Warden Tan didn't say anything. After taking the prisoner back to the prison, he personally filled the pit with sturdy and durable firewood, all of it top-quality red willow wood. Before nightfall, he lit these things to seal the entire pit. Two meters away, there were three slanted holes providing oxygen, and thick smoke billowed out from one of them.
The entire burning process lasted about an hour. When it was opened, Shen Yiran and the others curiously went over to take a look. The pit was glowing red, with specks of red light still visible below, all of which were embers of unburned wood. Just standing at the pit's opening, she could feel a blast of intense heat rising up, making her cheeks feel hot, and getting any closer caused a burning pain.
As Warden Tan placed the cleaned lambs into the pit using a through-type iron frame, he explained, "By roasting them over burning charcoal, the lambs can be roasted both inside and out, achieving a perfect balance. Unlike roasting over a campfire, this method is a secret we've kept for centuries."
Jiang Cheng and the others then understood the true purpose of digging the pit.
The nights in the Gobi Desert of Northwest China are still very cold, sometimes even dropping to around zero degrees Celsius. The researchers, dressed in thin clothing, were already feeling the chill. The wind was rough and fierce; a single layer of clothing plus a jacket couldn't ward off the biting cold. Warden Tan lit the remaining red willow wood and started a bonfire.
In the darkness, only this flickering flame offered some comfort and warmth amidst the boundless night, in the loneliness and desolation.
Although this is not a desert, there are wisps of smoke rising from here, blurring the view.
This place is far from home.
······
One lamb was obviously not enough for forty or fifty researchers, so a lot of food from the canteen was brought over.
When the scorched pit was opened, a fragrant aroma wafted out, filling the surrounding air. Everyone who smelled it couldn't help but salivate, their mouths watering at the smell. The aroma was simply too delicious.
Warden Tan smiled broadly. He hadn't made pit-roasted lamb in several years, but his skills hadn't diminished. As the unique aroma of charcoal roasting filled the air, Shen Yiran's eyes lit up. Her hands and feet, which had been a little cold, became excited, and she stood up and exclaimed, "This looks so delicious!"
Old Tan grabbed a handful of salt from Northwest China and sprinkled it on top, along with simple seasonings like cumin. He then used a very sharp knife to cut the meat into small dishes, placing slices of tender meat on top, radiating steam.
"Don't fight over it, one plate each."
At this moment, the warden didn't seem like a warden; he resembled an old man from a rural family in Northwest China, his wrinkles revealing generosity and kindness.
After the meat was cut up, Shen Yiran couldn't wait to pick up a piece and put it in her mouth. The tender meat juices, wrapped in the crispy skin, burst out, and the aroma of charcoal-grilled meat filled her mouth and nose. She hissed twice, slightly burning her tongue, but her face was beaming with a smile.
"Impatient," Chen Ang remarked, only to be met with a glare from Xiao Shen.
Jiang Cheng also praised Warden Tan's cooking skills. It was the first time he had eaten authentic roasted lamb, and the taste was indeed excellent.
The scene around the campfire was one of joy and harmony, with everyone chatting and laughing, and a cheerful atmosphere permeating the night sky.
Old Tan took out the few remaining canned beers from the prison and shared them with everyone.
In an instant, the researchers' frozen hands and feet warmed up, and the cold wind no longer felt so biting.
This desolate place, near the no-man's-land, is only covered with sparse vegetation; apart from yellow sand and gravel, there is nothing else.
But the scene around the campfire, these people who traveled to the Northwest together, no matter how many years have passed, when they recall this time of struggle for scientific research, they may forget the loneliness and coldness. They will cherish this period, keep a touch of warmth in their hearts, and engrave this beautiful memory in their hearts.
Halfway through the meal, Jiang Cheng looked around and suddenly asked, "Where's Professor Wan?"
Chen Ang then suddenly remembered that he had been assigned to a separate laboratory on the other side of the base, where three researchers were working with Wan Xingyan to develop chips. They had originally planned to call them after the roast lamb was ready, but somehow they had forgotten.
"I'll go call them right away!" Li Li stood up, stuffed a piece of meat into her mouth, and ran towards the nearby research base.
About ten minutes later.
A shout startled the people sitting on the yellow sand. They all turned their heads to look. The shout came from the direction of the base entrance, and the person who shouted was Li Li, who had just arrived.
"Dean Jiang! The chip development is a success! We can implant it into the simulated brain tomorrow! Lao Wan and the others succeeded!"
The next second!
Jiang Cheng suddenly stood up, not even having time to wipe the grit off his bottom, and excitedly walked over!
On this special day, the two-way brain-simulating chip, capable of linking with a computer to issue commands, was successfully completed thanks to the tireless efforts of Wan Xingyan's team!
Disbelief crossed everyone's faces, but joy also welled up within them.
······
In the dead of night, darkness enveloped the entire Northwest.
Thousands of stars twinkled in the sky, but Mizutani Yumi was at the bottom of the completely enclosed circular prison, unable to see the beautiful starry sky outside.
She lay in bed, idly playing mind games. It was the quietest time of day, and no one would disturb her.
Well, in fact, before Jiang Cheng's plan began, she spent most of her remaining life in absolute silence.
At this time of day, when nothing ever disturbs us, a noise suddenly comes from outside the prison. The rumbling of wheels sounds particularly eerie in the cold corridor, as if something has been pushed over.
Shui Ting listened intently and, after a moment of discernment, immediately realized that the extremely familiar sound was actually from the dining car, which was served three times a day.
"Inmate No. 01, this is the food that Dean Jiang brought you." The prison guard's voice rang out from outside the corridor.
She rolled out of bed and curiously approached the narrow window. Would there be extra food in the evening? In fact, the food in the circular prison was nothing special except for maintaining a balanced diet to sustain life. Shui Ting felt that her sense of taste had become dull, and she had little interest in eating it.
However, when Yumi Mizutani saw the food being carried by the food truck robot—a plate of roasted lamb with a vibrant color and an extremely rich meaty aroma—she was stunned.
She carefully picked up a piece with her fingers, examined it for a while, and tentatively put it in her mouth... An indescribable taste bloomed in her mouth, instantly activating her taste buds.
Yumi Mizutani stood there for a long time, a smile unconsciously creeping onto her lips.
Jiangcheng, what a wonderful child...
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