If It’s Wrong, Then It’s Wrong - Chapter 79
Chapter 79: The Twenty-Ninth Day
The tent was filled with people from the two tech companies. Cheng Liu sat in front of several computers, two of which were connected to the rescue robots’ systems. She was building a temporary control system to manage both.
Feng Shi’s team and the two members of the Shenyin team were working on combining the robots.
He Bai, not a tech expert, was better at logistics. Since communication had been restored, he had been contacting the outside world, handling company matters for Cheng Liu, and coordinating the delivery of supplies.
Besides that, his phone had been ringing non-stop, calls from his parents and sister, clearly aware of his presence in the disaster zone. He didn't answer, simply sending a message to the family group chat assuring them of his safety.
Cheng Liu hadn't initially planned on bringing him along, but He Bai had insisted that, as her chief assistant, he should be by her side during critical moments.
Cheng Liu had eventually agreed. She knew He Bai well enough. Even if she had refused, he would have followed her. It was better to have him with her, minimizing the risks.
He Bai, having finished handling company matters, sent a summary report to Cheng Liu’s tablet, then walked over and watched as her fingers flew across the keyboard.
Cheng Liu was skilled at building new systems. In her early days, she had earned her initial capital by selling system code, multiplying it until she finally founded Shenyin Technology.
He Bai watched her profile. She often had a blank expression while working, a certain coldness in her demeanor when she wasn't smiling, making her seem aloof and unapproachable. But even after seeing this countless times, he was still captivated.
He watched as she built the system from scratch, lines of code appearing on the screen, constantly being modified, deleted, and rewritten. On the other side of the tent, the engineers had already started dismantling the two rescue robots, preparing to combine them.
Four hours passed, everyone tense and focused, constantly dismantling, reassembling, testing various solutions. Finally, at 11 pm, they successfully combined the two robots.
“Cheng Liu, how’s your system coming along?” Feng Shi asked, wiping the sweat from his brow, walking over to her.
Cheng Liu, still focused on the code, her fingers flying across the keyboard, didn't reply.
He Bai had placed a bottle of water and a piece of bread beside her earlier, around 9 pm, but she hadn't touched them, her eyes fixed on the screen.
Feng Shi stood beside her, watching the lines of code, gradually mesmerized.
In such a short time, she had written such a complete and elegant system.
The more he watched, the more impressed he became. He had initially been driven by a sense of rivalry, unwilling to be overshadowed by Cheng Liu. After all, he was also a self-made entrepreneur, having achieved some fame in university, even created a popular website, which he had later sold. After several setbacks, he had finally founded Keda Technology.
Now, compared to Cheng Liu, Feng Shi realized he wasn’t as capable, nor as young.
“Done,” Cheng Liu said suddenly, stopping, her hands resting on the keyboard.
“Finished?” Feng Shi asked, a sigh of relief escaping him.
Cheng Liu nodded: “This temporary system can control both rescue robots, allowing them to execute commands independently.”
“Let’s test it then,” Feng Shi said excitedly.
The other engineers gathered around.
He Bai, standing nearby, opened a bottle of water and handed it to Cheng Liu: “CEO Cheng, here.”
Having been so focused for hours, without any food or water, her voice was hoarse.
Cheng Liu turned and took the bottle: “Thank you.”
She took a sip, then started operating the system.
“It’s really switching,” Zou Pan said excitedly, watching the rescue robots. “It works!”
Cheng Liu, standing up and stretching: “Are you ready?”
“Almost. Just connecting the system now,” Feng Shi said, gesturing towards the Keda engineers. “Continue modifying the other robots. We’ll send this one in first.”
Shenyin had brought several types of rescue robots. The one they had modified first was a smaller unit, designed for navigating complex, narrow spaces in collapsed structures.
Feng Shi handed the robot over to the rescue team leader.
To operate the robots, they needed computers. Having confirmed the modifications were successful, Cheng Liu brought the computers and other equipment to a location near the rescue point.
It was late, the sky pitch black. Even with powerful floodlights, there were still dark corners, making it difficult to see clearly.
A group of soldiers arrived to help transport the equipment. Cheng Liu, carrying a laptop, walked behind them, He Bai beside her, updating her on the company situation.
Feng Shi, catching up to them, overheard their conversation, his scalp tingling.
Having just arrived in this chaotic disaster zone, after hours of intense focus, she still had the energy to handle company matters. Cheng Liu was truly formidable.
No wonder she had brought her assistant. She had company business to attend to.
“Over here,” one of the soldiers said, stopping and leading them into a makeshift shelter. “You can set up your equipment here. The rescue point is just ahead.”
From their elevated position, they could see the collapsed buildings in the distance, countless people moving around, clearing debris by hand, most wearing raincoats, their hoods fallen back, some even without raincoats.
“We can load some water, medicine, and food onto the robot,” Feng Shi said, looking at the small unit. “Send it in first. If there are survivors, it might be helpful.”
Cheng Liu sat down under the shelter, opened her laptop, and started controlling the robot.
The robot was equipped with a high-definition color camera, a thermal imaging camera, and a communication system. Its joints could also bend and retract, allowing it to navigate narrow spaces.
The rescue workers carried the robot into the disaster zone, placing it at the entrance of a collapsed structure.
Cheng Liu took over, controlling the robot as it moved deeper inside, searching for survivors.
As soon as it entered, the camera lens was covered in mud, blurring the image on Cheng Liu’s monitor, but its other functions remained unaffected. The thermal imaging camera still worked.
Without hesitation, she continued guiding the robot forward. As it moved deeper, a map of the interior, generated by the robot’s sensors, appeared on another screen.
The robot had two arms and tracked feet. If it tipped over, it wouldn't be stuck like a turtle on its back. Its arms would extend, find a stable point, and then right itself.
Keda Technology’s waterproofing technology temporarily protected the robot from the mud, allowing it to function normally.
“The camera’s picking up something now,” Feng Shi said, as the robot moved deeper, encountering less mud. The tremors had shaken some of the mud off the lens.
“Is that…a person?” He Bai asked, pointing at the screen.
The black and white image showed the faint outline of a man in his thirties.
“Yes,” Cheng Liu said, glancing at the other screen, her fingers pausing for a moment before resuming control, guiding the robot forward.
“Should I get a team to rescue him?” He Bai asked.
Cheng Liu looked at him, her voice serious: “He’s dead.”
The thermal imaging camera showed no signs of life, and from the earlier image, the man’s body had been stiff.
He hadn’t died recently.
He Bai unconsciously rubbed his chin, taking a step back, the reality of the disaster finally sinking in.
“Let’s go get some air,” Feng Shi said, placing a hand on He Bai’s shoulder, leading him away from the tent.
They walked for a while before He Bai stopped: “I’m fine.”
Feng Shi patted his shoulder, not surprised by his reaction. It was a normal response for a young person.
“Let’s go back,” He Bai said, taking a deep breath. He didn’t want to show any weakness in front of Cheng Liu.
When they returned, Zou Pan and the others had arrived with the other modified robots, all connected to Cheng Liu’s system, ready to begin the search.
“There’s someone three meters below,” Cheng Liu said suddenly, looking at the screen. She confirmed the location, turning to He Bai. “Go tell them.”
He Bai immediately ran to the rescue team leader, bringing him back.
They quickly discussed the rescue plan.
“We can’t remove the debris directly. It might cause a secondary collapse. The person inside might not survive.”
“Then have everyone clear the debris by hand!”
“We can only spare half the team. We still need people searching other areas.”
The rescue team leader: “Every life counts. We can’t waste time.”
Cheng Liu stood up, offering her seat, turning to the arguing men: “Look.”
The main screen suddenly cleared. They could see the person inside, a young woman.
Cheng Liu had just guided the robot closer for a better view, and the young woman, seeing it, had wiped the mud off the lens.
“We’ll get you out soon. Don’t be afraid!” the rescue team leader shouted to the young woman.
“I’m not afraid,” the young woman said, her face pale but her spirits seemingly high. A metal cabinet was blocking her upper body, her lower body trapped, the situation unclear. “Just a little hungry.”
Cheng Liu grabbed the microphone: “Open the robot’s compartment. There’s food, water, and some medicine inside.”
“I see it!” the young woman said.
The rescue team leader called over a doctor, who examined the young woman’s injuries through the camera.
As the robot moved to the side, the camera revealing her lower body, they saw her leg bent at an unnatural angle.
“We have to get her out, now,” the doctor said, turning to the rescue team leader. “If we don’t, she’ll lose her leg, even her life.”
The rescue robot couldn’t carry her out. It could shrink and fold; she couldn't.
Manual excavation would take too long. An hour passed, then another. They were still digging, even Feng Shi and He Bai joining the efforts. Under the doctor’s guidance, the robot cleared the debris around the young woman, creating more space.
But despite having had food and water, she was losing consciousness.
“Stay awake! We’re almost there!” Cheng Liu said through the microphone.
The young woman opened her eyes, her voice weak: “I won’t sleep. Are you a soldier? I always wanted to be one.”
“I’m not,” Cheng Liu said after a moment’s hesitation. “But there are many soldiers here, rescuing you.”
The young woman gave a weak smile: “Wow, I’m so lucky!”
“So stay lucky and come out alive,” Cheng Liu said, looking at the young woman on the screen.
The young woman closed her eyes, then forced them open again: “Your voice…sounds familiar. I just can’t remember where I’ve heard it.”
“Is that so?” Cheng Liu said, holding the microphone. “My name is Cheng Liu. What’s yours?”
“Cao Xixi,” the young woman said, then, her eyes widening, her voice stronger, “Did you say your name is Cheng Liu?”
A fan? Or perhaps smo more plot related??
ReplyDelete