Xia Ji: "They live on the third floor. They are the royal family of a small country. Although the country is small, it is very wealthy. They were invited because they have some rich and attractive resources. Let's change direction and travel for another week to reach our destination."
Li Ke hadn't met these people yet, and upon hearing this, she didn't ask any more questions: "You can arrange it as you see fit."
Seeing that Li Ke still didn't respond, Xia Ji asked with some doubt, "Li Ke, I've already said all this, aren't you going to make some arrangements? We're about to arrive at our destination, don't you need to contact some people and arrange some things? It's not that we're putting all the pressure on you, it's just that it would be great if we could take away the solar energy mine without anyone noticing."
Li Ke stared intently at Xia Ji opposite him: "Commander Xia, I think you need to realize one thing: your primary mission is the solar energy mine, while my primary mission is my fellow countrymen in the base. If you want to place your hopes for the solar energy mine mission on me, then I hope to see your sincerity first. At least bring all the people I want to save to my sight."
Xia Ji pondered the meaning behind Li Ke's words: "Do you mean that as long as we rescue your people, you can bring us the solar energy mine, just like last time, without making a sound?"
Li Ke coldly said, "Commander Xia, now that we've come this far, let's be less manipulative and more sincere. I've already followed you here, so let's stop testing each other. As it's your duty, there are many things you can't tell me. We also have our own principles; some things we can't say even if it means death. As long as you rescue the people I need to save and send them back to the safe zone, I'll find a way to get what you want smoothly."
Xia Ji smiled and said, "You're too cautious. Okay, then it's settled. I'll find a way to rescue your people as soon as possible, but you not only have to guarantee that you can get the solar energy mineral samples for us, but you also have to come with us to the mine for the mission."
Li Ke did not agree immediately, but said only, "Let's talk about it after you rescue the person."
Xia Ji arranged four female colleagues for Li Ke, two of whom were acquaintances of hers, although she acted as if she didn't know them when she saw them recently.
These two were Xia Qing and Meng Yu from before. After Li Ke and Xia Ji traveled together, they stopped trying to conceal their faces. They would only wear masks or similar items to protect themselves from the cold or other substances when they were outside.
Therefore, Xia Qing and Meng Yu did not fail to recognize her, but since the two of them acted as if they were not familiar with Li Ke, Li Ke did not make any other gestures to acknowledge them.
The other two female colleagues, Cao Xuan and Chen Nanxing, were both outstanding female soldiers whom Li Ke had seen training with.
Xia Ji wanted Li Ke to be the squad leader, but Li Ke declined, as she was used to acting alone. Xia Ji didn't force her and appointed Xia Qing as the squad leader, but Li Ke was not subject to any restrictions and could act freely.
The five people were divided into two rooms: Xia Qing and Li Ke shared one room, while the other three shared another.
It wasn't until they were resting that night that Xia Qing's voice came softly from her bedside: "You really shouldn't have gotten involved. I wonder if you'll be able to get out of this unscathed?"
After hearing this, Li Ke paused for a long time before saying, "What do you mean? Xia Ji isn't a good person?"
Xia Qing replied after a while, "They're not bad people, but people in their positions can be quite ruthless in their choices at times. It's not that they're wrong."
Li Ke sensed that Xia Qing's words had an unspoken meaning, and suddenly thought of the missing Xiao Yi. Everyone has their own choices. Regarding this matter of the solar energy mine, Li Ke knew that the future was fraught with danger and there might be pitfalls, but she was still willing.
“Whenever you don’t need to take the lead, just stay in the background. You need to know that there are many capable and talented people out there; it’s not like you’re indispensable.” Xia Qing’s voice lowered even further, echoing in the dimly lit room.
Li Ke was getting annoyed and turned to face her bed: "Can't you just tell me straight? Is there something the higher-ups want to do to me? It's annoying to keep hiding things. By the way, didn't you and Meng Yu pretend you didn't know me the whole time?"
Xia Qing sighed: "We didn't want this either. Our boss said that if we see you again, you should pretend you don't know him and you can't mention your situation to anyone. We lowly soldiers certainly don't know what the higher-ups are planning for you, but our boss said that the higher-ups are a mixed bag, and someone as naive as you is better off staying in the crowd and keeping a low profile. In short, they're all concerned about you and doing this for your own good. Think more about what you're doing."
Li Ke stared at the roof: "I don't like to use my brain. We've come this far, so we can only keep going. As long as they don't cause me any trouble, we can all live in peace."
Xia Qing nodded before saying, "Go to sleep early, we have to get up for the night shift."
The sea is frozen over. Although the ship has the ability to break ice, its speed is still somewhat hindered. So far, there has been no news from the fifty people who went to the coordinates given by Xiao Yi to look for clues.
Li Ke had some doubts about whether the coordinates Xia Ji and the others received were actually sent by Xiao Yi. Xia Ji, however, was certain of it, stating that they all had dedicated, encrypted communication channels that no one except the team leader and designated liaisons would use.
Those who know how to use it are all seasoned veterans and would never betray you.
Li Ke didn't suspect anyone; she just felt that place was too mysterious. Why did it always deviate from its course and fail to reach the destination? And why were people always going missing? That's why she couldn't help but have these questions.
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