179: New human daily life

At 5:30 AM, in an apartment in a residential area of Guanghan City, Zheng Wen woke up naturally from his sleep. He stretched, and the electronic curtains automatically opened, letting the artificial morning light gently stream into the room.

"Ah..." Zheng Wen rubbed his eyes and looked at the holographic clock by his bedside. He remembered staying up until 2 AM last night to finish a project report, meaning he had only slept for three and a half hours. Yet, he felt invigorated, even more refreshed than after eight hours of sleep in the past.

During his first few days on the Moon, he was a bit unaccustomed, but now he no longer minded it at all.

Walking into the bathroom, Li Ming was brushing his teeth in front of the smart mirror. The mirror displayed his health data: heart rate 52, blood pressure 118/75, blood oxygen 99%. He subconsciously touched his chin; the stubble he forgot to shave last night seemed to grow slower than before.

"Don't tell me, the effect of this serum is really obvious..." Zheng Wen mumbled, recalling the strengthening agent he was injected with three years ago when he first immigrated to the Moon. At the time, the staff only said it was a necessary measure to help adapt to the lunar environment. Who would have thought that this necessary measure would be so potent?

It was time for his morning run. Zheng Wen changed into his sportswear and took the elevator to the circular track on the top floor of the residential area. There were already many residents exercising, including quite a few elderly people in their sixties and seventies, yet all of them moved with agile steps.

"Engineer Zheng! So early again today?" Neighbor Professor Wang jogged up to him. This theoretical physicist was 65 years old, yet he had the appearance of a 40-year-old and the energy of a 20-year-old.

"Good morning, Professor Wang." Zheng Wen adjusted his breathing rhythm. "How is the progress on your thermal efficiency theory project?"

"Quite smooth!" Professor Wang's eyes lit up. "You might not believe it, but at my age, I actually feel my mind getting sharper. Last week, I derived three new formulas in one go. I wasn't this efficient even when I was young!"

Zheng Wen deeply empathized. As an aerospace materials Engineer, he had also recently found that his speed and accuracy in handling complex calculations had improved significantly. Stress equations that previously required repeated verification could now almost be seen at a glance.

After running three kilometers, Zheng Wen's breathing remained steady. He glanced at his sports wristband: average pace 8 minutes 30 seconds, heart rate maintained at 110. This performance, three years ago on Blue Star, would have been unimaginable.

Olympic champions would still need to train.

"Engineer Zheng!" Colleague Zhang Li waved at the end of the track. "The R&D department's morning meeting has been moved up. The boss said we need to discuss the new thermal insulation material plan."

"I'm coming!" Zheng Wen quickly walked towards the changing room, his steps so light it was as if he was treading on clouds.

Meanwhile, in a laboratory at the Eastern Federation Industrial University in Guanghan City on the Moon, Lilian was fully focused on operating a nanoscale 3D printer. Her slender fingers rapidly slid across the control panel, her eyes fixed on the constantly changing molecular structure diagram on the screen.

"Adjust another 0.3 micrometers..." she mumbled softly, her wide eyes sparkling under the laboratory lights.

"How is the progress, Lilian?" Professor Zhang's voice came from behind her. He walked to her side and leaned over to observe her work.

Lilian looked up, her eyes, beneath her golden bangs, shining with excitement: "Professor, I think I've found the problem! The arrangement angle of the nanofibers is fine, but the staggering rate can be increased by 5%, which should improve self-repair efficiency by about another 15%."

"Although the cost will increase by 10%, the overall performance can now match the latest generation of products from Interstellar Peace Corporation."

Professor Zhang nodded approvingly: "Excellent discovery. Your nano self-repair module project is progressing much faster than expected."

Lilian smiled shyly, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with the school badge on her chest. Three months ago, she was admitted exceptionally at the age of ten, becoming one of the youngest students in the school's history.

"Oh, right," Professor Zhang suddenly lowered his voice, "Have you noticed any changes in your body recently?"

Lilian paused: "Changes? Do you mean..."

"More energetic? Less sleep needed? Faster wound healing?" Professor Zhang looked at her meaningfully.

Lilian blinked: "If you put it that way, yes. Last week, I accidentally cut my finger, and the wound completely healed the next day. I thought it was because of our good medical technology here..."

"Huh, could it be for some other reason?"

Looking at Professor Zhang's slightly upturned lips, Lilian immediately realized that her teacher must know the reason.

"Don't worry, you'll know the reason soon."

Professor Zhang opened the holographic screen in the laboratory and entered the Eastern Federation official channel.

"It's about to begin!" Professor Zhang, standing beside her, whispered.

The holographic screen lit up, and the figure of the Donglian Chief appeared in the frame. He stood on the balcony of the Eastern Federation Administrative Center, behind him the fluttering Eastern Federation flag and the magnificent lunar city landscape.

"Dear compatriots," the Premier's voice was steady and powerful, "Today, I want to announce a major decision concerning the future of the Eastern Federation."

Outside the window, the large projection in the university square also began simultaneous live broadcasting. The crowd in the square quieted down, and even the sound of the wind seemed to cease. Lilian unconsciously clenched her fists; she could feel that this would be a historic moment.

"Six years ago, to resist the disaster of nuclear radiation, we had no choice but to flee. When we left Blue Star, all of us were injected with a strengthening serum, which was what you were told was a vaccine at the time." The Premier's gaze swept across the camera, as if looking at every Eastern Federation citizen. "The twists and turns are not important; what is important is that, after long-term research by the Academy of Sciences, we can confirm good news."

"This serum not only helped us adapt to the lunar environment and improved our physical fitness, but also extended our theoretical lifespan to about 200 years."

A gasp of astonishment erupted in the square.

Lilian saw a middle-aged woman cover her mouth, tears silently falling. Not far away, a university student's mouth was wide open, his data pad slipping to the ground. Even the security personnel on duty exchanged glances, their expressions under their helmets utterly shocked.

"This means," the Premier continued, "that each of us has ample time to learn, grow, and create. We can take longer to grow, and we have more time to build..."

Lilian suddenly realized something and turned to Professor Zhang: "Professor, is this why the curriculum for the youth class is so, well, long-term?"

Professor Zhang nodded, a glimmer of wisdom in his eyes: "Exactly. According to the new education plan, a newborn needs about 40 years of systematic study to master the knowledge required to enter higher education."

"On this point alone, I have a love-hate relationship with Interstellar Peace Corporation. They brought immense technological progress, but they also left our children with textbooks hundreds of meters high."

"It's tough on the kids, too."

The Premier's voice continued: "Compatriots, our social productivity has reached an unprecedented height. Automated factories and smart agriculture are already sufficient to support billions of our citizens."

"As the Premier of this term, I am fortunate. Today, the goal for which the martyrs fought their entire lives has been achieved! The Eastern Federation stands at a new historical starting point!"

"From today onwards, the history of Blue Star human civilization will begin a new chapter with us."

The holographic screen switched, displaying the Eastern Federation's astonishing social achievements. Endless automated farms, efficiently operating unmanned industrial centers, busy and orderly spaceports, and scenes of children happily learning in schools.

The Premier's expression became serious, "Compatriots, it is time for us to make a change. It is time to step out of our comfort zone and venture into the broader sea of stars."

"We can no longer be fixated on the present; we should lift our heads and gaze at this starry sky."

"Therefore," the Premier's voice suddenly rose, "the Eastern Federation Supreme Executive Council has decided."

"We will set forth into the universe!"

A deafening cheer erupted in the square. Lilian felt a current of excitement shoot up her spine to the top of her head. She had a strong premonition that she was about to witness the beginning of a New Era.

The screen switched again, displaying the majestic figure of the Eastern Federation's most advanced spacecraft, the 'Yinghuo'. This three-hundred-meter-long scientific research vessel was the pride of the Eastern Federation's independent design, equipped with the most advanced life support systems and detection equipment.

"In three days, the 'Yinghuo' will depart for Mars for a year-long scientific expedition," the Premier announced. "This will be the Eastern Federation's first extraterrestrial exploration, aimed at colonization, conducted entirely by its own strength! We will steadfastly..."

Lilian's heart quickened. She turned to Professor Zhang: "Professor, do we have a chance to participate?"

Professor Zhang smiled mysteriously: "Well, actually, the nano self-repairing module technology you improved last month has already been installed on the Yinghuo."

Lilian's eyes widened, momentarily speechless. She, a ten-year-old gifted student, could contribute to the Mars project?

"We haven't mastered the force field technology demonstrated by the Interstellar Peace Corporation yet. Self-repairing materials are the optimal solution for dealing with minor interstellar meteorite damage to the spacecraft," Professor Zhang explained, seeing Lilian's incredulous expression.

The Premier's speech was nearing its end: "...Fellow citizens, this is not the end, but the beginning. The future of the Eastern Federation is not on the Moon, not on Blue Star, but beyond the vast sea of stars! Let us move forward hand in hand and create a New Era for human civilization!"

As the speech concluded, the square erupted in prolonged applause and cheers.

In the city center square, where the official live broadcast was taking place, Lilian saw many people embracing and weeping. Elders looked up at the starry sky, while children excitedly mimicked flying gestures. At this moment, she truly felt that the Eastern Federation was no longer a nation confined to the ground, no longer a traditional country, but a true interstellar civilization.

On Pierpoint, in Mars' orbit, Chen Hao stood by the observation window, watching the Eastern Federation Premier's speech on a holographic screen. Bronya leaned on his shoulder, her small face full of surprise.

"Master, the Eastern Federation is going to Mars by themselves!" She dangled her little feet. "Don't they need our help?"

Chen Hao's lips curved slightly: "This is exactly what I hope to see, Ya Ya. If they still needed our help to establish a base on Mars today, then we would be too lonely."

"But, won't they be too hasty?" Bronya asked, tilting her head.

Chen Hao stroked Bronya's little head: "The Eastern Federation's social productivity is already close to the communist stage envisioned by the sages. If we only consider the characteristic of extreme material abundance, they have almost completed it. They already have enough resources and technology for independent exploration, and they also have the foundation to withstand failure."

"Of course, it's best if they encounter some setbacks. Lessons are very expensive, and they are 'priceless but unavailable'."

The holographic communicator suddenly lit up, and Jade's image appeared in the air.

"Chairman," Jade's expression was uncharacteristically serious, "the Eastern Federation Academy of Sciences has sent a formal letter, informing us of the 'Yinghuo' Mars exploration plan."

"From their tone, it seems they are somewhat probing whether we have arrangements on Mars."

"Considering the company's industrial base on the Martian surface, should we intervene?"

Chen Hao shook his head: "Reply to them that the company looks forward to the Eastern Federation's success. In addition, prepare an environmental data package for the moderately habitable zone of Mars as a courtesy gift."

Jade raised an eyebrow in surprise: "Not interfere with their colonization exploration plan?"

"No interference," Chen Hao said firmly. "To put it simply, we only need a small piece of land; more is useless. It's better to let the Eastern Federation establish a larger market so the company can earn more profits."

"To put it broadly, the universe is vast enough to accommodate multiple civilizations."

After the communication ended, Chen Hao looked out at the starry sky. Golden light poured into his pupils, his vision shifted, and the moon's light was still gentle, but the power it contained was no longer what it once was.

"Master, aren't you worried?" Bronya asked softly. "What if they succeed...?"

"Why worry?" Chen Hao retorted. "Competition drives progress, Bronya. The Eastern Federation's growth will push us forward continuously." He said meaningfully, "This is a healthy model of civilizational development."

"Over the years, some people in the company have become lazy, always thinking that the company is number one, with no close second. If I don't give them some motivation, they'll really think I'll keep supporting them for nothing."

"Besides, do you think I've been slacking off all these years?"

"Eh? Does that mean...?"

Chen Hao smiled and nodded: "That's right, yesterday's report from the R&D department said the prototype device will be completed soon."

In the conference room of the Eastern Federation Administrative Center, a high-level meeting was underway. The Premier, the President of the Academy of Sciences, the Head of National Defense Technology, and over twenty other high-ranking officials sat around an oval conference table.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the mission of the 'Yinghuo' is clear," the Premier surveyed the room, "to lay the foundation for the Eastern Federation's first fully autonomous colony on Mars."

Zhang Mingyuan brought up a holographic star map: "According to our calculations, the transformation cycle for Mars will take at least 10 years. But with the extended lifespan brought by the enhanced serum, our generation will definitely see the results."

"How are the technical reserves?" the Premier asked.

Han Weimin double-checked the report and replied: "The life support system has been verified on the Moon, and the nano self-repairing materials can cope with Martian dust storms. For the most critical energy issue, our independently developed small nuclear fusion reactor can operate stably for over five years, and the helium-3 extraction plant has been completed, with production lines expected to start in a month."

"What about social mobilization?" the Premier turned to the Minister of Civil Affairs.

"Public enthusiasm is high," the Minister of Civil Affairs reported. "Over three million citizens have signed up to participate in the Mars project. We are currently screening the first batch of volunteers."

The Premier nodded in satisfaction: "Very good. Remember, the significance of this mission is not only in technological breakthroughs but also in proving that the Eastern Federation can independently open up interstellar territory."

After the meeting, Zhang Mingyuan deliberately lagged a few steps, preparing to speak with the Premier privately.

"Premier," Zhang Mingyuan lowered his voice, "the Interstellar Peace Corporation... will there really be no problems?"

The Premier looked out at the starry sky: "President Zhang, you have seen the Luofu Fleet, and you are one of the few who know that the company has mastered faster-than-light flight technology. Frankly, if the company wanted to stop us, they would have acted long ago." He said meaningfully, "I believe they, or rather he, is waiting and watching."

"Watching what?"

"Watching whether we can become a qualified interstellar civilization." The Premier's gaze was profound. "The universe is vast, Old Zhang. Perhaps, in that child's plan, we will be a very good template."