“Alright.” Su Tang said decisively, “Then all comrades present, please be witnesses.”

Qian Xuedong stood by, sweating profusely, but powerless to stop it.

Both of them are stubborn, and things have already developed to this point, so there's no going back.

The bet is settled.

Su Tang then turned to Qian Xuedong and made her demands.

"Director Qian, I need three volunteer exploration team members, a full set of mountaineering equipment, and absolute command of this operation."

She paused, then added, "In addition, I need a few special pieces of equipment: a Geiger counter, three military gas masks, and as many oxygen cylinders as possible."

These things are just superficial gestures she puts on for outsiders.

At this moment, Qian Xuedong's trust in Su Tang had reached its peak, and he waved his hand.

"No problem! I'll get the approval slip for you right away! Special cases will be handled specially!"

The bet is set, the equipment is almost ready, and now, all that's missing is the people.

Su Tang's gaze swept over the exploration team members who were watching.

However, Fang Da and his old hands had already shrunk to the back of the crowd, each with their heads drooping, pretending to look at the ants on the ground, afraid of being called out by Su Tang.

They all followed Geng Xiangdong, so naturally they stood on Geng's side unconditionally. They were convinced that this was a gamble they were destined to lose, and anyone who went would be a fool.

The office was deathly silent.

Disappointment and embarrassment also appeared on Lin Fan's face.

Just when the atmosphere had reached its lowest point and everyone thought the recruitment was going to fail.

A hoarse female voice rang out from behind the crowd.

"Comrade Su...I...I'll go with you!"

The crowd looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman in a faded old military uniform, with two braids, her skin roughened by the high-altitude winds, but her eyes exceptionally bright, walking out from the crowd.

It's Chen Xue.

She was the only female member of the exploration team, and she was different from Lin Fan.

Lin Fan was a college graduate who was transferred to the exploration team.

Chen Xue had been working in the exploration team for five years after graduation, making her one of the team's veterans.

Fang Da immediately frowned and shouted, "Chen Xue! What are you doing meddling in this mess, you woman! This is none of your business, go back and organize your documents!"

Because she was a girl, she faced even more exclusion and neglect than Lin Fan in this exploration team that was almost entirely composed of men.

She was made to do all the dirty and tiring work; organizing documents and serving tea and water were her daily tasks.

Chen Xue was practically invisible in the team.

She has solid professional knowledge and wants to go with them every time there is a field exploration, but Geng Xiangdong and Fang Da always make her stay behind because "it is inconvenient for female comrades to go to the field" and "their physical strength cannot keep up".

Over time, all her talent and learning could only be used to organize those old papers.

She'd had enough!

Chen Xue ignored Fang Da and walked straight up to Su Tang, straightened her back, looked Su Tang in the eyes, and repeated:

"Comrade Su Tang, my name is Chen Xue, and I volunteer to join your exploration team!"

She had also secretly studied the data on Xishan and had doubts about the conclusions of that year. She even wrote an application report requesting a re-exploration, but Geng Xiangdong threw it into the trash can without even looking at it and scolded her, "A girl shouldn't be so ambitious."

Today, Su Tang did exactly what she had always wanted to do but never dared to do!

She was afraid. She was afraid that if she stood up, she would be isolated like Lin Fan, or even lose her job.

But she was even more afraid that if she missed this opportunity today, she would really be stuck in a corner for the rest of her life, pouring hot water and organizing files.

So, she mustered the greatest courage of her life and stepped forward.

Su Tang looked at the light in her eyes and smiled, "Welcome, Comrade Chen Xue."

Su Tang's gaze swept across the crowd again.

However, no one responded anymore.

An unknown lesbian, a college student who was ostracized, and a layman whom everyone regarded as a mere armchair strategist.

This is her team.

Amidst the various complex gazes of the crowd, Su Tang remained completely unconcerned.

She turned around and waved decisively at the two young men.

"Get your gear ready. Let's go!"