Chapter 47: The Beginning of the Modifications
1342 Words
After merging with the Conqueror T-type RV and renaming it "Lü Xiaofeng," Zhou Lin began the modification process at the auto city.
He abandoned the snow terrain track modification and instead focused on reinforcing the chassis and suspension to ensure the RV’s mobility. Additionally, bulletproofing was critical—at least to ensure that regular bullets couldn’t easily penetrate the body. Furthermore, Zhou Lin needed the vehicle to be highly sealed, with a short-term swimming capability to adapt to the harsh road conditions in the apocalypse.
This was the most challenging part of the entire modification.
The [Symbiosis] ability allowed Zhou Lin to complete modifications on the symbiotic vehicles in his [Storage Space] with just his thoughts. On the surface, the prerequisites were sufficient materials and parts, but in reality, there was an invisible requirement—Zhou Lin’s physical strength and energy.
Previously, Zhou Lin hadn't made any significant modifications to the “Lai Fu” boat, only moving items around, which consumed little energy. But when he began working on "Lü Xiaofeng," he realized that modifications were no easy task.
For instance, when modifying the suspension, with ample materials and parts, it only took a thought to complete the modification, which took just a few seconds. However, after finishing the modification, Zhou Lin consumed ten hamburgers and rested for half an hour to recover his energy!
If the modification was done entirely by hand, Zhou Lin calculated it would take about five working hours. So everything had an equivalent exchange. The ability just helped Zhou Lin achieve the goal in the simplest way, while still adhere to the basic laws of energy.
If there were any laws of ability that didn’t follow basic principles, it was likely because humanity had yet to discover them.
The modification of the chassis and suspension took three hours, with the last two hours and fifty-five minutes spent eating and recovering.
At this pace, Zhou Lin estimated it would take at least two more days to finish all the modifications. It was already fast. If this was done in reality, even a month might not be enough.
The best defense is offense, so in Zhou Lin’s modification plan, "Lü Xiaofeng" also needed strong offensive capabilities.
For example, the original retractable platform on the roof was modified into a turret that could rotate 360 degrees and pitch 85 degrees, equipped with a Vulcan cannon taken from the "Lai Fu."
Additionally, launchers for hidden rockets were added to the front and rear of the vehicle, using spare parts from the "Lai Fu" maintenance warehouse.
There were also shooting windows on the front, rear, and sides of the vehicle, ensuring that the occupants could aim and shoot without dead angles while maintaining safety inside.
Furthermore, Zhou Lin planned to install a drone platform on the rear to deploy and retract drones for surveillance. Finally, the vehicle’s electrification, including infrared night vision cameras, was also part of the plan.
Zhou Lin’s team didn’t know about his abilities, but they kept in touch via walkie-talkies and weren’t overly concerned about Zhou Lin’s safety. The real worry was Yang Qiqi—no one knew what kind of trouble she might stir up.
After seeing Yang Qiqi’s "performance," Wu Jian Cai more or less believed Zhou Li’s explanation. Since it was just a young couple’s emotional dispute, Wu Jian Cai lost interest in intervening. He instructed Xiao's Manager to gather the people needing second-round interviews and to expedite the rest of the work.
Among everyone, the most displeased was Tang Yili.
"Ai Bing? You said she was with you when you went inside!" Tang Yili shouted.
"I don’t know! Didn’t I say she and Zhou Lin had an argument and left?" Yang Qiqi was conflicted. It turned out Zhou Li wasn’t lying—look at the lives of people like Tang Yili and Sun Chenghao.
She couldn’t reach Lao Cao anymore, and even if he sent someone, they wouldn’t find her...
Yang Qiqi felt she needed to think more about herself.
But just now, Wu Jian Cai didn’t even care about her and didn’t approve of her going to the shelter, saying she didn’t meet the criteria. She really wanted to ask Wu Jian Cai, if was she not qualified for the shelter because of her beauty.
If she went to the shelter, she would surely spill the beans about Zhou Lin killing Ai Bing. But now... she was a bit worried.
"Are you guys sleeping in the hallway? Let’s go. I’ll take you to where you’ll stay!"
Irritated, Yang Qiqi followed Tang Yili back to their place. The moment she saw the environment, her mood plummeted further.
"Is this where we’re staying?" wrapped in the military coat Tang Yili gave her, Yang Qiqi almost burst into tears.
What kind of place was this?
No light, no heat—only the faint warmth coming from the stove in the hall. The windows were sealed to preserve heat. Inside the tiny room, there were two bunk beds, and the air was so stale, it felt worse than Zhou Lin’s tool room.
At that moment, Yang Qiqi’s first thought was to return to Zhou Lin’s house. Though it was like living with chickens, ducks, and geese, and having to tend to the plants, at least it was warm, with light, and the green, fresh vegetables and animals were a stark contrast to the current squalid conditions. She even thought that in a little while, she might be able to harvest some veggies—eating a few leaves of fresh lettuce would definitely taste great.
"What’s wrong?" Tang Yili asked as he sat on his bed, using the hand-cranked flashlight.
"Nothing," Yang Qiqi shook her head. "Tang Yili, forget about Ai Bing. You won’t find her in this environment. You should think about yourself."
The conditions here were hard to accept, and as the air grew more suffocating, she felt like she couldn’t breathe.
"How about we go to Sun Chenghao’s place?" Tang Yili suggested.
"My place doesn’t have power, water, or food. If you want to leave, I can give you the keys," Sun Chenghao replied indifferently, adding, "But I won’t leave. As long as Huang Mengying is still there, I’ll stay! I’m seeking revenge!"
Well, he was just after Huang Mengying, especially since the last time. The more he couldn't get her, the more he wanted her.
"Let me think," Yang Qiqi felt a bit confused. She knew Tang Yili’s suggestion was reasonable, but she didn’t want to stay there.
Back at Zhou Lin’s, living on the platform, taking care of chickens, and growing veggies?
No!
Then why not try another method?
At this thought, Yang Qiqi’s eyes lit up. She suddenly stood up, her gaze sweeping across Tang Yili and Sun Chenghao.
"Zhou Lin’s house! They have everything there. They even have extra food to raise chickens, rabbits, and grow vegetables..."
"It’s impossible!" Tang Yili exclaimed, surprised.
"I think it’s impossible too," Sun Chenghao said.
Yang Qiqi could only helplessly explain everything she knew to them.
After hearing it, both Tang Yili and Sun Chenghao were silent for a long time. They didn’t believe it at first, but Yang Qiqi had no reason to lie. Plus, she didn’t look like someone who had suffered hunger or cold.
"So..." Sun Chenghao’s eyes gleamed with madness, "As long as we go and seize that house, all of this will be ours?"
"Exactly!" Yang Qiqi nodded, "They even have a beautiful woman and a little girl. Everything will belong to you two!"
"A beautiful woman?" Sun Chenghao stood up suddenly. "Is she more beautiful than you?"
"Well, that depends on the person. You’ll think she’s prettier than me."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go seize it!" Tang Yili pounded his chest excitedly.
"Now?" Sun Chenghao waved his injured hand, full of excitement.
"Why the hurry?" Yang Qiqi rolled her eyes. "Didn’t you see the door outside? Are you going to open it with your head?"
"How do we open it?" Sun Chenghao frowned and asked.
- Writer
