Section Fourteen Salvation

  The light snow floating in the sky quickly pounced on Zhao Zhong, who was diligently shoveling stones, and covered him with a layer of white. The top of the olive green heavy truck also showed signs of slight accumulation.

  The dry and cold climate on the Gobi Plateau makes it difficult for snowflakes to melt, and they can easily accumulate. However, if they fall on a wet and frozen ground, the snow cannot leave any trace, as if it has been absorbed into the black earth instantly. The boundary line between the black and white is so clear, with the road surface in between, giving a somewhat startling feeling.

  Of course, this is only the case in the early stages of snowfall. Once the blizzard really arrives, even the wet and frozen ground will also be covered with a layer of white snow.

  "Carla!" "Carla!"

  Zhao Zhong was not mechanically shoveling stones, but now he needed to swing his arms to work. Only by desperately moving his body could he bring true warmth to himself, and in the face of the cold plateau climate, he couldn't afford to be careless at any time.

  First, tie large stones to the wheels, then fill in small stones into the gaps between the stones and the rope seams, as tightly and compactly as possible. Although it's a bit rough, it should still have some effect.

  Zhao Zhong's task was to bury the entire wheel with stones, but when he had just piled up one wheel, Xu De had already tied and secured all six wheels.

  "Alright, let's pile up another wheel according to this standard!"

  Although Zhao Zhong's speed was a bit slow, Xu De was extremely satisfied with his performance.

  The stone pile that almost covers the entire wheel will slightly cover the rear axle, although it is a bit troublesome to clean up afterwards, but undoubtedly can ensure that the car is more stable in the blizzard. For the two people now, time is important, but the safety of the car is even more important.

  "Alright."

  He turned the iron shovel over his shoulder and Zhao Zhong stretched out his foot to kick at the pile of rocks. Seeing that there were no signs of anything scattered around, he finally felt at ease.

  Although he had never driven this car before, it's not that he didn't have any feelings for it. Every time he came back from work, Zhao Zhong would personally wash the dust off his beloved car. This wasn't a requirement by Hu Song, but rather Zhao Zhong's genuine affection for the vehicle.

  Zhao Zhong's parents were both taxi drivers, taking turns driving one car, and in their hard work, they also passed on their love for cars to the young Zhao Zhong. Growing up in the back seat of a car, Zhao Zhong felt his parents' love while also feeling the deep affection that nurtured him from the vehicle carrying his parents' hopes.

  "What is that thing? Are we really this lucky?"

  Before Zhao Zhong could lift his foot from the pile of stones, Xu De let out an exclamation beside him. Following his gaze, Zhao Zhong saw that in the far distance ahead, at what seemed to be the end of the horizon, a group of black dots were surging towards this direction, and amidst the howling wind, one could even faintly hear the hum of cars.

  "Could it be..."

  "Road Engineering Team!"

  When they said this in unison, Zhao Zhong and Xu De saw a joyful expression on each other's face. Although Zhao Zhong had not been on the plateau for long, he had also encountered several road construction teams that were enthusiastic and full of energy during transportation missions.

  Everyone acknowledges that the road construction team is the only true warrior on the Gobi Desert who is not afraid of blizzards. In their eyes, there are only roads under their feet, and in their hands, the roads are constantly being extended.

  "Clang!"

  With a crisp thud, the iron shovel in his hand fell from his shoulder, and Zhao Zhong also excitedly rushed to the heavy truck parked quietly on the side, patting the body vigorously and exclaimed: "Great, great! You're saved, you're finally saved!"

  "......Hey! What's gotten into this kid?"

  It was unexpected that Zhao Zhong would have such a reaction. Xu De let out a sigh, but he wouldn't say anything more to him. Unlike Instructor Hu Song, who placed great importance on personal conduct and judged people's actions based on their character, Xu De believed that a person's actions represented their character.

  Zhao Zhong is not the kind of person who speaks flattering words, to him, actions represent everything. However, not everyone can understand this point, just like how he always carefully washes his car every time he comes back from a drive, which has also become a symbol of showing off in many people's eyes.

  It seems that after discussing with He Song, Zhao Zhong should be allowed to try driving now.

  "Hey, Xude, where's my wine?"

  Running in front of the road engineering team's fleet, Xu Chang stood up on his own small jeep and shouted loudly at Xu De who was standing by the side of the road to welcome him. Maybe he usually likes to nest in the excavator's cab full of vibrations, even moving the communication device up there. But if he wants to go find a drink, he will naturally ride the fastest jeep.

  The military jeep with excellent off-road capability is the basic equipment in various troops, often used for communication and exercise command. Although Zhao Zhong did not have the opportunity to drive a heavy truck, because when he first entered the army, everyone wanted to see what this national rally champion was all about, so he still got to drive a jeep once.

  However, victory or defeat is all because of Jeep! Perhaps it was because his performance was too dazzling, the faster he drove the Jeep, the more unbearable it became in Hu Song's eyes.

  Recalling such past events, although Zhao Zhong was also excited to see the shadow of the road engineering team, he had no interest in the jeep in front of him.

  "You rascal, did you come here just to drink? Tell me, have you seen Hu Song or not? Did he send a car with him up the mountain?"

  Before the car had even come to a complete stop, Xu Chang jumped out of it. He snatched the wine bottle that Xu De was handing over but then pretended to take back, and said loudly: "I've seen him, I've seen him! It's still him who called us back to save you. I've sent two new soldiers with an armored vehicle to go up the mountain with him, so don't worry!"

  "You turtle egg, how dare you send new recruits with Hu Song up the mountain, who are you trying to fool."

  While cursing in his mouth, Xu De kicked Xu Chang's leg. Although he had known that Xu Chang liked to bully new recruits, he didn't expect him to be so reckless at this time. However, when he heard that he was sent with Hu Song to climb the mountain, Xu De also felt a little relieved.

  Although Zhao Zhong saw Xu Chang for the first time today, he knew that they were old acquaintances when he heard Xu De's foul language.

  Facing true wine friends, everyone will show their most genuine side. Seeing Xu Chang being able to grab Xu De's wine jug and drink from it in big gulps, Zhao Zhong couldn't help but sigh in admiration in his heart.