RV Survival: I have a 100x amplification system

Su Chen quickly tidied up his storage box, transforming the small space into a cozy single-occupancy room. This was now his secret base, one that he would frequent in the days to come.

He glanced at the countdown timer for daytime in the RV world.

Time until nightfall: 1 hour 36 minutes.

With just over an hour left before night descended, Su Chen decided not to drive any further. Driving all day was exhausting, and since he'd already spent one night at this base and familiarized himself with the surroundings, he felt less apprehensive about the approaching darkness.

His supplies were plentiful—enough to last a week or two. Among them was Su Chen's favorite drink, the ever-refreshing "Happy Cola." Just thinking about it filled him with a sense of joy and contentment.

But the constant growling of his stomach reminded him it was time to prepare dinner. With the long daylight hours, Su Chen figured he could cook a meal and take his dog, Er Bao, out for a walk afterward.

Earlier, Er Bao had snuck off to pee, clearly unable to hold it in any longer after an entire day without relief. Su Chen, feeling guilty for neglecting such a basic need, reflected on his mistake.

"How embarrassing! I promise not to make the same mistake again," he muttered.

When Su Chen noticed Er Bao sneaking behind a tree, he followed out of curiosity. However, as soon as Er Bao saw Su Chen, it got upset—its first time showing anger—because Su Chen nearly caught it mid-pee. Startled, Su Chen pretended he was just scouting the area and stood by the tree, looking at the setting sun.

"Er Bao, do you think it's better to head west or east tomorrow? We need to decide in advance."

Hearing this, Er Bao, who had just lifted its leg to pee, froze. It turned its head as if trying to process Su Chen's serious inquiry. Clearly, it thought Su Chen hadn't noticed what it was doing.

"Since we're from the Eastern Tang Dynasty, we should go west to seek scriptures!" Su Chen joked.

Er Bao barked back, as if playing along with the banter. Even a dog could understand this classic reference. Su Chen chuckled at its antics, noting how Er Bao sometimes acted more like a spoiled little girl than a playful pup.

Afterward, Su Chen opened a bottle of mineral water to make up for Er Bao's lack of hydration throughout the day. "What goes in must come out," Su Chen thought as he realized Er Bao must have found a hidden spot to relieve itself earlier.

The base where Su Chen was staying was in a rural area, where life moved at a slow and leisurely pace—quite the contrast to the fast-paced grind of big cities. Su Chen always felt that the rush of city life drained people's spirit. Young people in megacities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou often struggled to find direction in life, crushed under the weight of high rents and the impossible dream of homeownership.

In such places, life often meant squeezing onto crowded buses and subways, eating endless takeout meals, and enduring the monotony of overwork. Over time, it numbed people, fostering resentment toward overtime and a disdain for the hustle of big city life. Many lamented that soaring housing prices would inevitably crush their future.

Compared to that, the simple beauty of a small town seemed like a luxury.

With this thought, Su Chen decided to cook himself a hearty meal. Among his remaining ingredients from the last barbecue were some potatoes and a head of cabbage.

"How about roasted potatoes and stir-fried cabbage tonight?" he asked Er Bao, who nodded enthusiastically, wagging its tail.

Gathering some wood, Su Chen opened his storage compartment. It was still empty, its white walls starkly bare, but the space was perfect for setting up a small fire to roast potatoes. He stacked the wood into a hollow pyramid shape, adding leftover charcoal for even heating. Then he placed a whole unpeeled potato inside. Su Chen had heard that a bit of dirt on the skin could add to the flavor when roasted.

The process brought back memories of his childhood, visiting his grandmother's rustic old home. Back then, food wasn't as abundant as it is now, and simply filling one's stomach was enough. Once, his grandmother had wrapped a potato in paper and secretly roasted it, presenting it to him with a knowing smile. That soft, fluffy texture and the earthy taste of the roasted skin left an unforgettable impression on him.

Before long, the roasted potato was ready, and the cabbage stir-fry was finished. Naturally, the first bite went to Er Bao, who had never tasted the delights of roasted potatoes.

"Here, Er Bao, try this. It's delicious," Su Chen said, offering a still-steaming potato.

Er Bao grabbed it in one swift motion, devouring it in a few bites without a care for the heat.

"Since you've been so good, let me reward you with a chicken leg," Su Chen said, opening a pack of premium meat slices. Er Bao, clearly a carnivore at heart, leapt up excitedly and scarfed down the treat in no time.

"Wow, you must have been starving, huh?" Su Chen said with a helpless smile. Watching Er Bao's eagerness reminded him of himself when he saw food—like a miniature version of his own habits. It's true what they say: when two beings spend enough time together, they start to resemble each other.

With Er Bao settled and content, Su Chen finally sat down to enjoy his own meal: a roasted potato, a plate of cabbage (which Er Bao didn't care for), and, to top it off, a bottle of his beloved Happy Cola. It was the perfect dinner.

As he ate, Su Chen couldn't help but plan for the days ahead. He was someone who hated being unprepared, meticulously mapping out everything from the next few days to the next ten years. Although he had only been in this world for two days, his progress was far ahead of others. Yet one thing puzzled him—why hadn't he encountered another person yet?

The world's chat channels were bustling with activity, clearly populated by real people and not bots.

"Maybe it's just like North America," Su Chen reasoned. "Plenty of land, but sparsely populated."

After finishing his meal and cleaning up, Su Chen grabbed a leash for Er Bao—not because he thought it would run off, but to guard against potential dangers. Better safe than sorry.

Before heading out, Su Chen checked the timer.

Time until nightfall: 29 minutes 36 seconds.

"Half an hour is plenty," he thought, deciding to take a walk to avoid being cooped up in the camper all day and missing out on the beautiful scenery.

Su Chen and Er Bao strolled down a small country path surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant wildflowers. A small mountain loomed in the distance, partially shrouded in mist as winter approached, its peak hidden from view. The fog added an ethereal touch to the landscape.

Er Bao seemed energized by the outing, bounding around with enthusiasm. Clearly, Su Chen's care had done wonders for its health.

"Wait, are those wild fruits?" Su Chen exclaimed, spotting a cluster of them. Thinking he must be mistaken, he walked over and plucked a few. A pleasant surprise indeed.

Carrying the fruits back home, with Er Bao happily following behind, Su Chen checked the timer once more.

Time until nightfall: 3 minutes 12 seconds.

With night fast approaching, Su Chen prepared himself mentally for whatever challenges it might bring.

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