After finishing their meal, Lin Yun, Fan Xian, and Li Shun headed back to the dormitory to freshen up. The morning sun was now high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the campus as students hurried to their classes or lounged on the grassy lawns.
The trio moved at a leisurely pace, their conversation light and filled with laughter. Fan Xian, ever the joker, kept cracking jokes, while Li Shun listened quietly, occasionally chiming in with a shy comment. Lin Yun, walking between them, felt a sense of camaraderie that he hadn't experienced in a long time.
Once they reached the dorm, they took turns showering and changing into fresh clothes. Lin Yun opted for a simple outfit—a white t-shirt and jeans—while Fan Xian, true to his flamboyant style, chose a fitted shirt and sneakers that looked like they cost a small fortune. Li Shun, ever practical, wore a plain button-up shirt and slacks, though he looked a bit nervous, as if he were preparing for something important.
"Alright," Lin Yun said, grabbing his keys and slinging a backpack over his shoulder. "Let's head to the lab."
The lab was located in a nondescript building on the edge of campus, a place that most students rarely ventured into. As they approached the building, Fan Xian and Li Shun exchanged curious glances, clearly intrigued by what they were about to see.
Lin Yun swiped his keycard at the entrance, and the door clicked open. Inside, the lab was a stark contrast to the bustling campus outside. It was quiet, almost serene, with the faint hum of machinery in the background. The space was filled with workbenches, shelves of tools, and several large machines that looked both futuristic and intimidating.
"Welcome to my lab," Lin Yun said, gesturing for them to follow him inside.
Fan Xian whistled low under his breath as he took in the sight. "This is your lab? It looks like something out of a sci-fi movie."
Li Shun, on the other hand, looked around with wide-eyed wonder, his hands clasped tightly in front of him as if he were afraid to touch anything. "It's… amazing," he said softly.
Lin Yun led them deeper into the lab, stopping in front of a row of unfinished CNC machines. These machines, with their sleek metal frames and intricate components, were the heart of his latest project. They were designed to manufacture precision parts for his bioplastic production line, but they were still a work in progress.
"These are CNC machines," Lin Yun explained, running a hand along the edge of one of the machines. "CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. Basically, they're machines that can cut, shape, and assemble materials with incredible precision, all based on digital designs."
Fan Xian leaned in closer, his eyes scanning the machine with interest. "So, you can just tell it what to do, and it does it?"
"Exactly," Lin Yun said, nodding. "You create a design on a computer, and the machine follows those instructions to the letter. It's like having a robotic craftsman that never gets tired or makes mistakes."
Li Shun, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "But… how do you make the machine understand the design? Isn't it complicated?"
Lin Yun smiled, appreciating Li Shun's curiosity. "It can be, but it's all about the software. You use a program to create a 3D model of the part you want to make, and then you convert that model into a set of instructions—called G-code—that the machine can understand. Once you load the G-code into the machine, it knows exactly what to do."
Fan Xian crossed his arms, looking impressed. "That's pretty cool. But why are these machines unfinished? Don't they come ready to use?"
Lin Yun shook his head. "Not these ones. I'm building them from scratch, customizing them for specific tasks. Off-the-shelf machines are good, but they're not always optimized for what I need. By building my own, I can make sure they're perfectly suited for my projects."
Li Shun's eyes widened. "You're building these machines yourself? That's… incredible."
Lin Yun chuckled, feeling a bit embarrassed by the praise. "It's not as impressive as it sounds. I've had a lot of practice, and I've got a good team helping me. But yeah, it's a lot of work."
Fan Xian walked over to one of the machines, examining its components with a critical eye. "So, what's the end goal here? What are you planning to do with these machines?"
Lin Yun's expression grew serious as he considered the question. "The goal is to create a fully automated production line for any of my projects in the future. Right now, a lot of the manufacturing process is done manually, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. With these machines, I can streamline the process, reduce costs, and improve the quality of the final product."
Li Shun's eyes lit up with understanding. "So, it's like… you're building the future?"
Lin Yun smiled. "In a way, yes. I'm trying to create something that can make a real difference—not just for me, but for the environment and for people who need affordable, sustainable materials."
Fan Xian let out a low whistle. "That's a big goal. But if anyone can pull it off, it's you, Brother Lin."
Lin Yun felt a surge of gratitude for his friends' support. "Thanks, both of you. It's not going to be easy, but I'm determined to see it through."
As they continued to explore the lab, Lin Yun showed them some of the other projects he was working on—a prototype for a new type of solar panel, a compact water filtration system, and even a small-scale wind turbine. Each project was more impressive than the last, and Fan Xian and Li Shun listened with rapt attention as Lin Yun explained the science behind them.
"This is amazing," Li Shun said, his voice filled with awe. "I've never seen anything like this before."
Fan Xian nodded in agreement. "Yeah, this is next-level stuff. I can see why you're so focused on your work. Who has time for a girlfriend when you're building the future?"
Lin Yun laughed, shaking his head. "It's not just about the work. It's about making a difference. I want to create something that can help people, something that can change the world."
He looked at the new lathe and said. "Let me show you."