Chapter 44: Exclusive to Jinjiang 2/2

Shi Zhang raised an eyebrow and asked, “Is that so?”

Today, they spent the whole day on the mountain without finding the target plant. Although such situations were common on scientific expeditions, Shi Zhang’s mood wasn’t good when he came down. His face showed it, and everyone noticed.

A phone call later, his expression changed from cloudy to sunny in an instant. The credit was obvious.

The days without Song Fuzhi around were difficult to endure, but every day, when surrounded by the endless greenery of the mountains, the mood would unconsciously become calm and expansive. The urgency in Shi Zhang’s heart would be diluted.

A video call with his husband every night, seeing Song Fuzhi’s face, brought temporary comfort.

Busy times passed quickly. They were lucky; within the planned time, the collection tasks were almost completed.

On the last day of going up the mountain, everyone’s mood was relatively relaxed.

The soil still carried the moisture from the past few days, and the air was very fresh.

Liǎng Sīsī lifted her leg to climb up, looking at her shoes with disdain. “These shoes will be ruined again when we go back. They’re covered in mud.”

“Just make do; washing them will make them wearable again.” The senior researcher laughed.

“I really don’t want to touch them anymore,” Liang Sīs sighed. “Climbing wild mountains is too distressing.”

These days, they climbed mountains without paths, relying on their feet to tread, making it very tough. Their clothes and shoes had been stained with dirt long ago.

There was a student on the team, participating in such a scientific expedition for the first time.

Hearing Liǎng Sīsī’s complaint, he immediately resonated, “Really! Before coming here, I didn’t think it would be so tiring! I thought it would be similar to doing surveys in the botanical garden. Who would have thought… this is unbearable. Fortunately, today is the last day; after I go back, I’m going for a massage and a hot spring. Damn!”

The student had performed well academically before and came for the opportunity of the scientific expedition.

However, he didn’t expect the conditions to be so harsh. From the mountain path to the guesthouse, every part was vastly different from his previous expectations. The past two weeks have taken a toll on him emotionally.

The senior researcher smiled and said, “Young man, what you said is not wrong. We all know. It’s hard work without appreciation. That’s why those of us who stay are a bit foolish, diving into this forest, ah, can’t get out anymore.”

The student nodded and remained silent.

There were quite a few experienced seniors on the team, with two having more seniority than Shi Zhang.

Every time they went on a scientific expedition, they would chat about their experiences; the dangers they had encountered seemed endless.

“You recovered, and you’re already very lucky. In America, a researcher was bitten by a tick without noticing it, and he became a vegetable.”

The student shrank his neck after hearing this: “So scary.”

Suddenly, Shi Zhang furrowed his brows and interrupted, “If you’re only considering these things, it means you’re not suitable for this profession.”

The student was stunned, looking at Shi Zhang without saying anything.

Liang Sīsī, who hadn’t spoken all this while, chuckled on the side, “Hey, little brother, what you said is right. We all know that. It’s hard work without rewards… so those of us who stay are a bit foolish, diving into this forest. Hey, can’t get out anymore.”

The student made a sound of agreement and bowed his head, remaining silent.

During this journey, Shi Zhang had seen many students who wanted to give up.

Their field of study itself wasn’t popular, and many students were transferred into it. Despite being interested in the subject, after experiencing a few wilderness expeditions, the hardships and uncertainties of scientific research scared them away. The future of research was unclear, and it wasn’t as practical as taking a civil service exam or a job with a stable salary.

Originally, this was everyone’s different life choice. Choosing anything is fine, and Shi Zhang is happy for students who have found their life direction. However, whenever he hears someone questioning why they are working so hard, Shi Zhang still gets angry.

After that, the student didn’t speak much, walking on the edge of the group, sometimes close, sometimes distant.

Liu Yang discovered some rare plants, excitedly shouting, and everyone gathered to watch with relish. However, this student stood on the outskirts, looking tired.

When the group took a break, the student suddenly said, “Professor, I’m not feeling well. Can I go down the mountain first?”

Solo actions are highly discouraged in the field, and the rule is that at least three people must travel together.

Shi Zhang almost immediately said, “You can’t go alone. After we finish exploring this area, Liu Yang and Liang Sisi will go down with you.”

Liu Yang raised his hand in protest. “I don’t want to go down.”

He was silenced by a gentle knock on the head from Liang Sisi. The student insisted, “I can go alone. I remember the way back.”

Shi Zhang frowned slightly. “Do you remember the lessons before coming out? In the field, at least three people should travel together.”

“I’ll be fine. In case something happens, I’ll take responsibility myself.”

The student’s emotions escalated; he tightened his backpack and turned to walk downhill.

Unexpectedly, the slope was steep, and the soil and leaves were slippery. The student, in a hurry and without holding a trekking pole, slipped and was about to fall.

Shi Zhang’s whole body tensed, acting faster than his brain’s command. When the screams of others reached their ears, Shi Zhang had already protected the student, placing himself underneath and rolling to the slightly gentler side of the slope.

Others rushed over in shock, first pulling up the student and then helping up Shi Zhang.

“Are you okay?”

“Did you get hurt anywhere?”

Shi Zhang actually felt fine; his strong adaptability and physical fitness saved them. They didn’t hit anything; the landing was almost smooth.

Liang Sisi suddenly took a sharp breath. “Professor, you’re bleeding!”

Someone quickly went back up to get the first-aid kit. Shi Zhang’s awareness slowly returned; there was a stinging sensation behind his arm.

He lifted his hand to see; his clothes were torn, revealing his arm underneath, with a thin and deep wound oozing a long streak of blood.

Liu Yang pointed to a sharp stone nearby and said, “Probably got cut by the stone when coming down. Ah, quickly disinfect it!”

Shi Zhang sat down, cross-legged, on the spot. A group of people anxiously surrounded him, performing emergency disinfection and bandaging.

“What a fuss over a scratch!” Shi Zhang laughed, shaking his head. “Just a slight abrasion.”

Others disagreed; even the senior researchers said, “Old Shi, go to the city hospital tomorrow, get a tetanus shot, be safe.”

On this point, Shi Zhang agreed. The wound itself might not be a big deal, but the outdoors are dirty, and improper treatment could lead to infection.

After discussion, the next day, Liu Yang stayed to accompany Shi Zhang to the large city hospital, extending their stay for one more day before returning.

Shi Zhang frowned, displeased, but he knew he should go to the hospital for a check-up. So, he agreed.

Liang Sisi looked at the gauze on Shi Zhang’s arm and sighed. “Professor Shi will make Professor Song worry.”

Before she finished her sentence, Shi Zhang’s phone rang.

Song Fuzhi sent him a video call invitation.

Shi Zhang quickly walked to an empty corridor, hesitated for two seconds, and then declined, switching to a voice call to dial back.

After a while, Song Fuzhi answered the call, his voice carrying a hint of a smile: “Why did you switch to a voice call today?”

Shi Zhang lowered his head and replied with a simple “Hmm,” without giving a reason. His first words were, “Professor Song, I miss you.”

Song Fuzhi’s voice choked, and he sounded hoarse. “Aren’t you coming back tomorrow?”

Shi Zhang tilted his head against the wall, and Adam’s apple slid twice uncomfortably. He sighed helplessly. “There’s still something here. I’ll be back a day late. I’m sorry.”

Song Fuzhi paused and said, “Oh.”

Shi Zhang smiled with narrowed eyes. “Do you want me to come back quickly?”

Song Fuzhi didn’t answer, instead asking him, “Nothing happened on your end, right?”

“Nothing happened,” Shi Zhang said.

“That’s good.” Song Fuzhi seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Shi Zhang apologized again, “Sorry for making Professor Song wait for one more day.”

Song Fuzhi’s voice was gentle: “Work comes first. Professor Shi, take care.”

Shi Zhang teased a bit: “Has Professor Song always kept promises?”

 Song Fuzhi pretended not to hear: “Yeah, I’ve eaten all the meat and fruit you prepared for me.”

“Oh—” Shi Zhang prolonged the tone.

But he still didn’t hear what he wanted to hear, persistently asking, “If I make Fuzhi wait for me for one more day, will he be mad at me?”

“What do I have to be mad at you for?” Song Fuzhi lightly scolded with a laugh, dropping the act. “Don’t think too much; it has nothing to do with that.”

Shi Zhang asked, “Then, what does it have to do with?”

“It has nothing to do with anything.”

Song Fuzhi paused for a moment before continuing, “I just miss my husband a bit.”