#497 - Chapter 497 Xiao Ming's team advances
It was approaching dusk.
The Green Source Base, having been busy all day, was entering its rest and closing mode.
Recently, the base had been distributing homemade herbal tea to everyone at work to help them cool down. Apart from a few people still collapsing from heatstroke occasionally, the others were barely managing to grit their teeth and persevere.
They had also heard that.
As the temperature continued to rise, the headquarters was considering suspending the construction of the Life Belt and allowing everyone to stay in the small residential areas to rest and recuperate.
Some handicraft work might be arranged for everyone to do indoors, but there was no clear indication of what to do yet. However, rumors were circulating that the food rations would be reduced later on.
That was unacceptable!
They had no choice but to save some of the food they received each day and set it aside to get through the tough times ahead.
The weather was indeed unbearable, and many people felt like they were forcing themselves to endure it. If the base really stopped arranging the construction of the Life Belt, everyone could accept it, as it would be restarted after the weather cooled down anyway.
Currently, the entire Life Belt surrounding the headquarters had been excavated to a depth of about three or four meters, and the cement reinforcement and other work had not yet been completed.
There was no choice, as there was a shortage of water recently.
"Off work~~~ I'm going to check the promotion list on the bulletin board to see if my name is on it!! Damn!! It has to be there!!"
As soon as the workday ended, countless people eagerly rushed to the bulletin boards set up inside and outside the branch base.
Everyone had been holding their breath at work today, hoping to be "lucky enough" to get a promotion!
Soon, the bulletin board was surrounded by layers of people, all craning their necks to examine it carefully.
"Holy crap!!! I got promoted!!! I'm going to become a Level 2 personnel!!! Oh my god!! I got it!! I really got it!!!"
A Level 1 personnel outside the branch base saw his name on the list on the spot.
Ignoring the envious and jealous gazes of others, he howled loudly.
It was so awesome!
He heard that the large residential area had communal fans, higher walls, a sufficient supply of drinking water, and some extra water and electricity for daily use!
The main point was that Level 2 personnel received slightly more food rations!
He could be a little more full!
"Damn it!! My name isn't there!? I've been performing very well recently!? What's going on? I want to be promoted too!"
Someone shouted in disappointment, but was quickly drowned out.
No one had time to pay attention to someone who wasn't selected, as the people behind him hadn't seen the list yet.
"I'm screwed! I'm screwed! I'm screwed screwed screwed!!! Brother Xiao! Brother Xiao! We got promoted!! We got promoted!!"
Suddenly, Green, who had squeezed in front of Xiao Ming to see the list, shouted madly.
!!
Xiao Ming hadn't squeezed in yet, but his body shook when he heard this. He quickly used his strength to push through the crowd and looked at the list next to the excited Green.
Sure enough!
His name, along with Green's and another female companion's name, were all on the list!
They had all been promoted to Level 3!
Xiao Ming, who was usually quite composed, couldn't help but wave his arm excitedly to vent his feelings.
In the extremely envious eyes of the people around them, they slowly retreated and went to share the joy with their remaining female companion.
They usually worked hard and diligently, never complaining about the harsh conditions. In addition, Xiao Ming had a veteran background, and he had once "sheltered" Team Leader Li overnight in Shenzhen. When Qin Jin was reviewing these people, he approved their Level 3 qualifications.
"Great! Brother Xiao, we can go to the branch base tomorrow! I heard that there are 4-person dorms and 8-person dorms there, all with individual fans and more generous water usage! The most important thing is that we don't have to build the Life Belt anymore. We can go to the branch base to do other work and get more food rations!"
Green was smiling so hard that his eyes were almost invisible. All the fatigue from just finishing work had disappeared, and he felt like he could fight three thousand more rounds.
Xiao Ming and the female companion were also smiling happily.
These people had put in effort, and the feeling of being recognized was extremely strong.
'This is great.'
'The future looks more promising.'
Xiao Ming was thinking about many things in the future. He decided that after entering the branch base, he would find a way to apply to join the external combat force!
That was where men like them should be!
Checking the promotion list ended quickly, as either you were on it or you had to wait for the next announcement from the base.
Only a small number of 30 lucky people were promoted, and the others had to go back to receive their food and go home in disappointment.
Life had to go on.
This promotion was basically from Level 1 to Level 2, with a small number from Level 2 to Level 3. There were no higher-level personnel promoted this time.
Outside the base.
Zhao Xin was covered in mud, listless and dispirited.
He had been demoted to Level 1 personnel in the morning and assigned to build the Life Belt outside the branch base. Tonight, he would be sent back to the No. 14 small residential area by shuttle bus.
During the day today, he felt the strange gazes of many of his colleagues around him.
Those gloating eyes, mixed with a hint of disdain, almost made him explode.
But when he thought of what the construction site manager had reminded him:
"You have been demoted, so it's best to restrain yourself for the time being. If the background you mentioned is real, you wouldn't have been demoted. If you continue to be passive and slack off, don't blame me for reporting it truthfully. In the end, you may not even be able to keep your Level 1 personnel status."
The manager's words awakened him.
Indeed, if that cheap older sister really cared about him, there wouldn't have been such a scene today that made him lose all face!
Damn Zhao Ling!!
Zhao Xin had never wished for someone to die!
But in the end, he suppressed his anger and forced himself to do the hard work that he once looked down on.
Otherwise, he was really afraid that his Level 1 personnel qualification would be revoked.
"Xin Xin! Your father and mother will find a way to bring you back to work at the branch base! You must take care of yourself in the small residential area! This is Mom's food, take it with you. Remember to look for your parents if you have any difficulties, we will definitely find a way to help you, sob sob sob."
"Your father and I will beg Zhao Ling to save you. You must persevere!"
Zhu Fen came to Zhao Xin with her husband, crying and sobbing, and instructed her precious son with extreme reluctance.
It was as if he would die if he went to the small residential area.
The two old people lived in the No. 1 large residential area and worked inside the branch base. They naturally showed extreme reluctance to be separated from their son.
They didn't dare to voluntarily abandon their Level 2 qualifications to accompany their son to the small residential area, because they still needed to find a way to pull their son up.
"Slap!"
Zhao Xin slapped away the food that his mother had handed over today with a cold look, and roared in a very unkind tone:
"Don't mention Zhao Ling in front of me again! I don't have a sister like her! Spit!"
He spat and walked towards the shuttle bus heading to the small residential area without looking back.
Zhao Zhigang clenched his fists behind him, wanting to rush up and give him a slap. He trembled for a long time before putting down his arms, took a heavy breath, bent down to pick up the food on the ground, and helped his wife to the shuttle bus to the large residential area.
Ignoring Zhu Fen's reluctant face, he said angrily:
"Go! Leave him alone! Let him fend for himself! He will never grow up if he doesn't suffer a little bit of hardship!"
(End of chapter)
