Chapter 3: "Time for Some Minor Adjustments"

After driving for a while, Jiang finally arrived home and parked the minibus in front of the residence. Then, he called his sister, even knowing it probably wouldn't matter.

Before Starseed entered his mind, his sister had gone to the mountains on a college excursion, and the cell signal was almost non-existent. To make matters worse, his sister was still in the mountains while the end of the world was getting closer. Fortunately, through the analysis of Starseed, neither he nor his sister would be negatively affected by the virus. That was the only assurance that relieved some of Jiang's concerns.

After the death of their parents, his sister was his only family, and he didn't know what he would do if something happened to her. His desire was to go immediately to where she was, but he didn't know where that was. And leaving now, without completing his plans, would be the same as shooting himself in the foot.

As he predicted, she didn't answer the call. So he left a message, confident that she would call back as soon as she heard it. After taking a few minutes to breathe and stabilize his mindset, he put his hands on the wheel and called for Starseed in his mind.

"Start scanning," he said.

After hearing the command, Starseed's mechanical voice then sounded in Jiang's mind: "Scanning initiated." He then felt as if a detailed projection of the minibus formed in his mind, each piece, every bit of the vehicle clearly apparent in his consciousness, as if he were intrinsically connected to that machine.

As the scanning progressed, Jiang visualized each part of the vehicle with stunning clarity, from the engine to the last nut and bolt. It was an almost supernatural feeling, perceiving the minibus not just as an external object but as an extension of himself.

"Scanning completed!" Starseed's voice sounded in his mind again, pulling him out of that state.

Model: Medium Passenger Bus

Age: 10 years

Power: Gasoline-powered

Maximum Speed: 110km/h

Engine: 5.0, water-cooled inline four-cylinder, pressurized by direct injection

Faults: Old engine and worn car parts

In short, this was a very common minibus. Jiang estimated it had been retired after traveling and was purchased by the rental company. Indeed, such a car would have many small issues; it's a rip-off.

But Jiang Liushi didn't care at all because it was the most economical way. He spent just over 10,000 yuan. After the first renovation, this minibus would initially be adaptable to the approaching end of the world.

"Starseed, initiate mechanical optimization simulation," ordered Jiang, already formulating a plan in his mind. He needed a reliable vehicle, capable of ensuring his safety in this apocalypse, but it also needed to be flexible.

Starseed presented him with several enhancement options, however, he opted for the Adaptive Mobile Fortress (AMF) modification plan. Besides ensuring the necessary robustness to withstand all possible damages the vehicle would receive.

Soon, Starseed gave the list of materials needed for the adjustment; the list left Jiang breathless.

He needed to acquire 100 kilograms of steel, 100 kilograms of copper, screws of different specifications, 10 kilograms of titanium, about 10 square meters of leather, along with all kinds of strange material. Jiang Liushi knew that all these materials were extremely expensive, each one normally costing more than the last.

This list of materials was completely beyond his current budget. The necessary materials were almost beyond his imagination, probably because he chose a more complex type. He didn't know if the rest of his money, as well as the money he would earn after selling his assets, would be enough.

Although the roads were covered with ads like "One-minute account, only identification card needed to borrow money", Jiang Liushi had already given his student card to Ma Hao and identity card to the car rental company. He didn't own any real estate, so he had no other official documents he could use to borrow money.

"I'll have to order what I can afford..." he sighed.

Jiang then took the cellphone out of his pocket and noticed he had received 3 calls and hadn't realized it. Curious, he calls back the unknown number. After a few moments, a woman's voice softly emerged from the cellphone.

"Are you Jiang Liushi?" asked the female voice, laden with a slight hesitation.

"Yes, it's me. Who's speaking?" Jiang responded, trying to identify the voice.

"It's me, Li Yuxin," said the woman on the other line.

Jiang was surprised, his heart skipped a beat. He expected it to be some kind of advertisement or a wrong call. He never imagined receiving a call from Yuxin. He remembered their high school days when they were desk partners.

Yuxin was a beautiful and pleasant young woman, which made her popular in school. She was an excellent student, except when it came to mathematics. Jiang, on the other hand, had excellent math skills and often helped her solve her problems.

They were very close during that time, but after the accident of his parents, he became a more introverted person. Focused on taking care of his sister and ensuring a source of income, so when he returned to school they drifted apart.

Yuxin tried to talk to him a few times, but never succeeded. And nowadays, despite studying at the same college, he was a mechanical engineering student and she was in medicine, they were no longer close.

Hearing Li Yuxin's voice again, Jiang felt a slight nostalgia; her voice was like a gentle breeze.

"Really... It's been a long time," Jiang couldn't help but sigh.

Curious, he asked, "Yuxin, do you need something to contact me?"

Yuxin hesitated for a moment before responding. "I heard you're going through financial troubles. I'm not close to Li Jun, but I heard him commenting that you were in need of money."

Instantly, Jiang felt a wave of irritation upon hearing this. "What exactly did he say?" he asked.

"Li Jun said you were borrowing money and insinuated that you just wanted to squander it," Yuxin replied, clearly uncomfortable being in the middle of this conversation.

Annoyed, Jiang quickly corrected the information. "I was asking for the money I had lent to him, back."

Yuxin sighed on the other end of the line, her voice laden with anger. "I knew you weren't like that. I'll tell my friend to stay away from Li Jun. He's clearly not good company."

"It's okay," said Jiang Liushi.

"Your Alipay number is your phone number, right? I'll transfer you some money. You can pay me back when you're better off. We're friends, don't worry about it. When we were in high school, you patiently helped me with math problems every day, even in your free time. However, I never truly thanked you." Li Yuxin laughed.

"No, thank you..."

"You're welcome. That's what friends are for, right?" Li Yuxin laughed. Her laughter sounded like wind chimes.

"Of course." Hanging up the phone, Jiang Liushi felt very warm.

It was unexpected that Li Yux

in had helped him and she hadn't asked him why he needed to borrow money from the beginning to the end.

He received a message. He was surprised to see that the transferred money was 20,000 yuan. There was a new message, saying: "You might be better off financially with this money. Much better."

Jiang was moved by her words. Although Li Yuxin's family was wealthy, she usually led an economical life. The 20,000 yuan must have been her own money. But when she knew he was in trouble, she immediately took the initiative to call, several times...

Jiang Liushi suddenly decided to call back immediately. However, when the phone was picked up, Li Yuxin said anxiously: "What's wrong?"

Jiang Liushi couldn't help but laugh, he was moved and happy, "Don't worry. I didn't call to return your money."

"Ah..." Li Yuxin felt relieved and quickly said: "You don't need to thank me. Without your help, how could I have been admitted to Jiangbei University..."

"It's nothing." Jiang Liushi embarrassingly touched his head and then coughed, and then said very seriously: "Please give me your address."

"My address? Why? Want to pay me in person?" Li Yuxin laughed.

"Don't worry, just tell me. I won't do anything bad." Jiang Liushi deliberately joked.

"Well, okay, my address is..."

"Wait. I'll take notes." Jiang Liushi turned on the speakerphone and then recorded her residential address in a memo.

"Really? You took notes? I'm a little nervous. Are you really coming? But if you come to visit, I'll be very happy." Li Yuxin said.

In fact, she was a bit embarrassed. And Jiang Liushi knew that his request was very abrupt, but he had no choice. Although it was a bit abrupt, it was necessary.

"Yuxin, next Tuesday, you must stay at home with your parents. You must not go anywhere. The best option is if you stay in different rooms and once that happens just lock yourselves inside. I will come for you. There's a very important reason! This is a matter of life and death!" Jiang Liushi said in a serious and firm tone.

Jiang Liushi realized that if he told the truth to Li Yuxin, she wouldn't believe him, and her parents wouldn't either. If he said it was a life or death situation, her parents might think he was crazy.

"Lock ourselves in different rooms?" Li Yuxin sounded puzzled. Did someone want to attack them?

"Jiang Liushi, are you in some kind of trouble? Did you borrow from loan sharks and can't pay?" Li Yuxin asked nervously.

"No, but it's very important! You must believe me! This is very important, please!" Jiang Liushi said.

He had borrowed money, but it didn't matter... He wasn't worried about that.

"That... I... can... well..." Li Yuxin reluctantly agreed. This thing really sounded too bizarre.

"Believe! And do what I said!" Jiang said again.

"That..."

"Promise me!" Jiang Liushi said sincerely.

"Okay, fine..."

Hanging up the phone, Jiang Liushi exhaled. He had tried, but he didn't know what would happen to Li Yuxin. But at least she should stay at home. She was a very kind girl. Only God knew whether Li Yuxin would survive or not. And as long as she was alive, Jiang Liushi believed that he could find her.