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Ocean Six navigated through the fragments of ice, making Bai Yujing think of the Titanic. Unfortunately, he was not Jack, there was no Rosa on board, and this was an icebreaker research vessel, lacking the peril of colliding with an iceberg and sinking.
Inside the restaurant, everyone gathered to eat and occasionally shared jokes. After three days of seasickness, Li Xiang and Liu Hai had mostly adjusted and returned to normal. Zhu Wei, however, remained somewhat aloof, sitting alone at another table and rarely engaging with Bai Yujing and the others.
As the team leader, Bai Yujing felt it necessary to get to know his expedition members better. He approached Zhu Wei's table with his tray and sat down in front of him. Zhu Wei remained expressionless and silent, not even offering a greeting.
Bai Yujing had to break the ice first, extending his hand: "Hello, Professor Zhu, I am Bai Yujing, the leader of this expedition team. Can we chat for a moment?"
"Sure!" Zhu Wei looked up at Bai Yujing with a brief response that was both curt and commanding, instantly overshadowing Bai Yujing. It felt as if he were facing a high-ranking official, leaving him uncertain if it was just his imagination.
After a moment of pause, Bai Yujing continued: "The upcoming expedition does carry certain risks and challenges, so we all need to work together and get to know each other better. Your role in our mission is very important, Professor Zhu, so perhaps you could engage more with everyone in the coming days..."
Zhu Wei nodded: "I understand."
After that, there was silence. Feeling the need to take initiative again, Bai Yujing suggested: "How about we go over now and sit together with everyone? What do you think?"
Looking at Bai Yujing, Zhu Wei seemed uncertain. For some reason, Bai Yujing felt a bit awkward. "Or..."
"Alright, let's go together!" At that moment, Zhu Wei stood up and walked toward another table. Bai Yujing quickly followed. Indeed, those engaged in scientific research often seemed unusual; all the intellectual elites seemed cut from the same cloth, much like Li Xinyan.
Bai Yujing led Zhu Wei to the large central table: "Let me introduce everyone; this is our expedition team member, Professor Zhu Wei. We will be working together for some time ahead. Please welcome him!"
Everyone applauded. A beautiful woman is always welcomed wherever she goes; even among icebergs, despite Zhu Wei's continued reticence, she managed to integrate into Bai Yujing's group.
Finally, with the arrival of the fifth day, the Ocean Six made its way across the Atlantic Ocean into the Indian Ocean, finally reaching Bai Yujing's first stop in Antarctica. Everyone rushed to the deck to see the distant, faintly visible white continent, and Bai Yujing couldn't help but shout out loud; after so many days, they could finally land.
As the ship gradually approached, Bai Yujing could see a dock. Not far from the dock was a large area of red buildings. Although it was not as large as Great Wall Station, there were many structures, and it was still quite sizable.
This was Zhongshan Station, China's second Antarctic research station, located in the eastern part of Antarctica at geographical coordinates 69°22′24″S, 76°22′24″E.
However, this place was much colder compared to Great Wall Station on the Antarctic Peninsula. With winter approaching, temperatures had dropped to below minus ten degrees Celsius. Bai Yujing and the others all wore bright red down jackets, wrapping themselves up tightly.
As the ship slowly broke through the ice surface, large chunks of ice were continuously crushed and pushed aside. Bai Yujing and the others gradually moved closer to the dock. Finally, Ocean Six docked at the pier, and a ladder was lowered. Bai Yujing and the others descended one by one. Below, several staff members from Zhongshan Station were already waiting for them, either preparing to transport supplies or welcoming Bai Yujing and his team.
The ground was completely covered in ice and snow, and the cold sea wind rushed into Bai Yujing's collar, prompting him to pull up his zipper. Even the breath he exhaled turned into white mist; not to mention his mouth!
"Hello, are you Mr. Bai? I am Nan Yong, the station master of Zhongshan Station. Welcome to Zhongshan Station!" A man who looked to be under forty greeted Bai Yujing. He wore a black knitted hat, sunglasses on his face, and had a walkie-talkie tucked into his chest pocket.
Nan Yong's face appeared unkempt with a scruffy beard that hadn't been trimmed in a while, and his hair was quite long. Bai Yujing immediately shook hands with Nan Yong: "Thank you for personally coming to greet us, Station Master Nan. We truly appreciate it. We will need your support for our work this time!"
Nan Yong replied promptly, "It's my duty. I've arranged your accommodations; however, they may be a bit simple—please bear with us!"
Bai Yujing quickly responded, "Establishing a research station here is already an unimaginable feat. Station Master Nan has been stationed here for years; that is what we should admire. How could we dare to ask for more!"
As Nan Yong led Bai Yujing and his team toward the research base, they noticed many staff members gathered together, hugging each other and cheering, even running circles in the snow. Bai Yujing curiously looked over.
Nan Yong immediately explained to Bai Yujing: "Because winter is about to set in, many people will return home with the research vessel. Many have been stationed here for a year already; it's natural for everyone to feel excited about going back!"
Bai Yujing thought for a moment, "Station Master Nan, your dedication to the country by staying here is truly admirable. If it were me, I probably wouldn't be able to hold on!"
After crossing a concrete platform with a stone on top, which had the words "Zhongshan Station" written on it, they entered the research base. Bai Yujing also noticed a row of oil tanks not far from the side; the tanks were quite interesting, with their tops designed in the style of Chinese opera masks, showcasing a distinctive Chinese flair.
They entered a small two-story red building. Nan Yong introduced to Bai Yujing, "There are twenty-six permanent staff members at Zhongshan Station, but this time eight people and some other research personnel will be leaving, so only a little over ten will remain. I must say, you arrived at a bad time; winter is about to set in. Antarctica is extremely cold at this time, with severe weather and frequent blizzards. Most of the people at the Research Station have to leave!"
Bai Yujing replied, "We are here on a mission, so we have no choice!"
Nan Yong's expression immediately became serious: "I understand! Alright, this is where you will temporarily stay. You can choose any room; there are still enough rooms available at this time!"
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