Chapter 2349

"Aunt, I'm back!"

The door was pushed open, and Peter, carrying his schoolbag, rushed in. Aunt May, who was writing something on the table by the window, stood up from the table and watched Peter rush into the kitchen to pour a large glass of water.

"Oh, you're back," Aunt May walked over, took Peter's schoolbag, and said, "How is the work at the new laboratory? Is it going smoothly?"

"Not bad, just too busy. I really can't imagine, I worked on experiments for three days and three nights as soon as I stepped into the company. They didn't even leave me time to familiarize myself with the laboratory," Peter yawned.

"Go get some sleep," Aunt May said. "I am writing the arrangement for our community's owner activities next month. What dessert do you think is better? How about the pancakes I make?"

"Of course they are great, if only there was some bee syrup..."

"Oh, boy, you still understand me so well," Aunt May smiled, patted Peter on the back, and followed him to the bedroom door.

Peter poked his head to look at his uncle's room and asked, "Where is Uncle? Hasn't he finished work yet?"

"He has been working overtime a lot recently, you know. He just got promoted to chief engineer, so he has to perform well. Besides, the work at the terminal is indeed more than at the sub-station, and a new batch of newcomers has arrived recently, so he has to keep a close eye on them."

"I'll wait for him for a while, there is something I want to tell him."

Aunt May didn't say anything. She turned her head to continue writing her community activity plan, discussing it with Peter from time to time.

It had been a long time since the Parker family moved last time, but in fact, the house they are living in now is the third one, because not long after the last move, Ben Parker was transferred to work at the terminal. The new house at that time was too far from the terminal, so after a period of time, they sold that house and changed it to the current one.

The current house is closer to where Ben Parker works. Of course, no matter which house it is, it is very far from Peter's laboratory, but Peter doesn't commute back to live often, sleeping in the laboratory and company dormitory most of the time.

The community where their new house is located is relatively good. Aunt May found a job at the community center, mainly organizing various community activities and maintaining the community's appearance.

Taking advantage of this time, Aunt May made Peter her specialty cream soufflé. Peter told his aunt various interesting things during the experiment process while eating.

Soon Ben Parker came back. A few years passed, and he had gray hair on his temples, but his mental state was much better than before, and he had become a little fatter. He greeted Peter and Aunt May with a smile.

"Uncle, have you heard the news about the recruitment for the recent Near-Earth Terminal Star Core Station?"

Hearing Peter bring up this topic, Ben Parker gradually put away his smile. He sat opposite Peter, glanced at Peter, then at Aunt May, rubbed his hands, and said slightly nervously, "Of course, I heard, I... am considering it."

"My God," Aunt May exclaimed. She said, "Peter, did you just mention near-Earth? Is this so-called terminal not on Earth?"

"Yes, the Star Core Station is the latest comprehensive space station built, belonging to the terminal of various near-Earth space stations, including a traffic dispatch center, a near-Earth research academy, a solar system energy dispatch headquarters, and a solar system diplomatic reception center."

"So far, it is also the space station farthest from Earth, about half the distance from Earth to Mars, mainly communicating through a large portal. Two days ago, they just released a recruitment notice for the whole society, and some excellent engineering talents received the news in advance."

Ben Parker nodded and said, "Indeed, I heard the wind long ago. My boss even gave me a video material to show the internal structure of the space station. Honestly, it looks no different from the shuttle terminal where I work now."

"That won't do either," Aunt May raised her voice and said. "That is flying in space. If something happens, there is nowhere to run."

"The stability of the large portal is very strong, it is said that it can withstand a solar explosion," Ben Parker said. "At the same time, there will be station-based mages to defend and maintain the space station, and the security personnel are also sufficient. Most of the core technologies of the space station come from several major countries."

Finding that Ben Parker was serious, Aunt May also sat down. She stared at Ben Parker's face for a while, then said, "It's not that we don't have the next meal now. It's great that you want to develop in this area, but you must think clearly. This cannot be without risks. If anything happens to you, we will be very sad."

"This is exactly what makes me hesitate," Ben Parker's hands were twisted tightly. He said, "I can't imagine the days when I lose you or you lose me. That must be terrible."

"I don't know if you can understand. After I was transferred to the terminal, I met many people different from those I used to know. Some of them are scientists, some are engineers, and there are also teachers, doctors, and journalists."

"But they all have one thing in common: after satisfying their own and their family's survival needs, they join this project and work hard for all mankind."

"Of course, when the shuttle was just developing, this also had high risks for them. The public had mixed reviews about this technology at that time, and the construction plan of the terminal was very likely to be cancelled."

"But they tried their best to build this place, pass on the real situation here, let people understand more, and dispel their doubts. Only then did New York have its extremely developed transportation system today."

"Now many people are full of confusion about how to enter the economic society, and many people feel panicked and uneasy, feeling that our steps into the universe will bring disaster. And we cannot blame them, because all this has risks."

"Risks always need someone to bear. I have technology, experience, and the determination to learn from those excellent talents. Then if I don't bear it, do you want you to go? I think this is my responsibility."

Ben Parker lowered his head and said, "Many people in the station are watching. They want to know what we will do. Someone always has to take the first step. In fact, I have fewer concerns than them."

Ben Parker looked at Peter and said, "You have already learned something and become an excellent scientist. At least in terms of income, you are quite excellent and can fully afford the pensions of the two of us."

"And you," Ben Parker held Aunt May's hand and said, "Dear, when I drove back just now, the neighbor lady praised the housework exchange activity you organized last time as great. This job is very suitable for you, making you more energetic than before. I think you should persist in doing it."

"That's it," Ben Parker spread his hands and said, "I don't need to worry about newborns waiting to be fed, there are no various loans to pay back, and there is almost no survival pressure. We have all gained a lot from this society, so naturally, we have the responsibility to make it better."

"Please believe that even out of responsibility to you, I will cherish my life very much. I spent a few days confirming the safety of the Star Core Space Station, and the results show that this space station jointly built by various countries on Earth may even be safer than Earth itself."

"If this is your decision, of course I won't stop you," Aunt May said. "How are the accommodation conditions up there? Is the cafeteria delicious? Can it accept mail delivery? What about fresh food delivery?"

"There is everything up there, dear," Ben Parker laughed and said. "As for the cafeteria, you have to know, usually the cafeteria for electrical technicians must be the most delicious among all cafeterias."

"Do you plan to complete a full cycle of work up there? Uncle," Peter asked.

"Yes, the recruitment form says that so far, a round of work is two months, and there will be 5 days of rest after two months. I think this is very good. By then we can go out for a trip or something together."

Peter immediately put on a bitter face. He said, "I'm afraid it's hard for me to get 5 days off. As soon as I step into the laboratory door, there are endless experiments. Everyone is like an NPC in a game, and there are tasks as soon as they get close."

"By the way, I heard that Dr. Schiller has returned to New York Presbyterian Hospital. Have you visited him?" Aunt May asked.

"Not yet, didn't have time."

"That's not very good," Aunt May said. "Just take advantage of your day off today, I'll bake a batch of cookies, you take them to Dr. Schiller, and visit him on our behalf. Don't forget, it was him at the beginning, so we could go to Presbyterian Hospital for a check-up."

"Is Presbyterian Hospital hard to get into?" Peter asked. He has never really understood things in this area.

"Of course," his uncle and aunt said in unison.

"Even with the insurance we bought now, it is completely impossible to reach the level where we can make an appointment for a physical examination at Presbyterian Hospital."

"But our insurance money has already doubled 5 times compared to before," Peter said with some surprise.

"Yes, but I'm afraid it won't work even if it doubles 10 times," Aunt May shook her head and said. "I specifically consulted our insurance manager before, and he said that unless we suffer from certain diseases with medical research value, it is difficult to go to that hospital for treatment. That place is mainly aimed at major and difficult diseases and rare diseases."

"A colleague's wife just discharged from there recently," Ben Parker added. "I heard she had a very strange tumor, and the doctor studied it for seven or eight months before solving it. When I saw him yesterday, he was thin and unrecognizable. In addition to the insurance money, they also paid a lot of money."

"Fortunately, the insurance amount we bought is high," Aunt May covered her chest and said. "Otherwise, even if we go to an ordinary hospital, the bill cost is frighteningly high."

They chatted for a while, finished the snacks on the table, and drank two cups of tea. Peter went back to the room to make up for sleep, Aunt May was baking cookies, Ben Parker was originally sitting by the window chatting with Aunt May, but soon the phone rang.

"Hello, hello, this is Ben Parker. Oh, yes, he told me. What? Is the intern also sick? Okay, then I'll go back."

Ben Parker stood up, Aunt May turned to look at him, Ben Parker showed an apologetic smile and said, "A colleague of mine asked for leave yesterday. The intern who was supposed to take his shift happened to have diarrhea, but today's maintenance indicators must be completed, otherwise the shifts won't be enough. I'll go there, I'll definitely be back before dinner."

Aunt May didn't say anything. She also knew that electricians are like this, on call 24 hours a day, and have to rush out in a hurry if something happens. She has been used to this for so many years.

Aunt May wore oven gloves, hurriedly picked out a box of cookies, and stuffed it into Ben Parker's arms. Ben Parker hugged her, kissed her cheek, and drove to the terminal.

Ben Parker parked the car, took the elevator, and just as he stepped out of the elevator, he saw a familiar figure.

"Oh, Oakes, didn't you ask for leave? The intern who took your shift is sick. Just now the maintenance department called and asked me to come over to take the shift."

The bearded man called Oakes showed an awkward expression. He said, "A false alarm, my wife thought something happened to our dog, but actually it was fine, so I came back."

Ben Parker stared at him for a while, shook the bag in his hand, and said, "May made some cookies, after I finish the work, we can go have afternoon tea."