RIACMET chapter 105

 

“I understand…”

Cheng Jing knew exactly what Minister Wang meant because he felt the same way. After carefully considering it, he gave a firm reply.

“I’ve already told Xiaolei about the situation here. Please don’t worry. Those experts from the ‘Experimental Research Base for Managing Special Phenomena’ will definitely arrive safely at Nancheng Base.”

The scientific research team was traveling with the legion, and his younger brother was one of the team leaders. Naturally, the legion would choose Nancheng Base, which was under military control.

Trusting the national military, the experts on the research team wouldn’t object.

“I feel reassured hearing that from you. This ‘confidence’ isn’t just for me—it’s for the entire Nancheng Base.”

Minister Wang’s deep, strong voice grew louder with excitement.

Recently, the base’s top leadership and research institutions had been extremely worried about this matter, even though they knew very little about it.

The scientists from the research institute called nearly every day to ask about the brain-evolved mutants. A few people with bits of inside information had even requested permission to contact Cheng Jing directly to confirm it.

If it hadn’t been for Nancheng Base’s strict discipline, chaos would have already ensued.

Cheng Jing nodded modestly.

“Actually, I was planning to wait until they confirmed their estimated time of arrival before reporting to you.”

His younger brother had only said that the team would enter the base before the extreme heat set in; he hadn’t mentioned an exact time. He had to be cautious to avoid causing trouble.

So he hadn’t spoken carelessly about it.

“Ah…”

Minister Wang let out a helpless sigh.

“If this weren’t such a serious issue, I wouldn’t be so anxious. I hope you can understand. If you encounter any difficulties at the base or have any requests, just let me know. I’ll do everything I can to help and be flexible.”

Soldiers shouldn’t panic, but he has seemed a bit disoriented lately.

The government had issued a unified directive to every base.

Regardless of which base the brain-evolved experts chose to join, all other bases were obligated to assist them with manpower and resources. After all, this concerned the survival of humankind in the apocalypse.

If the experts couldn’t be protected, the base’s scientific research teams might fall into total disarray.

No one wanted to become someone else’s sacrifice, but if a base wanted to avoid handing over the fruit of its labor, it would have to consider setting up camp elsewhere.

“Thank you.”

Cheng Jing accepted this offer of help without hesitation.

He’d already been thinking about it for a while. If research on the zombie virus truly depended on Jiang Nian’s superpowers, the initiative had to remain in their hands.

So far, everything seemed to be going smoothly.

Yang Kai had been quietly cooperating with some members of the Li family to monitor Xia Weiwei’s movements. They confirmed that he was using S Base’s promises to lure and recruit superpowered individuals.

Those who accepted his offers were marked. They could follow Xia Weiwei out quietly, and if they caused trouble, they would be dealt with immediately.

Everyone was keeping calm and waiting for a few more people to arrive.

After this, Minister Wang began brewing tea again. Cheng Jing knew things weren’t over yet.

Sure enough, once the tea was ready, Minister Wang started on a new subject.

“The weather is steadily and continuously getting hotter. Experts are almost certain that an extreme heat wave is coming. You mentioned this earlier—you really have foresight. Now, every base is making preparations.”

“Many people have noticed that the climate isn’t normal. If there was extreme cold, there’s a high chance there will be extreme heat and other disasters. I wasn’t the only one saying so.”

Cheng Jing spoke calmly. After experiencing the extreme cold, people have become more sensitive to changes in the weather. He’d only mentioned it as a reminder. If anyone deserved credit, it was Jiang Nian.

Minister Wang didn’t comment on that.

“You’ve also seen that the more people enter the base, the more pressure there is on every front. If an extreme heat wave hits, the already scarce food and water supplies will be even more limited.”

Cheng Jing nodded.

“Yes, this is a problem every base will face.”

According to Jiang Nian, in his past life, the extreme heat began in mid-July and lasted until the end of October. In just over two months, the highest temperatures reached 72 degrees.

Normal temperatures fluctuate between 66 and 72 degrees, which is symmetrical with extreme cold temperatures below zero—a frightening pattern.

At other times, people could exchange points for supplies, but during extreme weather periods, they had no choice but to rely on base aid to survive.

Whether or not people could make it through depended on each base’s reserves and whether or not they were willing to use them. He had faith in South City Base in that regard.

“…”

Minister Wang looked at him and suddenly spoke gravely.

“As time goes on, supplies will only shrink further. Every base urgently needs ways to replenish renewable resources. The experts and researchers in our labs are working around the clock. Abilities like yours, based on energy and water, are extremely valuable.”

The population had grown significantly, and the base needed time to adapt. However, only a few months had passed since the extreme cold, and rescue teams at every base were still searching for survivors.

Meanwhile, zombies had to be cleared from the surrounding areas regularly, and construction within the bases was far from complete. There was a shortage of regenerative resources.

As a result, many people would die when the extreme heat arrived—and this was unavoidable, even inside a base.

As the Minister of Infrastructure for South City Base, how could he not be anxious?

“…”

Cheng Jing stayed silent. The shift in the conversation was too abrupt. He couldn’t guess what his superior was thinking, so he didn’t dare speak carelessly.

Minister Wang didn’t mind his lack of response. He poured him another cup of tea and continued,

“I know you gave the authorities in Qingyun City a lot of valuable advice, and it was very effective for surviving the extreme cold. If you have any suggestions about the current situation here, I hope you’ll share them.”

“This…”

Cheng Jing felt a little awkward. Besides, the situation at the Nancheng military base was completely different from that in Qingyun City, and all the advice he had given back then had come from Jiang Nian. He had only passed it on.

Most of what he knew about the previous life came from Central Broadcasting and people like Chen Yue and Xia Weiwei.

He understood the theory, but he had never seen it in practice. He couldn’t just start giving instructions without discussing and thinking it through carefully.

Seeing his hesitation, Minister Wang stressed again:

“When faced with a natural disaster like this, humanity is still learning. The losses from trial and error are inevitable. You don’t need to be afraid. Once you present your ideas, the base will consider them carefully. No one will blame you, no matter how it turns out.”

The military had its own logic for how to act, but times had changed. It was crucial to consider other perspectives.

“…All right.”

After a pause, Cheng Jing nodded and carefully offered a compromise.

“Since you trust me, please give me a little time. I’ll discuss it with my teammates, compile everyone’s thoughts, and prepare some external references for you. What do you think?”

“Very well. Then I’ll wait for your report.”

Minister Wang knew he couldn’t rush this. When he heard this, he finally let out a long sigh, lowered his head, and took a sip of his tea. The second matter was considered settled.

Cheng Jing quietly breathed a sigh of relief. His nerves had been on edge ever since he arrived, more so than when he was facing a zombie.

After a rhythmic knock at the door, the guard came in carrying a plate of watermelon slices. He placed them on the coffee table and left.

Minister Wang picked up a slice himself and handed it to Cheng Jing:

“Come on, have some melon.”

“You’re too kind.”

Cheng Jing thanked him and accepted it with both hands. But when he lowered his head to take a bite, his expression froze.

The melon’s flesh was bright red and juicy, but it tasted bland—clearly it was grown using superpowers. Most of the fruit he’d eaten lately had tasted this way, so he was very familiar with it.

A thought crossed his mind, and he unconsciously looked over at Minister Wang, who nodded at him while eating.

“You’re right; it’s not an unfamiliar taste. I got this melon from Xiao Kai. I saw that he had all kinds of fruits and vegetables in his refrigerator, so I took one. He said you were the one who gave them to him.”

Cheng Jing: “…”