I can upgrade the shelter

Power Armor didn't occupy Chen Xin's thoughts for long; to him, it was merely a question of how to proceed, not whether it could be done.

So after seeking the opinions of Qin Lan and Han Ping, Chen Xin put aside the matter.

Han Ping soon drove the car as per Chen Xin's instructions to the small shelter where Li Yulong was located. During Chen Xin's absence, it had resumed operations, and the trade market envisioned by Li Yulong was now operational.

Though it appeared somewhat deserted, Chen Xin knew from the system-generated survival points income that business was actually quite good.

However, there was a minor issue when entering the shelter; after two upgrades, Chen Xin's motorhome had become excessively tall and wide. Such a tracked motorhome comparable to a large container truck would have struggled on roads before the disaster, let alone now, making it impossible to drive into the shelter.

Facing this situation, Chen Xin disembarked with Qin Lan and walked into the shelter, leaving Han Ping to watch over the vehicle.

"It seems, Ah Xin, you need a car for everyday outings. Your current vehicle is good for long trips, but it's a burden in the city," said Qin Lan as she looked back at the motorhome parked at the shelter entrance, addressing Chen Xin.

Chen Xin nodded slightly, acknowledging the issue: "Let's discuss it later; it's not an urgent need right now."

"Alright, you handle it as you see fit. Getting a car isn't troublesome anyway," Qin Lan, understanding Chen Xin's situation, didn't press further; after all, if he wanted a simple vehicle, someone would easily provide one.

The two walked through the still somewhat empty trading area and into the shelter's inner regions, where Li Yulong, having awaited them for some time, immediately greeted them.

"Brother Chen, Sister Qin, you're here!" Li Yulong was very enthusiastic, seemingly delighted by their arrival.

"Long time no see, Xiao Long!" Chen Xin greeted Li Yulong, glanced around before asking him, "How's business lately? Seems like quite a lot has been sold!"

"Haha, it's all thanks to you, Brother Chen. Without your help, I couldn't have gotten this going," Li Yulong replied warmly and politely.

Qin Lan, observing the cordial exchange, smiled and said, "Xiao Long, you aren't just going to let us stand and talk, are you?"

"Oh! My apologies! Please, Sister Qin, Brother Chen, come inside!" Li Yulong slapped his forehead and quickly made a gesture inviting them in.

Under Li Yulong's guidance, Chen Xin and Qin Lan were led to a room within the shelter, where they finally sat on the sofa.

This room was clearly arranged with great care by Li Yulong.

While not extravagantly decorated, it was a step above common shelter rooms, which typically had bare cement walls, little furniture or decor, and insufficiently bright fluorescent lighting. This room had wallpaper, carpeting, and furnishings like a sofa, coffee table, and liquor cabinet, along with softly lit and bright lighting; truly commendable amidst current conditions.

Before the disaster, such a room wouldn't have stood out, but in today's apocalyptic world, maintaining such a space signifies power and wealth.

Of course, from a certain standpoint, these symbols of power and wealth are meaningless; unable to provide sustenance or hydration, they do not equate to a better life in this world.

It's the underlying true power and wealth supporting all this that truly matter.

For Li Yulong, possessing all these, Chen Xin is the significant backing behind it.

So, after Chen Xin and Qin Lan sat down, Li Yulong promptly had his subordinates serve wine and snacks, personally pouring a drink for each before discussing business with Chen Xin.

"In the month since you've returned, Brother Chen, we've sold eight of the twenty geothermal heat pumps you provided. Of the prepared 800 bottles of strawberry jam and 1000 blocks of wine bricks, over 300 bottles and 200 blocks have sold, respectively. Currently, the sales channels haven't fully opened up," Li Yulong briefed Chen Xin on this month's sales.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xin nodded, glanced at the strawberry jam snacks on the table, handed one to Qin Lan, and asked Li Yulong, "What kind of clients are mostly coming for transactions?"

"Mainly those from private shelters. After all, they're the ones with surplus goods for buying," Li Yulong replied, handing Chen Xin the sales list. He continued, "The eight geothermal heat pumps were all sold to private shelters, with them also being the main buyers of strawberry jam. Some individuals from official shelters have visited, but they have limited goods for trading and weak purchasing power."

"As expected, to boost business, direct transactions with official shelters are necessary," Chen Xin was not surprised by the situation.

Li Yulong agreed, but he lamented to Chen Xin, "However, negotiating with official shelters is challenging. Although my dad is helping with contacts, city officials seem to dismiss our production scale. The city police lost touch due to Sister Qin's injury, complicating communication.

The situation is difficult, but I believe it's temporary. Our products are of solid currency, and I'm confident that as the market opens, our business will improve."

"I don't doubt it. But, Xiao Long, did you lose contact with the city police? Even with Qin Lan injured and no longer in the SWAT team, you could still reach out to Xiao Ding, right? She's Uncle Ding's daughter, surely she can help you network," Chen Xin remarked, puzzled why Li Yulong hadn't approached Ding Ning.

Li Yulong struggled to respond to Chen Xin's inquiry. "Well... I'm... I'm afraid to face Ding Ning."

Hearing this, Chen Xin was bewildered, while Qin Lan laughed, "What's this, Xiao Long? You still remember when Ning tossed you into the river? How can a grown man be so timid?"

"Sister Qin, it's not being timid; it's a psychological shadow!" Li Yulong chuckled wryly.

Qin Lan scoffed at Li Yulong's supposed psychological shadow but did not dwell on it, instead offering to help him contact Ding Ning.

Chen Xin, prompted by Qin Lan, recalled when Li Yulong was thrown into the river by Ding Ning after pestering Ding Ning's friend.

Strictly speaking, Li Yulong wasn't exactly harassing; he was merely a wealthy young man charmed by a pretty girl, hoping for a connection beyond friendship. He spoke flirtatiously, which angered Ding Ning, leading her to shove him into the water.

Clearly, the incident had somewhat affected Li Yulong.

However, Chen Xin recognized this as an excuse, understanding Li Yulong's intent was for Chen Xin and Qin Lan to make connections with Uncle Ding.

Li Yulong probably figured even if he could connect directly through Ding Ning, it wouldn't be as effective as using his connections with Chen Xin and Qin Lan.

Chen Xin was aware of this and was unbothered by Li Yulong's minor scheming, tacitly agreeing with Qin Lan's promise to help with the connections.

After discussing the matter, the conversation among the three naturally shifted from the formal meeting to casual chat, eventually touching on the topic of Power Armor.

Li Yulong was naturally keen on Power Armor. If he could offer such a product, it would be far more lucrative than geothermal heat pumps, rapidly boosting his modest trading market.

However, Chen Xin poured cold water on Li Yulong's expectations: "Don't even think about it. The government won't allow private possession of Power Armor."

"Eh? But Brother Chen, you're making it yourself?" Li Yulong was confused.

Chen Xin shook his head. Li Yulong was unaware of Chen Xin's cooperation with the state, and Chen Xin had no intention of elucidating but simply replied, "I have my channels; making a couple for personal use is fine, but selling them is problematic, so just forget about it."

"Ah? That's a pity!" Li Yulong regretted. With Power Armor as a flagship product, his development plan could rocket forward, and he wouldn't need to slowly sell strawberry jam like now.

Chen Xin neither commented on Li Yulong's ambitions nor discouraged him too much, mindful that Li Yulong was his partner; his success would also benefit Chen Xin.

Thus, after dashing Li Yulong's hopes, Chen Xin suggested, "Power Armor is impossible, but Exoskeletons and Protective Suits are doable. Like the cold-protective suits and basic exoskeletons workers wore in Wandering Earth, civilian models can be produced and sold."

"Exoskeletons? Protective Suits? Brother Chen, can you make those?" Li Yulong's eyes lit up like bulbs.

"No big deal; if I can make Power Armor, creating a basic Exoskeleton and Protective Suit is trivial. It's just a matter of drafting some designs and some mental effort," Chen Xin said confidently, as these posed no real challenge for him.