My Dating Sim Just Got an Update - Chapter 52

At first glance, Qi Sheng didn’t even associate the compact device in Chen Gu’s arms with a generator. In his experience, the more power a generator produced, the larger it tended to be. In fact, most modified post-apocalyptic models were far bulkier than their old-world counterparts. Consequently, when Ren Chenxi introduced this so-called “Crystal Core Generator,” Qi Sheng couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt.

Despite his skepticism, Qi Sheng didn’t voice his concerns as bluntly as Chen Gu had. Having led a base for two years, he had seen enough chaos and strange occurrences to know that even the most improbable claims deserved a trial run. Following Ren Chenxi’s instructions, Qi Sheng produced a Level 1 crystal core himself. He connected the charging cable to a 10,000 mAh power bank before placing the core into the machine and flipping the switch.

Human ingenuity is truly boundless. Even amidst the ruins of the world and with limited resources, people found ways to make the impossible happen. Take the “Lightning Generator” in the old boys’ dormitory, for instance along with those two modified power banks. He had no idea how they had been tweaked, but they charged at incredible speeds, topping off 10,000 mAh in just ten minutes.

However, compared to this system-produced generator of Ren Chenxi’s, even that felt sluggish. If the conditions allowed for maximum output, this little machine could fill Qi Sheng’s power bank in just a few minutes.

Unfortunately, Qi Sheng’s modified power bank was the bottleneck; it simply couldn’t handle that kind of intake.

While waiting for the red charging light to change, Ren Chenxi found herself trapped in some rather awkward small talk with Qi Sheng. Though it felt forced, she noticed that Qi Sheng was subtly fishing for information regarding the generator’s origins.

To be fair, the moment the red light flickered on after the crystal core was inserted, Qi Sheng was already convinced. He had operated it himself; there was no trickery involved. His gaze toward Ren Chenxi grew increasingly intense. As early as the second month of the apocalypse, survivor bases had begun popping up across the country. The largest and most organized ones were typically those in major cities protected by the military.

Among them, Ning’an Base in City A was the gold standard, thanks to its concentration of top-tier talent from every industry. It was through a survivor’s radio that Qi Sheng had first heard the term “Crystal Core Generator.”

That survivor had clung to a small portable radio like a lifeline. He’d spend his free time obsessively turning the dial, cycling through channels despite the endless static. Then, one day, he actually caught a signal.

As a massive hub with military stability and a surplus of intellectuals, Ning’an Base was the first to restore order and pour resources into scientific research. They had established their own radio station, using wireless signals to broadcast recruitment messages to anyone listening.

That was how the survivor heard the news: City A was aggressively researching how to harness the energy contained within crystal cores.

At the time, the Crystal Core Generator was their primary project.

Ever since learning about Ning’an’s broadcasts, Qi Sheng had scavenged his own radio to keep tabs on their progress. However, as time went on, the updates on the generator ceased. Instead, the station spent its airtime bragging about how wonderful their environment was, how comfortable the housing felt, and how delicious the food tasted. It was enough to make the survivors at Nanhai Base—who were also listening in—itch with envy.

While Qi Sheng was annoyed by Ning’an’s blatant propaganda, City H was simply too far from City A. Even if his ability users were tempted, none dared to risk a cross-country journey through the wasteland. More than the bragging, Qi Sheng cared about the research results.

But the results were never published. Just as Qi Sheng was reaching his wits’ end, Chen Gu had burst in asking if he wanted to buy a crystal core generator. For a moment, he thought he was hallucinating from sheer obsession. It wasn’t until the power bank actually started charging in his hands that his racing heart finally settled.

It seemed Ning’an Base had truly succeeded. But how did a mere Level 4 ability user like Ren Chenxi get her hands on such advanced tech? How did she bring it all the way to Nanhai Base, and why was she selling it so casually?

Based on the radio reports, Qi Sheng had already convinced himself that Ren Chenxi brought this from City A. He also began to wonder: if they had mastered the generator, had they also invented other machines powered by crystal cores?

Sensing Qi Sheng’s subtle probing, Ren Chenxi offered a mix of truth and fiction. She claimed she had obtained the generator from a group of people, but insisted she knew nothing about who they were or how they possessed such technology. When asked where she met them, she fabricated a story about a chance encounter in City S, adding that she had no idea where they went afterward. As for why she came to Nanhai Base, she blamed it on the juniors from S University, claiming she was just escorting them to seek refuge with Mu Ning.

Finally, Qi Sheng took a shot in the dark: “Besides the generator, Chenxi, do you know if those people had any other machines that run on crystal core energy?”

The question sparked an idea in Ren Chenxi’s mind. She quickly summoned the Doomsday Mall interface. A quick search revealed a “Crystal Core Engine.” The retail price was 200,000 crystals, but her member price was only 100,000.

The system set the prices, and while she didn’t fully understand its logic, her heart skipped a beat at the sight of that 100,000-crystal margin.

Should she take this chance to turn a massive profit?

In Qi Sheng’s eyes, her hesitation looked like she was recalling something specific. Growing nervous, he pressed further, “Sister, talk to me! What else did they have?”

Ren Chenxi glanced at him, deciding to gauge his attitude before committing to the deal. She nodded slowly. “They also had a crystal core engine.”

“A crystal core engine?!” Qi Sheng’s voice spiked. That was incredibly useful! Setting aside everything else, just look at the graveyard of abandoned vehicles in the base; they were starving for fuel. Because of the gasoline shortage, they couldn’t scavenge far for supplies or construction materials. Qi Sheng had even issued specific missions just to find diesel and petrol. Unfortunately, the searchers used fuel just to find fuel, and whatever they brought back was often snatched up by the Fan family at exorbitant prices.

The inability to send his people across provincial lines due to fuel costs was Qi Sheng’s biggest headache.

Seeing his raw excitement, Ren Chenxi knew she had him.

“The engine is much more expensive than the generator. Do you want it, Sheng-ge?”

“You have the engine too?!” Qi Sheng’s voice actually cracked.

“Yes. When they gave me the generator, they gave me the engine as well.”

“Such a precious thing they just gave it to you?” Qi Sheng’s voice trembled.

“Yes, because I saved their lives,” Ren Chenxi replied, her tone perfectly matter of fact.

Qi Sheng nodded in agreement. If they were at death’s door, the most advanced machinery in the world wouldn’t have saved them. Giving it to their savior… well, he personally wouldn’t have been that generous, but those people were likely scientists. To them, a machine was just something they could build again. Giving it away as a reward for their lives made a certain kind of sense.

Of course, Qi Sheng didn’t believe every word she said. But if he didn’t believe her story, he had no other explanation for how she got them. Ren Chenxi was a walking mystery, but since she clearly didn’t want to elaborate, he knew better than to push. Besides, he cared far more about that engine than her backstory.

“So. Chenxi how many crystal cores for the engine?”

“200,000 Level 1 crystal cores.” Following Mu Ning’s earlier pricing example, Ren Chenxi didn’t hesitate to quote the full retail price from the mall.

“200,000?!” While Qi Sheng had that many, it was still a massive hit. He tried to haggle. “Sister, can’t you give me a bit of a disco.”

Before he could finish, Mu Ning, who had been listening silently, cut him off. “200,000 Level 1 cores? I’ll take it. Our van is out of gas; replacing the engine is the perfect solution.”

Qi Sheng stared. He found it hard to believe that someone Mu Ning had personally escorted into the base and clearly looked after would actually charge her for an engine. He figured they’d just share it. However, because of that closeness, he feared Ren Chenxi might actually pull the item from the market to keep it for their own use. Gritting his teeth, he shouted, “Fine, fine! 200,000 cores! I’ll take it!”

It hurt his wallet, but gasoline was far harder to find than crystal cores in this world.

Hearing Qi Sheng cave, Ren Chenxi instinctively looked at Mu Ning and offered a genuine smile. 150,000 crystals in pure profit. She would have had to kill countless zombies and beasts to earn that much, yet here it was, handed over easily all thanks to Mu Ning’s “fake” competition.

As for Mu Ning, seeing Ren Chenxi’s brilliant, sincere smile caused her heart to hammer against her ribs again. At the same time, a wave of bitterness rose in her chest.

In the past, she had seen that radiant smile countless times but never knew how to cherish it. Now, seeing it directed at her again was like watching a rare flower bloom; before she could even soak it in, the moment had already passed.

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