Did You Destroy the World Today?
Chapter 7: Building a Space Shuttle?

That decisive answer?

Lin Xu was stunned.

He didn't know if Jiang Xingye was joking. Given her sharp tongue, casually cracking a joke in this situation would be completely normal.

Yet Jiang Xingye's expression carried an air of natural sincerity.

How was anyone supposed to tell if she was serious?

He cleared his throat and asked:

"Why? You answered without even thinking?"

"What's there to think about? Since you asked like this, shouldn't I give you some face?"

Jiang Xingye put down her skewer and said earnestly:

"See, you presented me with a choice, so the choice itself is what matters most."

"All that apocalypse nonsense and other preconditions are irrelevant."

"There's only one important question: who to choose?"

"Any answer I give would reveal my true position in interpersonal relationships, which obviously isn't what I want."

"So if I choose you, there can't possibly be any problems."

"If you press further about why I chose you, I can just throw some compliments and laugh it off."

"Handling it this way is much better than having my real thoughts exposed, right?"

"...Right."

Lin Xu sighed.

That made sense, but the problem was - in that other world, you really did choose me.

When he received Jiang Xingye's message, there were only 15 seconds left before the apocalypse, meaning she couldn't have had much time between noticing the signs and reacting.

In such a short window, for her to locate his position and mobilize all those devices to send him a message - theoretically, he couldn't have been "the last one notified," right?

It would only make sense if he was the only one notified.

But why exactly?

Maybe Jiang Xingye didn't know yet, or maybe she didn't want to say.

Either way, it was clear he wouldn't get answers from her now.

Lin Xu didn't press further. After finishing their late-night snack, they headed back.

As they entered the elevator and were about to part ways, Jiang Xingye suddenly asked:

"So you really just called me out to ask that one question?"

"Uh..."

How should he answer that?

Lin Xu scratched his head and said:

"Actually there were other questions too, but now they seem unnecessary."

"What, someone asked you that and you didn't know how to answer, so you came to me for advice?"

Damn, her imagination was something else.

Lin Xu coughed and said:

"Pretty much."

"A girl asked you?"

Jiang Xingye pressed further.

"...Yes."

Instantly, Jiang Xingye's eyes sparkled with gossipy delight.

"So you were using me as your dating strategist? Don't you have any other female friends? But honestly, any girl who asks you that is definitely head over heels for you."

"Your answer will determine the future of your relationship, so think carefully before responding."

"My approach was for workplace politics - completely different from your situation."

"So how should I answer?"

Lin Xu decided to play along, figuring this could help him smooth things over.

"Your actual answer doesn't matter much... In this situation, you should think about what answer she wants to hear."

"If you want things to progress, then answer properly."

"If not... then don't give her false hope."

"Got it. I'll just copy your approach then."

Lin Xu said seriously, while Jiang Xingye rolled her eyes at him.

"You idiot!"

"A girl who asks that question only wants to hear one answer - 'I'd save you.'"

"So if you give that answer, any explanations afterward don't matter."

"But if you're not interested, you'd better not say you'd save her."

"I see..."

Lin Xu nodded thoughtfully.

Then something occurred to him.

Wait, didn't I ask you the same question just now?

By that logic, why did you answer the way you did?

Tch, workplace hierarchy really strips away basic human rights - I guess I don't even count as a potential romantic interest anymore...

The elevator reached the 6th floor. Jiang Xingye waved goodbye.

"Get to work early tomorrow! I'm putting you on the list - we have a morning meeting."

"Yeah yeah..."

Lin Xu replied absentmindedly, only noticing then that he was still holding her cup.

"Hey, your cup..."

The elevator doors slowly closed.

Whatever, I'll just bring it to the office tomorrow.

Back home, Lin Xu collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep immediately.

This time, he didn't enter the Bracelet World for more adventures.

......

The next day.

In the company meeting room.

Amid heated discussions, small-fry Lin Xu idly typed code on his laptop.

The non-technical project accountant sitting next to him probably thought he was working, but he was actually coding Snake.

While other new project members discussed prospects, plans and ideas, Lin Xu listened with half an ear while pondering the bracelet.

Could this thing be some advanced holographic game console?

One that perceives real-world information and generates game content in real time?

Technologically speaking, that didn't seem impossible.

If smartphones can listen to conversations for targeted ads, why couldn't this do real-time calculations?

Maybe I should take it apart someday?

...Nah.

As Lin Xu's thoughts wandered, someone suddenly called his name.

"Lin Xu, care to share your thoughts?"

Lin Xu looked up to see Chen Yan, the new project lead, looking at him expectantly:

"I heard the space tourism idea originated from you. The boss was impressed."

"Got any more concrete ideas?"

Lin Xu spread his hands:

"...I do, but I'm not sure where to begin explaining."

He wasn't lying - having seen the Star Voyager-1 documents, he had general ideas.

But transforming those into discussable material wasn't simple.

"No worries. This is just an informal kickoff, not official project discussion. Say whatever."

"For example, regarding spacecraft design - any thoughts?"

"Well..."

Lin Xu pondered briefly.

"I can say that directly adapting vertical-takeoff cargo rocket designs for commercial crewed spacecraft won't work."

"If we're doing space tourism, we must prioritize user experience."

"And rocket-based spacecraft offer the worst user experience."

"In comparison, a space shuttle design would be more suitable."

"Space shuttle?"

The meeting room erupted after Lin Xu's words.

"A space shuttle? Impossible! Forget the cost - the technical difficulty alone is beyond us."

"Millions of components, complex launch systems, insane maintenance complexity... Didn't history prove it unfeasible? It's obsolete!"

"Exactly! Look at the Russians - they struggled to make Buran, which only did one unmanned test flight before being scrapped."

"Even governments abandoned shuttles. It's a technological trap - suggesting this now is pure fantasy."

"True... I strongly disagree with this proposal."

Like a stone thrown into water, Lin Xu became the target of unified opposition.

Even Jiang Xingye, usually on his side, looked at him with confusion.

Lin Xu completely understood their reactions.

A space shuttle? What ancient relic was that?

In 2025, only two types of people still advocated shuttles: outdated pundits or space opera fans.

But Lin Xu hadn't spoken without basis.

His reasoning was simple:

Star Voyager-1 was a space shuttle.

He cleared his throat:

"Actually, most space shuttle flaws stem from historical limitations."

"Take the 2.5 million components - daunting fifty years ago, but now with mature metal 3D printing, non-critical parts could be easily printed."

"High costs are also misleading. True, NASA's shuttle costs were high due to technical challenges, but mainly from layered subcontracting corruption - that's public knowledge now."

"Today, we could competitively bid most components..."

"Impossible."

Chen Yan interrupted:

"There are few domestic manufacturers capable of aerospace-grade components. How would we bid?"

"Says who?"

Lin Xu shrugged:

"If you insist on space-grade components, sure - few options."

"But what about industrial-grade? That's exactly what SpaceX does."

"Space-grade avionics cost 140 million per set, 5 million per chip. Dragon uses Intel x86 processors - entire main control systems under $4000. Doesn't that prove the point?"

Silence followed.

Chen Yan felt something off about Lin Xu's argument, yet...

He couldn't refute it.

Absurd.

Since when were new hires this capable?

A flight control specialist who understands overall architecture this well?

Chen Yan coughed:

"You know this stuff too?"

Lin Xu smiled.

"Just a little."

"...A little is enough."

Chen Yan clapped:

"Since you suggested it, why not have Lin Xu lead this?"

"Just talking is too abstract. If we're doing shuttles... we'll need preliminary technical proposals."

"Lin Xu, want to give it a try?"

Instantly, everyone looked at Lin Xu with schadenfreude.

Clearly, Chen Yan was setting him up.

What did I do to you?

You asked for my opinion!

Lin Xu felt anger rising when Jiang Xingye suddenly spoke:

"Chen, this isn't appropriate for Lin Xu."

"His expertise is flight control. Overall design shouldn't fall to him."

"His FTE is already 1.5 - averaging 12-hour days. More work?"

"FTE 1.5 was last project... This is new."

"Young people need challenges. Besides, we're not asking for actual designs - just systematized ideas in writing..."

"Shouldn't that be compensated?"

Jiang Xingye's interruption stunned Chen Yan.

Publicly challenged, his expression darkened.

But Jiang Xingye didn't care - though Chen Yan outranked her by two levels, her flight control team reported directly to corporate, not his project.

Corporate assigned her to his project as a courtesy, and now he dares push her people around?

No way!

"...You really protect your own."

Chen Yan sighed.

"Fine. I promise bonuses once deliverables are ready."

Chen Yan spoke confidently, certain Lin Xu would refuse.

What rookie with one year's experience could handle this?

Stick to flight control. Dare contradict me? Take your lumps.

He smiled knife-edged at Lin Xu.

Jiang Xingye frowned, ready to argue more, when Lin Xu immediately responded:

"Sure, I'll challenge myself and try."

"Won't let you down, Chen."

His firm reply shocked everyone.

Wait, you're actually doing this?

"Excellent! Newborn calves fear no tigers - bold!"

Chen Yan applauded:

"Then it's yours, Lin Xu. Good luck!"

Under everyone's gaze, Lin Xu calmly sat down as Jiang Xingye's message popped up:

Jiang Xingye 003876:

[Have you lost your mind? Why jump into that trap??]

Lin Xu 004267:

[Relax, I have plans]

Jiang Xingye 003876:

[Plans my ass! Think overall design is easy?]

[This isn't a game where you press E to build!]

[If you could do this, you'd be chief designer, not some flight control grunt!]

Clearly furious, Jiang Xingye had confronted Chen Yan to protect Lin Xu, only for him to dive in headfirst.

What the hell?

But Lin Xu remained calm, typing leisurely:

[This monk has his methods. Your protective efforts won't go unrewarded - I'll share 10k of the bonus]

Jiang Xingye 003876:

[Seriously, how? Planning to hack NASA?]

Lin Xu 004267:

[No need. I just happen to know some folks at NASA...]

Done messaging, Lin Xu ignored Jiang Xingye.

He gently touched his unremarkable bracelet.

NASA info is beyond me.

But Tianqiong Technology?

That's an open book.

Hah.

The apocalypse mystery remains unsolved.

But a design proposal?

Can't bring physical items from the bracelet, but I'll memorize it damn near perfectly.

Want it?

Here you go!