Chapter 261: Life Goes on Amidst Catastrophe

Confronted with President Radack’s repeated meddling, Rukovsky calmly stated, “You might not be aware that the fracture zone extends to the north, still following the route of the San Andreas Fault.

However, as it extends southward into the sea, the possibility of seawater backflow makes the collision between the Pacific Plate and the American Plate even more intense.

I believe at this moment, frequent volcanic eruptions and continuous earthquakes are likely occurring at the bottom of the Gulf of California. It’s difficult to say whether the fracture zone won’t form branches.

That is to say, even if you can block the fracture zone that lands in Mexico, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can prevent the underwater fracture zone.”

These words rendered President Radack speechless, but he quickly recovered and responded, “I don’t think your speculation is correct.

Our country will convene our own geologists to study whether the fracture zone will divide.”

Subsequently, Rukovsky went on to present further evidence, projecting the distribution of seismic activity big and small that had occurred across traditional seismic belts around the world over the past week.

Unfortunately, the discourse was repeatedly diverted by Radack and other Western leaders, who pressured Rukovsky for the real intent behind Dream Technology’s doomsday theory.

In the end, amidst myriad disruptions, the summit convened by Trust failed to form a comprehensive plan to address the crisis, only managing to develop two special resolutions.

One was to assemble the best geologists from different nations to form a research team to track and study the extending fracture zone south of the Gulf of California.

The other resolution was for Central American countries to prepare emergency plans—should the fracture zone prove unstoppable and extend into Central America, the populace would need to evacuate to neighboring countries.

As for the theory that the fracture zone might be a precursor to a great glacial period, it was met with skepticism not only by Western leaders like President Radack but also by China and Rus country among others.

Everyone’s focus was solely riveted on the immediate crisis of the Californian fracture zone extending southward, which was the reason why these two resolutions managed to be forged.

If the first resolution bore the potential for action, the second one seemed somewhat hollow in nature.

Such resolutions meant leaders of Central American nations certainly wouldn’t consider evacuating their populations until the eleventh hour.

They were all too aware that by then, their nations would cease to exist, and their authority would be no more.

There was no rationale to surrender before the final moment, but they hadn’t considered whether people would be able to evacuate in time.

Of course, even if some country leaders were willing to evacuate earlier, neighboring nations might not be prepared to open their borders and shelter refugees.

One only needed to think back to how Syrian refugees heading north to Europe were met with various obstacles, or the situation of Central American refugees trying to enter the U.S. with a high wall built along the border…

Observing this eventual outcome of the meeting, Trust was deeply disheartened, feeling a profound sense of powerlessness stemming from his core.

As a 75-year-old senior, sitting in a ceremonial yet virtually puppeteer role, Trust was truly exhausted.

The leaders from various nations had all left the meeting room, but Trust remained seated, motionless.

Rukovsky, packing up the holographic projection equipment and carrying the case, approached Trust and said, “Mr. Secretary-General, I must leave now. I regret that they seem to not quite believe my theory.”

Trust lifted his head, his voice showing signs of hoarseness and fragility, betraying confusion and ambivalence as he looked at Rukovsky, “Is the great glacial period really coming?”

Evidently, Trust believed in Rukovsky’s theory—after all, he had met with Du Qiu, whose steadfast belief in the imminent glacial period had left a profound impression on him.

Rukovsky gave a slight nod, affirming, “Mr. Secretary-General, based on the evidence we’ve obtained, the signs have appeared and show a trend of intensification.

As I’ve shown everyone, minor earthquakes have been occurring more frequently along global seismic belts in the past week, though the magnitudes are all below 4.0.

Regrettably, this has not garnered the necessary attention from the assembled leaders, and I believe within the next month, another spot may experience an earthquake exceeding magnitude 7.

At that time, perhaps it will be when a second fracture zone emerges.”

“I understand now. The U.S. is no longer suitable for world leadership. Their insecurities have led them to view anything that surpasses their nation and corporations as adversaries. The multiple disruptions by President Radack during this meeting have hindered a unified understanding among the leaders, and Earth’s future has turned precarious,” Trust expressed dejectedly.

Rukovsky offered consolation, “Mr. Secretary-General, there’s no need for such pessimism. In the face of such devastating calamities, at least Dream Technology will use all its power to prevent humanity from extinction.”

The idea resonated with Trust, who asked, “Please convey a message to Dr. Du Qiu for me—if Dream Technology needs my effort, I’ll commit to it wholeheartedly.”

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In Shanghai, inside a sprawling sports arena, a concert was being fervently held.

Matters like the series of major earthquakes in California or the potential submerging of Central America were merely topics casually mentioned over tea and dinner in China.

Here, life continued unabated—horses running and dancing as usual, with foreign turmoil unable to shake the peace and serenity of this land.

Yu Donghua currently sat in the VIP section, utterly charmed by the performance of Yan Liusu on stage, her singing and dancing captivating him.

As the CEO of Wisdom Technology, Yu had become an unrivaled tech tycoon within the country, with the likes of BAT unable to hold a candle to Wisdom Technology. The label ‘Sage Within’ was ubiquitous on all chip-bearing electrical devices.

Amidst his pride and satisfaction, his life was further sweetened by the company of a beautiful lady, thus indulging Yu in the luxurious life where one lies drunk atop beautiful knees and wakes up grasping the power of the world.

This entire affair had led to a severe falling-out with his wife, Xu Xiaoxiao, and they were now in a state of separation, set to officially divorce once the period ended at year’s end.

The reason the divorce wasn’t immediate was partly due to Xu Xiaoxiao nursing a glimmer of hope for Yu’s return to sensibility, and partly on account of wishes from her father, Xu Dajiang, considering their immense wealth had to be legally divided—a matter that could impact company operations.

During this time, Yu completely unleashed his restraints, and though he wasn’t publicly flaunting his liaisons with Yan Liusu, their frequent meetings were an open secret.

Yan’s concert in Shanghai was a standing testament for Yu, who unhesitatingly showed up to support her, also a clear signal to certain meddlesome individuals to keep at bay.

“Director Yu, didn’t you bring your smart glasses?” his assistant, Sun Jing, whispered, leaning in.

Yu shifted his gaze from the mesmerizing Yan Liusu to Sun Jing, inquiring, “What’s up? Any important calls?”

Yu’s advanced smart glasses, equipped with satellite communication capabilities, were typically accessible to very few. Disliking wearing glasses, Yu had set up call-forwarding to his assistant Sun Jing’s smart comm-device.

This new consumer electronic product by Dream Technology was designed to completely replace the mobile phone. Knowing there were others who, like Yu, preferred not to wear glasses, traditional phones still had a market, yet with the introduction of the smart comm-device, the regular phone faced a catastrophic downfall.

The smart comm-device came in multiple forms, as a necklace to wear, a wristwatch, or even a brooch, catering to different personal carry habits, thereby dooming the traditional phone.

“Director Yu, it’s Dr. Du…”

“Give it to me!” Interrupted at just the mention of the name, Yu snatched the necklace-shaped comm-device from Sun Jing.

After tapping a specific spot, Yu’s smart earphones synced with the device, and Du Qiu’s voice filtered through.

“Big Fish, you seem to be quite enjoying yourself.”