The ripples in the bucket were still moving.
Chen Hao stared at the ripples, his fingers unconsciously tapping the rim of the bucket. That sway wasn't caused by the wind, nor by him. But he didn't look a second time; he simply stood up and put the empty cup back on the shelf.
"Finally, there's water." He said and walked away, his steps a little unsteady.
Nana stood still, scanning the filter's interface with her optical lens to confirm its stable operation. She didn't say anything, but simply followed.
The next morning, as soon as the sun shone into the northwest corner of the base, Chen Hao was already squatting under the water outlet, gesturing its location. He looked up at the empty pipe above him and grinned: "Next step, install a sprinkler head, then we can stand up and spray water."
He stood up, dusted off his pants, and turned to walk towards the supplies area. As he passed a bamboo pile, he casually pulled up a dried, hollow bamboo section, twirled it in his hand a couple of times, and thought, "If I drill a few holes in this, it'll be a ready-made showerhead."
Nana immediately slid to his side, scanned the bamboo structure, and her eyes flashed a few times: "Bamboo fiber has insufficient shear strength and is prone to cracking under long-term water pressure. Its average lifespan is estimated to be no more than thirty days."
Chen Hao stopped what he was doing. "Who cares how many days it lasts? We can't even take a shower right now, and you're still being picky?"
Nana remained calm, turned around, slid to the metal rack, and pulled out a thin iron plate: "This material can be forged into a porous vortex nozzle, which can be used for more than five years under proper design."
"Five years?" Chen Hao laughed. "By the time you finish building that iron lump, I'll be almost spoiled."
"Short-term convenience should not come at the expense of long-term efficiency."
"You're talking to me about efficiency now? We just filtered the dirty water yesterday, and you want to achieve the sky in one fell swoop today? Let's solve the problem of whether we even have it first, okay?!"
"If each replacement takes longer than the installation cost, it will actually reduce overall efficiency."
"Then what do you suggest? You want me to keep wiping myself with a basin? You know I'm too fat to turn around!"
Nana paused for a second, then said, "I suggest prioritizing a balance between functionality and durability."
"We're not on the same wavelength at all." Chen Hao shoved the bamboo into the ground. "I'll just ask you one question—do you want me to take a hot shower sooner?"
"The goals are the same, but the execution paths are different."
"Fine," Chen Hao rolled his eyes. "Then tell me, do you have a metal nozzle on hand right now? No. Can you conjure one up for me right now? No. So what gives you the right to reject my proposal?"
Nana paused for a moment, and the data stream scrolled in the mirror: "Under the current conditions, bamboo is the only raw material that can be used immediately."
“Yeah,” Chen Hao shrugged. “So I was just seriously proposing a solution, wasn’t I? Why did you reject it as soon as you heard it?”
"Due to the existence of significant structural risks."
"Which road doesn't have risks? I almost got my foot crushed while digging rocks yesterday. You can't just stop drinking water because you're afraid of landslides, can you?"
Nana did not respond.
Chen Hao sighed, sat down on the ground, and hugged the bamboo. "I know you're thinking about the long term. But we have nothing right now, can't we take it one step at a time? Let's make a temporary one first, even if it only lasts a month, at least I can take a good shower. When we find better materials later, you can upgrade it however you want."
He looked up at her. "This is called a partial victory, understand?"
Nana stood still, and the internal system quickly assessed the situation:
- Temporary bamboo sprinkler head manufacturing cycle: within 2 hours
- Difficulty of obtaining materials: Low
- Installation compatibility: High
- Replacement transition costs: controllable
- Morale impact: Significantly increases
A few seconds later, her optical lens flickered slightly: "Accept the phased transition plan. It is recommended to reserve a replacement interface for the metal nozzle in subsequent projects."
"That's more like it." Chen Hao stood up with a smile. "It's a pleasure doing business with you."
The two returned to the construction area, and Chen Hao began to work on the bamboo joints. He took out a small knife from his toolbox, first smoothing both ends, and then using sandpaper to remove the burrs.
"How many holes do we need to drill?" he asked.
Nana pulled up a water flow distribution simulation diagram: "It is recommended to have twelve to sixteen holes, evenly distributed on the oblique surface, with the angle controlled within fifteen degrees to ensure the spray coverage area."
"It sounds like a cooking recipe."
"This is the optimal solution."
Following her directions, Chen Hao used a red-hot iron nail to burn holes in the bamboo wall. After each hole, he blew on the smoking edge.
“Your method is inefficient,” Nana said. “I suggest using a rotary drill bit with a clamp for fixation.”
"Where did we get a drill? A hand drill or an electric drill? Have you forgotten we're in wilderness survival mode right now?"
"A simple hand-cranked drill can be made using wooden sticks and ropes."
"How long will that take? I want to get it done now."
He continued to heat the bamboo with the nails little by little, sending bamboo shavings flying everywhere, some of which stuck to his sweaty forehead.
Seeing that he had drilled eight holes crookedly with uneven spacing, Nana stepped forward and said, "Allow me to help calibrate the remaining holes."
"Don't change everything, I made this myself."
"Only optimize the layout, retain the original form."
She took out a thin thread and a ruler, quickly marked the remaining eight points, and arranged them neatly.
"You're quite particular," Chen Hao muttered, continuing to heat the holes. This time, his movements were much steadyer.
With the last hole completed, he held the bamboo section up to the light and asked, "How about it? Doesn't it look like a proper showerhead?"
Nana scanned the screen and said, "The aperture error is relatively large, which may cause localized water flow concentration. It is recommended to install a pre-filter to prevent clogging."
"Add, add, all you ever do is add things."
"It's to improve practicality."
"Alright, alright, here's the filter." Chen Hao cut a small piece from the old filter fragments and tied it to the entrance of the bamboo joint with wire. "Is that better now?"
"The structural stability still needs to be verified."
"We'll know once we get the water."
They set the semi-finished product aside and began preparing to install the bracket. Chen Hao pulled out two wooden strips, intending to nail them to the wall to make a support.
"The height should be appropriate for the user's standing posture," Nana reminded. "It is recommended to be 190 centimeters off the ground."
"I'm not tall."
"You'll need extra space when you bend over to wash your hair."
How do you know everything?
"The database contains ergonomic parameters."
"Then you should also know that I hate it when others tell me what to do."
"I'm just offering this as a reference."
"The references shouldn't be too verbose."
After setting up the bracket, Chen Hao put the bamboo sprinkler head on it and tested it; it was slightly crooked. He reached out to adjust it, but it wobbled as soon as he touched it.
"Can this thing really withstand water pressure?"
“The current connection method is unreliable,” Nana said. “We recommend using U-shaped clips or metal clamps for reinforcement.”
"Where did the clip come from?"
“It can be folded into shape by hand using sheet metal.”
"You're really pushing me to my limit." Chen Hao pulled out a piece of scrap metal, cut it into strips with pliers, bent it into an arc shape, and then fixed it to the bracket with screws. "Is this okay now?"
"Barely meets safety standards."
Could you please stop using the word "reluctantly"?
"I am stating the facts."
The nozzle was finally installed securely, pointing downwards at an angle, like a bird with a crooked neck.
Chen Hao took two steps back to examine it closely. "Although it's a bit ugly, it has everything you need."
"The appearance does not affect the function."
"You said the same thing yesterday."
"The logic still holds."
"Don't laugh at my bamboo version when it gets a metal one later."
No. Every stage has its significance.
"Oh, you're getting sentimental now?"
"It is merely a statement of objective laws."
Chen Hao smiled and reached out to touch the edge of the showerhead. "As long as it can produce water, I'll be thankful."
He looked down at the oil stains and mud on his arms, and then thought of the days he had spent wiping himself with a damp cloth over the past few months. He couldn't help but shake his head: "If I keep going like this, I won't even recognize myself anymore."
Nana stood to the side, not responding.
Sunlight slanted in, falling on the bamboo joints and casting a faint shadow.
"We'll connect the water pipes tomorrow," Chen Hao said.
"We need to test the seal first."
"I know."
"We also need to consider the drainage slope."
"Could you wait until tomorrow to talk about this?"
"The problem will not disappear just because the discussion is postponed."
"But it will be quiet for a while because I don't listen."
He dusted off his hands, picked up the water bottle next to him, and took a sip.
"At least we've taken a step forward."
Nana looked at him and slightly adjusted the focus of the optical lens.
"The next step is the heating system."
"Don't mention that," Chen Hao waved his hand. "Today we just want to celebrate that we got a showerhead."
"This is just an intermediate node."
"It's a milestone for me."
He pointed to the bamboo joint, "Seeing it hanging there makes me feel like life has returned."
Nana paused for a few seconds, then said, "I understand how you feel."
"real?"
"According to the emotion recognition model, your satisfaction index has reached a recent peak at this moment."
"See, you admitted it yourself."
"Data doesn't lie."
"Then tell me, can we give it a name?"
"The nozzles do not need to be named."
"How about we call it Little Bamboo?"
"Unnecessary."
"It was our first bathing facility."
"It's a consumable."
"You are so heartless."
"I'm just stating the facts."
Chen Hao snorted, walked to the corner and sat down, looking up at the bamboo section with its head tilted to one side.
A breeze blew in from the vent and gently shook the showerhead.
It's still there.
Hanging there.
Waiting for the water to come out.
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