CHAPTER 293: CHAPTER 291 EATING

When Chen Xin and the researchers left the room where the geothermal heat pump was installed and came to the SWAT team’s cafeteria, the enhanced heating effect of the geothermal heat pump was already noticeably felt. Although the temperature was still cold, there was a more noticeable rise in the room’s temperature.

Before Chen Xin upgraded the geothermal heat pump, people here looked as if they desperately wanted to stick to the radiator to warm themselves. But now, having switched from water heating to air heating, they were merely gathered around the radiator, and there was a clear sense of comfort in their demeanor.

This is quite understandable. Water heating uses a boiler or heat source to heat the water for heating, usually at a temperature of around 60~80°C, which is a temperature one can touch directly without feeling very hot.

In contrast, air heating uses a heat source to turn water into high-temperature steam for heating, exceeding 100°C, a temperature capable of causing burns.

Although both provide heating, the difference in their heating efficiency can be said to be worlds apart.

For the heating system, without a sufficiently abundant heat source, it is impossible to adopt air heating.

However, currently, only the SWAT team at the city’s police station shelter can enjoy air heating, because the shelter overall uses water heating. Air heating and water heating cannot operate simultaneously, so earlier when Chen Xin was upgrading, he simply separated the heating system for the SWAT team area connected to the geothermal heat pump and converted it to air heating.

If the entire city police station shelter’s heating system were to be converted to air heating, it would only be possible after Chen Xin modifies the shelter’s boiler.

Regarding this matter, Chen Xin is not anxious at all, because it is really not troublesome at all; he just needs to wait for the city police station to gather the materials necessary to modify the boiler.

Hence, Chen Xin’s demeanor is now much more relaxed, and when he found Qin Lan and Ding Ning in the cafeteria, he had a smile on his face.

"Xiao Ding, Ah Lan!" Chen Xin greeted the two and walked to them, while the researchers beside him sensibly stepped aside, not disturbing Chen Xin and his friends.

"Ah Xin! Sister Lan said you were upgrading the geothermal heat pump, how’s the situation now?" Ding Ning enthusiastically greeted Chen Xin, noticing his cheerful demeanor and inquired about it with concern.

"The upgrade has already been completed. Didn’t you feel the increase in the radiator’s temperature?" Chen Xin smiled at Ding Ning, explained briefly, and then asked her, "Xiao Ding, have you been staying here recently? Do you know the situation at Long Niang’s home?"

Regarding this question, Ding Ning shook her head with some difficulty and explained, "I was on duty here when the snowstorm came. I intended to go back once, but later didn’t have time. That place should now be buried by the snowstorm."

At this point, Ding Ning’s expression was a bit embarrassed. Earlier, Mo Qingyan entrusted the place to her care when handing over the house, and now although the house is buried by snow due to weather reasons, which are beyond human control, it could indeed be said not properly taken care of.

Hearing this, Chen Xin nodded with understanding, having seemingly anticipated this situation, so he said to Ding Ning, "Long Niang mentioned it to me while I was coming here, I’ll go take a look later. After all, it’s her home, even if she moved to mine now, her home shouldn’t be abandoned like this."

"Okay, let me know when you’re going, and if I’m free, I’ll go with you because my stuff is still there!" Ding Ning thought about her belongings she didn’t have time to bring out and mentioned it to Chen Xin.

Chen Xin nodded and took note of it, then glanced at the cafeteria and asked Ding Ning and Qin Lan, "Can we get some food here? I’m a bit hungry, Ah Lan, are you hungry?"

"A bit, but there are too many people here; let’s eat what we brought." Qin Lan glanced at the cafeteria, saw the long queue at the meal serving window, and shook her head directly. She and Chen Xin had emergency food in their Power Armor, so there was no need to squeeze in here with the other survivors.

Chen Xin also nodded in agreement, then asked Ding Ning, "Xiao Ding, is Ah Lan’s room still available? Or do you know where we can conveniently eat something?"

"Sister Lan’s room is still available, you can go there directly." Ding Ning looked at Chen Xin and Qin Lan with some envy.

She was actually very hungry, especially having to be on duty in the cafeteria. The smell of food made her even hungrier.

But duty required her to remain at her post until she could rest, no matter how hungry she was, instead of leaving to get food just because of hunger.

Chen Xin and Qin Lan noticed her situation but didn’t say much, bid farewell to Ding Ning, and then walked out of the cafeteria together.

Seeing Chen Xin and Qin Lan walking out, the researcher nearby immediately approached again and asked Chen Xin, "Mr. Chen Xin, what are you going to do?"

"I plan to rest a bit and eat something. I left in a hurry in the morning, and after arriving here, I’ve been busy the whole time and am a bit hungry now," Chen Xin replied and after thinking for a moment, said to the researcher, "You should go get something to eat too, you don’t have to keep following me."

The researcher immediately shook his head, saying, "No need, no need, we’ve already had lunch before coming here. I’d rather continue to follow you, Mr. Chen Xin, as watching you upgrade the equipment is very insightful and beneficial for me!"

Chen Xin understood that the system’s information state concept could instantly impart a wealth of knowledge and images to those witnessing the upgrade process, allowing knowledgeable individuals to absorb more. Thus, Chen Xin wasn’t surprised by the researcher’s words, and nodded, accepting the idea of the researcher following him.

However, Chen Xin restarted his previously parked Power Armor, wore the Power Armor, and along with Qin Lan, arrived at her old room, and then they took off the Power Armor together and walked into the room.

The room seemed to be in its usual state, though a thin layer of dust had settled on the table from Qin Lan not being there for over a month.

Qin Lan took out a cloth and wiped the table and chairs before inviting Chen Xin to sit down, and the researchers who followed them didn’t enter but instead was fascinated by the Power Armor parked at the door, seemingly wanting to study it.

Regarding this, Chen Xin didn’t bother him, but instead, he and Qin Lan took out emergency food from the silo behind the Power Armor and began eating.