As Chen Hao folded the report and stuffed it into his pocket, his fingers brushed against the chipped edge of the lunchbox lid inside. He took it out and looked at it; the edge was curled up like a dried fish, indicating it had been bumped again while getting lunch yesterday.

“If we keep using this thing, the box will fall apart before we even finish our meal.” He threw the lid on the table. The sound wasn’t loud, but since no one was talking in the workshop, it sounded quite loud.

Susan looked up at him and asked, "Are you planning to change to someone else?"

“It’s not about changing to something else,” Chen Hao said, straightening up against the workbench. “It’s about us changing our way of life.”

Carl, who was squatting on the ground collecting data cables, stopped upon hearing this: "What do you mean? Aren't we living rough enough already?"

“It’s rough, but it can be better.” Chen Hao took out the report from his pocket and slammed it on the table. “The fact that ‘Sickle Walker’ can run shows that we can do more than just farming. But look at the things we use every day—the pots are patched up, the chairs have three legs, and it’s hard to even find a complete bowl. We’re constantly repairing things, which is not only a waste of time but also makes us feel bad.”

Nana stood in front of the control panel, the optical lens slightly rotating, as if analyzing the data weight of the sentence.

Susan nodded slowly: "Indeed, last week I was writing in my journal and the nib broke three times. That cheap alloy just can't withstand long periods of writing."

“Right?” Chen Hao pointed at her. “We have to replace a pen several times, so what about the rest? Bed board, table corner, tool rack… which one doesn’t need to be repaired every time it breaks? All the time we save is spent dealing with these junk.”

Carl stood up and dusted off his pants: "But where can we find good materials readily available outside? This isn't a shopping mall where you can just wander around."

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be readily available.” Chen Hao looked at Nana. “Do you have any records in your database of ores suitable for making household utensils? The kind that’s hard enough, corrosion-resistant, and easy to process?”

Nana immediately brought up the interface and projected a simplified geological map of the planet: "According to known exploration data, there are three types of highly stable minerals in this star system: one is rich in silicon-aluminum complex, which is suitable for heat-resistant utensils; one contains titanium-manganese alloy, which is highly impact-resistant and can be used for structural components; the third is natural aggregate rock, which has a smooth surface, is easy to polish, and is suitable for making everyday items."

After she finished speaking, three red dots lit up on the map.

“These three areas were once marked as low-priority resource zones and have not been developed in depth.”

Chen Hao leaned closer to look: "Which one is closest to us?"

"The eastern hilly area, about 17 kilometers away in a straight line, has relatively small topographic relief and no record of extreme weather."

"Sounds alright." Chen Hao stroked his chin. "If we could find this kind of stone, we could make a new pot, a new table, a new chair, and even rebuild the dormitory walls."

Susan smiled and said, "I'd like to make a new pen first."

Carl scratched his head: "I just want to sleep in a bed that doesn't hurt my back."

"Then it's settled." Chen Hao slammed his hand on the table. "Let's launch the 'Special Materials Exploration Project.' The goal isn't to build weapons or upgrade machines, it's just to make our meals more enjoyable and our sleep more sound."

Susan opened her notebook: "We need to plan the route, prepare the equipment, and assign tasks."

"Don't rush off," Karl said, raising his hand. "What if we encounter landslides or wild animals along the way? Is it worth it for a lunchbox?"

"You think it's about the lunchbox?" Chen Hao looked at him. "It's about not having to worry about lunchboxes anymore. You may not think it's important now, but one day when you're lying on a hard bed, eating food from a bowl with crumbs, and having to fix a leaky roof, you'll understand—quality of life is not a trivial matter; it determines how far you can go."

The room was silent for a few seconds.

Then Susan said, "I support it. The manpower wasted on maintaining low-quality items could be put into more valuable work. Nana calculated before that reducing the repair frequency by more than 70% is equivalent to gaining 90 extra hours of working time per month."

Karl blinked: "So, if we fix fewer things, we can rest more?"

"Or do more work," Chen Hao laughed. "It depends on which kind of freedom you want."

Nana added, "If highly durable materials are used to make the basic living units, the expected lifespan can be increased by more than five times, and there is no need for regular coating protection or structural reinforcement."

"Five times?" Karl's eyes lit up. "That means one treatment lasts for five years?"

"That's theoretically true."

“Then I take back what I just said.” Carl stood up. “This is more important than building the ‘Scythe Walker’.”

Susan said softly, "Actually, I've always wanted to replace the kitchen countertop. The current wooden planks absorb water and get moldy, and there's always a musty smell when I'm chopping vegetables."

“The bathroom floor tiles need to be replaced too.” Chen Hao remembered something. “I almost slipped and fell last time I took a shower. If I hadn’t grabbed the wall, I would have been seriously injured at work.”

“I can design modular bathroom systems,” Nana said. “Utilizing the waterproof properties of natural aggregate rock, they can be molded in one piece, reducing the risk of bacteria growing in the seams.”

“It sounds like a dream,” Susan smiled. “But now it seems like it could come true.”

Chen Hao walked to the map and traced the red dot over the eastern hills with his finger: "Let's start from here. The terrain isn't too complicated, the distance is moderate, and the risks are manageable. We don't need to mine; we just need to find exposed rock layers, collect samples, and bring them back."

“I’ve been to the outskirts of that area.” Susan flipped through her old journal. “I walked along a stretch of it last year when I was surveying the wind direction. I remember there were gray stones on the hillside, the surface of which looked like it had been polished.”

“It’s highly likely that it’s natural aggregate rock,” Nana confirmed. “I recommend prioritizing the collection of samples from this area.”

"What about equipment?" Karl asked. "You can't just dig stones with your bare hands, can you?"

“The workshop also has two alloy pickaxes, and the batteries are still working.” Susan flipped through the list. “Three sets of backup power supplies, fifty meters of rope, a folding stretcher, and a complete medical kit. In addition, we salvaged a few sensors from the drone wreckage we recovered last time, which can be modified into portable detectors.”

“I’ll do it,” Carl volunteered. “It’s more interesting than tightening screws anyway.”

Nana has already started loading the program: "I will update the navigation module and add a mineral identification algorithm. During fieldwork, the rock strata composition can be fed back in real time."

"You're going?" Chen Hao raised an eyebrow.

“I am the most suitable reconnaissance unit,” she said. “I am stable in movement, consume little energy, and can operate continuously in complex terrain.”

“Then you have to go.” Chen Hao nodded. “Susan is in charge of supplies and records, Carl is in charge of transportation and security, and I will lead the team.”

"The division of labor is clear." Susan closed her notebook. "Sharing tomorrow?"

"No rush." ​​Chen Hao glanced out the window. "Let's get everything organized first. Rushing things will only make mistakes."

Carl stretched and said, "I'm going to take a nap now, and dream about moving my new bed in advance."

"You just woke up, didn't you?" Susan smiled.

“He’s still not mentally awake.” Karl muttered as he walked toward the door, then turned back. “If you really find some good materials, could you make me a new rice bowl first? This one’s leaking so badly it’s practically a sieve.”

“That’s a lower priority,” Chen Hao said. “We’ll address public facilities first.”

“Hmph, the face of capitalists.” Karl shook his head. “After exploiting labor, they won’t even let us have a proper hot meal.”

"If you don't want to carry the ore, I can find someone else."

"Fine, I'll just shut up and go pack my things." Carl turned and left.

Susan began checking the medical kit, taking out expired medications and replacing them with new bandages and anti-inflammatory ointment. She moved slowly; her wrist was still throbbing, but she didn't mention it.

Nana synced the route map to her portable terminal. The screen flashed a few times, displaying "Upload complete." She put the device into the side pocket of her backpack, and turned the optical lens toward Chen Hao: "Powered up, system ready."

Chen Hao stood in the center of the workshop, looking around. The assembly area, now empty after the departure of the "Sickle Walker," still bore traces of welding welds and oil stains. Soon, this place would be bustling again.

This time, however, it wasn't for the wheat in the field, but for the bowls on the table, the mattress on the bed, and the paint on the wall that wouldn't peel.

He walked over, saved the final version of the route map to the data panel, and put it into his backpack.

As darkness fell outside the window, the wind swept through the base's corridor, stirring a poorly pressed blueprint.

Susan checked the last item on the list and read it aloud: "Two dust covers, three spare pickaxes, water purification tablets... all done."

Nana stood in front of the terminal, continuously running the detection program, the camera lens flashing slightly.

Chen Hao gazed at the distant fields, where neat stubble and empty land awaited the next planting season.

But he's not thinking about what to plant right now.

What kind of bowl will we use to eat from now on?

Carl leaned against the wall, yawning, clutching a roll of rope in his hands, muttering, "Go back soon... go back soon..."

Chen Hao turned around and picked up the coat hanging on the rack.

"Is everything ready?"

Susan nodded.

Nana said, "We can leave anytime."

Carl stuffed the rope into his bag: "Just don't make me move stones with my bare hands."

Chen Hao opened the door, and the night breeze blew in.

He didn't step out.

Instead, they stood and waited for everyone to finish cleaning up.

The light shone on the four people, casting their shadows on the wall, where they merged into one.