Recently, the Academy of Sciences, the National Space Administration, and the Manned Space Engineering Office jointly released the "National Medium- and Long-Term Development Plan for Space Science," explicitly arranging projects such as the search for extraterrestrial life and bringing new development opportunities to multiple fields in Great East, including space science, astronomy, and biology.
Drawn in by the female host's voice, Liu Jun refocused. The radio was broadcasting official information. Outsiders might not hear anything unusual in it, but as someone directly involved, he immediately realized the country was preparing in advance.
"Academician Ding, could you explain what extraterrestrial life is? Why search for extraterrestrial life? And how do we search for it?"
"Certainly, host. Extraterrestrial life is..."
"We haven't even figured out Earth yet. Why are we worrying about aliens?" the driver grumbled. He slowly stopped at an intersection to wait for the green light, then casually changed the station.
The Ministry of Emergency Management issued a notice requiring provincial and municipal governments to establish emergency plans for sudden incidents.
At that moment, the driver switched the radio to the official state broadcast. In a news flash, a female host delivered a very brief announcement:
"Our industrial layout will undergo a large-scale transfer from east to west, from the coast to the interior. Higher authorities have stated that the transfer of eastern industries cannot be delayed and must move to the central and western regions!"
The country was scheduled to sell U.S. Treasury bonds again this year.
Accelerate the construction of the pilot reserve force.
Show concern for retired service members.
The nth population distribution survey.
"What's been going on lately? Police patrol the streets every day, and fire trucks are racing all over the roads." As a taxi driver who worked the city streets every day, he was the most likely to notice subtle abnormalities. "Are we going to war?"
"Maybe," Liu Jun said.
At the mention of war, the driver's eyes immediately lit up. "Then can we wipe out Little Japan first?"
Who said people of Great East didn't hold grudges? Some professor had once said: when it came to dealing with the little Japanese, the public had only one regret—never hit them hard enough, never kill enough of them.
"It's probably just routine training."
Under the driver's regretful gaze, the taxi pulled over by the roadside.
"All right, we're here."
"WeChat."
After a beep sounded as he scanned the QR code and paid the fare, Liu Jun shut the car door and headed into the residential complex. The moment he reached the entrance, he discovered that the old access-control system had been upgraded to facial recognition. With the elderly guard's help, he finally swiped his card and entered, then headed home.
Identification failed.
Standing outside his home, he took out his key and was about to unlock the door when he realized the keyhole was gone. Well, well. The old couple was pretty fashionable—using a smart lock now!
Ding-dong!
"Coming! Coming!"
The door opened from inside. Both of his parents were home, and Dad took Liu Jun's backpack. "You're back. Dinner's ready."
"Son, come here, let Mom have a look. Mm." Mom looked him over from head to toe, and only after confirming that he hadn't lost any parts did she finally relax completely.
"Yeah, I'm back."
After taking off his coat, he looked at the table full of his favorite dishes. Mom served him a bowl, then began fussing over him with questions and concern.
"All right, all right, let's eat. We can talk after dinner."
"Eat."
"Mm!"
Liu Jun picked up a mouthful of food and started eating. Mom's cooking still tasted the best.
"Let me tell you, your dad, Comrade Old Liu, got his driver's license and bought a BYD electric car. A hundred thousand yuan, and it's so useful. He drives me out to buy groceries every day."
"This year, when I have time, I'm planning to take your mom on a road trip." Though his words were calm, the excitement in the man's voice was impossible to miss.
"I'll pay for the car."
There was basically nowhere to spend money in the military. His monthly stipend and various allowances were substantial, and he had saved up some money. He could still afford a hundred thousand yuan.
"No need. Keep your money for yourself. How you spend it is up to you; we won't interfere."
Old Liu signaled that there was no need to spend his son's money. He wasn't worried about Liu Jun spending recklessly, either. The military was keeping an eye on him.
Soon, the family of three finished dinner. Liu Jun helped clear the dishes, only for Mom to chase him away and tell him to rest for a while.
Liu Jun went out to the balcony and saw Dad's brush, ink, paper, and inkstone beside a sheet of rice paper bearing a line of poetry: "Clouds and waters rage across the four seas; wind and thunder shake the five continents."
"How is it? Not bad, right?"
Seeing Dad looking rather pleased with himself, Liu Jun took a box from his pocket and handed it over.
"What is this?"
When Old Liu opened the box, he found a gleaming gold medal marked with August 1st inside. He carefully took it out and examined it, then immediately broke into a grin.
"Oh! A First-Class Merit Medal! The Liu family has truly brought glory to its ancestors!"
He then opened the glass display cabinet beside him. Inside were Chairman badges of all sizes. He placed the medal beneath them and nodded in satisfaction. He didn't say it aloud, but he was thrilled inside. This was the kind of achievement worthy of its own entry in the family genealogy.
"When are you going back?"
"I don't know. At most, half a month." Liu Jun didn't know how long he could stay home, either. If the aliens in the Western Pacific didn't settle down, he might have to return immediately.
"Don't worry about your mom and me while you're in the military. We're both still healthy and strong. Take care of yourself."
His days of leave passed in a blur. Before long, the New Year was approaching, and Liu Jun's vacation was about to end.
Nothing unexpected happened during this break, and there was no emergency recall. Every day, he either spent time with his parents or did things he wanted to do. Fortunately, Mom hadn't pushed him into blind dates. To be honest, Liu Jun wasn't very good at dealing with women.
These past few days, Great East had been hinting through various channels that something major was about to happen. However, everything remained under state control, so there was no need to worry too much. The only thing related to Liu Jun was the large-scale pilot selection. Every channel was promoting it, and some standards had been lowered slightly so more people could pass, strengthening the Air Force's reserve forces. Training a pilot was not something that could be done in a short time.
On a small mountain near his hometown.
Liu Jun stepped across a ravine, sprang onto a huge rock, and stood atop the mountain he had often climbed as a child. The sun slowly rose in the east, its morning light falling across his calm face. He studied the small city below, where he had lived from childhood to adulthood, for a long time before turning and heading down the mountain.
After returning home, Liu Jun began packing his luggage. Just as when he had arrived, he was leaving with only a small backpack.
Old Liu, who had been sitting on the sofa browsing an app on his phone, saw his son carrying his bag and stood up. "Come on, I'll drive you."
"Okay."
Just then, Mom came out of the kitchen carrying a small bag of Liu Jun's favorite spicy beef in sauce. "Son, eat on time after you get back, and take care of yourself. Take this with you. Don't worry, it isn't overweight!"
"Mm." Liu Jun accepted the beef, his eyes filled with reluctance as he looked at his mother. "Take care of yourself."
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