Chen Hao threw his backpack on the ground with a thud. He plopped down in the chair in front of the control panel, sinking into the backrest like a piece of softened asphalt.

"I hereby declare that from this day forward, I am no longer a piece of trash."

Nana was connecting her portable device; the data cable made a soft beeping sound as it went into the port. Without looking up, she said, "You said you wanted to celebrate yesterday, but you fell asleep."

“That’s called strategic respite,” Chen Hao waved his hand. “Besides, I’m perfectly clear-headed right now. We’ve made a fortune, so we need to settle this matter quickly.”

Susan opened her notebook, her pen pausing on the paper. "Don't think about counting money yet. It's good that those plants are edible, but what if planting too many drains the soil? What if the ground hardens in a few years and nothing grows at all?"

Carl stood beside the projection screen, tracing the terrain map with his finger. "There's also the transportation problem. Hope Valley is a five-hour walk from the base, and there are landslide areas along the way, so the remote-controlled vehicles might not be able to get through. We don't have any readily available transportation capacity right now."

"Isn't that what machines are for?" Chen Hao pointed at Nana. "Have her figure out a safe route, and make a new car. The exterior doesn't need to look nice, as long as it can run."

Nana brought up the 3D model, and the valley structure slowly rotated. "I've simulated seven paths. The optimal solution requires going around the southern ridge to avoid the loose layer, but that will increase the distance a bit."

“Then let’s do it your way.” Carl nodded. “I’ll be in charge of modifying the transport unit, adding shock-absorbing brackets and a backup power supply. We’ll start dismantling the old equipment tomorrow.”

"Wait a minute." Chen Hao raised his hand. "I get nervous as soon as you mention taking it apart. Last time you took apart the air conditioner, the whole room was cold for three days."

"That time was for testing the temperature control system."

"But I'm wearing shorts."

Susan chuckled and closed her notebook. "One of you wants to get started right away, while the other wants to throw a party first. Can't you get things sorted out first?"

Nana switched the screen to the task list. "I suggest initiating a three-phase plan. Phase 1: Exploration and confirmation. This includes terrain resurveying, risk point marking, and standardization of sampling procedures. It is expected to take seven days."

“I’ll do this part,” Carl said. “I’ll take the detector in for a second scan and test the shielding’s performance under strong mineral veins.”

"Phase Two: Construction Preparation," Nana continued. "Establishing temporary access roads, deploying power nodes, and setting up material transfer stations. This requires engineering support and energy allocation."

“I’m in charge of scheduling,” Chen Hao straightened his back. “There are two sets of solar panels in the warehouse, and we can also take some wheels off and use them. But…” he scratched his head, “I need someone to keep an eye on things, otherwise it’ll be easy to delay.”

“Then let me keep an eye on it,” Susan said. “And process the plant samples while I’m at it. I want to try planting a batch to see if they can survive in an artificial environment. If they do, we won’t have to worry about food anymore.”

Nana looked at the last item. "Phase Three: Stable Operation. Establish a cyclical mechanism, control the amount of extraction, and prevent resource depletion."

“It sounds like writing a report,” Chen Hao sighed. “But I agree. We can’t just dig this hole and then leave it at that.”

"What about the celebration you mentioned earlier?" Susan raised an eyebrow.

“Can’t we celebrate while we work?” Chen Hao grinned. “We’ll have dinner out tonight. We’ll set up a pot, boil some wild vegetables and bake some flatbread, and have some homemade soda—I’ve hidden half a bottle of saccharin.”

"Has the saccharin been sitting for two years?" Carl frowned.

"It's even more mellow and fragrant." Chen Hao patted his chest. "That's called aged flavor."

Nana closed the interface and turned to the three people. "The division of labor has been entered into the system. Start now?"

"Wait a minute." Chen Hao took a stone out of his backpack and placed it on the table. It was crooked in shape, slightly thicker at one end, and really did look a bit like a chicken leg.

"This is the first piece of ore I've ever picked up," he said. "Not because it's valuable. It's the first time I've felt that all the journey I've taken wasn't in vain."

Susan looked at the stone and said softly, "You almost fell into the crack that day."

“But I didn’t fall,” Chen Hao laughed. “I even managed to pull a vine back with me. You see, even luck is changing.”

Carl paused for a few seconds before speaking: "I used to think that the more people there were, the more trouble it would be. But now... maybe having more helpers isn't so bad."

"Are you praising us?" Chen Hao stared wide-eyed.

"I mean, the workload is too great, one person can't finish it."

"Same as above." Chen Hao waved his hand. "Take it."

Nana stood up and walked to the window. Night had fallen, the sky was clear, and stars were lighting up one after another.

"According to meteorological data, there will be no extreme weather in the next seven days. It is suitable for outdoor work."

"Then it's settled." Susan closed her notebook. "Let's get together tonight, and start work at six tomorrow morning."

"Six o'clock?" Chen Hao cried out. "Can't it be eight o'clock? I promise I won't be late!"

"Seven o'clock," Karl interrupted. "One minute late, and I'll deduct a grain of rice from your rations."

"Robbery!" Chen Hao cried, covering his head. "You're all ganging up on Fatty!"

“You promised yourself that you would monitor yourself,” Nana said calmly.

"I was out of my mind!"

Is it cold now?

"It's almost frozen."

Laughter filled the room. The bright lights shone on everyone's faces.

They left the control room and walked along the newly built metal corridor to the observatory. The wind was light, a little dry on their faces, but refreshing.

Susan set up a small table and placed four cups on it. Chen Hao took out the bottle of saccharin, poured a little into hot water, stirred it, and distributed it to everyone.

“Hope Valley,” he said.

"To the roof that hasn't collapsed yet," Susan raised her glass.

“A usable battery.” Carl touched it.

Nana picked up her glass and gently touched Chen Hao's wrist. "A toast to the path we've walked together."

They took a sip. The saccharin was so concentrated it was almost bittersweet, but no one spat it out.

Chen Hao placed the chicken leg ore on the edge of the platform, facing the starry sky.

“If anyone gets tired in the future, they can come here and look at it,” he said. “Then they can think about where they came from.”

Susan leaned against the railing, gazing at the distant horizon. "I used to be afraid of getting lost. Now I realize that as long as you have someone to walk with, you can get there no matter which way you take."

Karl, unusually, didn't argue. He looked down at his hands, hands calloused from years of holding tools, now slightly open, as if finally willing to receive something.

Nana said softly, "I will continue to calculate the risks and benefits of each step I take on the road ahead."

Chen Hao turned to look at her, "But you also know that there are some things you should do even if you don't realize it, right?"

She didn't answer, but simply placed the cup next to him, moving closer.

The night grew deeper. The indicator lights on the signal tower flashed, their red light sweeping across their faces before dimming again.

No one mentioned the specific arrangements for tomorrow, nor did anyone speak of the potential difficulties. They simply stood there, shoulder to shoulder, looking at the same sky.

The wind blew by, carrying the sound of sand rubbing against metal.

Chen Hao suddenly reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper.

“I almost forgot.” He unfolded the paper, on which was drawn a crooked route map. “This is a rough sketch of the transport route that I secretly drew last night. I marked three potholes, two slopes, and a place where I think a bridge could be built.”

Susan took it and glanced at it. "Where's the bridge?"

"The bridge hasn't been drawn yet," Chen Hao chuckled. "I want to wait until everyone has seen it before we finish drawing it together."

Carl took the pen and drew a horizontal line at the break. "Use a double-beam structure here, with supporting columns underneath. There's enough material."

Nana added, "It is recommended that the tilt angle not exceed 15 degrees to avoid slippage under load."

"Then it's settled." Susan wrote a note next to it, "How about 'The Fatty's Penis Passage'?"

"That's too tacky!" Chen Hao protested. "Let's call it 'The Path of Glory'!"

“How about calling it ‘Don’t Collapse’?” Carl said expressionlessly.

“This name is auspicious.” Chen Hao actually nodded. “That’s the one.”

They stood in a circle around the tattered piece of paper, adding details one after another. The light shone from behind, casting shadows on the ground that merged into one.

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Hao yawned.

"We'll start work at seven tomorrow," Carl reminded them.

"I know, I know." Chen Hao rubbed his eyes. "I'm going back to sleep now. I'm dreaming about moving stones."

Susan tucked the papers into her notebook. "I'll go prepare the seed box."

Carl turned and walked toward the passageway. "I'm going to check the motor."

Nana stayed where she was, looking up at the stars for a while. Then she turned around and found Chen Hao still standing there.

"Aren't you leaving?"

“I want to take one more look,” he said. “This sky hasn’t changed in the last few years.”

Nana took a step closer. "But the people below it have changed."

Chen Hao smiled but didn't say anything. He took one last look at the starry sky and followed her back.

Their footsteps echoed down the metal corridor.

In the distance, a street lamp outside the base suddenly flickered and then lit up again.