Chapter 3: Unexpected contact
With money and supplies mostly taken care of, Jiang focused on what he needed as a doomsday vehicle. He needed different samples of designs to make his own. The Starseed was capable of scanning any vehicle Jiang got in contact with, so he intended to hunt cars, buses and trucks to touch.
He looked on the internet for places that sold or loaned the appropriate vehicles in his city or nearby. Light off road buses and trucks. Camping cars and vans. Hybrid cars and buses. He also looked for heavy-duty vehicles, 6 wheels fire trucks, and ambulances. They were solid and powerfull vehicles, and/or had interesting equipments.
After a while, he took a break and looked at his phone. He found 2 missing calls from a number he didn't recognise. He decided to call back.
"Hello?"
"Hello. Is this Jiang Liushi?" It was a girl with a sweet, soft voice.
"Yes, I am. You called me. Is something the matter?"
"I am Li Yuxin."
Jiang Liushi didn't expect it at all. He thought that this was a business-related call from a customer service representative or something. He had never expected to receive a call from Li Yuxin. Although he didn't spend much time on the phone with girls, he didn't have trouble speaking with her. He was just wondering why she called him.
Li Yuxin's family conditions were pretty good. Her appearance was delicate and pleasant. As a matter of fact, they had been desk-mates in senior high school. She had a nice disposition which made her really popular in class.
Li Yuxin was an excellent student, but she was not good at math. However, Jiang Liushi was good at math and as a result, Li Yuxin was always asking Jiang Liushi to explain math problems. A particular scene surfaced in Jiang Liushi's mind, it was Li Yuxin's figure as she was staring at the window with her beautiful hair falling down her shoulders. She was always absorbed in class, so she couldn't notice that her hair occasionally touched Jiang's hands.
Unfortunately, his parents had been in an accident, so he hadn't gone to school for a month. When he returned to school, he had turned into a different person. He had become extremely shy and introverted, and he began sitting at the back of the classroom by himself. Although Li Yuxin had looked from time to time in his direction, she had tried several times to talk to him but she hadn't been able to.
Finally, Jiang Liushi had finally gotten over his parents' death. Although they studied at the same university now, the two of them had drifted apart. However, Jiang Liushi still cherished the beautiful heartthrob. Hearing Li Yuxin's voice again, Jiang felt a surge in his heart; her voice was like a soft breeze.
"Really... It has been a long time. It's good to hear your voice again." He said with a soft smile.
"Yes, we haven't talked to each other for a long time."
"Well, what's the matter?"
"I heard that you were short on money. I am not close to Li Jun, but I happened to hear about it,"
Jiang Liushi suddenly frowned
"What did he say?"
"He invited my friend to go out with him for dinner. But he was always watching his phone. As a result, my friend asked him why. He said you asked him to borrow money. I thought you may be in a trouble, so asked him for your phone number...".
"Li Jun..."
Jiang Liushi was speechless. Li Jun hadn't even paid his money back, but he had discussed his private matters with others. What he really needed to learn was how to act in public!
"The truth is..."Jiang Liushi narrated the truth.
After listening, Li Yuxin was infuriated:
"I know you are not that kind of person. He also said that you were as bold as brass. I will quickly tell my friend so that she stays away from him. Well, did you really need money?"
"3000 yuans. But I already borrowed them from someone else, so you don't need to worry about it."
"Your Alipay number is your phone number, right? I will transfer you a sum of money. You can pay me back when you are better off. We are friends, don't worry. When we were in senior high school, you patiently helped me with math problems every day, even in your spare time. However, I never really thanked you." Li Yuxin laughed.
Jiang Liushi was surprised for a moment. Li Yuxin's laughter was pleasant, reminescent of wind chimes
"No, thank you..."
"You are welcome. That's what friends are for, right? Bye."
Putting down the phone, Jiang Liushi felt very warm. It was unexpected that Li Yuxin had helped him and she had not asked him why he needed to borrow money from the beginning to the end. He got a message. He was surprised to see that the transferred money was 10,000 yuan. There was a new message, saying, "You may be better off financially with this money. Much better."
Jiang was moved by her words. Although Li Yuxin's family was rich, she usually led a thrifty life. The 10,000 yuan must have been her own money. But when she heard that he had difficulties, she immediately took the initiative to call, several times... Jiang Liushi suddenly decided to call back immediately.
However, when the phone was picked up, Li Yuxin said uneasily, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Liushi could not help but laugh, he was moved and happy, "Don't worry. I didn't call to give your money back."
"Oh..." Li Yuxin felt relieved and quickly said, "You do not need to thank me. Without your help, how could I have been admitted to Jiangbei University…"
"Hey, Yuxin listen for a moment" he paused for a few seconds to think about how to warn her.
"The reason I needed the money was for caution, preparations. I got hints that something unpleasant, on a large scale, is going to happen during the first half of the next week. At that time I want you to stay home, with food supplies for at least a week, a first aid kit and medecines, and something to defend yourself against thieves and rioters."
"Whoa... What's wrong? What's going to happen?"
"I can't go into details. As I said, I only got hints. For other people it may be nothing, but not for me. I'm taking it very seriously. Even if you don't believe anything is going to happen, please make some preparations of your own."
"This... I...well...well..."
"Can you do this for your friend's peace of mind? Please." he said with a soft, yet almost begging tone.
"I..., yes I'll do it."
"Thank you. Also, please give me your address."
"My address? Why? Do you want to pay me visit?"Li Yuxin said in a teasing voice.
"I will not do anything bad. Just, if you need me, I want to know where to find you" he sincerely said.
Li Yuxin was really moved by Jiang Liushi's concern for her.
"Well, ok, my address is ..."
"Wait. I will write it down."
Jiang Liushi turned on his hands-free and then recorded her home address on a memo.
"Really? Did you write it down? I am a little nervous. Will you really come? But if you come to visit, I will be very happy."
"Then I'll be sure to come when I have the opportunity. Take care."
"You too, be careful."
Hanging up the phone, Jiang Liushi exhaled. He had tried and partially succeeded, but he did not know what would happen to Li Yuxin. But at least she should stay at home. She was a very kind girl. Only God knew whether Li Yuxin would survive or not. Hopefully, he would not let such a good girl die in this catastrophe. And as long as she was alive, Jiang Liushi believed that he could find her.
Jiang Liushi was also relieved for another reason. At first, he though he would have to steal a vehicle to start building his mobile base, which would have been risky. But with the money he received from his friend, he would be able to rent one.
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