Countdown: Humanity's struggle to survive against yesterday

Chapter 77 Space City

In the northwest suburbs of Beijing, deep in the Friendship Road of Haidian District, the Aerospace City lies quietly amidst green trees and fragrant grass.

This is the heart of China's space program, one of the world's three major astronaut centers, carrying the mission of realizing the dream of spaceflight.

When Jiang Ning, Chang Niankong, and Zhou Yunci arrived, it was afternoon. The park was open and quiet, and the silver-gray flight control building had clean lines and gleamed with a cold metallic luster in the sunlight.

Jiang Ning saw that Chen Xiao and Cui Huaimeng, along with an elderly man in dark blue work clothes, were standing at the entrance of the flight control building to greet them.

Chen Xiao was dressed in a long brown-black coat over a black suit, his hair neatly combed. Upon seeing Jiang Ning and the others, he immediately greeted them with a friendly smile, his steps unhurried, exuding both solemnity and elegance.

"Old Chen," Zhou Yunci stepped forward first and saluted, "I have successfully completed the Golden Cudgel Project."

"Hard!"

Chen Xiao reached out and quickly shook hands with Zhou Yunci, nodded emphatically, and then looked quickly at Jiang Ning.

"Master Jiang, welcome, welcome!"

Upon hearing this title, Jiang Ning secretly guessed that this "General Manager Chen," currently jokingly referred to by netizens, was definitely up to no good. He had been urgently transferred here, and there must be a big mission for him.

"You're too kind, Mr. Chen!"

With outsiders present, Jiang Ning couldn't very well address the other party as "Old Deng," so he politely responded while glancing at Cui Huaimeng.

This was the third time the two had met. The woman was about thirty years old. Every time they met, she wore a well-tailored, simple business suit, and her black hair was neatly tied into a low bun, revealing her clean and sharp features.

Her skin was fair, her temperament was gentle yet capable, her eyebrows and eyes were calm and restrained, her eyes were clear and bright, her nose was delicate, her lips were neat, and she wore light makeup that was neither ostentatious nor vulgar, exuding a calm and intellectual aura of a government office worker.

"Hello, Team Leader Jiang, it's nice to see you again!"

Cui Huaimeng noticed Jiang Ning looking at her, smiled, and took a half step forward with great deference, greeting him in a clear and crisp voice.

"Yes, hello Team Leader Cui!"

Jiang Ning smiled upon hearing this. She had a strong impression of this woman, not because of her beauty and aura that made her feel extremely elegant, but because she was the first person to accept the "breakdown".

At that time, his abilities were still in the testing phase, and scientists were still observing and analyzing them. It was unknown whether there were any specific harms. However, Chen Xiao's female secretary volunteered to be the first test subject.

That sheer courage is impressive.

"How has Team Leader Cui adapted these past few days?" Jiang Ning couldn't help but ask curiously.

Cui Huaimeng joked, "Thanks to Team Leader Jiang's guidance, I've even given up commuting to and from get off work. I'm practically living at the Emergency Organization Headquarters."

"Then it's my fault!" Jiang Ning chuckled. "If I had known, I should have kept you at home instead of in the office."

"No, not at all!" Cui Huaimeng said seriously. "I'm perfectly fine. Besides, this is my own choice, and I really like my life now."

Seeing Jiang Ning's expression, as if he wanted to say something, Chen Xiao quickly pulled Jiang Ning to look at an old man: "Master Jiang, let me introduce you. This is Lu Zheng, the chief person in charge of the space city. He coordinates the overall scheduling of the flight control squadron, the astronaut brigade, and the scientific research and training center. He is the 'housekeeper' and chief technical person in charge of the space city."

"I've heard so much about Master Jiang..." the old man said warmly, extending his hand.

In Jiang Ning's eyes, the old man looked to be in his early fifties, with a tall and straight figure, slightly graying temples, and wearing silver-rimmed glasses. He exuded a calm and dignified air, as if he had been in a high position for a long time. He was wearing dark blue overalls, and when he reached out, the manned space program badge embroidered on his cuffs was visible.

Jiang Ning dared not be presumptuous. Just from Chen Xiao's introduction, he knew that the other party was a true national talent, so he quickly stepped forward and extended his hands.

"Commander Lu, Commander Lu! You flatter me. Hearing the name 'Master Jiang' from you makes me feel so ashamed."

"What's there to be ashamed of? There's been a lot of talk online lately that the end of scientific research is metaphysics, and Jiang Daxian has already gone ahead of that."

"..."

The two were exchanging pleasantries when, through Zhou Yunci's introduction, Chang Niankong met Chen Xiao, and the two had a brief conversation.

Chen Xiao: "Master Chang, the country didn't let you participate in the World Memory Championships. Are you resentful?"

Chang Niankong: "I didn't do this for fame, so naturally I have no resentment."

Chen Xiao stepped forward and patted Chang Niankong on the shoulder, saying with emotion, "I've seen your file. I know you were disappointed in the people of your hometown, which is why you chose to enter the Dao. But there's a saying, 'When one person attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.' That's just human nature..."

"General Manager Chen, I have long since come to terms with this. I was overestimating myself before, always thinking that photographic memory could solve all problems. Now I understand that experience itself is a kind of enlightenment."

"That's good, that's good!" Chen Xiao nodded thoughtfully.

In Chang Niankong's file, Chen Xiao remembered that the most fundamental reason that prompted a talent like Chang Niankong to go into the mountains to cultivate Taoism was his disappointment with the people of his hometown.

It truly proves the saying, "When one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs want to ascend to heaven with them." Before one becomes famous, things are fine, but after becoming famous, if this neighbor has difficulties or that relative needs help, you can't help one and not help another; if you help one too much, you can't help another too little.

These kinds of interpersonal relationships are the most difficult to deal with. Those who know how to be grateful are fine, but those who don't will end up with a lot of trouble.

And coincidentally, Chang Niankong has the ability to remember everything he sees. His wife's complaints, his family's unhappiness, and the occasional gossip he overhears from acquaintances all become a torment for him.

During the background check, the staff wrote the following in the final evaluation of Chang Niankong's file: "He is a memory genius with a pure heart, simple and kind throughout his life, yet deeply tainted by memory corruption..."

Chen Xiao remembered that after reviewing the files, he thought to himself, "Perhaps only a pure and innocent heart deserves a photographic memory!"

However, while God may open one window for you, He may also close another.

His excellent memory and innocent kindness may have been the foundation of his success, while his misfortune was inevitable.

Fortunately, this Taoist priest digested his bad memories and truly achieved personal enlightenment.

……

The weather in Beijing in January was still very cold, with temperatures only around five or six degrees Celsius outside.

The group didn't linger at the entrance for long before Lu Zheng quickly led them into the flight control building.

Inside the building, the flight control hall was brightly lit, rows of control console screens flickered, and data scrolled rapidly like flowing water. Researchers dressed in dark blue overalls sat at their workstations, their expressions calm and focused.

The staff showed no unusual reaction when they saw Jiang Ning and his group, demonstrating a high level of professionalism.

Lu Zheng first led Jiang Ning and Chang Niankong on a brief tour of the flight control hall, and then led everyone to a conference room.

The conference room was like a classroom, and it was already filled with a group of young people. As soon as Jiang Ning stepped into the conference room, he saw an acquaintance in the first row near the middle.

"elder brother……"

"Master Chang..."

Several seventeen or eighteen-year-olds, upon seeing familiar faces, immediately stood up in surprise.