"I’m going back! I’m the captain! I can’t leave my team mbers behind! I can’t co back alone; our country, our nation, is not one that leaves its comrades behind to enjoy glory and honor.
I have to do what I must do."
While Bai Xiao carefully asked about the route, he began preparing the equipnt.
Now it was dark, and they needed flashlights. Although a section of the path had installed lighting, it was just a drop in the bucket.
Leaving the main road, it was pitch black.
Bai Xiao could only hope they hadn’t strayed too far from that place.
But he also knew it was basically impossible.
Gu Yangzhi had returned for more than seven or eight hours. During such a long ti, it was impossible for nineteen people to stay in the sa place. This made it much harder to search.
At this mont, Bai Xiao even had the thought of killing Gu Yangzhi. Why couldn’t this fool use his brain?
"You... even if you went... it’s too late... I... I just... really didn’t think... I didn’t an to..."
Gu Yangzhi stamred, even feeling ashad himself. At this mont, his face was full of sha, and he realized how disgusting his previous smugness was.
Anyone shouldn’t have such thoughts.
How did his blood rush to his head all of a sudden?
Now he hoped even more that Bai Xiao wouldn’t go.
If Bai Xiao went, it would prove his incompetence and selfishness.
If Bai Xiao failed to submit the task on ti, Bai Xiao would no longer be his competitor! Without Bai Xiao, the position of captain would naturally fall into his lap.
But did he have the face for it?
If Bai Xiao brought them back, he would be even more humiliated.
Of course, he absolutely didn’t believe Bai Xiao could bring those people back and complete the upgrade. If they could, they would have co long ago.
Why else was there still no news?
"Not being intentional makes it all the more reprehensible! It proves how morally corrupt you are, lacking even basic respect and trust. Gu Yangzhi, get as far away as you can, or I might not be able to resist beating you again." Bai Xiao threatened Gu Yangzhi sternly.
Gu Yangzhi retreated even further.
Qi Yuqing watched Bai Xiao pack up his things and yanked Bai Xiao back.
"What are you doing? We’re about to line up, and we should complete the task. Those people followed Gu Yangzhi; it was their choice. Now that things turned out this way, who can be blad? They got what they deserved."
"I have to go back!"
Bai Xiao put on his backpack, tightened its straps, grabbed two packs of bread and a bottle of water. Starving, she needed energy.
Otherwise, she might starve before finding anyone else.
She also had a baby in her belly; for her child, she couldn’t skip als at this ti.
"You’re going back? Are you crazy?! We’re about to finish the task. Going back ans our rank might fall to an unknown position, and maybe you won’t make it back by tomorrow. Doctor Bai, I can’t let you go like this. You are the soul and core of our team. We all admire your ability. You can’t disregard your own competition outco this way." Qi Yuqing was anxious.
They had managed to finish the task with great effort. Now if Bai Xiao returned, no one could predict what would happen.
Others were worried too.
Bai Xiao led them all the way; without Bai Xiao, they might have had the sa outco as those nineteen people. Such a Bai Xiao was destroying his own future.
"Doctor Bai! You can’t go. If soone has to, it shouldn’t be you. I’ll go. At my age, even if we make it to the semifinals, I’m not certain to make it to the finals. My absence won’t affect the team fundantally; the whole team can’t do without you."
This was a 59-year-old Director, whose age was second only to the old professors in the team.
Qi Yuqing wiped a tear, "I’ll go. I’m young; my skills are not that proficient yet. My experience is lacking. I can wait for another opportunity next ti. Let do it."
She couldn’t bear to see Bai Xiao give up the competition.
Others also stepped forward, vying to go.
At this mont, maximizing the interests of the China Delegation was their utmost concern; they needed to help their comrades continue in the competition.
They also wanted to preserve their strength.
Bai Xiao patted Qi Yuqing and everyone’s shoulders, "Stop fighting! I should go, not just because I’m the captain, but also because I’ve been in the frontline mountains before. I have rich night marching experience and mountain searching skills. What’s the use of you going?
I deeply appreciate everyone still being united in wanting to protect our achievents and genuinely thinking about . But in this situation, I’m the best candidate.
Let’s not waste another minute arguing! Every minute delayed is another minute late to find them, which is very unfavorable for our competition.
Here, as the captain, I order you to submit the task. I’m going back to find them, and you must believe that I have the ability to bring them out. We will advance to the semifinals together."
No one could refute Bai Xiao because, during the dayti, Bai Xiao’s performance truly made them believe he had strong field experience. Compared to them, Bai Xiao was more agile and quick-witted.
Many recalled Bai Xiao’s legendary past — Doctor Bai had saved people in frontline mountains, fought battles, and defused mines. Such a Doctor Bai indeed overshadowed them all.
An unspeakable silence, a deathly quiet.
"Alright, now I order you to submit the task. I’m departing now."
Bai Xiao drank a bottle of water, ready to set off.
Qi Yuqing ca over and forcibly took Bai Xiao’s backpack off, making Bai Xiao anxious.
"Doctor Qi, didn’t you understand my words?"
Arguing with her at this ti was truly exasperating.
"Give the backpack; I’ll carry it. It won’t matter if I’m absent, or if I’m here. I’m insignificant, so let be your right hand. Two people are stronger than one. I’ll accompany you in, I’ll carry the equipnt, and you search for them. It’s a better way to maximize your abilities, isn’t it?"
Bai Xiao understood Qi Yuqing’s intentions and saw her determination.
She nodded silently, letting go.
Qi Yuqing put on the backpack, tightened it, and packed new food and water, "Rest assured, accompanying the captain, I will surely find them safely and complete our task. You do what you ought to do!"
The two of them bid farewell to the eight others.
They embraced tightly.
Silent blessings.
In the dark night, Bai Xiao and Qi Yuqing disappeared into the darkness with flashlights.
The eight people stood there watching them leave, their hearts surging.
This was truly a broad-minded spirit, genuinely for the country and people. At this mont, Bai Xiao was so towering in their hearts.
Gu Yangzhi watched Bai Xiao and Qi Yuqing leave.
He felt no secret, joyful glee, but instead a sense of loss and sadness.
Bai Xiao could accomplish things he could not.
He was truly too selfish.
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