Vehicle Upgrade ②

"I'll say it again, Dr. Joe."

Chen Yu looked up at her. "The girls in my car must obey me unconditionally. Don't you understand what 'unconditionally' means?"

Josh's lips trembled.

This was the first time she had encountered such a situation, being forced upon herself by a boy so much younger than her...

She had considered that this situation might occur.

I just didn't expect it to come so quickly, so rapidly.

She wasn't ready yet...

She took a few deep breaths: "At least...at least turn off the lights."

Her voice was so low it was almost inaudible.

Chen Yu didn't move.

"that's all."

Three words shattered her hopes.

Josh closed his eyes, then opened them again.

Then squat down.

That's right, not kneel down, but squat down.

This is all the pride she has left.

But this action was humiliating enough.

Josh kept his face low, his long hair slipping down his shoulders and covering most of his face.

Chen Yu looked down at her.

He didn't say anything.

He simply raised his hand and gently stroked the top of her head.

Josh jolted.

Then, she finally gave up resisting, her shoulders slumped, and her whole body went limp.

Only suppressed breathing and the soft hum of the heating vents remained in the cubicle.

Outside the window, the wind and snow continued.

But Chen Yu's quality of life was not affected by the apocalypse at all.

To some extent, he even felt more thrilled by the apocalypse.

Current vehicle: Bus (small)

Available building materials: 1610 wood, 810 iron blocks, 1460 parts, 365 cloth, 10 glass, 115 electronic components, 86 low-level energy cores.

[Lack of: filter media, graffiti paint, special chemical materials, etc.]

Vehicle Upgrades —

【1. Spatial Expansion】

2. Structural reinforcement

3. Environmental Control

4. Energy and Power

5. Special Facilities

"What should I upgrade..."

Chen Yu lay on the edge of the bed, staring at the panel in the air, lost in thought.

Dr. Qiao, supporting Chen Yu's legs, murmured, "Um...you want...um...upgrade what? Um..."

Chen Yu paused for a moment, then said, "Let me look..."

As for Josh, she was once a car owner herself, so she naturally knew the owner's permissions.

But those endless upgrade options, seemingly wonderful...

But there are very few of them that are not covered in ash.

So there's absolutely nothing to worry about.

If there's a lack of warmth, add more insulation; if there's no space, add more backup space; if there's no power, add some extra power.

This is all she sees in the car owner.

But at this moment, Chen Yu did need to carefully consider the dazzling array of upgrade options available to him.

"Upgrade the entire vehicle?"

"no..."

"If Lin Yue is all alone and gets teleported here, that would be a disaster."

Chen Yu's first option to rule out was a complete vehicle upgrade.

The second thing to rule out is heating, because the first phase of residential areas has already been established, and if we go back to work, we will be facing the second phase, and the disaster will likely change.

"Structural reinforcement..."

"There's no need."

"The current disaster does not involve monsters or strange phenomena attacking from the outside."

"If it really comes to that, a temporary upgrade is still possible."

"Hmm...uh..."

Chen Yu stroked his chin: "The villa mission has dragged on for three days. Other teams might not need to complete missions for that long. Our vehicles are already lagging behind in terms of location, since the first batch has already arrived at the living area..."

That's right, the tasks are random, and the timing is random.

If someone is unlucky and stays on the mission for too long...

Even if they leave the mission,

Back on the road to survival

They might not even survive.

Not everyone's vehicle is in temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius.

This is the cruelest form of survival.

"Upgrade the engine and speed up the process a bit."

【High-Efficiency Power Core I】

Requirements: 30 low-level energy cores, 400 parts, 150 iron blocks, 10 electronic components

Results: Replaces the original engine core module, increasing maximum horsepower and torque by approximately 40%; optimizes fuel efficiency, reducing fuel consumption at the same speed by 15%; slightly improves top speed and acceleration response.

Time taken: 200 seconds

Status: Sufficient materials

【Comprehensive Strengthening of Transmission and Axle Systems I】

Requirements: 500 parts, 180 iron blocks, 18 low-level energy cores

Effects: Strengthens the driveshaft, differential, and wheel axle structure; improves power transmission efficiency by approximately 25%; adds tire grip correction function; slightly improves high-speed cruising stability.

Time taken: 180 seconds

Status: Sufficient materials

...

...

There are many options for power upgrades, but most of them only directly target horsepower.

It does not meet the functional requirements for post-apocalyptic survival.

After searching for a long time, Chen Yu finally found an upgrade that perfectly suited the current situation:

【All-Terrain Adaptive Suspension System I】

Requirements: 200 Iron Blocks, 380 Parts, 20 Low-Level Energy Cores, 8 Electronic Components

Effects: Upgraded all-wheel independent suspension increases vehicle posture adjustment capability; significantly improves road grip and vehicle stability; reduces bumps and enhances ride comfort.

Time taken: 220 seconds

Status: Sufficient materials

Note: Moderate speed increase, but significantly improved handling in complex road conditions.

Yes, the road conditions at the next stop are unknown.

Suspension is the most cost-effective investment.

After confirming that this was the one, Chen Yu waved his hand.

After the command was issued...

The sound of metal fitting together came from deep within the vehicle beneath me.

Not long after,

Chen Yu glanced at the door frame of his cubicle, where the creaking sound of the vehicle turning had completely disappeared.

The entire small space is more stable; even the water in the cup on the table vibrates less.

This feeling is like getting on a high-speed train from a slow, old-fashioned green train...

Of course, its current stability cannot compare with that of high-speed rail, but it is already quite good.

"Hmm?"

Dr. Joe not only helped with the treatment, but also noticed the changes.

But she couldn't quite put her finger on what had changed.

"That's strange..."

She murmured.

"Continue with Dr. Joe."

Chen Yu casually offered a reminder, while simultaneously noticing that the bed beneath him was a bit small and inconvenient.

Actually, what he really wanted was a huge RV.

If this option is available in future upgrades, he will definitely not hesitate.

"In the expanded options..."

More diverse extensions:

【Top-mounted expansion compartment I (vertical utilization)】

Requirements: 600 wood, 350 iron blocks, 400 parts, 25 electronic components, 12 low-level energy cores

Effect: A fixed expansion compartment with a height of about 1 meter is installed on the roof of the vehicle, accessible via an internal staircase, adding an additional 4 square meters of independent space to the upper level of the compartment, which can be used for storage or temporary rest.

Time taken: 300 seconds

Status: Sufficient materials

"One meter tall... what can that do..."

Chen Yu's lips twitched. Even when he stood up, he was higher than this. It felt like being in prison.

PASS!

[Rear Overhang Extension Module I (Basic Extension)]

PASS!

[Rear Modular Mounting Base I]

PASS!

【Lateral Expansion Cover I (Width Expansion)】

PASS!

Until I saw an expensive one—

【Integral Rear Axle Extension Frame I】

Requirements: 1000 wood, 500 iron blocks, 600 parts, 5 low-level energy cores

Effect: The rear structure of the vehicle body was reinforced and extended, extending the entire rear compartment by 1.2m, directly expanding the compartment area to approximately 5.5㎡, and integrating the reinforced structure.

Time taken: 360 seconds

Status: Sufficient materials

Warning: Significant modifications to the vehicle's structure will increase its overall length, requiring readjustment to improved steering and off-road capabilities.

As we all know, expensive things have only one drawback: they are expensive.

Current remaining building materials: [610 wood, 110 iron blocks, 480 parts, 365 cloth, 10 glass, 107 electronic components, 61 low-level energy cores]

Chen Yu's backpack was unusually nearly empty of building materials.

Fortunately, Chen Yu was confident that a surge of supplies would arrive in the living area.

"Mmm..."

Dr. Qiao's eyes suddenly widened, her hand slipped, and she almost fell.

Is the floor... stretching?

"Squeak—Buzz!"

With the vibrations and deep rumble, the carriage seemed to be changing.

The bed board "clicks" as it extends and joins together, and in just a few seconds, the narrow bunk bed is transformed into a spacious double bed!

The vibration stopped...

Dr. Qiao knelt on the spot, somewhat shocked: "The cubicles... have gotten bigger?"

"The cubicles don't matter."

"More importantly, the bed is bigger."

Chen Yu shrugged, slowly got up, and walked towards her.

Dr. Qiao unconsciously shrank back, pressing his back against the metal door.

She looked up at him, her throat tightening.

At this moment, Chen Yu hardly resembles any innocent college student.

She resembled a wicked villain, an oppressive aura surrounding her...

"Dr. Qiao, I've become immune to simple treatments; I need more intensive treatment now."