The comments said I was deeply affectionate, I just added points by using an alternate account.

Strangely enough, thirteen people came from Taipei, eleven from Shanghai, and seventeen from Tsinghua University. Even other relatively small colleges sent people, but no one from Shenzhen came.

Su Jin turned to the next page of the booklet, her gaze sweeping over the projection screen and the student representatives present.

"The support personnel organization plan for each college was drafted by Bai Ying before he left. I'll read it aloud first, and any objections can be raised on the spot."

She picked up another document from the table.

"The eastern exploration team consists of eight people from Huaqing College and four people from Yenching College, with An Changqing from Huaqing College serving as the team leader."

An Changqing nodded slightly, indicating that he had no objection. In fact, he was a little surprised that he, a freshman, could receive such an honor.

"The western exploration team consists of seven members from Taipei Academy and five from Shanghai Academy, with Cen Yuan from Taipei Academy serving as the team leader."

A tall young man stood up in the middle row on the left, nodded, and then sat down again.

"The northern exploration team consists of nine people from Huaqing College, with one person each from other colleges being transferred to fill the vacancies. The team leader is Fu Wenyu from Huaqing College."

Fu Wenyu, a senior, responded from the front row.

"Eastern Exploration Team Two..."

Before long, Su Jin finished reading the list. Deputy Commander Song finally found a chance to make his presence felt and interjected during a break: "The specific list of each group will be sent to your terminals within half an hour after the meeting."

Wang Shuo raised his hand again: "Madam Speaker, I have a question."

Su Jin looked up at him and said, "Speak."

Wang Shuo stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: "Why didn't Shenzhen Academy send anyone?"

There was a two-second silence in the conference room.

Deputy Commander Song coughed and said, "Shenzhen replied that they have internal matters to attend to recently and cannot spare any manpower."

"What internal affairs?"

Wang Shuo's questioning tone was very impolite. In his view, why should everyone else be working themselves to the bone while the guys in Shenzhen all disappear?

He was not concerned about scarcity but about inequality. He was willing to make sacrifices, but only when everyone else was making sacrifices.

"This is not within the scope of discussion at this coordination meeting."

Deputy Commander Song's answer was watertight, a perfect example of dodging the question.

Wang Shuo was very dissatisfied with this answer. He turned to Su Jin and said, "Madam Speaker, Shenzhen Academy is one of the four prestigious universities. They didn't send anyone to participate in this level of joint mission. There has to be an explanation."

Su Jin put down the documents in her hand and rested her fingers on the table.

"Wang Shuo, are you very interested in what's happening in Shenzhen?"

"What I'm concerned about is the fairness of the task. With one of the four top universities missing, the allocation of personnel is problematic from the start."

Su Jin didn't respond to his words, but turned to Deputy Commander Song: "When did you receive Shenzhen's reply?"

Deputy Commander Song flipped through the notes beside him: "Three days ago."

Who signed the reply?

"Zhao Heng, Vice Principal of Shenzhen College."

"Was it signed by the vice principal?"

Su Jin slowed down her speech. She hadn't paid much attention to this matter before; she was simply too busy. Foldings from all over the world were flying to her, and she even had to deal with the fact that it was too hot in India.

Right now, she can't investigate this matter immediately.

Su Jin withdrew her gaze: "I will look into this matter separately. It will not affect the current mission deployment. Continue."

Wang Shuo opened his mouth, but in the end he didn't say anything and sat back down.

Hongyuan was whispering again, "Is there something fishy going on in Shenzhen?"

Chen Guan didn't turn around. He heard Yin Chen say in a low voice, "It's hard to say, but it's not normal."

"When have you ever seen Shenzhen University absent from a joint mission involving the four top universities?"

Hong Yuan thought for a moment and shook her head: "I've never seen it before. I think Shenzhen is planning a rebellion."

"Don't say anything that could undermine unity."

The meeting ended at 9:40, with Su Jin leaving behind a final message.

"We'll depart at 10 p.m. tonight. Each group should arrive at the assembly point half an hour in advance to collect their equipment. Anyone who is late will be immediately removed from the meeting and will not be given a second chance."

The crowd gradually dispersed, and the sound of footsteps in the corridor was chaotic.

Chen Guan walked out of the conference hall, where An Changqing was waiting for him at the door.

"You'll be assigned to the east group, and you'll be with me."

"understood."

An Changqing's gaze fell on his left arm: "Dr. Zhou said you can't engage in high-intensity combat, are you... really okay?"

"The exploration mission isn't particularly challenging; there shouldn't be any major problems."

As I said before, now that we're here, it's impossible for Chen Guan to just stand by and watch.

An Changqing sighed helplessly. He knew it was impossible, but he could only hope that he would be lucky this time.

He genuinely felt his luck had run out, as if he were the kind of person who could summon a river god just by drinking water.

Chen Guan followed An Changqing toward the camp, and Hong Yuan caught up a few steps later, still muttering to herself.

"What on earth are those people in Shenzhen up to, abandoning their responsibilities at a time like this?"

Yin Chen chimed in from behind, "Do you think they're simply too busy?"

"No one would believe that."

Now Hong Yuan was fearless and chirped loudly, "When have the four prestigious universities ever missed a joint mission? But this time, they couldn't even be bothered to come up with a proper excuse. The vice principal just signed it off."

Long Ao, standing on the far outside, asked in a low voice, "Where's the principal?"

"Yes, where's the principal?"

Hong Yuan slapped her thigh. That was the real problem. If the principal were here, the vice-principal wouldn't have a chance to speak.

Liu Feiyu swung up from behind, her earphone cord dangling from her collar: "Have you ever considered another possibility?"

"Shenzhen may not be unwilling to come, but simply unable to."

After saying this, Liu Feiyu continued walking, passing the crowd and turning towards the dormitory.

The remaining people looked at each other in bewilderment.

Hongyuan opened her mouth: "What does he mean?"

Chen Guan went over Liu Feiyu's words in his mind: being unable to come and not wanting to come are two completely different things.

It's obvious that this third young master knows the inside story, but he's playing the riddle-maker!

An Changqing finally spoke up: "Let's not worry about Shenzhen for now. We still have ten hours before we set off. Everyone go back and prepare your equipment, check the consumables in your storage rings, and get any that need replenishing from the logistics department."

"The team leader has spoken, so I need to go report to him."

Hongyuan gave an awkward salute and pulled Su Yuehe away first.

It's obvious that the "team leader" thing is a lie she told, and she doesn't care.

Yin Chen and Long Ao also dispersed.

Chen Guan stood still. He saw Su Jin and Deputy Commander Song talking in hushed tones at the corner at the end of the corridor. Deputy Commander Song was bent over and nodding frequently.

Su Yuehe had just been pulled two steps away by Hong Yuan when she stopped again. She had also seen her mother.

Hongyuan followed her gaze and let go of her hand.

"Why don't you go and say a few words to your mother?"

Su Yuehe stood under the eaves of the barracks, without moving.

"What did you say?"

For a moment, she couldn't tell whether she was asking Hongyuan or herself.

"Let's just... chat for a bit, it's been so long since you've seen each other."

Hongyuan scratched her head, this question was a bit too advanced for her. She had never met her mother, and even her current name was given to her by a kind person she had only met once.