Reborn in 2014: A One-Man Tycoon

With the phone pressed against his ear, Zhan Yi could clearly hear Meng Chuan's slightly rapid breathing through the receiver.

Actually, Zhan Yi didn't plan to talk about this.

First, it was too unbelievable; second, he wasn't sure if he had seen it wrong.

Although his feelings were very real.

But Meng Chuan just said he wanted to secretly prepare some weapons.

That's why he had no choice but to tell the truth.

Perhaps they really need to prepare some weapons.

"Are you sure it's not equipment reflection? Or refraction from ice crystals in the Martian atmosphere?"

Meng Chuan steadied his voice.

It's not that he doesn't believe in Zhan Yi; ancient martial artists are as sensitive to "gaze" as a cheetah is to movement in the grass.

That's an instinct etched into your very bones.

But this matter is of utmost importance.

Meng Chuan needed to confirm this again and again.

"The equipment was all mounted on the geological instrument, with the lens pointed at the ground rock strata, so the reflection couldn't possibly be directed at my head."

Zhan Yi paused, as if recalling every detail of that time:

"Besides, even if it is reflective, it cannot flow or disappear."

"As for the ice crystals... It was a clear day on Mars. Zhou Ming and his team measured the atmospheric transparency and could see the outline of the crater thirty kilometers away. The light wasn't scattered; it was beamed, like someone had drawn a white mark on a black cloth. It was so fast that it was impossible to catch it."

Meng Chuan got up and walked to the window, pushing it open a crack.

The evening breeze, carrying the lingering heat of late summer, blew in, causing the thorns of a cactus on the windowsill to sway slightly.

Meng Chuan looked up at the starry sky, as if he wanted to see the dark starry sky that Zhan Yi had described.

I want to see that feeling of being watched without a sound, only a sudden streak of light, and then disappearing.

Of course, Meng Chuan didn't see anything.

"The troupe leader?"

Seeing that he hadn't spoken for a long time, Zhan tentatively called out to him.

"Besides you, who else knows about this?"

Meng Chuan suddenly asked.

"No."

Zhan Yi answered decisively:

“At the time, Zhou Ming and the others were testing the soil composition with their backs to me. I didn’t say anything, firstly because I was afraid they would think I was talking nonsense, and secondly… I was also having doubts myself.”

If Meng Chuan hadn't mentioned preparing some defensive items, perhaps Zhan Yilian wouldn't have said anything.

Unless one day he is truly certain.

Meng Chuan pressed his fingertips against his brow and closed his eyes.

"Okay, this matter must not be known to a third person except you and me."

Meng Chuan said in a deep voice:

"Also, have the security department replace the combat equipment with high-voltage stun batons and sonic deflectors. The bionic joint samples will be delivered as usual, but the protective equipment and open-flame weapons should be hidden in the bottom of the cargo hold and transported through a secure passage."

Meng Chuan also knew that if Zhan Yi was telling the truth...

Even if we brought these open-fire weapons up there, it would be of no use.

Because if aliens could really come to Mars so easily and exist in such a bizarre form, then it would be impossible.

Their technological level must be far ahead.

These weapons would probably be insufficient to even fill a tooth gap.

However, people feel safer when they have some weapons at hand.

"clear."

Zhan Yi said in a low voice.

"besides."

Meng Chuan added:

"Go check the satellite monitoring data for Mars' orbit last week, especially the day you saw the streaks. Don't bother the space agency, find our own people—the team that helped us repair the communications satellite last year—and have them quietly check the backup records for the civilian band."

Zhan Yi responded:

"it is good."

But after a pause, he said:

"Master, if... there really is something on Mars, should we stop the outpost project for now?"

“I can’t stop.”

Meng Chuan said in a deep voice:

"The longer we stop, the more suspicious it will become. Do as I say, and wait for the data to come out. By the way, don't let Zhou Ming and the others notice anything unusual; continue the research as usual."

After hanging up the phone, he was alone in the study again.

The tea on the table had long since gone cold.

Meng Chuan picked it up and took a sip. The bitter taste spread from the tip of his tongue to his throat, much like his current mood.

Perhaps cooperating with the country is indeed a bright path.

After all, Meng Chuan simply couldn't obtain some heavy weapons.

If one day, we really do discover extraterrestrial life.

He had no idea what to do.

Originally, the Mars project was just Meng Chuan's pursuit of a boring life.

In retrospect, it may indeed be the future of all mankind.

Although discovering extraterrestrial civilizations is not a good thing.

But if we don't leave Earth, Earthlings may never discover extraterrestrial life.

Discovering something is not a good thing, but failing to discover it is actually more tragic.

The next day, Meng Chuan barely slept a wink.

Liu Qian, who was preparing breakfast downstairs, suddenly came up and said to Meng Chuan:

"There is a gentleman downstairs who wants to see you. His name is Lin Zhou. He said that Old Huang sent him without giving any prior notice."

Meng Chuan was taken aback.

Old Huang is really decisive; I wonder if he's sober yet.

"Tell him to wait. I'll wash up and then come down."

Meng Chuan got up and dressed.

When Meng Chuan came down to the living room, Liu Qian was pouring water for a young man in a white shirt.

The young man looked to be in his late twenties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and appearing quite refined.

Seeing Meng Chuan come out, he immediately stood up, extended his hand, and smiled:

"Hello, Mr. Meng, I am Lin Zhou from the Aerospace Deep Space Exploration Department. Mr. Huang should have already told you."

Meng Chuan grasped his hand, his fingertips pausing slightly as they touched the other's palm.

The back of this person's hand is very thin, but the knuckles are very prominent, and there is a thin callus on the web between the thumb and forefinger.

The calluses weren't from holding a pen; they looked more like the calluses from holding some kind of instrument for many years.

"Mr. Lin, you're too kind."

Meng Chuan withdrew his hand without making a sound:

"sit down!"

Liu Qian left understandingly.

Lin Zhou sat down, took a folder from his briefcase, but didn't hand it over immediately. He just smiled and said:

"Old Huang specifically instructed that President Meng is a man who does big things and doesn't like beating around the bush. So I just said it directly—regarding the cooperation on the Mars outpost, we hope to send a five-person technical team to Mars next week with the Zhan-1 spacecraft to assist in debugging the equipment."

Meng Chuan nodded:

"When Mr. Huang mentioned it, he said 'finalize the details,' but he didn't mention sending a team."

"It was added at the last minute."

Lin Zhou adjusted his glasses, his smile unchanged:

"The main reason is that the oxygen production system at the outpost uses the same core technology as our country's space station. Sending a team there will allow us to resolve any potential problems more quickly. After all, safety is the top priority during trial operation, don't you think?"

What he said made sense, but Meng Chuan felt that tightness in his chest again.

His protective gear hasn't even been smuggled up yet!

Sending people in now is very likely to be discovered!

Meng Chuan put down his teacup and looked at the other person's face:

“Mr. Lin, five people are too many. The outpost can only accommodate a maximum of five people, and we also need research personnel here. Two at most, and we'll have to wait until the trial operation is successful before we can discuss it further.”

Lin Zhou's smile froze for a moment, then relaxed again:

"Mr. Meng is right. I'll go back and report to Mr. Huang, and then we'll finalize the number of people. By the way..."

Lin Zhou seemed to suddenly remember something, took a photo from his briefcase, and handed it over:

“This is a group photo of our team. If Mr. Meng recognizes any of them, he can give us priority in choosing them.”