Countdown: Humanity's struggle to survive against yesterday

Chen Xiao looked up at the sky. The clouds were gray, just like they had been for many years. The winter sky over this city was always gray.

"If I told you that I only found out about this list today, would you believe me?"

Jiang Ning chuckled twice, his face full of mockery.

"Over the past month, I don't mind pushing forward with Project Golden Cudgel, because it can indeed stabilize the post-war world. But I don't understand why you're so eager to promote the young astronaut program. Is it because the truth is dividing humanity?"

"Is the next step to require me to go to space and drop off some astronauts at the space station for relay use...?"

When questioned, Chen Xiao glanced at Jiang Ning, his lips moved, but he didn't utter a sound.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Ning laughed in fury: "It seems I was right. You've never believed my guess; you've always been preparing your escape route..."

"Jiangning!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao immediately interrupted Jiang Ning, saying sternly, "This is just part of yesterday's survival plan. Don't overthink it. The emergency response organization has never intended to divide humanity. It's just that if we don't do certain things, others will. If we fall behind one step at a time, we'll fall behind every step of the way."

"So, you dared to send those 60 teenagers into space after only 20 days of training."

Jiang Ning threw away his cigarette butt and grabbed Chen Xiao's sleeve.

"Aren't you afraid that if their anchoring capability fails and follow-up plans fall behind, they'll be stuck in space forever?"

"Even if they can break free from my anchor in space, they're just a bunch of kids who haven't even gone to college. Tell me, what's the point of sending these people into space? Are they going to spend their whole lives in that tiny space?"

Chen Xiao forcefully grabbed Jiang Ning's hand and struggled to break free. He pushed her away and took two steps back, angrily saying, "Don't be naive. When a building is about to collapse, no egg remains unbroken. In this special period, this is just a way to ensure the continuation of human civilization."

"If you don't do it, if you don't dare to try, how can you find a way to break free from the cage of time? It's like you guessing the world is regressing because of lack of sleep, and you want to apply to the Luo Shu to monitor all of humanity. How can you not condemn yourself for the privacy issues involved?"

Jiang Ning was caught off guard and suddenly fell to the ground. A small pebble poked his palm and caused him a sharp pain. This pain, along with Chen Xiao's last words, made Jiang Ning calm down immediately.

He really wanted to blurt out, "If it weren't for you guys, I wouldn't want to do this experiment."

But when he looked up and saw Chen Xiao's tired eyes, and recalled the experiences of the past month, he couldn't bring himself to say those words.

If Lin Wei has no chance of being resurrected, he might just give up and wallow in the misery of this world.

But this world is, after all, Lin Wei's world!

How could he possibly feel at ease just staying out of trouble?

"Jiang Ning, we are the same kind of people. You have your selfishness, and I have my selfish desires. Neither of us can persuade the other to let go. I just want to tell you that a prosperous era is built on a road of blood. On this road, everyone is willing to die. I am willing, and so are you."

Jiang Ning's expression froze upon hearing this.

"Besides, you only see the downsides of being a young astronaut, but have you ever thought that if the world were to regress and never end, escaping Earth might actually be a new way out?"

"As for Jiang Yuan, he's already eighteen. You think his joining the team was the organization trying to bind you, but actually it's more about Jiang Yuan wanting to help you. Sun Fumin has already returned to the village; do you think Jiang Yuan wouldn't know about this..."

Chen Xiao's last two sentences surprised Jiang Ning even more.

He sat on the ground, his right palm aching softly, but he took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it again, only then remembering Jiang Yuan's hesitant expression when he spoke to him earlier.

Thinking about it this way, this kid must have seen Sun Fumin at home before he came up with the idea of ​​helping him.

Moreover, from another perspective, what Chen Xiao just said does make sense.

Seeing that Jiang Ning had completely calmed down, Chen Xiao stepped forward and extended his hand: "Master Jiang, get up! The ground is cold, and you still have work to do later, don't catch a cold."

Jiang Ning blushed when he heard the other person teasing him again. Instead of taking Chen Xiao's hand, he braced himself with both hands on the ground and quickly patted the dust off his buttocks.

"I misunderstood General Manager Chen. Next time something like this happens, you must tell me in advance."

"Okay, okay!"

Chen Xiao's expression returned to normal, revealing no emotion, except for a complex look that flashed in his eagle-like eyes.

"Then, let's go to space..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning immediately waved his hand and headed towards the flight control building.

"Old Deng, don't go too far. After I get back this time, I'll be doing experiments. I won't have time to go to space. Besides, I'm too small for that."

"Master Jiang, don't you understand? New types of spacecraft can now carry ordinary people."

"Let's talk about it again!" Jiang Ning changed the subject.

"Really, otherwise the organization wouldn't have felt comfortable sending 60 teenagers into space..."

……

The two returned to the flight control building and saw a group of students scattered outside, each making a phone call, obviously communicating with their parents.

Jiang Ning only heard one of the boys, whose face was covered in acne, shouting into the microphone, "Mom, I've made up my mind. I'm definitely going to go to heaven, even if you don't agree..."

This voice seemed to further confirm Jiang Ning's guess.

These teenagers weren't exactly infatuated; more accurately, they were driven by youthful impetuosity.

Moreover, their reasoning is very practical: if the world continues to regress, it's better to try to live a longer life in the sky than to live 18 years backward on Earth.

This one sentence put an end to most parents' worries.

As for sacrifice and righteousness, there's no need to talk about them.

Sometimes this world is like a giant makeshift stage, without too many twists and turns. When you get back to the most authentic state, everyone is just an ordinary person.

Jiang Ning recalled having the privilege of attending several important video conferences, where the important figures would sometimes curse and swear behind closed doors when they got anxious.

In a time when most young people have lost their motivation, they will definitely participate in a program that can revitalize them.

Within an hour, all 60 teenagers returned to the classroom.

At the bathroom door, Jiang Ning pulled Jiang Yuan into the restroom and looked at him intently.

"Have you thought it through..."

Jiang Yuan felt the sharp pain in his wrist from his brother's grip, but his expression remained unchanged as he calmly said, "I've made up my mind!"

Jiang Ning didn't ask his father for his opinion. He knew without a doubt that Jiang Hua would say, "You decide for yourself, I support you."

Jiang Hua used to say this to himself often. He had always been like this in educating his children: he would not give advice if he did not know, and he would not give advice if he did know. He would only let his children try on their own, and at most he would complain a few words when he was in trouble at the end.

"That's good. Whatever you choose, I'll support you!"

"Brother, please visit Mom and Dad more often in the future!"

Jiang Ning nodded, patted Jiang Yuan on the shoulder, and said, "Go ahead..."

"By the way, if I see Lin Wei in the future, I'll give her my regards... I'm afraid I won't be able to come back on my own!" Jiang Yuan took a few steps, then suddenly turned back and said.

Jiang Ning was initially a little sentimental, but after hearing this, he was speechless.

"Go in peace! Why are you talking so much?"