Chapter 58
Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction, but as temperatures rose, the snow accumulated from the global snowstorm that struck last winter was slowly melting...
"We are currently on the coastline of the East China Sea in the northern province. This year, the coastline has moved nearly three meters inland compared to the same period last year. The main reason for this phenomenon is the global snowmelt."
"Experts predict that the coastline may advance fifty meters inland after the arrival of the highest spring temperatures in the next month."
The news is playing on television, but few people are paying attention to it because global temperatures are rising, glaciers are melting, and sea levels are rising at an average rate of 4.7 millimeters per year.
Last winter, there was such a heavy snowfall. As the snow melted, it's understandable that the sea level rose a bit. Moreover, a 50-meter rise in sea level and a 50-meter receding coastline are two completely different concepts. The former will bring about a huge climate disaster, while the latter is the result of multiple factors. In short, the problem is not too big and there is no need to worry too much.
After carefully examining the differences between the two, Xia Ke felt a little relieved. Ever since her conversation with the system, she had become somewhat easily frightened, and would unconsciously amplify any disturbance that occurred.
Xia Ke now only has one high-level talent task left to complete in the system, and she has accumulated a considerable amount of points.
However, Xia Ke felt uneasy and therefore temporarily gave up the idea of buying new things.
Her sixth sense told her that it was best not to touch her current points.
A few days later, after the spring thunder, it began to rain in the southern regions.
The rain wasn't heavy and wasn't nationwide, which reassured Xia Ke.
Hongqi Piao has launched all of its new products for the first half of the year. The profits from these small items are almost the same as those from larger products like Feiche Jileyun, and there is even a slight tendency for them to surpass them.
Xia Ke's current net worth has reached a terrifying figure, something she could never have imagined before.
On her hard-earned day off, Xia Ke put aside her work and went shopping with her parents along with her sister Xia An.
This shopping mall is located downstairs from Hongqi Piao Company. It was originally planned as part of the supporting facilities near the company to make shopping more convenient for employees, and it has now become the most popular place in the vicinity.
The mall boasts a full range of businesses, luxurious decor, and a complete one-stop shop for all your needs, from food and clothing to accommodation and entertainment. Hongqi Piao has even opened a flagship store in the mall, specializing in products manufactured by the company. Products that are hard to find elsewhere can be easily purchased here.
This alone has attracted many people to visit, especially since a large spatial array has been set up near the Red Flag Flying. Coming here from the northernmost part of the country, it only takes a few transfers through a few spatial arrays, a mere ten minutes or so, which is extremely convenient.
As one of the world's leading technology companies, the entrance of Hongqi Village has become a popular spot for internet celebrities to take photos. Many people come here specifically to take photos with the company's sign. These tourists spend money on food, accommodation, transportation, and entertainment around Hongqi Village, which in turn increases the income of the surrounding residents and indirectly increases the income of Hongqi Village. The local government officials are overjoyed to see this.
Just as Xia Ke was accompanying her mother to try on clothes at a clothing store, the system suddenly issued a task.
"Tests have revealed that the host's space contains an excessively high concentration of water molecules. Heavy rainfall combined with high summer temperatures will cause massive melting of glaciers in the polar regions, leading to rising sea levels and the imminent submersion of coastal cities. A mission is now issued: Save the coastal cities. A reward of 100,000 points will be given for each city successfully saved. This is a time-limited mission with a 30-day countdown."
Xia Ke, who had been looking relaxed and at ease, suddenly turned pale.
"What's wrong, Coco?"
"It's okay, Mom, Sister, you two continue shopping. I have to go back to the company."
After returning to her office, Xia Ke immediately asked the system, "System, what was the meaning of your task just now?"
"As you can see, literally."
...
Xia Ke had never realized that the system was so good at swallowing people.
"What does it mean to successfully save a city? Does it mean the people in the city, or does it include all the infrastructure that makes up the city, such as buildings and transportation?"
"Both are included."
Even with the system's help, she couldn't possibly save all the cities on her own!
Xia Ke took a deep breath and dialed Chen Ying's number.
The moment the call connected, a clap of thunder exploded in Xia Ke's ears, dark clouds suddenly gathered on the horizon, and the light in the entire office dimmed.
In the dim light, Xia Ke heard her own voice, hoarse and strained, as she said, "Minister Chen, do you have time? I have something very important to tell you."
Chen Ying took every contact and conversation with Xia Ke very seriously. Sensing the seriousness in Xia Ke's tone, she immediately put aside her work and took the advanced space array to Hongqi Village.
"Are you sure the news is true?" Chen Ying's expression turned grim after hearing Xia Ke say that coastal cities would be submerged.
"Yes, you know I wouldn't use this kind of message to lie to people."
"Thank you for informing me of this news. I will report it and immediately prepare for the evacuation of coastal residents." After saying this, Chen Ying was about to return to Beijing to report. Since their last conversation, Chen Ying and the organization behind her had decided to temporarily trust Xia Ke, so they did not ask her where she got the information.
"People can be evacuated, but which cities are included?"
These words successfully made Chen Ying, who had already reached the door, stop in her tracks.
She turned her head and said weakly, "Xia Ke, in the face of an unavoidable catastrophic disaster, all we can do is ensure the safety of the people's lives."
"Talent is the foundation of development. Only when people survive can they have the opportunity to accumulate strength to build the next home."
This means they will abandon coastal cities.
"What if I had a way to protect coastal cities?"
Chen Ying's breathing quickened. She strode back to her desk, her eyes gleaming with an astonishing light. "What's the solution?"
"A protective shield for the city."
After learning that the coastal city was about to be submerged by the rising sea, Xia Ke browsed through the system shop. After looking at everything in the shop from beginning to end, she found the only item that could solve the disaster and that she could buy with her points.
The city shield is a transparent dome that can envelop the entire city, protecting it from external forces. It is also equipped with a state-of-the-art air exchange system and light source concentration system, ensuring that life inside the city shield can thrive even in extreme environments.
The item is good, but after buying it, Xia Ke only had a pitiful 1 point left. And this was only to unlock the purchase permission; the price of the data access was so high that Xia Ke didn't even dare to look at it.
"Tell me in detail!" Chen Ying saw hope in Xia Ke's voice. Coastal cities have always been important economic centers of the country. Once they are submerged by seawater, the losses will be incalculable. The country does not want to give up as long as there is even a sliver of hope to save them.
Xia Ke recounted the information in the system, and Chen Ying's eyes lit up as she listened.
At the same time, she also noticed that the girl opposite her was getting paler and paler as she spoke.
"What's wrong? Is there anything else?" she asked with concern.
Xia Ke shook her head.
She was just thinking that the tasks the system was issuing were getting harder and harder, just as she had initially predicted, increasing exponentially at a terrifying rate.
Her current task is to save a city. What will her next task be?
She dared not think about it...
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