Apocalypse: Last Traveler

The tube wasn't very thick; judging from the mouth, the internal diameter was a bit wider than an adult's thumb.

If we were still using the mineral water Bottle as planned to make an oil pump, the Bottle would appear somewhat narrow.

But fortunately, they had found a larger drink Bottle in the restaurant earlier, which was a size bigger, making it perfectly suitable for this tube.

The tube was coiled inside the water separator cabinet but extended to nearly four meters when straightened, long enough to make an oil pump.

Because it had been coiled up in the cabinet for a long time, the tube curled once released. Lu Xi'an bent it into a circle, holding it as he returned to the vehicle with Yao Wei.

He planned to try making the oil pump right there.

As the method he thought of involved fire, it was too dangerous to do it near the gas station.

However, Lu Xi'an was unsure if he could succeed.

But regardless of the outcome, it was necessary to try.

Otherwise, they would have to leave crestfallen.

Leaving without trying is very different from leaving after attempting—even if unsuccessful.

The former brings regret, while the latter might also bring regret, but not a lingering one.

"Should've started searching from this side instead of heading straight for the main street."

Yao Wei remarked as they reached the vehicle. She was concerned about the gasoline and worried if it couldn't be refilled later, then going around the main street was a waste.

But Lu Xi'an chuckled and said, "Why think like that?

"There's always an order for finding things; otherwise, it gets chaotic and leads to repeated searches, right?

"Having a plan eliminates the need for regret; in any case, we did find it eventually.

"If we didn't find it, we shouldn't say we shouldn't have searched at all, right?"

"Hmm."

Yao Wei felt Lu Xi'an made sense. If not for the gasoline shortage, she wouldn't have had such unnecessary thoughts.

So she nodded and dropped the topic, asking instead, "How should we proceed?"

Lu Xi'an retrieved the mineral water Bottle found in the restaurant earlier and handed it to Yao Wei, saying, "Your skills are better than mine; you can open the Bottle.

"Open a hole here at the top of the Bottle, and another at the bottom, so the tube can fit through perfectly."

Yao Wei was indeed more skilled in this regard; she had performed similar tasks before, like opening the car for the air-conditioning tube.

The tube fit snugly into the opening, surprising Lu Xi'an with her precision.

So it was naturally up to Yao Wei to handle this task now.

Yao Wei nodded, produced a small Blade, and got to work. She compared the tube's diameter to the Bottle's and promptly started.

The top required only cutting off the Bottle cap, as the size just below the threads was just right. At the tail end, she had to pierce with the Blade, creating a hole.

It was a meticulous job; the tail end of the Bottle was inwardly recessed and irregular, requiring finesse rather than brute force.

But for Yao Wei, it was no problem; she swiftly carved an opening, checking the fit with the tube, and found it perfect.

Lu Xi'an took the completed Bottle, examined and pinched it, finding the opening and elasticity satisfactory, very pleased.

A question arose in his mind, "Yao Wei, why do you think, despite those plastic toys inside the water separator cabinet becoming brittle long ago, this Bottle remains unaffected?

"Throwing around in there, expanding in heat, contracting in cold, enduring decades of wind and rain, yet it's still good. What's the reason?

"Do you think this drink is also an apocalypse special edition—like the gasoline in the storage tank?"

Yao Wei replied, "Maybe."

She didn't understand much; Lu Xi'an knew more than her. What Lu Xi'an said was probably correct.

Lu Xi'an chuckled, "Even if it is, it's useless now; the beverage inside has gone bad, not even drinkable by us...

"Hmm, do you think it's related to the observation point at Ox Head Mountain? Even the mineral water has lasted until now, so why shouldn't this drink?"

"Hmm."

Yao Wei nodded again, saying, "It's possible."

What Lu Xi'an said was certainly possible.

"Alright, what's the use of discussing this? Let's get to work."

Lu Xi'an said, proceeding with the next steps.

He measured the length and divided the tube into two segments with a Blade.

One segment was longer for connecting to the storage tank; the shorter one stayed with the mineral water Bottle for operation, to draw oil from the storage tank to the oil drum.

He first inserted one tube into the Bottle's opening, took out a lighter, set it ablaze, and carefully melted the Bottle's edge, bonding it tightly to the tube, sealing the opening.

After sealing one end, he didn't rush to do the other; he waited for a while, ensuring the melted part dried and sealed tightly without leaks, then felt somewhat relieved.

"Blade, check the sturdiness?"

He asked Blade to inspect it.

Blade checked and confirmed it was fine, making him completely at ease.

Then he followed the same pattern for the other end, inserting, lighting the lighter, roasting around a circle, waiting afterwards, checking, and letting Blade inspect again.

"Done!"

After finishing everything, Lu Xi'an exhaled deeply, saying, "The oil pump is finished; now it's just about testing its usability."

"Is this... an oil pump?!"

Yao Wei looked at the extremely simple tool in Lu Xi'an's hand, unable to believe it.

She imagined an oil pump would be some sophisticated device, yet the Bottle attached to a tube, with a rough melted connection, looked nothing like a precision instrument.

"It is."

Lu Xi'an chuckled, saying, "But I'm honestly not sure if it will work, being a handmade little creation, my first time doing it. We can only test it."

Yao Wei firmly said, "It will work!"

It seemed she forgot her initial impression of the new product, speaking with more confidence than Lu Xi'an.

Lu Xi'an was affected by her enthusiasm, smiled, and said, "Alright, it will work! Let's go refuel."

"Hmm."

Yao Wei nodded.

At this point, she no longer needed to stand on the car roof. After their rounds in the village, they confirmed there was no one around, making coordination from the ground unnecessary.

Sitting back in the passenger seat, Blade rested by her feet, not transforming back to its Bottle form.

It still had a role to play at the gas station.

Driving back, they stopped at the station, got out, and let Blade inspect first, ensuring everything was fine before Lu Xi'an removed the anti-theft bolt from the valve, opening the tank lid.

The smell of gasoline emerged again.

Lu Xi'an inserted the longer tube into the storage tank, the end submerged in gasoline, while Yao Wei brought the oil drum on Lu Xi'an's command to position and inserted the shorter tube into the drum mouth.

Then, Lu Xi'an squeezed the middle of the drink Bottle.

As the Bottle restored, the tube gained weight, and gasoline flowed into the Bottle.

"It's working!"

Both Lu Xi'an and Yao Wei were delighted; he tilted the Bottle toward the oil drum end, and gasoline poured into the drum.

The flow was slow, but it didn't matter as long as it worked.

They patiently waited, and Yao Wei fetched the metal drum used earlier, ready for when the oil drum filled up, removing the tube and inserting it into the metal drum.

She then filled the car's tank with the drum's contents.

Lu Xi'an is really impressive!

She thought, yet upon returning, noticed Lu Xi'an staring at the tube, looking lost.

"What's wrong?"

Yao Wei asked.

Lu Xi'an scratched his head, saying, "Nothing... I just suddenly thought I might have done something redundant.

"Actually, just inserting the tube and sucking on this end would have sufficed without making this.

"Had I thought of it earlier, maybe just using the gas pump's tube for a vigorous suck could have worked. It might have a taste, and you need a wide-open mouth, but no need to search everywhere for a tube.

"The principle is simply utilizing atmospheric pressure..."

Yao Wei didn't understand what atmospheric pressure was, but her opinion was unwavering: "No way, this is much better than using your mouth. You're amazing, making something like this."

Lu Xi'an glanced at Yao Wei, seeing her calm expression and sincere words, felt warm and comfortable inside.

This woman always speaks too seriously, too earnestly.