Chapter 74 Spending the Night Out
Snowplows were slowly clearing the snow ahead.
The area near the base was fine, as it had already been cleared by the base, but the snow in the direction of the small base they were heading to had not been cleared.
Therefore, they were all prepared to spend the night away from home.
We traveled less than 50 kilometers in two hours after leaving the base.
Although snowplows were clearing the way, the roads were still difficult to navigate, so they dared not drive very fast.
The convoy traveled slowly and laboriously for another hour, and before they knew it, it was noon.
Zhao Lei shouted into the walkie-talkie: "Let's rest here for half an hour before moving forward again."
The two people on the snowplow took turns driving it forward.
You two go ahead and clear the way. We'll catch up with you after we've rested, then you two can take turns resting. Thank you both for your hard work.
The workers on the snowplow said into the walkie-talkie:
"Thank you for your concern, Captain Zhao. We didn't work hard. We just took the contribution points you paid. It's our job to do our job well."
The snowplow continued to clear the way, while Bai Tang's team and Zhao Lei's team rested and ate lunch.
Because it was cold outside, everyone ate their meals on the bus without getting off.
As for the toilet issue, Zhao Lei's team consisted entirely of men, and they had prepared spittoons in the vehicle beforehand.
Bai Tang then flashed into the space, giving the five men in the car time to quickly relieve themselves.
The contents of the spittoon were simply emptied onto the snow outside and then cleaned up with clean snow.
As for meals, they all ate the dry rations they brought with them.
Bai Tang took out several packets of instant noodles and told Lin Fan and the others to eat them dry with hot water from the thermos.
This way, it doesn't have a strong smell, but it's filling.
Although Bai Tang and his friends were indulging in lavish meals at their home in the base, it didn't mean they couldn't endure hardship.
It's just that when you're at home, you have the means to eat and drink to your heart's content, so there's no need to make yourself suffer.
When you're out and about, you have to be wary of people's intentions, so you don't dare to eat too well.
Bai Tang also gave each of them a snow fruit to quench their thirst.
If this kind of fruit is grown in a base, everyone has it at home, so it won't attract attention.
The 30-minute break passed quickly, and Zhao Lei shouted into the walkie-talkie:
"Everyone, get ready, it's time to go."
Bai Tang replied, "Captain Zhao, our team is all packed and ready to go at any time."
Everyone sat back down in their seats and fastened their seatbelts.
With snowplows clearing the way ahead, they were moving a little faster than before.
They quickly caught up with the snowplows ahead, and then Zhao Lei said into the walkie-talkie:
"Brothers, come down and rest in our car for a bit. We'll send other team members to take over."
Upon hearing Zhao Lei's words, the two staff members slowly stopped the snowplow.
Then he went down to hand over his shift to the other two, who then sat in Zhao Lei's team's car to rest and eat something.
The convoy continued its journey; the road ahead did not stop.
On the way, Lin Fan and Bai Jiyang kept the atmosphere lively in both cars, preventing them from getting bored on the road.
Night fell quickly, and it was already dark, but according to the map, they still had about 20 kilometers to go to reach the small base.
I don't know when we'll arrive if we keep walking.
So Zhao Lei thought for a moment, then waved his hand and said into the walkie-talkie, "Let's find a sturdy, sheltered house nearby and rest for the night."
Then the snowplow stopped, and they found an abandoned yard where at least the house still had a roof.
Then park the vehicle in the yard and at the yard entrance.
It can, to some extent, block the direct attack of the cold wind.
Then at this time they all gathered in one room, and with so many people together, at least there was some warmth.
At this moment, Bai Tang asked Lin Feng to take a stove from their car.
Zhao Lei quickly said, "We have tinder to start a fire here."
Bai Tang then had Bai Jiyang take out the smokeless charcoal that had been prepared in advance from the car.
Then he said, "Then I'll trouble Captain Zhao's men to start the fire."
Zhao Lei: "No trouble at all. If it weren't for your stove, we would probably have to go outside to find firewood."
Soon the fire was lit, and the room gradually warmed up.
Zhao Lei instructed his team to move all the supplies from the vehicle into the house to avoid any accidents like the last time they rescued people at the research institute.
Fortunately, the living room of this house was quite large, enough for both teams to rest in.
After the room warmed up, Bai Tang asked Lin Zhou and Lin Feng to go to the car to get their packages so they could have dinner.
Zhao Lei and his team also started preparing dinner. They took out the dry food they had prepared and prepared to roast it by the stove before eating.
Bai Tang used hot water from a thermos to make a pot of instant noodles in an iron pot.
Since instant noodles are sold in the base's supermarket, it's perfectly normal for Bai Tang and the others to eat them.
Then Bai Tang opened a few cans of meat food, but of course, she fed the cats cat food instead of canned food.
However, Bai Tang and his team's simple bowl of hot instant noodles was enough to make Zhao Lei's teammates keep swallowing their saliva.
While others were eating noodles and drinking hot soup, they were gnawing on hard, coarse steamed buns.
Although it's just simple instant noodles, it's a rare treat at this time.
At this moment, Bai Tang said, "Captain Zhao, we have some extra instant noodles here. How about we lend you the iron pot?"
You should also cook a pot of instant noodles. You've been out in the cold all day; at least have some hot soup to warm yourself up.
Zhao Lei scratched his head sheepishly and said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony with you. I'll give you the contribution points back when we get back to the base."
Bai Tang asked Lin Zhou to bring them a few bags of instant noodles and some canned meat to add to the noodles when cooking.
For a moment, Zhao Lei's teammates all looked at Bai Tang as if she were a Bodhisattva.
Bai Tang: "When you're out and about, I'll help you out if I can."
Although no one said anything, everyone secretly remembered this kindness.
When resting at night, let Bai Ji and the others stay inside to avoid being exposed to the wind.
Fortunately, they each brought thick sleeping bags.
When I was resting at night, the cold wind outside was howling wildly.
They take turns on night watch so that they can call for help in case of any emergencies.
After a short rest overnight, the next morning...
They got up, ate some dry rations, packed their supplies into the vehicle, and set off again.
Because of the rugged terrain, the road ahead became increasingly difficult to travel, and the snowplows moved slower and slower.
Bai Tang and the others also became more and more careful while driving.
They walked a short 20-kilometer distance in one morning.
Finally, before 12 o'clock, I saw the entrance to the small base.
At first glance, the small base can be summed up in four words: a scene of utter devastation.