Don't Work for Capitalists for Free

Zhurong...

Lin Xu clearly remembered that when he had asked Xu Jin that morning, "Why are you going to Mars?" his answer had been, "Zhurong."

And Zhurong had been designed by his father.

Well, damn. Even going to Mars was a family tradition?

No, that wasn't quite right.

More likely, his father's influence had given him the idea of going to Mars.

And that idea had driven him to conduct research related to aerospace—especially materials science.

That also explained why he had managed to develop industrial production methods for two materials.

After all, if he had really just been a junior researcher at a materials institute, accomplishing that would have been difficult.

But if his father had been a chief engineer, the situation would have been completely different.

The resources, equipment, and instruments at his disposal would have practically had no upper limit.

As long as he had an idea and a direction, he could make it happen.

It made sense!

With that, Lin Xu had gained two more clues.

[Xu Jin's joining Planetary Reincarnation may be related to his father, Xu Qianlin (uncertain)]

[Xu Qianlin is the chief engineer of a key national research project and has participated in important Mars exploration missions]

As he continued following this line of reasoning, a question suddenly arose in Lin Xu's mind.

Suppose—just suppose.

Suppose Xu Qianlin had truly joined Planetary Reincarnation. Did that mean his ideology had "gone bad"?

Or that he had outright "defected"?

No, that was unlikely.

To undertake such an important scientific research mission, setting technical ability aside, his ideological commitment would first have had to pass muster.

His faith in their shared cause had to be firm. He should also have been able to distinguish right from wrong and resist temptation.

Yet he had still joined Planetary Reincarnation.

Did that mean the organization had not shown any signs of being "dangerous" at the beginning?

Until now, Lin Xu had always assumed that this so-called Planetary Reincarnation was some kind of cult-like group.

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

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

That was why there was no information about the organization online. The research community was already closed-off enough; adding another inner circle would undoubtedly make it even more insular!

Lin Xu's heart pounded.

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

Mars, Planetary Reincarnation, doomsday...

Had Planetary Reincarnation discovered signs of doomsday on Mars?

Or had researchers discovered clues to doomsday on Mars, giving rise to Planetary Reincarnation?

After all, the word "reincarnation" sounded like it had something to do with doomsday.

Theoretically, it should only have appeared after signs of doomsday had been discovered.

The logic checked out!

Lin Xu let out a long breath.

Though everything was still speculation, he vaguely felt that this guess was already very close to the truth.

That made the remaining questions simple.

When had they discovered the signs of doomsday, and what exactly were those signs?

Perhaps he would have to wait until he came into contact with Xu Qianlin to get an answer.

He had to speed up the Star Traveler One project!

Only by getting the project moving and thoroughly drawing Xu Jin in would he have a chance to meet Xu Qianlin.

At the same time, he had to produce results through this project before he would be qualified to speak with him!

Lin Xu decisively closed his eyes.

Time to work!

He lightly touched his bracelet and entered the other world once again.

This time, however, he did not painstakingly search for clues and information. Instead, he took the mercenaries straight to Donghua Chemical Fiber Plant.

Time to copy!

It was not until six in the evening, after using up his final opportunity, that Lin Xu completely exited Bracelet World.

He quickly organized the detailed parameter data for M46X and PEEK-RTM and updated the document, bringing its completion rate to over 50%.

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

Even from Lin Xu's "layman" perspective, the remaining content was something that could be obtained through simple trial and error once the equipment was in place.

If he handed the documents to Xu Jin and let him mobilize the resources himself, he should be able to finish them in a short time.

Plan complete √.

Lin Xu saved the document with satisfaction. Just as he was about to pick up his phone and ask whether Jiang Xingye had gotten off work, there was suddenly a knock on his apartment door.

"Lin Xu! Lin Xu!"

"Are you awake yet?"

"Dinner time!"

Well, damn. It was already time??

"Hang on!"

Lin Xu hurriedly changed clothes and put on his shoes and socks. When he opened the door, Jiang Xingye's hand nearly knocked him in the face.

"You didn't work today? You got off so early?"

"Don't mention it."

Jiang Xingye waved a hand.

"Wasn't Test No. 3 scheduled for operational deployment today? Everyone went to the new launch site this afternoon to do debugging."

"Fuck, you have no idea how hot that dump was... I can't believe there's a place like that right next to Jinling City."

"I really couldn't take it anymore, so when I saw there weren't any problems, I came back."

"Come on, 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, while her casually tied ponytail had already come loose. The line of her neck was taut from her breathing, and her slightly protruding collarbones made her neck look even more slender.

...Why did she look pretty good?

Was this what it felt like to have your heart moved??

Was an ex-wife really this lethal?

Lin Xu quickly looked away. As he followed Jiang Xingye outside, he changed the subject.

"What we eat is up to you, isn't it? I'm the one asking you for a favor..."

"So how did today's test go? Smoothly?"

"Smoothly. Very smoothly."

Jiang Xingye entered the elevator and raised a hand to wipe away her sweat.

"Today was a low-altitude recovery test, and it was pretty visually impressive. Anyway, the investors who came seemed quite entertained. The next round of funding is probably secured."

"I heard the next tests will be high-altitude catch-arm recovery and low-altitude cable recovery, but no specific schedule was arranged today, so I didn't ask."

"For all we know, it could just be another pie the boss is dangling in front of the investors."

"His focus is all on Star Traveler One now. If the Star Traveler One proposal works, vertical recovery technology will be a bit redundant."

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

"But most investors came for rocket recovery technology. If we want to persuade them to invest in new technology, we have to show them something more convincing."

"So, it's all up to you!"

Jiang Xingye's eyes sparkled.

"So how did things go on your end? Was it smooth with that friend of yours?"

"Smooth."

Lin Xu nodded.

"Otherwise, why would I be asking you out?"

"I haven't spent a cent of that two hundred thousand in contingency funds yet. It feels like a waste."

"Why don't you discuss it with your friend and figure out how to spend it? Just buy whatever he needs. You really came to ask me?"

Jiang Xingye looked puzzled. Lin Xu spread his hands helplessly.

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

"Actual Asperger's?!"

Jiang Xingye froze.

"I thought you'd made up an excuse because you didn't want the company getting access to your resources."

"Not really..."

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

Jiang Xingye said thoughtfully, "It was meant to be for social expenses in the first place. Even if you don't want it, it should go to your friend."

"Otherwise, are you going to work for capitalists for free?"

"Come on, let's eat first."

"We can think it over while we eat."

"I guarantee I'll come up with a foolproof plan!"