Chapter 45: Launching the Fire-Fighting Drone

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

However, regardless of the circumstances, this task had to be undertaken. Neglecting it would impede the flight of the firefighting drones.

Tang Rui picked up the aluminum alloy plate and immediately set to work.

Following several days of practice, his welding technique had notably advanced.

Although he had yet to master the intricacies of achieving a fish scale effect, at the very least, he was no longer creating perforations.

The sealed portions of the welds were also considerably improved.

Completion of the welding for the twelve pipes was achieved.

Subsequently, he employed a grinding wheel to commence the polishing process.

Upon completion of this task, he affixed the bottom piece with the ejector mechanism.

Finally, the aluminum alloy plate was employed to bind the twelve pipes together.

Tang Rui engineered a rectangular launcher, arranging the twelve pipes into three rows, each containing four launch tubes.

Having concluded these tasks, he devoted his attention to crafting a base for the launcher, incorporating a gimbal and a motor.

This motor would facilitate adjustments to the launcher’s orientation and tilt angle.

Upon the launcher’s culmination, the outside world had transformed into darkness.

While the process might appear straightforward in theory.

The actual implementation proved somewhat convoluted.

Consulting his phone for the time, Tang Rui discovered that it was nearing 7 o’clock.

Consequently, his feeling of hunger could be attributed to the fact that dinner time had passed.

After laboring diligently, the prospect of dining out lost its allure.

Accordingly, he placed an order for takeout.

“Have you finished your meal?”

This query emanated from Li Shuyao, who had messaged him roughly fifteen minutes prior.

“Not yet. I’ve just wrapped up my tasks. I’ve ordered takeout, and it should arrive in approximately fifteen minutes.”

Subsequent to finalizing his takeout order, Tang Rui responded to Li Shuyao.

Before Li Shuyao could respond, Tang Rui perused his social media feed, contemplating the recent posts shared by his acquaintances.

Upon opening his feed, he chanced upon a new entry.

“Looking for quick money-making ideas? Desperately need cash!”

This particular post was authored by a senior student affiliated with the China Electronics Technology Group.

Evidently, financial constraints were affecting him.

Notwithstanding a substantial income, the exorbitant housing costs presented an ongoing challenge.

Tang Rui appended his perspective: “Printing money is a fast route to financial gain.”

Promptly, someone approved of his viewpoint.

Swiftly thereafter, the senior student responded, “Junior, aren’t you aware that counterfeiting money is illegal?”

Tang Rui rejoindered, “Senior, you can print genuine currency.”

The senior student conceded, “You make a valid point. However, the obstacle is my lack of an intaglio printing press.”

Tang Rui interjected, “I can procure one. Senior, care to embark on a lucrative venture together?”

The senior student was taken aback, “Really? I’ll go source some acid-free paper then.”

Zhou Tao chimed in, “Count me in. I’ll get color-changing ink.”

The senior student posed a question, “And who will craft the printing plate?”

Zhou Tao replied, “I have a friend at the Central Academy of Fine Arts; he can design one.”

Tang Rui affirmed, “Excellent, let’s collaborate and earn a substantial income.” Yet, a brief intermission occurred, as the senior student attended to a knock on his door to receive a package.

Following the senior student’s disappearance, Tang Rui resumed scrolling through his social media updates.

At first glance, the interactions seemed light-hearted.

Nevertheless, he genuinely possessed the means to acquire an intaglio printing press.

Constructing one from scratch and subsequently enhancing it via system upgrades.

The resultant print quality would assuredly outclass the output of the U.S. Federal Reserve.

“Interested in meeting up for a drink? Nan Street Food Stalls.”

Zhou Tao reached out with a message.

“Can’t make it. I have other commitments tonight.”

Tang Rui responded promptly.

A playful jest, considering he had plans to engage in a workout later. The idea of patronizing a food stall held no appeal.

“What’s the matter? You seem off.”

“Dad’s immersed in drone design, leaving no room for leisure.”

“Drone design? Why not say he’s crafting a spaceship? I get it; am I going to be a grandfather?”

“Get lost…”

“You rascal.”

Following a brief exchange with Zhou Tao, the delivery arrived at his door.

A serving of braised beef atop rice.

Notably, beef was in short supply, whereas potatoes were ample.

Despite this, the flavor was agreeable, and the portion was sufficient to sate his appetite.

Upon concluding his meal, over half an hour transpired.

Tang Rui changed into his workout attire, retrieved his phone, and dispatched a video message to Li Shuyao.

“Why haven’t you changed yet? Giving up on the workout?”

“Working out? Can you even manage it?” Li Shuyao was taken aback.

After all, the previous night, Tang Rui was as worn out as a limp fish.

Realistically, he should have refrained from exercising today, let alone exerting himself strenuously. He should be gradually convalescing, refraining from exertion.

Yet, he had just sent her a video, suggesting a shared workout.

“What do you mean, can’t I? Can’t men decline? Hurry up and change. I’m waiting for you.”

Tang Rui’s urging prompted Li Shuyao to change her attire.

Observing Tang Rui’s earnest demeanor, Li Shuyao’s expression shifted subtly, prompting her to return to her room to change.

Several minutes later.

Li Shuyao, donning her workout ensemble, appeared onscreen.

Tang Rui was momentarily taken aback.

Contrary to expectation, she wasn’t wearing the snug workout attire; she sported a loose-fitting sports tank top instead.

The three-dimensional contours of her physique became immediately apparent.

“Let’s begin with warm-up exercises.”

Observing Tang Rui’s gaze, Li Shuyao’s cheeks tinged with a slight blush.

Although she had an undergarment on, the loose tank top still emanated a sense of fierceness.

After completing their warm-up exercises, they proceeded to treadmills and commenced jogging.

Li Shuyao kept a watchful eye on Tang Rui.

She presumed he was struggling, possibly enduring discomfort.

However, after a while, she began to sense something was amiss.

Tang Rui’s expression remained constant.

There was no indication that he was suppressing pain while jogging.

Not even a skilled actor could convincingly hide physical discomfort while running. Such sensations were impossible to conceal.

“How are you managing this?”

“What do you mean?”

“Aren’t your muscles hurting?”

“They were quite sore last night, but I used a massage gun for a while, and now I’m fine.”

Li Shuyao absorbed his response without further inquiry.

After all, each individual’s constitution was distinct; Tang Rui might naturally possess a rapid recovery rate.

Following an hour of exercise, they finally concluded their workout and terminated their video call.

After lying on the bed for a brief respite, Tang Rui rose to take a shower.

Today felt significantly better than yesterday.

Despite still feeling fatigued these TikTok videos had lost their appeal.

After all, TikTok imposed certain content restrictions.

But videos shared on WeChat were not bound by such restrictions.

For instance, Li Shuyao’s workout video would never pass TikTok’s standards, but it could easily be shared on WeChat.

This notion struck Tang Rui.

Even if he didn’t venture outside, he could still indulge in drone piloting.

To be precise, firefighting drone piloting.

These drones didn’t require runways; as long as there were no obstructions, they could take off anywhere.

Tang Rui glanced at the sizeable balcony outside.

A dozen square meters; ample space for a launch pad.

With this idea in mind, he retrieved the drone launcher and moved it to the second-floor balcony.

He inserted the firefighting drones one by one into the launch tubes.

Once he completed these tasks, he fetched his laptop, launched the drone control program, adjusted the launcher’s orientation and tilt angle, and then pressed the launch button.

Launch!

Swoosh…

The twelve launch tubes on the left commenced firing, one after another from the top to the bottom of the first column.

Then the third column, from top to bottom.

Next came the second and fourth columns.

In mere seconds, all twelve firefighting drones were airborne..