I can upgrade the shelter-Chapter 812 - 710: Probing at the Dinner Table

The meeting lasted for several hours, ending just as it was nearing mealtime.

After the meeting, naturally everyone was ready to eat; however, several train manufacturing plant leaders stopped Chen Xin and did not let him go to the factory canteen with others.

"Do you have other plans?" Chen Xin looked at the train manufacturing leaders with some surprise, unsure what game they were playing.

One of the leaders, who was more portly, smiled and said: "Although the chefs in our factory cafeteria are quite skilled, it is essentially all large pot dishes, and the dining environment is quite noisy. It’s better for us to find a quieter place so we can have a good conversation with you, Academician Chen."

Upon hearing this and seeing the similar attitudes of the others, Chen Xin understood that they had something important to discuss and were specifically looking for a private opportunity to talk with him.

For people from Flame Country, is there any place more suitable for discussing matters than the dining table?

Of course, Chen Xin could also see that what they wanted to discuss must be significant; otherwise, there was no need to find a quiet place.

So after a brief consideration, Chen Xin agreed, but he asked to have Qin Lan and Mo Qingyan, who were touring the factory, join them, then followed the leaders to what they called "a quieter place."

The group did not leave the factory but entered a garage used to display sample carriages, which Chen Xin had visited before the meeting.

"So this is the quiet place you were talking about," Chen Xin said with some surprise as he assessed the place the leaders had prepared for hosting him: "This is my first time being invited to dine inside a train carriage!"

"Haha, Academician Chen, how about not leaving tonight? We have luxury carriages specially designed for special trains; you can experience them. Afterward, we’ll arrange a special train for you, making travel more convenient!" One bespectacled leader joked with Chen Xin, but there was an air of seriousness and flattery.

To Chen Xin, enjoying the special train treatment is only a matter of considering whether it’s necessary.

However, remembering the experience of taking a special train to Lucia before, Chen Xin wasn’t opposed to the idea of a special train: "That’s great, I actually quite like train travel, and having a special train would be wonderful!"

While Chen Xin was exchanging pleasantries with the leaders, Qin Lan and Mo Qingyan were also invited up to the carriage and heard Chen Xin’s voice as they entered.

Qin Lan pulled Mo Qingyan’s hand and sat beside Chen Xin, suddenly curious, she asked: "A-Xin, what were you discussing just now? What’s so great?"

"Oh, these leaders mentioned letting me experience their factory’s luxury carriage designed for special trains, saying they could arrange a special train for future travels," Chen Xin explained to Qin Lan.

Having previously traveled by special train with Chen Xin, Qin Lan was not unfamiliar with it, she just blinked and laughed: "A-Xin, when you travel, it’s always for urgent matters. It’s either a plane or a Land Ship. Do you have the time for a special train?"

"If I wanted to, I could find the time, since traveling by special train is indeed comfortable!" Chen Xin smiled, explaining to Qin Lan while also asking the two: "What did you both see this afternoon?"

"Not much, we just wandered around a few garages and looked at various carriages," answered Mo Qingyan, appearing more excited than Qin Lan, perhaps because it was rare for her to be out with Chen Xin: "I didn’t expect train carriages to have so many varieties; several of them I’d love to bring back and turn into those so-called creative houses."

"Creative houses? That’s a good idea!" Hearing Mo Qingyan’s words, Chen Xin couldn’t help but smile indulgently.

However, such remarks are just for listening; Mo Qingyan couldn’t really bring back several carriages, nor could Chen Xin provide them for her.

Yet a few leaders took this opportunity to chime in: "I wonder which type of carriage this lady has her eyes on? Academician Chen, if you have any ideas, these carriages could be included in the special train, serving as creative houses for this lady — that’s no problem!"

"This could be possible!" Chen Xin, detecting the joking tone, naturally responded in kind.

While they were talking, the dishes had already been served.

Looking at the table, which was quite a lavish spread by current standards, with the service staff voluntarily stepping out and the carriage doors closing, Chen Xin’s smile slightly restrained, and he looked at the leaders, asking them: "With such a warm reception, I assume there’s something important? As the saying goes, a gift must come with a request; feel free to speak, otherwise, I won’t be at ease eating this meal!"

Although Chen Xin could tell they wanted to chat while eating and discuss matters once the atmosphere grew amiable, he wasn’t quite accustomed to this approach.

The leaders were momentarily stunned by Chen Xin’s direct inquiry, but after exchanging glances, they quickly reached an agreement, with the portly leader speaking: "Academician Chen, is it true the nation plans to build a defense line against alien creatures in the Middle East Region?"

"Why are you asking about this?" Chen Xin was momentarily surprised but quickly picked up chopsticks to serve some dishes to Qin Lan and Mo Qingyan, then continued: "It’s all still uncertain, don’t speculate."

Seeing Chen Xin’s attitude, the leaders showed a look of expected understanding. The bespectacled leader swiftly added: "Please don’t misunderstand us, Academician Chen. We don’t mean to inquire about national secrets; it’s just that if a defense line is being built, a large amount of materials will definitely need transporting, which will significantly increase the demand for train carriages.

We simply want to prepare ahead for this; if we can confirm the news in advance, we can adjust the factory’s production plans accordingly, making arrangements early to avoid a rush, right?"

Faced with the leaders’ probing, Chen Xin slightly tilted his head, picked up a piece of rib from the table, and said, "These ribs are excellent! Are there still pigs being raised domestically? Do they need special carriages for transport? Railways mainly allocate capacity for raw materials; it’s remarkable that you managed to find a way to squeeze transport capacity for these food supplies!"

Listening to Chen Xin’s words, the leaders paused, then quickly caught on and chose not to pursue the defense line topic, instead obligingly serving Chen Xin dishes and saying, "We use refrigerated carriages to transport them from Guangdong Province. Not to brag, but our factory’s food transport carriages have significant advantages!"

Seeing the leaders refrain from asking about the defense line and instead boast about their multifunctional carriages, Chen Xin understood they got his point. Thus, while eating, he smilingly asked about the production issues of some carriages, with the leaders enthusiastically answering, creating a harmonious and enjoyable atmosphere.