As the stars faded, daylight once again streamed through the clouds, ushering in a new day.
The mountain peaks were shrouded in mist, obscuring the early sun, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere. Chirps of morning birds occasionally broke the silence. Suddenly, the mist began to churn on the verdant forest path as voices, drawing nearer, echoed from the distance.
“Everyone, take a break up ahead. This cement is heavy; don’t strain your shoulders.”
Lin Yuan set down his load, counted the team, and, seeing no one was left behind, sat on his fully laden basket to drink water with relief.
This path was more challenging than the one they had taken to get here; even wheelbarrows couldn’t navigate it, necessitating manual transport.
The mountain fog was thick, and headcount was confirmed at regular intervals. The team responsible for security remained highly vigilant, not daring to slacken their guard.
There were children in the group, and the danger was significant should apex predators like wolves or leopards emerge for a hunt.
Fortunately, no animals disturbed them until the sunlight dispersed the mist. At most, they were observed from a distance before moving on.
The ascent and transportation process was even more arduous. By lunchtime, they had only managed to transport the cement. Considering the significant energy depletion of most team members, Lin Yuan allowed them to rest for two hours before continuing, suggesting a brief nap.
Meanwhile, at the small path entrance outside the gate, Lin Yuan had already fitted and shouldered the radio. Wu Tian had wanted to accompany him, but Lin Yuan stopped her. “Meng Yue, you stay home. I’ll take Zi Qi to deliver it.”
He couldn’t let Wu Tian know about his transaction with Zeng Yilong; otherwise, she would surely argue with him.
Furthermore, he had no intention of abandoning reconnaissance of that area. Even with the state’s backing, he planned to venture into HSAC alone. Carol Anna would not allow a second person to accompany him. As for how he would cooperate with the state afterward, he had already devised a plan.
Wu Tian glanced at Lin Yuan suspiciously, smacked her lips, and said in a sarcastic tone, “Oh, Lin Yuan, what’s the matter? Am I, Wu Tian, past my prime? You’re disgusted with me, aren’t you?”
Danger!
The moment Lin Yuan heard Wu Tian’s words, he knew it was over. He had to go, whether he wanted to or not.
Wiping away imaginary cold sweat from his forehead, he took Wu Tian’s hand and said, “How could that be? My esteemed Miss Wu is so beautiful. We’ll go together. I was just worried that if something went wrong on their end, and it wasn’t Zeng Yilong who showed up.”
“Hmph!” Wu Tian shot him a glare, then donned her gear and, taking Jiang Ziqi’s hand, walked away.
“Let’s go, Zi Qi. We sisters are close; we won’t talk to this blockhead Lin Yuan.”
Jiang Ziqi was left with a wry smile, looking pitifully at Lin Yuan as if to say:
Captain, Sister Wu Tian is jealous. Please do something about it!
Lin Yuan could only return a helpless look, shrugging his shoulders.
*What can I do? I’m henpecked.*
“Alright, Zi Qi, you’re flirting with your Brother Lin Yuan right under my nose. See how I deal with you!”
“Hey, hahahaha, Sister Wu Tian, don’t tickle me!”
The three of them left, playfully bickering, and headed towards Longqi Mountain. The previously agreed-upon meeting point was at the summit of Hushan Mountain, located west of Longqi Town.
North of Longqi Mountain lay the range of Hushan, and north of Hushan was Zeng Yilong’s camp.
Both Lin Yuan and Zeng Yilong had tacitly agreed not to inquire about the specific location of each other’s camps. With the current change in plans, they could only try their luck in that direction.
“Once we enter Hushan, Zi Qi, focus your attention on auditory perception to prevent any surprise attacks. After all, it’s been a few days; we don’t even know if they are still there.”
Jiang Ziqi nodded, naturally positioning herself in the middle, with Lin Yuan leading the way and Wu Tian covering the rear.
However, Wu Tian had been harboring a question she couldn’t quite ask. Now, she couldn’t hold back and wanted to know the answer.
“Lin Yuan, why are we giving a radio to Zeng Yilong and his group? We didn’t give them one before. Why the sudden change of heart?”
Lin Yuan paused his steps and turned back. “It’s simple. When I applied for early rescue for the safe zone, I over-reported the number of people by twenty-seven. Those were reserved for them.”
Most of China’s excellent transport helicopters were still Mi-171s. Advanced indigenous transport helicopters had not been widely publicized, perhaps due to a desire to surprise Taiwan.
These aircraft could carry twenty-six to thirty people. With many children in their group, two Mi-171s accompanied by two Wuzhi-10 attack helicopters could rescue them.
“So, giving them a radio now facilitates communication. The signal range of mountain walkie-talkies isn’t that great, so a radio is better. Having an extra one isn’t much use to us; it can at best serve as spare parts. We just need to maintain the one we have at home properly.”
That reason seemed plausible enough, and Wu Tian couldn’t find any major issues, though she did express some concern. “Are we going to be overly eager and meet with indifference?”
(눈_눈)
Could she say something nicer?
Being overly eager and meeting with indifference was too, well, vulgar, too vulgar!
“It’s fine. If Zeng Yilong is still around, that group won’t have disbanded. It’s impossible that in these past few days, he’s gone to join our many compatriots below for tea and old times’ sake, right?”
It was clearly impossible.
As they only reached the halfway point of Hushan, Jiang Ziqi discovered the situation. With a swipe of her tentacles, she blasted out the individuals who had been concealed on the mountain, observing them from the left and right.
“Cao Xueqin?” As the figure emerged, Lin Yuan blurted out her name.
He also had some impression of the other person; he should have been among the dozen or so people in the military camp that day.
“Captain Lin?!!” Cao Xueqin’s voice carried a hint of surprise.
Lin Yuan and his group were also in combat gear and wearing masks, so they hadn’t recognized her at first. It wasn't until Jiang Ziqi made her move and Lin Yuan spoke that it dawned on them.
Jiang Ziqi also recognized the two people in front of her, retracted her tentacles, and stood behind Lin Yuan in silence.
“Why were you ambushing us in this spot?”
Cao Xueqin brushed off the weeds and leaves clinging to her, revealing a remarkably beautiful and delicate face. The injuries on her face had already healed, leaving no scar.
Even with her face dusty, Lin Yuan felt a desire to complain to the goddess Nuwa, wondering why, when she molded him, she had used mud splatters, but when she molded Cao Xueqin’s face, she had employed techniques of unparalleled craftsmanship.
Wu Tian and Jiang Ziqi felt the same. They were already considered beauties among ten thousand, but in comparison, Cao Xueqin was even more striking.
Upon closer inspection, she truly possessed some of the grace of the character Daiyu from Master Cao Xueqin’s novels.
“Captain Lin, this was Elder Brother Zeng’s mission. We are to guard here for six hours every day, three hours in the morning and three in the afternoon. It’s currently my and Uncle Ye’s shift.”
Despite being amazed by Cao Xueqin’s beauty, Lin Yuan was no ordinary person. His mind, tempered by short videos and various learning materials, was as solid as iron.
He would not be swayed by beauty. Of course, Wu Tian was an exception.
After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Snapping back to attention, he asked, “Where is Elder Brother Zeng?”
“He said he found traces of new survivors and is confirming if it’s the same convoy they encountered previously.”