Year: I planted trees in Saihanba

At the turn of winter and spring, a slight chill still lingers in the air over Saihanba.

The remaining snow melted into trickling meltwater under the gentle caress of the warm sun.

It flows slowly along the terrain, nourishing the long-parched land.

A few streaks of white still remain on the distant sand dunes.

Intertwined with the yellowish-brown land of Saihanba, it creates a unique scene.

Summer appeared not far from the camp.

Chang Wei spotted Xia Tian from a great distance and immediately rushed over happily.

Xia Tian patted Chang Wei's head, signaling him to go play somewhere else.

Chang Wei circled around Xia Tian twice.

Then he ran towards Xiao Liu.

As soon as Xia Tian returned to Bashang, he waved and called out to Zhao Tianshan and Feng Cheng.

"Come on, Lao Zhao, Feng Cheng, come over here quickly, let's have a short meeting."

Zhao Tianshan hurried into the summer dugout.

His shoes were still covered in wet mud, and he hadn't even had a chance to sit down on the simple wooden stool.

His eyes were filled with curiosity, and he asked eagerly.

"What's wrong, Engineer Xia?"

"Why did you call us over in such a hurry? Is something important?"

Xia Tian dusted himself off and gestured for Zhao Tianshan and Feng Cheng to sit down first.

"Is such that."

"When I went down to the dam this time, Director Qu specifically gave me some instructions."

"I won't waste time, I'll get straight to the point."

"What Director Qu means is..."

"In order to better welcome the college students who will soon be coming to the dam."

"We need to choose a larger campsite."

"Judging from what Director Qu said, there might be more than a dozen college students coming this time."

Summer slightly adjusted her wording when conveying Qu He's instructions.

He had already planned to push all the infrastructure construction work onto Zhao Tianshan and the advance team.

After all, he and Feng Cheng had an even more important task at hand—to do their utmost to ensure the success of seedling cultivation in the dam area.

There's no time or energy to spare for serving those soon-to-arrive "young masters and ladies".

Summer light shines through the narrow gaps in the cellar.

Looking at the melting snow outside, he pondered for a moment before continuing.

"The best time for seedling cultivation is just around the corner."

"This seedling cultivation work cannot be delayed."

"Therefore, I intend to entrust the task of building the new camp to you."

"Old Zhao, is there a problem?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Tianshan immediately straightened his back.

He stood up abruptly and gave a standard, powerful military salute.

He assured them in a loud voice.

"Guaranteed to complete the mission!"

"Sit down, sit down, there's no need to be so serious."

Xia Tian looked at Zhao Tianshan, who had stood up, smiled, and said something.

Feng Cheng leaned against the wall of the dugout, his brows furrowed.

However, a hint of doubt was in his eyes, and he hesitated several times before speaking.

Her lips moved slightly, but she swallowed the words back.

Xia Tian keenly noticed Feng Cheng's unusual behavior and asked with concern.

"Feng Cheng, what's wrong?"

"Just say what you have to say, don't hold it in."

"How is it possible that more than a dozen college students will come?"

Upon hearing Xia Tian's question, Feng Cheng finally spoke slowly, his tone tinged with disdain.

"Even if a dozen or so come, how many will actually stay in the end?"

"In my opinion, they're just here for a quick look around and to have some fun."

As he spoke, Feng Cheng chuckled softly and looked at Xia Tian.

Xia Tian chuckled softly upon hearing this, but then her tone became serious.

"Comrade Feng Cheng, I have to criticize you a bit for this."

Upon hearing this, Feng Cheng lowered his head slightly, pretending to listen attentively to the instruction.

"Your understanding is not good enough."

"First of all, whatever the purpose of the college students coming to Saihanba."

"Even if it really is just like you said, that you're just here to have some fun."

"As the hosts of Saihanba, shouldn't we also do a good job in welcoming them?"

"Secondly, even if only one or two can come, it's fine."

"It can also play a significant role in our tree planting efforts in Saihanba."

"You've also been to university."

"It should be clear that college students have active minds and often come up with novel ideas."

Confucius once said, "Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me."

"Perhaps they will bring brand-new tree planting techniques and concepts with them."

"Working behind closed doors is unacceptable."

As Feng Cheng listened to Xia Tian's words, his head drooped lower and lower, a hint of guilt in his eyes.

"And also, Feng Cheng, you should really tidy up your image."

Xia Tian looked Feng Cheng up and down, noticing his unshaven beard and messy hair.

Their clothes were tattered and covered in dust.

He looked exactly like a savage.

“In the past, the people in Bashang were all rough men, and no one cared much about their appearance.”

"But things are different now. Soon, college students will be coming to the dam."

"Don't scare the female college students with your disheveled appearance."

"Engineer Xia, I..."

Feng Chenggang wanted to say a few words in his own defense.

"What do you mean, 'what do you mean'?"

Xia Tian interrupted him directly, her eyes revealing an undeniable authority.

"If you dare to disobey my advice and not clean up properly, I'll send you straight down the dam."

Feng Cheng listened and nodded helplessly.

He knew perfectly well that Xia Tian always kept his word and wasn't just trying to scare him.

"Also, Feng Cheng, you can just say those things here."

“We’re all on the same side, but if we talk nonsense outside, we might cause some trouble.”

"Did you hear that?"

Xia Tian then gave Feng Cheng a few more instructions.

"I heard you, Engineer Xia."

Feng Cheng nodded, indicating that he understood.

"Alright, then the job of digging the underground pits for the new camp is yours, Lao Zhao."

"Dig four larger underground pits, and then dig one smaller one."

"Then build a large canteen and set up a makeshift structure. That should be enough."

"Engineer Xia, how should we arrange these five underground cells?"

"Four rooms are for college students and the advance team, and the college students want to use the other one as a laboratory."

"Engineer Xia, I think these four underground cells might not be enough."

After listening to Xia Tian's words, Zhao Tianshan offered his opinion.

"How could it not be enough?"

"According to you, once the new camp is built, everyone will have to move there."

“The advance team and you alone will take up three spots, and the remaining spot is for the college students. There definitely won’t be enough to go around.”

"It's alright, Lao Zhao, just dig as I say."

"After the new camp was put into use, it was not said that the old camp would become useless immediately."

"If there's not enough room, the advance team can continue to stay at the old camp."

"Of course, if you have plenty of energy, digging up a couple more is no problem!"

Xia Tian added with a smile to Zhao Tianshan.

"Okay, I understand, Engineer Xia!"

Zhao Tianshan nodded, his eyes revealing a firm expression, indicating that he understood Xia Tian's meaning.

……