The wind stopped, and the metal walls outside the base ceased their hum. Chen Hao stood in front of the control panel, still clutching the old circuit board in his hand, about to say something, when Susan spoke first.
"The insulation layer can be laid tomorrow, but the fence cannot be delayed," she said. "The noise at night is getting louder and louder, and if we don't take precautions, something bad will happen sooner or later."
Chen Hao was taken aback. "Didn't we agree to do the insulation first? The exterior wall sealing is already finished. Why are you changing the plan now?"
“I didn’t say we wouldn’t do insulation.” Susan put the tools on the table. “I meant we should do both at the same time. We can build the rain gutters at the same time; I’ve already checked the slope, and the drainage shouldn’t be a problem.”
"Do it together?" Chen Hao frowned. "Can't you tell that we don't have enough materials? Nana calculated it clearly yesterday. If we start at the same time, the construction period will double, and we'll have to stop to replenish materials halfway through."
“Then let’s do it in sections.” Susan’s tone remained unchanged. “We’ll work on the insulation for the first half, and once the east side is finished, we’ll immediately move on to the outer perimeter. I’ll coordinate the work process so it won’t delay your heating.”
“But that’s even less efficient!” Chen Hao raised his voice. “I just want a good night’s sleep, I don’t want to be woken up by the wind in the middle of the night! You keep bringing up the fence, do you think I’m only thinking about my own comfort?”
“That’s not what I meant,” Susan said, looking at him. “But I’ve experienced camp destruction. A rain, a crack, a wild beast crashing in, three days’ worth of supplies gone. You feel cold now because you haven’t encountered anything worse yet.”
"So you're just scared!" Chen Hao blurted out. "Scared of the dark, scared of loud noises, scared of things outside! But we have Nana, we have alarms, we have locks. This isn't a survival show!"
The room fell silent.
Nana stood in the corner, the camera slightly panning to capture the two's confrontation. She didn't interrupt, but instead brought up a projected list of supplies, which floated on the table.
Susan didn't move or say anything. She looked down at the gloves in her hands, slowly took them off, folded them, and placed them next to her tools.
Chen Hao took a breath, realizing he had gone too far. But he remained standing, saying, "Anyway, I think the most important thing for a person is not to freeze to death. Safety is secondary."
“Without safety, there’s no point in living.” Susan finally looked up. “You think I’m just keeping the animals out? The fence is also a psychological defense. When you’re alone for a long time, you’ll understand that visible boundaries are what make you feel safe.”
Chen Hao opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.
He turned and walked out of the controlled area, his steps heavy, through the corridor and into the warehouse. He slammed the door shut, causing the rolls of paper on the shelf to shake.
Susan stood there, lightly touched the table with her fingers, then turned and went back to her room.
Nana stayed where she was, waited three minutes and seventeen seconds, and then activated the video playback function. She projected a video onto the empty wall: last night, the three of them were crouching by the outer wall. Chen Hao was prying open the sealing strip, his hands shaking violently. Susan handed him a new strip and helped him hold one end down. In the video, Chen Hao said something, and Susan smiled, the wind ruffling her hair.
After the video finished playing, Nana said softly, "Collaboration efficiency has increased by 47%. I suggest restoring team consistency."
No one responded.
Inside the warehouse, Chen Hao was roughly rummaging through rolls of insulation cotton, muttering as he threw them away, "Who doesn't know safety is important? But I can't even sleep well, how can I work? What does she know..."
He stopped what he was doing and saw a small piece of filter residue on the ground, left by Susan last night. He picked it up and found that the edges were tied with a thin thread, a practiced touch.
He recalled the image of her squatting in front of the water purifier checking the filter cartridge, pointing out the problem without asking any further questions.
“She does…know quite a lot,” he said in a low voice.
Nana appeared at the door at some point.
“Her survival experience shows that animal incursions have led to the loss of the camp three times,” the robot said. “The most recent one happened seventeen days ago, about eight kilometers from here. As a result, she lost all her supplies and temporary shelter.”
Chen Hao was stunned. "Why didn't you say so sooner?"
“You didn’t ask,” Nana replied.
“How was I supposed to know you remembered so much…” He scratched his head. “I just thought she was worrying unnecessarily.”
“Her decision was based on actual risk,” Nana continued, “while your request stems from your current physical discomfort. Both have their basis.”
Chen Hao remained silent for a moment, then gently placed the roll of material back in its original position.
Am I... being too self-centered?
“The system does not make value judgments,” Nana said. “But data shows that if there is no mediation after a team conflict, the task completion rate drops by 39 percent.”
"Alright then," Chen Hao sighed, "I'll go apologize."
He walked out of the warehouse, carrying a new filter—the best one he'd picked out from his spare bag. He also casually copied down the drainage sketch Susan had drawn the night before, folded it, and stuffed it into his pocket.
When I knocked on the door, a voice inside said, "Come in."
Susan was sitting on the edge of the bed wiping her tools, without even looking up.
Chen Hao went in and placed the filter on the table. "You're right. Details are more important than plans."
Susan stopped what she was doing and glanced at him.
“I’ll handle the insulation,” Chen Hao continued. “We’ll start work on the east side today. But the fencing and water collection system have to be done your way. I don’t know anything about these things, so you’ll have to teach me.”
Susan put down the rag and picked up the sketch. "You looked at it?"
"I looked at it, and marked the parts I didn't understand with question marks." Chen Hao took out the slip of paper. "For example, this angle, why does it have to be thirty degrees? Can't it be flatter?"
Her lips twitched slightly. "If the angle isn't right, water will accumulate and cause blockages during the rainy season. Thirty degrees is the optimal flow rate."
"Oh." Chen Hao nodded. "Then will you teach me how to make a trap alarm tomorrow? The one using scrap circuit boards."
“Okay,” she said, “but you have to keep up with the pace and not just focus on your own progress.”
"I promise," Chen Hao raised his hand, "I'll discuss things in advance from now on and I won't say anything harsh."
Susan stared at him for two seconds, then finally nodded. "Okay."
The two stepped out of the room, where Nana was already waiting at the control panel. The data projection re-unfolded, and a new three-phase plan was being generated.
"Phase 1: Main cabin insulation and sealing reinforcement," Nana announced. "It is expected to take five days, with a material utilization rate of 86%."
"Phase Two: Construction of the outer perimeter fence, and simultaneous installation of a rainwater harvesting system." The screen switches to show the roof drainage design, "Utilizing the existing slope, connecting to a water storage tank to save on pipe usage."
"Phase Three: Integrating Alarm Devices and Backup Power Supply Layout." The last line appeared, "Modular assembly is recommended for easier future maintenance."
Chen Hao leaned closer to look. "Wait, can the alarm system be linked to the fence?"
“Sure.” Susan pointed to a node. “I’ll add sensor wires to the wire mesh and connect them to the modified circuit board. Once there’s a vibration, the signal will be transmitted to the main cabin, the lights will flash, and the horn will sound.”
"Sounds like a security checkpoint in a residential complex." Chen Hao grinned. "That's good, saves me from having to get up in the middle of the night to check for any disturbances."
“That is, someone has to charge it on time.” Susan glanced at him.
"I won't forget this time!" Chen Hao patted his chest. "I'm also planning to make a checklist and put it on the wall. Everyone will check off their work as soon as they finish, and whoever slacks off will have to treat everyone to a meal."
"Where's the food?" Susan asked back.
"...Don't we have compressed biscuits?"
"You want to treat me to that?"
"Uh... I'll plant a batch once I find some beans!"
Nana silently took notes, and the system notification sounded softly: "Team cohesion index has rebounded to ninety-one."
The three of them sat around the control panel, confirming the arrangements for tomorrow one by one.
"The insulation materials arrived at seven o'clock," Chen Hao said. "I got up at six-thirty."
“I’ll drive the foundation stakes for the fence,” Susan said. “They need two people to hold them steady, otherwise they’ll easily tilt.”
"I'll do it, I'll do it." Chen Hao raised his hand. "I'm good at physical labor."
“You were out of breath yesterday after carrying just two rolls of cotton.”
"That was an accident! I'm in good form today!"
Nana checked the weather forecast: "Tomorrow will be sunny with a level 1 wind, suitable for outdoor work. It is recommended to focus on the east wall in the morning and mark the ground in the afternoon."
"Listen to the robot." Susan closed her toolbox. "Finish it early so you can rest early."
“Speaking of rest,” Chen Hao suddenly remembered, “should I have Nana move those insulation boards in your room? They’re taking up space.”
“No need,” Susan said. “It’ll be useful. I’m thinking of building a small shed on the windowsill to try growing some leafy greens.”
"You still want to grow vegetables?"
“As long as there is light, water, and a container, we can try.” She looked out the window, “Even if only one tree survives.”
Chen Hao didn't laugh, but nodded seriously, "Okay, I'll help you find flower pots. There are a few metal boxes in the warehouse, you can use them after cleaning them."
"Where's the soil?" Nana asked.
“Dig out a little bit of the humus layer and mix in some scraps of cloth as a moisture-retaining layer,” Susan said. “You don’t need too much at first.”
"That sounds more reliable than me growing cacti." Chen Hao scratched his head. "My cactus died a long time ago."
"Because you forgot to water it."
"I thought it was drought-resistant! Who knew that even cacti would reject me after I transmigrated."
Nana trembled slightly, as if she were laughing.
Susan couldn't help but smile.
The three continued discussing the details until the lights automatically dimmed, indicating that night mode was activated.
"That's all for today." Chen Hao stretched. "See you at 6:30 tomorrow morning."
"I'll start work at six o'clock," Susan said, packing her bag.
"Do you have to curl it like this?"
"I'm used to it."
"Okay, then I'll go to 6:20."
"Seven o'clock," Nana added. "Based on your sleep data, waking you up early will affect your daytime efficiency."
"Look!" Chen Hao pointed at the robot, "Even the robot is telling me I should sleep a little longer!"
Susan ignored him and opened the door to leave.
Just as her hand touched the door frame, Chen Hao suddenly called out to her.
"Hello."
She turned around.
“Thank you for staying,” he said. “Not everyone can put up with me for this long.”
Susan paused. "I didn't stay just to put up with you."
Why is that?
She glanced at the schedule on the control panel, then at the hand-drawn layout diagram on the wall, its edges already worn rough.
“Because this place… is starting to feel like home.” After she finished speaking, she turned and walked out.
The footsteps faded into the distance.
Chen Hao stood there, touched his nose, and muttered to himself, "That sounds even more painful than me apologizing..."
Nana turned off the projector and whispered as she wrote: "Emotional interaction is developing positively, and team stability is increasing."
Chen Hao yawned and was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something and took a piece of paper out of his pocket.
It was a sketch drawn by Susan, with a few lines of text written on the back:
*Angled at 30 degrees, facing south, with a maintenance access port provided.*
*Day 1: Piling; Day 2: Wire pulling; Day 3: Trigger installation.*
Don't be late.
He smiled, folded the paper, and tucked it into his notebook.
Outside the door, the wind picked up again.
A dried seed drifted down from the windowsill and got stuck on the edge of the filter.
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