PFC Chapter 362 Relieved
Chapter 362 Relieved
After breakfast, Li Xiangyang took out the report that Zhang Guodong had given him and confirmed that the paper was not damp.
“I’m going to find Er Gou, and then we’ll go to the county,” Li Xiangyang said to Li Xiaoyun. “We should be back tonight, don’t worry.”
"Okay, be careful on the road." Li Xiaoyun nodded and straightened his collar.
As he stepped outside, Wang Ergou was waiting for Li Xiangyang at the door.
"Did you sleep well?" Li Xiangyang asked.
"It was alright, except I had a nightmare all night," Wang Ergou said with a wry smile. "I dreamt we were trapped in that awful place and couldn't get out."
"Don't think too much about it, we're out now, aren't we?" Li Xiangyang reassured him. "Let's go to the county to find Director Zhao."
The two got on their bicycles and rode towards the county town.
Along the way, the sun shone brightly, and the fields by the roadside were full of life, which contrasted sharply with the eeriness of Cishan.
"Ergou, we need to discuss this with Director Zhao when we get back," Li Xiangyang said as he rode his bike. "That place is too eerie. If we send ordinary people in, something bad might happen."
Wang Ergou nodded: "But what if Director Zhao insists that we lead the team in again?"
“Tell him the truth about the dangers inside,” Li Xiangyang said seriously. “I’m not afraid to go in myself, but I’m afraid of being trapped inside and not even seeing my child born.”
"Although I don't have children, who would want to be trapped in a place like that? Anyway, whether we lead the way or not, we'll eventually reach Magnet Mountain, so our role isn't that significant..."
Li Xiangyang nodded in agreement: "That makes sense."
The two cycled all the way and arrived in the county town around noon.
They went directly to the Forestry Bureau and explained their purpose to Director Zhao's secretary.
Following his secretary, Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou arrived at Director Zhao's office.
As soon as he entered, Director Zhao stood up from his seat and quickly went to greet him: "You're back! That's great! I was so worried!"
"Director Zhao, we've returned safely after completing our mission," Li Xiangyang said, taking a report from his backpack and handing it to Director Zhao. "Captain Zhang asked us to give this to you personally."
Director Zhao eagerly took the report and began to read it without hesitation.
As he watched, his expression gradually changed from worry to surprise.
"Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic!" Director Zhao exclaimed excitedly, slapping the table. "Not only have we found a gold mine, but we've also discovered a completely new mineral! This is a monumental achievement!"
He looked up, his eyes full of admiration as he gazed at Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou: "You've worked hard. Come, sit down and tell me the details."
After Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou sat down, they began to give a detailed account of what they had seen and heard in Cishan.
Li Xiangyang truthfully told Director Zhao about the strong magnetic field interference and various strange phenomena there, including the compass malfunction, getting lost, and how they managed to find their way out by taking advantage of the thunderstorm.
"So, that place is indeed very dangerous?" After hearing this, Director Zhao's excitement faded somewhat, replaced by a serious expression.
"Yes, without suitable weather conditions, it's easy to go in but difficult to come out," Li Xiangyang admitted frankly.
Director Zhao pondered for a moment: "I understand. This is indeed a problem. However, since such an important resource has been discovered, the higher-ups will definitely take it seriously. I will report to them immediately and request that a professional team be sent to investigate."
"Then...do we still need to lead the way in?" Wang Ergou asked cautiously.
Director Zhao looked at the two men: "Logically, you two are the most familiar with that area, so it would be most suitable for you to lead the way. However, considering the dangers inside, and that you have already completed the preliminary reconnaissance mission, and that you can reach the destination no matter which way you go once you reach the Cishan area, you don't need to take the risk this time."
Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou exchanged a glance and both breathed a sigh of relief.
"However," Director Zhao changed the subject, "once the professional team arrives, we may need your advice and suggestions. After all, you are among the few people who have been in and out of there."
“No problem,” Li Xiangyang readily agreed. “We’re available anytime if we need any cooperation.”
Director Zhao nodded, stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the distant, faintly visible mountain range: "This discovery is truly important. If that new mineral can be effectively utilized, it will be a tremendous contribution to our county and even the entire country."
He turned around and solemnly said to the two men, "You've done a great service. You'll definitely be rewarded once the higher-ups approve it. Now go back and rest; I'll let you know if there's any news."
After saying goodbye to Director Zhao, Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou left the Forestry Bureau.
"From what Director Zhao is saying, we've done something meritorious?" Wang Ergou asked somewhat uncertainly.
Li Xiangyang smiled and said, "Yes, but more than any credit, I'm happy that we don't have to go back to that awful place."
"That's right," Wang Ergou patted his chest, "I can finally breathe a sigh of relief."
The two found a small restaurant for lunch and then rode their bikes back to Xiaoliang Village.
On the way, Li Xiangyang felt much more relaxed, and the scenery in the mountains seemed exceptionally beautiful to him.
It was already afternoon when they returned to the village. After they parted ways, Li Xiangyang went straight home.
Pushing open the door, I saw Li Xiaoyun sewing baby clothes.
"You're back?" Li Xiaoyun looked up, a smile blooming on her face. "How were you?"
Li Xiangyang walked over and sat down next to her: "It's great. Director Zhao is very satisfied with our work, saying we've done a great job. And next time the professional team goes in, we won't need to lead the way."
"We don't need to go back in?" Li Xiaoyun put down her needlework, breathed a sigh of relief, and subconsciously touched her slightly protruding belly. "I've been on tenterhooks these past few days. Even though you didn't say anything, I always felt it was dangerous. What if something happened..."
"Don't worry, there won't be any 'what ifs'," Li Xiangyang said softly, holding her hand. "Just thinking about you and the baby in your belly fills me with strength; no danger can hurt me."
A blush crept onto Li Xiaoyun's face: "So, what are your plans next?"
"Let's rest for a few days first. We've been spending too much time in those mountains lately," Li Xiangyang stretched. "Then we can go back into the mountains to hunt some more. This winter will be tough, so it's always good to stock up on meat."
"Alright, but don't go running to such distant mountains again..."
"Okay, honey," Li Xiangyang put his arm around her shoulder, "Let's just take a walk around nearby."
Li Xiaoyun leaned on Li Xiangyang's shoulder, her face beaming with happiness, and whispered, "Xiangyang, do you think this child will look more like you or more like me after he/she is born?"
Li Xiangyang lowered his head slightly, looking at his wife's protruding belly, his eyes full of tenderness, and a doting smile appeared on his lips: "If you ask me, it would be best if she looked like you, whether it's a boy or a girl, she'd be so pretty, I don't know how many people she'd charm in the future; and in terms of physical health, it would be best if she looked like me, strong and healthy, and not prone to illness..."