Chapter 31: We Can't Work for Capitalists for Free

Zhurong.

Lin Xu clearly remembered that when he asked Xu Jin this morning why he wanted to go to Mars, the answer he gave was "Zhurong."

And the Zhurong rover was designed by his father.

My goodness, so even the goal of going to Mars was something inherited?

No, that shouldn't be the way to phrase it.

It should be said that it was likely under his father's influence that he developed the idea of going to Mars.

It was this very idea that drove him to pursue research in the aerospace field—specifically, research related to materials science.

This also explained, from another angle, how he managed to develop industrial-scale production methods for two types of materials.

After all, if he were truly just a junior researcher at a materials institute, achieving such a feat would be incredibly difficult.

But if he had a father who was a chief engineer, the situation would be entirely different.

The resources, equipment, and apparatus he could mobilize would be virtually unlimited.

As long as he had the ideas and the conceptual framework, he could certainly get it done.

It made sense!

With this, Lin Xu had grasped two more clues.

[Xu Jin’s involvement with the Planetary Reincarnation organization may be related to his father, Xu Qianlin (unconfirmed).]

[Xu Qianlin is a chief engineer for key national scientific research projects and has participated in important missions related to Mars exploration.]

Following this line of reasoning, a question suddenly arose in Lin Xu's mind.

Suppose, just suppose.

If Xu Qianlin had indeed joined the Planetary Reincarnation organization, did that mean his ideology had "deteriorated"?

Or had he simply "defected"?

No, that was unlikely.

To take on such vital scientific research tasks, regardless of technical ability, his ideological awareness must have been vetted.

His belief in the collective cause had to be solid, and he would certainly possess the ability to distinguish right from wrong and resist temptation.

Yet, he had still joined the Planetary Reincarnation organization.

Did this imply that the organization, at its inception, did not display any "dangerous" signals?

Lin Xu had previously assumed that this "Planetary Reincarnation" organization was something akin to a cult.

But now, it didn't seem to be the case.

It was very likely a small circle within the scientific research community—just as he had previously surmised!

So, that was why no information about this organization could be found on the internet; the scientific community was already insular enough, and adding a smaller, inner circle would undoubtedly make it even more closed off!

Lin Xu's heart pounded.

He felt he was getting closer and closer to the truth.

Mars, Planetary Reincarnation, the apocalypse...

Did the Planetary Reincarnation organization discover signs of the apocalypse on Mars?

Or was it that researchers discovered clues to the apocalypse on Mars, which then gave birth to the Planetary Reincarnation organization?

After all, the word "reincarnation" sounded inherently related to the end of the world.

Theoretically, it should only appear after signs of the apocalypse were discovered.

The logic held up!

Lin Xu let out a long breath.

Although everything was currently just speculation, he vaguely felt that his hypothesis was likely very close to the truth.

The remaining questions were simple.

When did they discover the signs of the apocalypse, and what exactly were those signs?

Perhaps this question would only be answered once he managed to make contact with Xu Qianlin.

He had to accelerate the Star Traveler I project!

Only by pushing this project forward and getting Xu Jin fully involved would he have the opportunity to reach Xu Qianlin.

At the same time, he had to produce results on this project to earn the right to speak with him!

Lin Xu resolutely closed his eyes.

Time to work!

He gently touched his wristband and entered the other world once again.

This time, he didn't struggle to search for clues or information; instead, he took his mercenaries and headed straight for the Donghua Chemical Fiber Plant.

Time to copy!

...

It was not until six in the evening, after using up his final opportunity, that Lin Xu fully exited the world of the wristband.

He quickly organized the detailed parameter information for the M46X and PEEK-RTM materials, updating the documents and pushing their completion rate to over 50%.

At this point, the industrial production process documents for these two materials were essentially complete.

The remaining content, even from the perspective of an "outsider" like Lin Xu, consisted of things that could be easily determined through simple trial and error once the equipment was in place.

What he needed to do next was borrow Xu Jin's hands and mobilize his resources to advance his own plan.

Plan accomplished.

Lin Xu saved the documents with satisfaction. Just as he was about to pick up his phone to ask Jiang Xingye if she was off work, a knock sounded at his apartment door.

"Lin Xu! Lin Xu!"

"Are you awake yet?"

"Time to eat!"

Goodness, she was already here?

"Wait a second!"

Lin Xu hurriedly changed his clothes, put on his shoes and socks, and opened the door. Jiang Xingye's hand nearly struck his face.

"Aren't you working today? Why are you leaving so early?"

"Don't even mention it."

Jiang Xingye waved her hand.

"Test Unit Three was supposed to start its physical installation today, so everyone went to the new launch site in the afternoon for debugging."

"Oh my god, you have no idea how hot that godforsaken place is... I can't believe a place like that exists on the outskirts of Jinling City."

"I couldn't stand it anymore, so when I saw there were no major issues, I just came back."

"Let's go, what are we eating tonight?"

Only then did Lin Xu notice that Jiang Xingye's face was covered in sweat.

Strands of hair clung to her forehead, her loosely tied ponytail had come undone, and the lines of her neck were taut from her panting. Her slightly protruding collarbones made her neck look even more slender.

...Why did she look so pretty?

Is this what it feels like to have a heartbeat?

Was his ex-wife this lethal?

Lin Xu quickly looked away. Following Jiang Xingye as they walked out, he changed the subject:

"Whatever you want to eat is fine by me, since I'm the one asking for your help..."

"So, how did the test go? Was it smooth?"

"Smooth, very smooth."

Jiang Xingye stepped into the elevator and raised her hand to wipe away her sweat.

"We tested the low-altitude recovery today; it was visually quite impactful—the investors who showed up seemed very pleased, so I guess the next round of financing is secure."

"I heard the next steps are to test high-altitude clamp-arm recovery and low-altitude cable-suspension recovery, but those weren't on today's schedule, so I didn't ask."

"Maybe it's just a pie in the sky the boss is dangling in front of the investors."

"Anyway, his focus is entirely on the Star Traveler I now. If the Star Traveler I plan succeeds, the vertical recovery technology will become a bit redundant."

"Whether to abandon it or choose a new technical route is still under discussion."

"However, most investors came for the rocket recovery technology. To convince them to invest in new tech, we need to show them something more persuasive."

"Anyway, I'm counting on you!"

Jiang Xingye's eyes sparkled.

"So, how are things on your end? Your friend... is it going well?"

"Smoothly."

Lin Xu nodded.

"Otherwise, why would I ask you out?"

"I haven't spent a single cent of that 200,000 yuan reserve fund yet; I feel like I'm losing out."

"Can't you just discuss with your friend how to spend it? Whatever he needs, just buy it for him. Do you really need to ask me?"

Jiang Xingye looked confused. Lin Xu helplessly spread his hands:

"I'd like to, but Asperger's is difficult to deal with. I don't really want to bring this up with him."

"Real Asperger's?!"

Jiang Xingye was stunned.

"I thought it was just an excuse you made up because you didn't want the company to get its hands on your resources."

"It really isn't..."

"Then that is indeed a bit troublesome... but honestly, you still need to spend that money."

Jiang Xingye said thoughtfully:

"It was meant to be a social and entertainment budget. Even if you don't want it, it should go to your friend."

"Otherwise, are you just working for the capitalists for free?"

"Let's go, let's get something to eat first."

"We can think while we eat."

"I promise I'll come up with a foolproof plan for you!"