A moment later, Jiang Ye swiped his face again.
This time, sixty credits were deducted, and the payment was successful.
Jiang Ye was satisfied. In the transparent tube ahead, the white porcelain-colored train had opened its doors and was waiting.
He entered the first carriage. The carriage wasn't very spacious, but each seat was like a massage chair. After sitting down, he sank into it, had to fasten the waist and leg restraints, and put on an oxygen mask.
The subway employees also boarded one after another, sat in their seats, and put on their masks.
"Departure countdown, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!"
An urgent electronic chime sounded from the broadcast, and the train began to move.
It accelerated violently from the start. Jiang Ye felt himself being sucked deeply into the soft leather seat, similar to a sports car flooring the accelerator.
The ceiling displayed the speed, which jumped upwards at an astonishing rate:
20k
As soon as it reached four hundred kilometers per hour, it began to slow down.
Soon, the speed dropped to zero, and it stopped at the next station, having traversed the entire city from Binhai City South Station to North Station.
Jiang Ye got off to catch his breath and looked out at the city, feeling a sense of unreality. The speed was too fast!
The comfort was a bit lacking. He felt uncomfortable during acceleration, perhaps due to nervousness on his first ride. But considering the travel time was less than a class break, even with poor comfort, it didn't matter!
Jiang Ye got back on the subway and transferred to Line 2, setting his destination to Bai'edi Station. This leg of the journey was the longest, and he could push the speed.
The train started in silence. He sank into the seat and once again watched the speed display jump rapidly:
100km/h, 130km/h, 170km/h...
400km/h, 450km/h, 500km/h...
The maximum speed reached 870, and then it dropped back down. Although it didn't reach the maximum speed, it was close enough.
Jiang Ye wasn't quite ready when sunlight streamed through the window, and the train slowly slid into Bai'edi South Station and came to a halt.
Jiang Ye got up feeling dizzy, exited the station, and looked at the barren chalky land. Many base vehicles of new immigrants were scattered in the distance. People were already mining chalkstone, piling it into small mountains bag by bag, with dust flying in the sunlight.
Fast, too fast!
With such an amazing subway system, it should at least increase the development index by more than ten points, thought Jiang Ye.
Jiang Ye took out his phone to check the rankings.
He almost shouted "holy shit" in front of everyone.
[Jiang Ye Autonomous Region / Development Index 4589 / Rank 8628]
It had increased by over three hundred points!
This increase was completely beyond his expectations, and Jiang Ye felt an urge to build a few more subway lines.
His phone vibrated, and a message popped up. It was a voice message. Jiang Ye turned down the volume, opened the message, and held it to his ear.
Xu Yan: "Two pieces of good news. One requires a face-to-face meeting. Are you in Binhai City?"
Jiang Ye: "I'm in Bai'edi. I'll see you at your office in half an hour."
Xu Yan: "Half an hour? Oh, okay, take the subway. Come on, I'll be waiting for you."
Jiang Ye got on the subway and sped back. After a short nap, he arrived at Binhai City North Station. After getting off, he said a few encouraging words to his employees, announced the official start of subway operations, and turned to leave amidst thunderous applause.
He arrived at the White Ant Real Estate building, and Xu Yan was actually waiting downstairs.
As soon as Jiang Ye saw her, he exclaimed, "Yo!"
For the first time, Xu Yan wasn't in her usual sharp business attire. She was wearing a goose-yellow long dress, her hair down, her shoulders bare and fair.
Xu Yan blushed slightly. "What's with the 'Yo'?"
"You look great in that outfit today. It's a pleasant surprise," Jiang Ye's curious inner beast emerged. "Why the sudden change in style?"
"Ah, it's a long story. Let's go upstairs first. I've made you some black tea," Xu Yan gestured for him to proceed.
As they entered the elevator, a corner of Xu Yan's long dress got caught in the elevator gap. Just before the doors closed, Jiang Ye quickly pulled it out for her.
"Oh, thank you. This dress is a bit long, and it's my first time wearing it, so I'm not quite used to it," Xu Yan blushed again.
"But it looks very nice," Jiang Ye winked and lowered his voice, "You know, I was browsing through the 'Flip the Card' app last night, and I got you."
Xu Yan's face turned so red it looked like it could bleed. "Why were you browsing that thing?"
"Just bored, playing on my phone. There's nothing else to do, so I was just swiping randomly," Jiang Ye became even more curious. "Although this is your private matter, I'm really curious. Why would you use that app? Honestly, there aren't many men with good conditions on the colony."
"Broaden the net, increase the probability," Xu Yan sighed. "I'm not asking for a boyfriend with great conditions. I just want someone kind and good to me. I have plenty of money."
"Oh, you're so pessimistic. You're in great condition, beautiful, rich, have a good job, and are perfect in every way. Why would you settle?" Jiang Ye was surprised. Xu Yan seemed too negative.
"I'm getting old. I'm over thirty now. People my age are either single by choice or already have children," Xu Yan sighed again. "You're good at comforting me. If I were really in good condition, why wouldn't I have a man?"
Jiang Ye was also puzzled. With Xu Yan being such a high-quality rich woman, shouldn't she have a sea of admirers?
The elevator opened, and they entered Xu Yan's office and sat down for tea.
"A few days ago, I went to the doctor, and I almost died," Xu Yan said.
"What?" Jiang Ye was surprised. "Isn't it just a cold and fever?"
"Yes, just a simple cold and fever. But on the way, for some reason, I developed fulminant myocarditis."
"That's a serious-sounding illness."
"It's a very serious and acute illness. I collapsed on the ground, feeling like I was encased in cement. I couldn't even move my fingers, let alone call for help," Xu Yan's eyes showed lingering fear. "After I passed out, luckily, a nurse happened to come to ask what I wanted for dinner, discovered me on the floor, and immediately started resuscitation."
"I was conscious during the resuscitation, but my body was already showing signs of dying. You know, like past memories flashing before my eyes like a fast-forwarded movie. Then I sadly realized that I had everything – a successful career, two master's degrees, a typical successful woman. But I didn't have a man. I'd never dated, never kissed, never held hands, let alone... that..."
"The resuscitation was successful, and soon I was lying in a hospital bed, perfectly fine," Xu Yan frowned. "Then I cried. The more I thought about it, the sadder I became. Why doesn't any man like me? I went to a bar once, sat at the bar and waited. I thought, even if some scruffy hooligan came to talk to me, that would be good. But I don't know why, I sat there for four hours, and no one came to talk to me."
Jiang Ye was stunned. It shouldn't be like this!
He imagined himself as a scruffy hooligan. Seeing Xu Yan sitting alone at the bar, beautiful and well-built, he would definitely want to go and talk to her.
He couldn't understand it; it was truly strange.
"Ah, never mind, let's not talk about such sad things," Xu Yan lightly patted her face and smiled. "Two pieces of good news. Do you want to hear the small one or the big one first?"
"Let's start with the big one!" Jiang Ye sat up straight.
"The White Ant Real Estate annual meeting. Unfortunately, you can't attend. However, I've inquired about another opportunity to go to Jiedian Star for you," Xu Yan said.
Jiang Ye's eyes widened.
He shouted inwardly with immense joy: Jiedian Star! Jiedian Star! I'm going to Jiedian Star!