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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 227: The Chinese Respect
In the following days, no one disturbed Jiang He and his group again. Even Shaoshan only visited once, during which he did not mention any related matters but merely engaged in small talk. Although no explicit explanation was given, Jiang He and his companions could sense a change in the atmosphere around them. It seemed that the Establishment intended to ease their nerves and not put too much pressure on them. However, this subtle gesture of goodwill did not have the desired effect; instead, it made the young people feel somewhat awkward.
People are always able to perceive unusual atmospheres around them. The New Pu Ocean had already transferred nearly half of its survivors. Aside from the maintenance staff and soldiers, there were still about three hundred people temporarily residing on board. Another ship of the same class, New Xia Yang, was accommodating even more personnel. This vessel had run out of fuel and could only serve as a floating residence for the time being, unable to participate in future transport operations. As for the other military ships, most of the survivors who remained were skilled individuals. Shaoshan intended to have Jiang He and his companions transferred to one of the warships, but they declined for a simple reason: they had not lived among so many people for a long time and were reluctant to leave this environment.
However, the space that the Establishment had intentionally opened up for them led to other survivors viewing them with an indescribable gaze. It couldn't be called hostility; it was merely a deliberate distancing. Regarding Jiang He and Song Yao's situation, only the Decision-Making Body within the Establishment was likely aware of it. Thus, ordinary survivors viewed them through a lens of privilege.
Fortunately, Jiang He and his group had weathered many storms; what did a few odd glances matter? As long as no one spat at them in public, they were fine. Overall, they had been living quite comfortably these past few days—queuing for meals at the restaurant on the first floor during mealtimes, strolling on the deck after eating, and sharing close quarters in their cabins at night to chat before heading off to sleep.
Everything seemed fine, at least moving in a positive direction.
Unfortunately, tranquility is often short-lived. Four days later, Shaoshan reappeared, accompanied by a helicopter.
Previously, Shaoshan had not informed them when they would depart or how they would enter the RCA's Beijing Research Center. They were accustomed to trekking and had expected another long journey crammed into military vehicles with a group of soldiers; they never anticipated that the Establishment still possessed aerial capabilities.
Early that morning, there was a loud knocking on Jiang He's cabin door that echoed through the corridor—one might think a raid was underway. For these past few days, Jiang He had been sharing a room with Song Yao. Rarely having such quiet time together, they inevitably engaged in some private activities that could not be described. Exhausted from their freedom, they would often collapse into bed for sleep. Suddenly being called so early startled them both; they hurriedly dressed and opened the door without having time to shake off their grogginess before being led up to the deck.
By mid-November, the weather had turned cold, and the morning sea was swept by biting winds. Shaoshan provided them with thick military coats without saying a word and brought them to the helipad where a helicopter awaited them. The helicopter was small and looked completely different from those armed helicopters Jiang He had seen at Launch Base; this one resembled a civilian aircraft used for travel or aerial photography.
The pilot was a White-Browed Foreigner wearing a flight helmet with a prominent hooked nose adorned with a thick beard. From afar, he gave Shaoshan a thumbs-up while several soldiers nearby opened the cabin door to reveal two seats inside for passengers.
"Are you not coming?" Jiang He asked as he began to wake up; the rotor blades were slowly starting to turn, waiting for them to board.
building, the once gleaming structure now stood as a shadow of its former self, its metallic facade dulled and tarnished.
As the helicopter descended further, Jiang He could make out the sprawling city below, a mix of chaos and remnants of civilization. The streets were filled with people, some moving with purpose while others seemed lost in their own thoughts. The sight was both comforting and unsettling; it was a reminder that life continued even in the face of adversity.
The helicopter's rotor blades whirred loudly, cutting through the air as they approached their destination. Shaoshan’s words echoed in Jiang He ’s mind: “There will be someone to meet you.” She hoped that whoever it was would provide them with the answers they desperately sought.
Finally, the helicopter touched down on a makeshift landing pad surrounded by crumbling buildings. The moment the doors opened, a rush of cool air filled the cabin, mingling with the scent of dust and decay. Jiang He and Song Yao stepped out cautiously, taking in their new surroundings.
A figure approached them, clad in military attire, his expression serious yet welcoming. “Welcome to Beijing,” he said, his voice steady. “We’ve been expecting you.”
With a nod from Jiang He, they followed him into the heart of the city, ready to face whatever awaited them. The journey had been long and fraught with uncertainty, but now they were here, determined to uncover the truth behind their mission and the fate of those they had left behind.
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