Chapter 141 - 139 On-site Investigation

Words : 1257 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

When Chen Xin and Qin Lan were having a meal together, Uncle Ding and the political commissar also appeared in the cafeteria. Noticing Chen Xin and Qin Lan, they both walked over together. "Xiao Qin, Comrade Xiao Chen, are you having a meal?" The political commissar greeted them with a friendly smile: "May I sit here?" "No one is here, please sit down, Commissar." Qin Lan quickly invited the political commissar to sit down, while Chen Xin nodded in greeting as well. The political commissar sat down to accompany Chen Xin and Qin Lan, though it was mainly Chen Xin speaking, and Uncle Ding went to the cafeteria window to get two meals before he also sat down. "Comrade Xiao Chen, will you start the equipment installation this afternoon?" Although the political commissar was very polite, he did not engage in too much unnecessary small talk and quickly steered the conversation to the main topic: "Is there anything that requires our cooperation? We’ll do our best to assist with whatever you need." "In terms of cooperation, the main point is where do you plan to install the equipment? And how do you plan to install it?" Chen Xin didn’t hold back upon hearing the political commissar’s question: "Installing a ground-source heat pump is different from other equipment. The heat exchange pipes need to be deeply buried underground, which requires drilling operations and a suitable installation location. As for pipeline layout and heating arrangements, that’s your own planning job. I’m only responsible for equipment installation and operational adjustments." The political commissar nodded in understanding. Although Chen Xin was in charge of on-site installation, neither had there been communication about the actual situation on site, nor about the usage requirements. They only sent over several recycled old air conditioner outdoor units. Chen Xin brought six modified ground-source heat pumps. To say that Chen Xin knew exactly how to install them would be nonsense. However, the political commissar was not unprepared for this issue. The advantage the official shelter has over the "dead man’s shelter" lies in having numerous personnel, so no matter what needs to be done, they can find enough manpower and professionals. Additionally, the city had already planned projects for utilizing shallow geothermal energy and has been in continuous construction. If it weren’t for the disaster, using shallow geothermal energy for heating might have been possible after a year or so. Therefore, finding a professional to plan for heating pipelines and equipment installation poses no issue. "Regarding this, we’ve already consulted a professional designer to do project planning, and the design drawings are ready. The main thing missing is the specifications and model of Comrade Xiao Chen’s equipment and the pipeline diameter." The political commissar introduced the situation to Chen Xin with great joy, mentioning that the drawings were in the SWAT team’s meeting room, and Chen Xin could view them after his meal. Chen Xin nodded in understanding and assuredly replied, "It’ll be much easier with the drawings. Let’s look at the drawings after we finish eating." The political commissar had no objections to Chen Xin’s suggestion. While the four of them were eating, Chen Xin seemed to remember something and asked Uncle Ding, "Uncle Ding, where is Xiao Ding? Didn’t she come to eat?" "A Ning has a task today and is on duty outside. She’ll return in the evening." Uncle Ding did not find it strange that Chen Xin asked about Ding Ning and just explained, "The city bureau is short-staffed right now, so even my daughter isn’t treated specially. She must go on duty outside." Although Chen Xin felt there was no problem with Uncle Ding securing some privileges for his daughter, it was not his place to comment on whether Ding Ning should go out on duty, as that was their family matter and an internal police team affair. After finishing the meal, Chen Xin followed the political commissar and Uncle Ding to the meeting room to view the drawings, while Qin Lan returned to her room. Though they were on good terms, and the political commissar told Qin Lan to take good care of Chen Xin, as a female SWAT member, she obviously couldn’t be doing hosting duties all the time. Qin Lan had her own duties as well. Especially since she had been staying at Chen Xin’s place for the past couple of days due to taking leave, albeit with a justified reason, her work was delayed quite a bit. Chen Xin did not feel anything was wrong with this arrangement. After following the political commissar and Uncle Ding to the meeting room, the political commissar quickly got the drawings for him. "You’re planning to install the ground-source heat pump equipment on this floor and connect it to the heat exchange pipe on the lower floor through the pipeline?" Chen Xin spread out the drawings and looked at the pipeline layout design. He did not suggest any modifications and merely nodded: "This piping arrangement looks fine, but I didn’t prepare enough pipes for the equipment I brought. You’ll need to handle the piping yourselves, as well as the radiators, as these aren’t included with the ground-source heat pump equipment, and I’m not in charge of installing them." "Of course, we have those prepared. We just need to confirm the pipeline diameter for the ground-source heat pump equipment Comrade Xiao Chen manufactured, and we can arrange the piping accordingly." The political commissar assured confidently. Chen Xin didn’t say much more but mentioned to them, "In that case, I need to check the actual conditions of the installation site. Also, installing the heat exchange pipes requires drilling. I previously asked A Lan to tell you that I need a drill. Has one been prepared?" "Rest assured, Comrade Xiao Chen, we’ve already prepared the drill. It’s a well-drilling bit that can reach several tens of meters deep without a problem." The political commissar confidently assured, thumping his chest. Seeing the situation was clear, Chen Xin had no more to say and expressed his intent to inspect the installation site’s on-ground condition. The political commissar had no reason to object and personally led Chen Xin to the planned machinery room installation site, also calling in an engineer. It was a room specially set aside for the purpose, where the six ground-source heat pump units sent by Chen Xin were temporarily stored. Chen Xin examined the room and took out a tape measure to meticulously measure the data. Amidst his work, his curiosity was piqued by the two large cylindrical water tanks in the room, and he asked, "What are these two water tanks used for?" "These are heat storage tanks. In private shelters, such items might not be used, but we need them here to collect and store energy for use in heating." The engineer explained on the side, seemingly holding an odd admiration for Chen Xin. In a post-apocalyptic environment like this, being able to modify old air conditioners into ground-source heat pumps by hand is an impressive feat for those who understand the challenges of mechanical processing and manufacturing, justifying the admiration. Nevertheless, Chen Xin nodded after listening to the engineer’s words, saying, "That’s not entirely the case. Having such a storage tank means that apart from heating, private shelters can also have 24-hour hot water. Even if the equipment stops, the stored hot water should last for a while." Hearing this, the engineer became highly enthused and discussed many technical details about the ground-source heat pump equipment with Chen Xin.

Chapter 141 - 139 On-site Investigation

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