Chapter 269
The airplane's engine noise gradually faded. The moment the cabin door opened, a scorching, sandy wind rushed against their faces.
Si Lin couldn't help but curse, swearing, Is this a fucking sauna or an airport?
Tang Mi complained, My makeup is ruined, I need to touch it up. Where is my suitcase? Why didn't the old men pack suitcases for us?
Zhou Shiyu had already raised her phone and started adjusting the filters. Hey family, I'm starting my livestream. Look where I am... wait, why is the internet so bad? The screen is so laggy, how am I supposed to stream?
Hai Chang'an stood dumbfounded on the boarding stairs. In his twenty-three years of life, he had never seen such a sight; as far as the eye could see, there were only rolling heat waves and grayish-yellow sand dunes.
Rong Yu's cold voice sounded: Let's go. We are transferring to a bus next.
Hai Chang'an widened his clear, foolish eyes. What is a bus?
When that vintage 1990s coach appeared before them, the six faded characters for Fourth Aerospace Base on its mottled body made the four of them grimace in absolute shock.
Before anyone could protest, Rong Yu spoke in an indifferent tone, You only have two choices right now. First, follow me to the base for a one-month support program. Second, turn around, get on the plane, and go home—in which case, you will be publicly expelled from your family registers.
She turned around and boarded the bus directly.
Dr. Wang Xiaoli gave them a sympathetic look and followed her onto the bus.
Si Lin gave himself a mental pep talk and chuckled, Look on the bright side, this is a rare chance to spend a month with Rong Yu. What if I actually manage to win her over, right?
He quickly dashed onto the bus.
Stupid hopeless romantic, you are a lost cause! Tang Mi cursed as she also got on. She had no choice; her grandfather was too ruthless. In her generation, Tang Jiaquan had been personally sent to prison by their grandfather, and Tang Tang had been exiled abroad. If she didn't behave, she would definitely be kicked out of the family.
A person had to read the room to survive.
Hai Chang'an was Tang Mi's fiancé. Although they had a weak emotional foundation, they were still considered a small group. He sighed and boarded as well.
Hey, you guys, what the fuck... whatever, I will risk my life to accompany you! As soon as Zhou Shiyu got on the bus, she covered her nose. Was this vehicle used to transport livestock?
The bus's leather seats had long cracked, exposing the yellowed foam inside, and every crevice hid years of accumulated sand and gravel.
Wang Xiaoli reminded them, Please fasten your seatbelts.
However, the four of them looked disgusted and turned a deaf ear. The vehicle soon started up.
When the wheels rolled over the first sand pit, the bus swayed violently like a ship in a storm.
Zhou Shiyu's forehead slammed against the back of the seat in front of her with a thud.
Si Lin tried to take the opportunity to lean closer to Rong Yu, but a sharp turn threw him into the aisle.
Hai Chang'an's face turned green. He grabbed Tang Mi's handbag next to him, opened it, and threw up into it...
You idiot, you... Tang Mi got halfway through her sentence when her stomach churned. She snatched the handbag back and threw up along with him...
Two hours later, the bus finally stopped. The four of them practically tumbled out of the vehicle, collapsing by the roadside and dry-heaving.
We should... be here, right? Hai Chang'an was completely drained of energy.
Rong Yu pointed into the distance. Change vehicles. We are entering the base.
Following the direction of her finger, four military off-road vehicles were waiting for them. The bodies of the cars were covered in dirt and sand, and the tires were thicker than their waists.
Is there no end to this! Si Lin's face was pale. I want a private car, do you hear me? I want a private car!
Rong Yu finally looked up and smiled faintly. There are no private cars. Of course, you can choose to walk yourself. See that? Walk in this direction for about four hours, and you will arrive.
Wang Xiaoli said, Just a reminder, you must reach the base before nightfall, because wolves roam some areas at night.
Si Lin's anger, which had just rushed to his head, was instantly extinguished.
Like a frostbitten eggplant, he reluctantly climbed into the off-road vehicle.
The off-road vehicle bounced wildly among the sand dunes, and the next forty minutes became the longest time of their lives.
Hai Chang'an's temple smashed against the car window three times.
Tang Mi's expensive silk scarf fluttered away into the depths of the desert like a white flag of surrender.
When Zhou Shiyu felt like her ribs were almost snapped by the seatbelt, she finally broke down crying, Waaah, I want to go home!
Rong Yu wasn't feeling great either.
In her past life, she had ridden in all sorts of vehicles in poor condition, but never an off-roader. The violent jolting made her face look terrible as well.
But she could handle it.
We are here.
Wang Xiaoli's voice sounded like heavenly music.
The four collapsed limply onto the sand like four dehydrated fish. In their blurred vision, a massive rocket launch pad pierced the sky, its silver-white metallic shell leaving them in awe.
Welcome everyone to the Fourth Rocket Launch Base!
A few staff members stood there, holding a simple welcome ceremony.
Hello, I am the project engineering consultant sent by the Fourth Aerospace Institute. Just call me Engineer Rong. Rong Yu stepped forward and shook hands with the leader. This person beside me is Dr. Wang from the Fourth Aerospace Institute, my assistant, and these four here...
She gestured over with her hand.
Those four immediately stood up straight.
Although they were very dissatisfied with the current situation, their upbringing told them that they must maintain their composure in front of others, even though they currently had no composure to speak of.
These four are the temporary logistics team mentioned before, Rong Yu said. Please make arrangements for them here.
The person in charge nodded, asked someone next to him to take care of the four people, and turned to smile at Rong Yu. The Chief Engineer is in the office. Engineer Rong, Dr. Wang, please come this way with me.
The two followed him toward the other side.
Si Lin couldn't help but shout, Hey, Rong Yu, are you just going to leave us alone like this? Rong Yu...
Quiet. Logistics team leader Lao Ma picked up the roster. Si Lin, Tang Mi, Hai Chang'an, Zhou Shiyu, that is the four of you, right? Come here first to collect your standard base equipment.
Equipment? Si Lin's eyes lit up. Could it be high-tech communicators? Sand-proof goggles?
The four quickly opened the boxes, only to see two sets of orange overalls, a hard hat, a pair of shoes, and a work badge for each person.
Lao Ma said sternly, You belong to the logistics team. You are temporary workers, to be moved wherever you are needed. These are your passes for moving around the base from now on.
Tang Mi stared blankly. The fabric of this work uniform is way too rough!
Zhou Shiyu was horrified. Are these clothes meant for human beings to wear?
Hai Chang'an spoke with difficulty, Why are we temporary workers? Temporary workers have no human rights.
Si Lin put up a final struggle. Um, look, the four of us have good images—handsome guys and beautiful girls. Can we change to a different position? For example, base image ambassadors?
Lao Ma: ...
Did this kid even hear what he was saying? With their sickly complexions, messy bird's-nest hair, sluggish expressions, and scrawny frames, they called this a good image?
There are no arrangements for today, Lao Ma said. Let's go. First, we will head to the cafeteria to eat, and then you can go to the dormitories to get a good night's rest.
The four dragged their exhausted bodies into the cafeteria.
"We're... just eating this?" Hai Chang'an stared at the potato and camel meat stew, steamed buns, and pickled vegetables on his tray, his eyes wide with shock.
Tang Mi was starving. She took a bite of the meat and was instantly dumbfounded. "Is this meat a fossil? I can't even chew it, how am I supposed to swallow?"
Zhou Shiyu looked on the verge of tears. "Isn't there any light salad? All these carbs will make me gain three pounds, and my fans won't love me anymore."
Finally, Tang Mi snapped. "I'm not eating! This isn't fit for human consumption!"
Si Lin slammed his chopsticks down too. "I'm going on a hunger strike to protest!"
Lao Ma simply took their meals away, smiling cheerfully. "Just a reminder, there are no late-night snacks. The next meal is at six tomorrow morning."
The four of them: "..."