Chapter 8

"Yes, I sent a blanket to Zhou Xu," Lu Jun said, "I brought an extra blanket when I went abroad, and since I had no use for it, I gave it to him. He has been watching over the construction site these days"

The power is out

Then, the light was gone, and the sound was also gone

Lu Jun said: "What happened?"

After saying this, Wu Wei finally glanced at her and answered the question she had posed about ten minutes earlier: "No."

The voice was all too familiar, yet the tone was predominantly one of helplessness. Lu Jun smiled with a sense of shame; after all, she was backlit, and he could not see her face. It didn't matter how shameless she appeared.

Although the tone cannot be described as cold, it is absolutely not open to doubt; in fact, there is no opportunity for questioning or disputing, as Wu Wei is known for his strict approach to handling construction matters. Thus, Lu Jun dared not bring it up again

During dinner in the evening, she informed Zhou Xu of this matter, to which he responded with a laugh: "You don't know that the construction site now has bunk beds set up at night? Several people sleep together."

It is an extra bed that I brought from my home country

Why are you not paying attention to the road again

Soil surveys must be conducted thoroughly to utilize local materials; if the instruments are insufficient, I will find a solution. If, a few months later, cracks appear in the riverbed concrete while the river water simultaneously rises, it will truly be a case of a thousand-mile dike collapsing due to an ant's nest

Lu Jun gritted her teeth, wishing she could kick him.

Lu Yundun was instantly taken aback

And you?

She was not a meddlesome person, but suddenly asked a question she should not have asked herself, feeling secretly embarrassed. However, Wu Wei seemed to notice nothing unusual and said, "Yes, there are some instructions and a few minor issues."

At this time, the sound of the drilling machine roared in my ears, even louder than usual. I initially thought it was due to the late hour, but upon lifting the curtain to take a closer look, I realized it was because of the installation of the drilling tower, which stood at an impressive height of 15 meters. With two drilling towers operating simultaneously, the noise was astonishing; if one listened closely, it seemed as though the very earth was trembling.

She usually does not look at the ground while walking; in fact, even if she wanted to look now, she could not see clearly—the construction site was behind her, and naturally, it was backlit. As she walked straight back, she nearly collided with someone when she reached the steps. The person reacted several times faster than she did and quickly grabbed her by both arms

As autumn deepens, the construction site becomes busily active day and night; work that originally could not be rushed must now accelerate its pace, and tasks requiring expedited progress must be completed at an astonishing speed.

Lu Jun said: "I don't think it matters at all"

Lu Junru turned her face away nonchalantly and focused intently on the food in her lunchbox

After saying a couple more sentences, Lu Jun began to feel drowsy. She estimated that she would not be able to wait for Wu Wei to return, so she stood up and slowly left, retracing her steps. Along the way, she breathed on her hands to keep warm, occasionally glancing back at the flickering lights on the tower, which appeared especially bright in the darkness, their glow overshadowing the crescent moonlight, leading her to feel that, indeed, it was still warm

Lu Jun looked up at him. Wu Wei was very pragmatic in his work; if he referred to something as a "minor issue," it was likely indeed a "minor issue" that could be resolved. Of course, even if it could not be resolved, he would still find a way to address it.

That night, when Lu Jun returned from the testing site, it was already late. She tidied up a bit and recalled her conversation with Zhou Xu from that evening. She picked up a warm blanket from her bed and went to the construction site by the river. It was a path she was accustomed to, and with the sounds of machinery guiding her, she arrived quickly. Finding the right light, she lifted the curtain and entered.

Zhou Xu glanced at her and said, "Xiao Yun, do you regret it? We signed a three-year contract, and I don't mind. By the time you return to the country, you'll be old and won't be able to get married."

I still don't know you ? '' Lu Jun pouted

So many tasks are as numerous as the hairs on an ox, and the shortage of manpower at the construction site is even more pronounced. There is a lack of workers everywhere. Some local residents have come to help, but the manpower is still insufficient, particularly the shortage of technical personnel is severe. Essentially, engineers, surveyors, drillers, and others are working two or three times as much, with everyone working over 15 hours a day.

This statement left Lu Jun feeling a sudden numbness in her chest. She was momentarily stunned, and after a long pause, she said: "That is not the case. Did he not say, 'One must learn to prepare for the future, and always think ahead'? Mr. Wu simply considers everything very thoroughly; he does not specifically care about me"

The temperature in the shed is extremely low, and the simplicity of the surroundings makes it feel even colder; fortunately, the lighting is sufficient. Zhou Xu sits alone at the desk, wrapped in a blanket, reading and calculating. Next to him is a laptop, which has entered the screensaver mode, continuously flashing enigmatic Bézier curves.

He lowered his head, and their gazes happened to meet, though not clearly. She noticed his long, sword-like eyebrows slightly move, and the corners of his mouth formed a clean arc as they lifted slightly—this all happened in an instant, and it was one of the most memorable images of that night for Lu Jun regarding Wu Wei

Lu Jun spread his stiff hands and said, "Isn't this all unavoidable? If I had known it would turn out this way."

The words are serious, but no matter how correct the reasoning is, it has lost its significance

If we disregard the one or two seconds of visual delay, then the speed at which darkness descends is as astonishing as the speed of light, flooding the entire space in an instant like a tide

Zhou Xu cupped his hands and said, "Then it would be more respectful to comply with your wishes."

Lu Jun thought for a moment and said with a heated forehead: "I heard that there is a directive from the headquarters?"

Zhou Xu has lost a lot of weight and has also tanned a bit; when he smiles, there is a somewhat sinister quality to it: "I have no interest in how you look while sleeping, and I can't guarantee that others won't be interested either. You barely qualify as a beauty."

At that time, they were reviewing the progress of each group and reallocating personnel. Wu Wei was squatting down to examine the recently poured concrete for the cofferdam and the newly excavated open channel. He and the librarian were experts in various fields, and with just a few words, they pointed out potential issues with the concrete. The domestic technicians were still using the previous formula to set the material ratios, but they had forgotten that the soil in Pakistan was significantly different from that in the home country.

Of course it matters, Zhou Xu sighed heavily, "If no one wants you either, I would feel a little better inside."

Lu Jun said: "Okay"

Zhou Xu expressed regret: "Actually, I think we should have admitted it back then and used a marriage certificate to deceive for a house. A few days ago, I called my mom, and she said that housing prices are skyrocketing now"

Indeed, General Manager Wu was called away unexpectedly, as there were important instructions from the headquarters," Zhou Xu said, "He had just sat down when he was called away. Sigh, it's all just a tiring fate.

Before finishing his words, upon seeing Wu Wei, he frowned, handed her a stack of documents, and then spoke in a low voice: "No. This matter should not be mentioned again in the future. Alright, please take a look at the specific data and estimate the time required for the project."

Xiao Jun, he should not be worried that you cannot endure hardship. After all, you are a girl, and seeing you so thin, how could we bear to let you suffer this kind of hardship? Don't try to show off; just go back and get some sleep. It is so cold in the work shed that even we big men find it a bit unbearable. Seeing her gradually serious expression, Zhou Xu stopped speaking and cheerfully added, "Manager Wu is quite concerned about you, considering all these little matters for you."

I am complimenting you, what is that expression for?

As a girl, Lu Jun still received preferential treatment; she did not need to sleep in the construction shed to guard the site. However, she always felt a sense of guilt, as all the engineers took turns guarding the site day by day, and she became an exception. After much contemplation, she decided to ask Wu Wei for the reason.

Wu Wei, taller than her, stood higher. The surroundings were enveloped in dense night, with beams of light from the tower and construction site converging into strips, piercing through the towering mountains. The light was limited, and the night was deep; how could it illuminate so many places? Illuminating the person in front was sufficient. Such a beautiful person stood quietly in this band of light, gazing directly at the source of the radiance, with no sign of fatigue on his face, only calmness and composure. His demeanor suddenly changed. No longer the usual gentle and refined manner, nor the serious and just demeanor of work, but rather an incredible, enigmatic charm. Such a beautiful person stood quietly in this band of light, gazing directly at the source of the radiance, with no sign of fatigue on his face, only calmness and composure. His demeanor suddenly changed. No longer the usual gentle and refined manner, nor the serious and just demeanor of work, but rather an incredible, enigmatic charm.

Zhou Xu was calculating the transportation intensity and costs when he suddenly felt a draft enter the room. Hearing a noise outside, he turned around in surprise and saw Lu Jun, with a face red from the cold, holding a blanket. She blinked and said, "Oh, is warmth being delivered?"

Even at night, one cannot truly rest. Usually, one simply rolls up the quilt and sleeps directly in the work shed. To expedite progress, the workers are divided into two groups, working through the night. The sound of the drilling machine is intermittently loud, waking one up countless times just as they are about to fall asleep. After tossing and turning throughout the night, one can barely rest until after 2:00 AM. The conditions in the work shed are inherently crude, with leaks everywhere. The cold river wind, sharp as a knife and as frigid as frost, rushes in like a wild beast just released from its cage, relentlessly battering various equipment and producing clanging noises. The sound of the drilling machine is intermittently loud, waking one up countless times just as they are about to fall asleep. After tossing and turning throughout the night, one can barely rest until after 2:00 AM. The conditions in the work shed are inherently crude, with leaks everywhere. The cold river wind, sharp as a knife and as frigid as frost, rushes in like a wild beast just released from its cage, relentlessly battering various equipment and producing clanging noises, entering through the gaps without anyone needing to request it, and then leaving in a long, drawn-out manner. Aside from the sudden drop in temperature and the flickering lights, it seems as if nothing has changed.

Indeed, Lu Jun threw the blanket onto the bed, saying, "I have an extra blanket, so I brought it for you."

Do you know that it is cold now, yet you still have the leisure to tell cold jokes? Lu Jun expressed her dissatisfaction, saying, "Besides, what does it matter to you whether I can get married or not?"

Although Wu Wei, the chief engineer, rarely mentions the concept of time, everyone has a countdown in their hearts. For instance, the progress and methods of staged diversion, the solidity of the cofferdam, the commissioning of the units, and the construction of the second phase of the plant must all be completed before spring next year. Every spring, the snow-capped mountains in the Swat Valley melt, and the resulting torrents of meltwater rush down, creating a dire situation. This year, the weather has generally been warmer, and after carefully studying the hydrological records of climate change over the past thirty years, Lu Jun can almost confirm that there will be a major flood in the Swat Valley next spring. It is easy to imagine that many engineering tasks will become extremely challenging at that time. Furthermore, with the project having a time constraint, the hydropower station must be completed by this time next year and handed over to the Pakistani side, while currently, everything is just getting started.

Wu Wei made a nonchalant "mm" sound, and then fell silent.

Are you the only one here

Lu Jun suppressed a smile and nodded

Zhou Xu put down his pen and turned around to ask, "Isn't that Director Wang who asked if we are a couple? He also said that if we are, we could get a set of housing?"

Did you just go to the work shed

I thought there would be no one on the road this late The voice was very soft, and at the same time, I slightly stepped back

In a life that is arduous and lacking in novelty, the sun and moon truly become a shuttle, and after a series of rapid games of sunrise and sunset, time also slips away. However, for those in the water and electricity sector who are accustomed to hardship, the pressures of work and fatigue are of little concern; they indicate that the project is running smoothly. The real disaster would be to have nothing to do.

Zhou Xu couldn't discern, shrugged and smiled: "Well, that's true. But do you remember every word he said so well?"

Lu Jun was both amused and perplexed: "What kind of strange logic is this? You really didn't need to come to Pakistan. Wasn't Director Wang quite appreciative of you at that time? If you had pleaded with him, perhaps you wouldn't have had to come here. Although life in the country is also tough, it is definitely much better than it is now."

Zhou Xupin kept going on and on, while Lu Jun repeatedly waved her hand: "Alright, alright, if you keep talking, the sun will come up. Just get on with your work."