Chapter 101: Commencing Work
“Uh…?” Zhang Mingyang hadn’t expected Peng Dongli to react that way and quickly helped him up. “Senior Brother… what’s wrong with you? Forget it! I’ll handle this myself—I’m responsible too.”
“Do you forgive me?”
Zhang Mingyang smiled and replied, “Get up, I forgive you.”
Seeing Zhang’s forgiveness, Peng Dongli straightened up and grinned foolishly. “Junior Brother, don’t worry about this matter. Since I caused it, I’ll help you resolve it.”
“Forget it, I don’t even know what to do. This morning, Bai Muqing almost tore me apart when he came looking for me.”
The three sat down, and Tian Wenyuan asked, “Junior Brother, what exactly happened between you and Bai Muqing?”
Zhang Mingyang replied, “How should I put it? Before coming to the base, we met because of a small conflict. Later… never mind, I won’t talk about it.”
Seeing Zhang didn’t want to elaborate, Tian Wenyuan didn’t press further.
“Junior Brother, today is the day our Inspection Committee is established. Shouldn’t we have a drink to celebrate?”
“Of course!”
Without any alcohol, the three raised their sodas in a makeshift toast.
After setting down their cups, Zhang Mingyang asked, “Senior Brother Tian, how did the base allow the three of us to form an inspection team?”
Tian Wenyuan replied, “Inspection team? It’s just a front. The higher-ups want to reorganize the base and put us three in the spotlight so they can handle things behind the scenes. Ultimately, we’re just cover for them to operate secretly.”
Peng Dongli added, “Junior Brother, don’t worry about this. Do your work as usual, and don’t neglect your duties in the Energy Department. Consider that office our meeting place.”
Listening to his senior brothers’ explanation, Zhang Mingyang understood. Besides, the Energy Department’s workload had been heavy lately, and he was too lazy to deal with it.
They drank another round. Zhang then recalled the meeting’s content and asked, “Senior Brothers, have you ever heard of a man named Jin Yaowen?”
Both shook their heads, indicating they hadn’t.
Peng Dongli said, “Don’t count on us. Even some veterans in the base haven’t heard of him. I guess Jin Yaowen’s secrecy surpasses that of Wang Huairen. There’s not a single record about him in the base archives.”
Tian Wenyuan also found it suspicious. Someone who could be mentioned in the same breath as Wang Huairen—the ‘Twin Stars’—yet left no traces. Was the base deliberately hiding something?
Zhang Mingyang said, “Senior Brothers, do you think Wang Huairen’s disappearance might be related to Jin Yaowen’s departure?”
“Oh? How so?”
Zhang explained, “According to Director Wang yesterday, Jin Yaowen left immediately after the successful construction of the ‘Ocean Voyager,’ while Wang Huairen disappeared a year after the success. Senior Brother Peng, do you remember Wan Gong from the Moren Base?”
Peng Dongli nodded, “Of course I do. He’s the only one at Moren Base who worked with Wang Huairen.”
Zhang continued, “Wan Gong said that after the ‘Ocean Voyager’ was completed, Wang Huairen seemed like a changed man. He often muttered to himself, sometimes even going mad. His relationship with others shifted from approachable to indifferent, and sometimes he would inexplicably lose his temper.”
Listening, Peng Dongli recalled that day’s conversation. “Exactly, Wan Gong said that, and a year later Wang Huairen disappeared.”
“Right!” Zhang analyzed. “Could it be that Jin Yaowen’s departure caused Wang Huairen’s change and eventual disappearance?”
“That’s impossible,” Tian Wenyuan said skeptically. “Director Wang said yesterday that Wang Huairen even despised Jin Yaowen in the end. How could someone like that have driven Wang Huairen away?”
“Junior Brother’s theory might be right!” Peng Dongli said. “After Wang Huairen vanished, Jin Yaowen tried to erase all traces of him. That’s pure jealousy—not wanting anyone stronger than himself. Wang Huairen’s disappearance might really be Jin Yaowen’s doing.”
Hearing their analysis, Zhang Mingyang felt this matter was far from simple. There had to be some unspeakable secrets hidden beneath.
“Alright, enough. Today is the founding day of our group. Why dwell on this? Let’s drink together.”
“Alright.”
The three clinked glasses and chatted into the late night before parting ways.
After tidying up, Zhang Mingyang took a shower and lay back in bed.
He pulled out his communicator and browsed the latest base news, finding seven out of ten headlines discussing him and Bai Muqing.
“Damn! Do these scientists have nothing better to do? Why focus only on gossip?”
Sighing, he scrolled further but found nothing useful, then turned off the device and stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.
He had been here just over a month—spaceships, dark matter, nuclear fusion, Wang Huairen... and now Jin Yaowen. How many more secrets were waiting to be uncovered?
What mysteries did this base truly conceal?
As he pondered, sleep claimed him.
...
Beep… Beep…
The alarm at seven in the morning roused him.
“Sigh…” Zhang Mingyang stretched and climbed out of bed. “A new day begins.”
Looking out the window, it was a bright, clear day—perfect for starting his new role.
He completed his morning routine in under ten minutes. Gazing into the mirror, he nodded, thinking he still looked quite handsome.
Pushing open the door, the sun had just risen, and its warm light bathed him in an indescribable comfort.
“Let’s go have breakfast.”
At the cafeteria, Zhang Mingyang drew many curious stares as he served himself.
“Hey! Isn’t that the protagonist?”
“Isn’t he involved with Bai Muqing now?”
“How could Bai Muqing be interested in someone so ugly?”
...
Hearing their whispers, Zhang Mingyang paid no mind. To him, living for rumors would be exhausting.
After getting his food, he went to the Energy Department’s table. As soon as he sat down, a crowd gathered.
“Mingyang, is it true?”
“Are you really with Bai Muqing?”
“How did you two meet?”
...
Amid the chatter, Zhang Mingyang simply replied, “Yes, we’re together.”
He figured denying it would only invite more questions, so admitting it was the best way to end the interrogation.
“No way! Really?”
“Looks like we don’t stand a chance.”
...
Once the crowd heard the confirmation, they murmured disbelief and gradually dispersed.
Seeing them leave, Hui Jun approached. “Mingyang, are you starting your post with the Inspection Committee today?”
Zhang nodded. “After breakfast, I’ll check out the office.”
Hui Jun nodded. “What about your work in the Energy Department?”
“I’ll keep doing both. I’ll be running between them.”