sbdcsierra Chapter 40 The Test by the Crowd
Chapter 40 The Test by the Crowd
After a bumpy journey, we finally arrived at the Xisha archaeological team's base, guided by Huo Ling.
This is a dock where many large ships are moored.
"See that ship? Our expedition team is currently staying on it."
Huo Ling put one hand on her hip and pointed to a large ship not far away.
“Our archaeological team has plenty of funds. We’ve already rented a boat before even setting sail.”
"Of course, we have plenty of funds for this operation. You'll be surprised when you see the equipment."
With a slightly smug tilt of her head, Huo Ling perfectly embodied the arrogance of a young lady from a wealthy family.
"What's so interesting about the equipment? I'd like to know how the food is. I just got back from the desert."
We haven't had many decent meals yet.
Cheng Feng intentionally revealed some of his information; he didn't want to act mysterious and be mistaken for some strange force.
"Hey? You just came back from the desert and then came to the beach. It seems you're quite busy with work."
As they talked, the two walked toward the large ship, and Cheng Feng revealed that he was going to find the ancient city of Jingjue.
Huo Ling was very interested in Cheng Feng's archaeological expedition and kept asking him questions until she boarded the ship.
They only stopped after entering the cabin and seeing the archaeological team.
"Sister Wenjin, I've brought the person back safely. Now I'm leaving the rest to you."
As she spoke, Huo Ling walked up to a stunningly beautiful woman with a lovely smile on her face.
This beautiful woman is Chen Wenjin, Wu Sansheng's beloved white moonlight and Chen Pi Asi's precious daughter.
With a friendly smile, she walked up to Cheng Feng and extended her hand, saying:
"Hello, Comrade Cheng Feng. I am the leader of this archaeological expedition. My name is Chen Wenjin."
On behalf of the archaeological team, I welcome you to the team.
Cheng Feng grasped Chen Wenjin's hand and replied:
"Hello Captain Chen, I am honored to participate in this archaeological expedition. Please do not hesitate to ask me for help if there is anything I can do for you."
As the two shook hands, a young man inadvertently glanced at their tightly clasped hands.
Cheng Feng thought to himself that this person must be Wu Sansheng.
Cheng Feng's guess was quickly confirmed.
Chen Wenjin then said: "Let me introduce you. This is Wu Sansheng. He has extensive archaeological experience."
He's kind of my deputy.
"Brother Cheng Feng, welcome to the archaeological team."
Wu Sansheng stepped forward and shook hands with Cheng Feng. Although he might have doubts about Cheng Feng's identity, he did not show it on the surface.
He's already such a cunning old fox at such a young age.
Cheng Feng then shook hands with Qi Yu, Li Sidi, and Passerby A in turn.
Finally, Chen Wenjin said:
“We have another member in our archaeological team. He’s a bit introverted, so he rarely leaves his room. I’ll introduce you to him tonight.”
Cheng Feng knew that this introverted teammate must be Zhang Qiling.
Huo Ling then patted Qi Yu on the shoulder and said:
"Xiao Qi, there's still a spare bed in your room. Take Cheng Feng and settle in first."
Qi Yu agreed and then led Cheng Feng toward the accommodations inside the cabin.
Qi Yu had a handsome appearance, fair skin, and a scholarly air. It is said that he looked very much like Wu Xie from later generations.
"Cheng Feng, before you joined the archaeological team, did your superiors give you any instructions?"
On the way, Qi Yu spoke as if chatting casually.
"No, all I received was the location; nothing else."
Cheng Feng spoke the truth.
Qi Yu didn't say anything more after hearing that.
They walked in silence. Qi Yu led Cheng Feng to a room, and after opening the door, the space inside was very cramped.
There were only two beds, one of which was covered with bedding, so it must have been Qi Yu's bed.
Cheng Feng placed his backpack on the empty bed, and Qi Yu then opened a cabinet and took out bedding.
“These are all new items we bought when we came here. You can use them without worry. First, make up the bed, and then I'll show you around the ship.”
Cheng Feng agreed and then quickly made up the bedding.
Out of habit, I also folded the quilt into a neat square.
Qi Yu's eyes flashed, and he guessed that Cheng Feng must be from the military, but he did not draw any conclusions.
After packing his things, Qi Yu took Cheng Feng for a walk around the boat.
This included the area where everyone ate, the area where equipment was stored, and so on. Wu Sansheng and his group were also seen there.
At this moment, they were checking the supplies to be prepared with the team members in charge of logistics.
"Cheng Feng, you've come at the right time. Xiao Liu needs to go to town to buy some food and water, so I'd like to trouble you to go with him."
You can also enjoy the scenery.
Chen Wenjin didn't stand on ceremony and immediately assigned Cheng Feng a job.
Cheng Feng agreed, said goodbye to them, and left with Xiao Liu.
After a while, Chen Wenjin finished her work and returned to her lounge.
Huo Ling had been waiting in the room for a long time.
"Xiaoling, tell me about Cheng Feng's situation."
Chen Wenjin's expression was solemn. This was a teammate for whom his superiors had given a firm order to join the team.
It made her feel that things were getting out of her control.
Afterwards, Huo Ling told Chen Wenjin about Cheng Feng's situation, such as how he was also ordered to join.
Moreover, he had just finished an archaeological expedition in the desert, and he was confident in his own abilities, among other things.
Finally, Chen Wenjin pondered for a moment and said:
"Xiaoling, there must be a big problem with the higher-ups letting Cheng Feng join."
So please keep an eye on him from now on, and if you notice anything unusual, please tell me immediately.
Huo Ling said somewhat helplessly, "Alright, I'll keep an eye on him."
Huo Ling was somewhat annoyed; she was actually more interested in a handsome young man in the team.
Unfortunately, that guy doesn't go out much, and even when he does, he can't utter a single word for a long time.
When Cheng Feng returned, he saw Huo Ling sitting on a rock by the sea chatting with Wu Sansheng.
Xiao Liu told Cheng Feng that someone would bring the things to the ship, and that Cheng Feng could go back and rest.
Just as Cheng Feng was about to leave, Wu Sansheng and Huo Ling called him back.
Approaching the two men, Wu Sansheng offered Cheng Feng a cigarette, lit it for him personally, and then said:
"Brother Cheng, Sansha is a nice place, isn't it? When I first came here, I thought I would live here from now on."
"It's nice, not cold in winter and not hot in summer, a rare good place."
Cheng Feng didn't know what the old man's purpose was, so he went along with him.
Wu Sansheng took a drag of his cigarette, glanced at Huo Ling, and said:
"I heard from Xiaoling that Brother Cheng just returned from the desert and even found the legendary Jingjue Ancient City?"
"What, Comrade Wu, are you also interested in the culture of the Western Regions?"
Cheng Feng smiled and asked in return.
Wu Sansheng grinned and patted Cheng Feng on the shoulder, saying, "Just call me Lao Wu, no need to be so formal."
Immediately afterwards, Wu Sansheng continued:
"Actually, I also went to look for the ruins of the ancient city of Jingjue."