Chapter 97: Scientific Expedition
The next morning, when the sky was just getting light, Chu Yu had actually woken up a long time ago, but he did not move. He was still quietly curled up in Chu Yan's warm embrace, greedily absorbing the lost and regained closeness. The tip of his nose was filled with the unique scent of Chu Yan, a mixture of the fragrance of soil and plants, as if only in this way could he confirm that he was really with Chu Yan.
After an unknown amount of time, Chu Yan's hoarse voice, characteristic of someone just waking up, came from above: "Awake?"
"...Yeah." Chu Yu responded softly, somewhat reluctant to leave.
"Then get up and wash up, we still have work to do today." Chu Yan's voice returned to its usual clarity. He naturally loosened his arms, sat up and began to put on his coat.
The morning air in the deep mountains was crisp and clear. Chu Yan went to the logistics department to collect new bedding and toiletries. Chu Yu, remembering his promise from the previous day, went to see the expedition team's instructor and seriously discussed investing in improving the expedition's equipment and logistics.
The two of them were busy with their own things, and their cooperation seemed to be tacit, as if they had returned to the past. But Chu Yu could clearly feel that Chu Yan's attitude towards him seemed peaceful and natural, but it was also polite and distant. He seemed to be clearly conveying a message with his actions: he accepted Chu Yu's existence and help, but had no intention of rekindling their old relationship.
Chu Yan had a heavy exploration mission today. After a quick wash and a bite to eat, he loaded up his heavy exploration gear and prepared to set off. Chu Yu immediately followed him silently, taking some of the equipment and carrying it in his hands.
Arriving at the designated exploration site, it was a deep pit that had been excavated for several days. The color and structure of the surrounding soil had already shown significant changes. Chu Yan deftly jumped into the pit, picked up a geological hammer and brush, and began to focus on hammering and cleaning, searching for traces of fossils that might be hidden in the rock layers.
Chu Yu stood awkwardly at the edge of the pit, watching Chu Yan busying around. He wanted to help, but was afraid that his clumsiness would only make things worse. Chu Yan was busy for a while, then looked up and saw Chu Yan like this. He sighed softly and pointed to a relatively flat rock at the edge of the pit: "You can sit there and rest."
Chu Yu sat down as he was told, but his eyes remained fixed on Chu Yan. He looked at his focused profile, at the lines of his arms slightly tense from exerting force, and at the way he handled the dirt and gravel without appearing at all embarrassed.
Chu Yu was lost in thought, a bitter feeling welling up in his heart: had he really disturbed him by coming over so recklessly? Chu Yan had his own beloved studies and a vast world to explore, yet he could only force his way into his life in this almost clumsy way.
He pinched his palms hard, the stinging feeling bringing him back to consciousness. But besides following him like this, he didn't know what else to do. A year had seemed so long, so long that he had almost forgotten how to get along with Chu Yan naturally, how to bridge the gap he had created.
"Chu Yu has been staring at you for a long time." The system muttered in Chu Yan's mind. "Yeah, I feel it." Chu Yan knocked off a rock without looking up. "Even though you're so cold, he still hasn't given up?" The system tutted in amazement. "Maybe after a couple of days, he'll find it boring and give up on his own." Chu Yan's tone was flat, and no emotion could be heard.
However, a week passed quickly, and instead of giving up, Chu Yu became even more aggressive. He even went to Chu Yan's instructor and some of the team members for advice, clumsily learning some basic geological exploration and fossil excavation techniques. He followed Chu Yan to work every day without fail. Although his duties consisted of miscellaneous tasks like moving equipment and clearing loose soil, he still participated in a respectable manner.
The expedition team members had grown accustomed to the presence of this "non-staff member." Especially when Chu Yu's assistant painstakingly managed to transport several supply trucks loaded with fresh food into the deep mountains and forests, the entire expedition team erupted in excitement. At that moment, Chu Yu's image in everyone's eyes suddenly shone brightly, almost like a living bodhisattva saving the suffering.
Chu Yan seemed to realize that simply being indifferent wouldn't make Chu Yu back down. He stopped avoiding her and, in front of Chu Yu, he would naturally video call Gu Ye or Gu Xu, speaking to them in a friendly tone, as if Chu Yu were just an insignificant bystander.
Every time the video connection chime rang, Chu Yu's fists clenched subconsciously, his nails digging into his palms, leaving crescent-shaped white marks. He watched Chu Yan and the other two on the screen, chatting and laughing, their natural intimacy, and his heart ached and swelled. But he said nothing, did nothing, didn't even look away. He simply remained within Chu Yan's sight, listening with almost self-torture, punishing himself for his previous hesitation.
The scientific expedition mission was nearing its end, and the part Chu Yan was responsible for only had the final finishing work left.
The weather had been gloomy since morning. Leaden clouds hung low over the mountains, and the air was filled with the damp, muggy heat of impending rain. The experienced professor reminded everyone to hurry up and be careful, as it looked like rain might come.
Chu Yan and Chu Yu, wearing their pre-prepared raincoats, walked through the increasingly dark forest. Surprisingly, Chu Yu seemed to have completely adapted to this kind of outdoor life. His movements were no longer awkward, and he even helped Chu Yan with some simple recording and sampling. They seemed to be in harmony.
The two of them worked in silence, concentrating on clearing the last rock layer. At this moment, without warning, raindrops as big as beans fell, crackling on raincoats and leaves.
Chu Yan frowned. The rain came so quickly and heavily, and something felt wrong.
[System, check the weather.] He ordered in his mind. [Alert: Severe convective weather detected, expected to develop into sustained heavy rain with brief periods of high winds. Geological disaster risk level increased dramatically.] The system's response was swift and serious.
Chu Yan's face darkened, and he immediately and decisively began to pick up the important tools and samples scattered on the ground. He pulled up Chu Yu, who was still trying to cover the newly exposed fossils with a tarp and said, "Something's wrong. It's a rainstorm. Stop it and prepare to retreat!"
Before he could finish his words, the rain suddenly intensified. The dense rain curtain instantly blocked his sight, and visibility dropped sharply. The only sounds around him were the deafening sound of rain and the whistling wind.
Chu Yan quickly assessed the situation. This place was at least an hour's journey from the camp, and on the way, they had to cross a low-lying river valley and densely vegetated woodlands. Returning on foot in such extreme rainstorm weather would be tantamount to suicide. The risk of flash floods and mudslides was too great.
"We can't go back." Chu Yan made a prompt decision and discarded the equipment in his hand without hesitation. He only carried the most important sample bag and first aid kit. He held Chu Yu's wrist tightly and almost shouted in the rain, "Go to higher ground!"
The system was operating at full capacity within his consciousness, constantly scanning the surrounding terrain and geological structures, planning a relatively safe evacuation route for Chu Yan. Relying on the system's guidance and his own field experience, Chu Yan pulled Chu Yu along, trudging forward, one foot deep, one foot shallow, towards a ridge to the side and above that appeared to have a more stable rock structure.
The rain was pouring down, and people seemed particularly insignificant in the face of the raging power of nature.
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