0094 Epilogue (Part 3)
In the latter half of the night, although the wind and snow subsided, the outside temperature was lower than during the day, and their heating system stopped working.
The low temperature slowly seeped in through the cracks, and the cold air filled the car, gradually drawing away the warmth from the four people. They huddled together, but they still couldn't stop their bodily functions from rapidly declining.
At first, my body was shivering from the cold, but then I gradually felt warm and started to feel drowsy.
Daniel, rubbing his sleepy eyelids, asked, "Am I hallucinating? Why did I dream that a plane came to pick me up?"
Hans scoffed, "Stop dreaming. In this weather, even airplanes can't get in. Why don't you dream of God coming to pick us up?"
Daniel chuckled twice. "Nichols, I've dated a lot of women, but none of them lasted more than six months. I can't stand long-term intimate relationships..."
Daniel kept rambling on, and Song Ning forced a smile: "Daniel, save your energy, don't worry about me, I'm fine."
Song Ning knew he was expending his energy so that she wouldn't fall asleep.
“You and Lucas are different from us. You still have people you miss. I hope you can live on.” Daniel spoke seriously for once.
Lucas remained silent, as if he were listening intently to something.
“Hmm.” Song Ning mimicked Shen Yuxiu’s usual tone, neither saying that they would survive nor expressing despair.
For some people, it's hard to distinguish between death and life, which they truly desire.
They are now essentially in an icebox of minus 20 degrees Celsius. If they can hold out until sunrise, they still have a chance to survive. If the weather remains like this tomorrow, they will probably have to stay here until others find their bodies.
Daniel joked, "I think I'm hallucinating. I actually heard the sound of an airplane."
Lucas interjected, "No, you heard me right, it's an airplane."
Hans turned his head: "My God, this time I'm sure you heard me right. In this awful weather, someone actually dared to fly a plane in."
Daniel turned his head: "Damn it, I told you I didn't hear wrong."
Song Ning was facing the front of the car, so she had the clearest view.
A helicopter pierced the darkness, arriving with a roar. Its searchlights scanned the ground inch by inch, finally illuminating their vehicle.
The blinding white light shone on Song Ning's face, so bright that she turned her head away and closed her eyes: "He's really good at shining the light, I feel like I'm going to go blind."
"Haha, forgive him. Whether we can get out depends on him." Lucas helped Song Ning up.
The other two got up, found tools, and pried open the car door that was frozen by the snow.
After taking all the warm clothing from the car, the four of them helped each other walk toward the helicopter.
Despite the fierce snow and wind, the searchlights ahead shone precisely on the location where Song Ning and his group were.
Song Ning raised her hand to block the blinding white light, and then froze upon hearing the familiar voice.
"Come here, the plane can't stop."
The helicopter broadcast the message in perfect British English pronunciation.
They knew, of course, that in this kind of weather, once the plane came to a stop, any part of it could freeze solid.
Song Ning lowered her hand, regained her composure, and, supporting the others, walked step by step through the wind and snow.
Heavy snow blanketed the tundra, and the helicopter lowered its rope amidst the swirling snowflakes, the rope swaying precariously in the wind and snow.
Lucas went first, and after confirming it was safe, he gestured for Song Ning to climb up.
Song Ning grabbed the rope and glanced into the cockpit.
For some reason, she had a feeling that he was watching her.
Song Ning didn't linger any longer and quickly boarded the plane.
The other two also boarded the plane one after another.
Once inside the cabin, no one relaxed, because the journey back was still fraught with unknown dangers.
Fortunately, the temperature inside the cabin was much better than in the bear car.
The four men's body temperatures gradually returned to normal, and they all sat in their seats without disturbing the pilot in front of them.
You can express your gratitude later when you leave.
Because of his "savior," others were afraid of affecting him, so they even restrained their speech.
The plane bounced and lurched in the blizzard, and several times it seemed as if it was about to be buried in the raging snowfield.
Song Ning stood silently against the wall, the other side of which was the driver's seat.
She didn't notice that her eyes, which were exposed outside the mask, were already soaked with tears.
She only had one thing on her mind, and that was...
In the Earth's polar regions, in the untouched tundra, and above a blizzard-ravaged sky, a helicopter brought her the reply she had been waiting for.
The helicopter landed on the snow-covered helipad, its fuselage enveloped in a blanket of white snow. In the distance, neon lights illuminated wooden villas, creating a uniquely romantic scene in the snowy world at night.
During the flight, several times they thought they were going to die. No one expected that they would survive in such terrible weather.
“I think one of us must be God’s favorite,” Daniel said with a cynical laugh.
When the glacier, lake, and colorful wooden villas reappeared before them, their expressions were complex.
After the plane came to a complete stop, Hans was the first to disembark.
He took off his hat, waved it towards the cockpit, bowed in thanks, and then braved the heavy snow to walk toward the nearest cabin.
Daniel followed closely behind.
Lucas handed the flask he had brought to Song Ning: "We all try. You seed." ("We all try. You seed." is a quote from the movie Casablanca.)
Everyone noticed Song Ning's unusual behavior; it was something they had never seen before.
Song Ning cried; despite wearing a face mask to keep warm, her beautiful eyes betrayed her.
This wasn't the first time they'd escaped death, and although this time it was extremely dangerous, none of them believed Song Ning would cry for that reason.
It wouldn't be pilot Greik who comes to pick them up; Greik doesn't speak such standard British English. That's the only guess, and the only correct answer.
Inside the cockpit was the man she was waiting for.
The cockpit door opened, and Song Ning's body jolted at the sound.
Lucas looked up at the man beside him.
The man was dressed in full black winter gear, holding a pair of goggles that revealed a pair of eyes with thick eyelashes.
The man's gaze passed over him and landed on Song Ning. His pupils were very dark, as if they contained a mysterious power, giving people a cautious sense of oppression, as if he was desperately restraining something, and that sense of oppression came from that strong restraint.
Despite Lucas's Western aesthetic sense, he had to admit that the man's appearance was outstanding, especially the indescribable Eastern charm that stirred a competitive masculine desire within him.
Lucas stood up, nodded to him, and said in Chinese, "Thank you."
Shen Yuxiu also replied with a thank you, expressing his gratitude for being the first to take the risk.
After Lucas left, Song Ning listened to the approaching footsteps, and her heart raced uncontrollably.
His long, slender legs appeared before her. He bent his knees, squatted down, and looked down into her eyes with those eyes that made her want to cry.
Their eyes met, locked, and neither uttered a word.
Shen Yuxiu used his thumb to brush away the frost from her eyelashes and stroked the corner of her eye.
After a long silence, he whispered gently, "I've come to take you home."
Tears streamed down Song Ning's face as she softly replied, her voice nasal, "Mmm."
She thought: In front of him, she was still prone to crying, but this time, Shen Yuxiu, she was crying because she was too happy.
——
A circular artificial pool, water splashes, moonlight ripples, and the moon and coins hide their secrets beneath the water.
Thorny vines formed a sturdy wall. When the knight removed his armor, discarded his spear and shield, and charged in alone, wild roses bloomed, drinking in the knight's blood, and made a wish.
May I be the free wind in my next life, and meet the summer moon again, so that they may have another love without bloodshed.
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