Chen Xin, hoping to squeeze into his vehicle returning to Xiang Province.

Faced with this situation, even if Chen Xin wanted to take some people along, it was impossible to take all these people, especially since most of them were of no use, weren’t particularly close relatives, and didn’t have much skill to offer.

"Ah Xin, are you ready to leave?" Second Uncle found Chen Xin storing water in the tank before departure and asked him.

Chen Xin looked at Second Uncle and the two young men behind him with a slightly uneasy expression, instantly understanding Second Uncle’s intention.

Chen Xin wasn’t annoyed by Second Uncle bringing people to see him.

He did indeed need to recruit some people to form his team, and if the people Uncle recommended were suitable, Chen Xin wouldn’t mind taking them along.

But whether these two were truly suitable, Chen Xin needed to assess them, so he asked Second Uncle, "I’ve done everything I should, and I’m almost ready. If there are no surprises, I’m planning to take my parents back in the next couple of days. Second Uncle, you brought these two over — do you intend to recommend them to me?"

"Yes, these two are my nephews, my sister’s sons, so you should call her Aunt," Second Uncle introduced the two young men behind him and explained their abilities to Chen Xin: "This one is Han Ze. You’ve met him once before. You can call him Xiao Han or Xiao Ze. He used to be an electrician in Anqing, and he’s certified, quite skilled, and also very honest.

The other is Han Ping, Xiao Ze’s elder brother. He used to be in the army, a driver, an automobile soldier with good skills. Both brothers have the same good character; they are honest, dependable people, and very hardworking too. You can reassure yourself when using them, Ah Xin."

"Hearing you say that, Second Uncle, they seem quite good. However, I’d like to ask, are both really willing to follow me to Xiang Province? What about their family?" Chen Xin, considering Second Uncle’s words, wanted to play it safe and thus queried.

To this question, Second Uncle could only look at the brothers helplessly, answering somewhat sadly, "These two brothers were unlucky. When their village snowed, the shelter collapsed, allowing only about thirty out of a hundred people to survive, so they had nowhere else to go but to find me.

Now with you needing people, Ah Xin, I thought of these two brothers. You can use them without worry; they are honest folks who won’t cause trouble or harbor any bad intentions.

If they disappoint you in their tasks, you have the freedom to reprimand or even expel them. If they can’t seize this opportunity, let such ungrateful ones fend for themselves."

Second Uncle’s words were a bit harsh, yet Chen Xin knew it was likely said in fear he wouldn’t accept the brothers.

Although Chen Xin noted the brothers showed no objection or displeasure towards Second Uncle’s words, seeming indeed quite honest and good-natured.

Thinking it over, Chen Xin said to Second Uncle, "If only the two brothers are involved, keeping them isn’t a problem. But if others come seeking you afterwards, what would you do, Second Uncle?"

"What’s the worry? I know the village’s situation better than you. Most people don’t have much skill, except these two brothers whose abilities and character are decent. I’m recommending these two with clear conscience; any objections from others, you ignore, I’ll handle it," said Second Uncle with his village chief’s authority.

Having been village chief most of his life, Second Uncle’s prestige was indeed high; hearing this, Chen Xin let go of his concerns and agreed to keep the brothers.

Seeing Chen Xin agree to keep the brothers, Second Uncle promptly turned and left, leaving the brothers with Chen Xin.

Chen Xin didn’t say anything to the brothers, just watching the display screen on the car, monitoring the water tank’s fill level, letting the brothers stand there in the snow.

After the water tank was filled, he closed the faucet, packed away the hose, and invited the brothers into the car.

By then, Chen Xin had formed an initial impression of the brothers. During the rather lengthy time he spent filling the tank, the brothers showed no dissatisfaction, standing quietly without questioning, demonstrating indeed they were quite honest.

After letting the brothers in and giving them each a cup of hot water, Chen Xin finally said, "Introduce yourselves first. Second Uncle said a bit, but it’s better if you both tell me about yourselves to help me get familiar."

The brothers exchanged glances before Han Ze, whom Chen Xin had seen once, took the lead, "I’m Han Ze, 25 years old. I was previously working in Anqing City at a telecom company, as an electrician focusing primarily on power maintenance for telecom stations. I studied at a tech school, specializing in this field. Additionally, due to personal interest, I know a little about radio."

Since Chen Xin already met Han Ze before, he didn’t ask much more and after listening to the self-introduction, nodded, turning to the other brother.

"I’m Han Ping, two years older than my brother, meaning I’m 27 now. I didn’t attend university, enlisted straight after high school," Han Ping, noticing Chen Xin looking at him, directly introduced himself, "I served in the army for four years as a driver in the automobile corps. I didn’t have many other skills, not like my brother."

After hearing their self-introductions, Chen Xin didn’t feel their abilities were lacking, nodded slightly and continued to ask Han Ping, "Having been in the army, do you know how to shoot?"

The question surprised Han Ping initially, but having been in the military for four years, he couldn’t claim he didn’t know how to shoot, so he nodded affirmatively.

Seeing Han Ping’s response, Chen Xin didn’t say much, just stood up and fetched from the back cabinet of the living compartment a handgun left by Zhang Chengguang and others previously, and handed it to Han Ping: "Disassemble, reassemble, how long will it take?"

Han Ping was obviously surprised at Chen Xin having a gun but said nothing, only after thinking answered, "In the army, my best time was 19 seconds."

"19 seconds? Give it a try," Chen Xin said, pulling out his phone, unable to call, set the timer on the table.

Han Ping upon seeing this checked the gun on the table, then placed it back, signaling his readiness.

Chen Xin tapped his finger on the phone and called out, "Start!"

Instantly, Han Ping picked up the gun on the table, dismantling it in a few moves scattered across the table, then swiftly reassembled it.

Once he reinserted the magazine into the body, completing the assembly, Chen Xin tapped the phone again, looking at the time, which showed "21 seconds".

At the moment, Han Ping held the gun, his expression seemed a bit conflicted, yet he asked Chen Xin, "Mr. Chen, where did you get this gun?"

"I previously rescued three astronauts, this is their self-defense handgun, they gifted it to me for protection upon leaving," Chen Xin explained, taking the gun back from Han Ping, placing it on the table.

He wasn’t worried about Han Ping threatening him; having dared to bring out the gun, naturally, he had removed the bullets.

Should Han Ping attempt to use force, Chen Xin had another gun in his pocket, that one loaded.

Han Ping upon hearing Chen Xin’s explanation accepted it quickly; after all, the gun was clearly a standard issue handgun, despite his several years away from military service, he was still familiar with standard issue firearms, such a seemingly unused and nearly barrel-unworn new gun wasn’t just anywhere available.

Chen Xin was satisfied with Han Ping’s attitude, he showed some sense of responsibility at least.

In Flame Country, unlike other nations, suddenly encountering a gun either meant official personnel or an outlaw criminal, the extremely dangerous type.

Han Ping raised a pertinent question; under current circumstances, his performance was commendable.

Afterwards, Chen Xin asked the brothers several more questions, gaining a clearer understanding of their circumstances before finally letting them go back to pack, preparing to move onto the vehicle.

As for the arrangement for the brothers, Chen Xin figured Han Ping could be a driver and his bodyguard, contributing to security in his forthcoming team.

While Han Ze, knowing electrical work and radio, could exist as a technician, handling radio tasks as a communicator.

Additionally, being rural-bred, both brothers weren’t unfamiliar with farming, making Second Uncle’s recommendation apt, delivering suitable manpower to Chen Xin, leaving him very satisfied.