Arctic survival, starting in hell at minus fifty degrees Celsius

Both sides were fighting with real intensity, and even when they suddenly stopped, they were still staring intently at each other.

Fortunately, everyone understood that continuing would not bring any benefit, and cautiously pulled their own people back.

At that moment, a middle-aged white man wearing a suit but with a cotton overcoat and glasses walked out from among the white men.

He exhaled white breath, raised his left wrist to look at his watch, and said, "Each side will send one person at a time to collect fuel for ten minutes, and then the other side will take over after ten minutes."

The fuel in the tank is enough for both of us to use for more than half a month; there's no need for us to cause a fatality.

Bai Zhan stepped forward and said, "Okay, let's do it your way."

For the next six hours, both sides stood in the cold wind, taking turns refueling.

All the injured were dragged back. The two who originally looked down on each other became sworn brothers after this brawl.

Bai Zhan hunched his shoulders, lit a cigarette with the lighter, took a puff, and said to Sun Chengwu, "Brother Sun, you're the smartest one. You called for help, otherwise we would have been in deep trouble. I owe you a favor."

After we get back…

Sun Chengwu interrupted, "No need to wait to go back, we can cash it in now."

Bai Zhan squinted. There was a red, swollen spot on his face, and his skin was dry and cracked, with oil seeping out from underneath.

He was accidentally punched in the recent brawl.

Bai Zhan laughed and said, "Of course, I will not only repay you now, but I will also repay you after we are saved."

Sun Chengwu did not respond.

Bai Zhan said, "We'll deliver the fuel as we agreed, I'll share some of the food with you, and I personally owe you my life."

Looking into Bai Zhan's sincere eyes, Sun Chengwu smiled and said, "Alright, it's up to you."

Sun Chengwu's vigilance towards Bai Zhan increased to a new level.

This guy, despite his young age, is able to control his emotions, is good at pretending, and knows how to make empty promises; he's very difficult to deal with.

He made up his mind that after this incident, he would never have any contact with Bai Zhan again.

His suggestion to honor favors meant the same thing: from now on, everyone will only talk about interests, not personal relationships.

At noon, Bai Zhan had someone bring food.

He wrapped himself tighter in his clothes because of the cold, and smoked one cigarette after another until he finished a whole pack, leaving cigarette butts all over the ground.

A bespectacled, refined-looking man offered me a pack of Double Happiness cigarettes, saying ingratiatingly, "Brother Bai, this is a wedding gift from my childhood friend when I returned to China for a wedding."

I don't usually smoke. Here, have a taste.

He looked much older than Bai Zhan, and he addressed him as "brother" so affectionately.

Bai Zhan narrowed his eyes, smiled, and patted the refined-looking man on the shoulder in a condescending manner, saying, "You know me?"

The refined-looking man with glasses said ingratiatingly, "Brother Bai, I work at President Bai's company and have had the pleasure of meeting you once."

It's normal that you didn't remember me when you visited the company.

Bai Zhan didn't say much, took the cigarette, and was about to open it when the refined-looking man with glasses helped him open a box first, took out a cigarette and thoughtfully placed it to Bai Zhan's lips, "Brother Bai, please have one."

Bai Zhan took a puff, chuckled, and said, "This wedding cigarette is definitely better than regular cigarettes."

The refined-looking man with glasses flattered, "If Brother Bai likes it, then tonight, may I...?"

Bai Zhan agreed, saying, "There's a spot for you by the fire."

The refined-looking man with glasses was moved to tears, "Thank you, Brother Bai! Thank you, Brother Bai!"

Bai Zhan turned around, took out a cigarette, and handed it to Sun Chengwu. "Want one?"

Sun Chengwu said, "No."

Bai Zhan, undeterred, continued to try to win them over, saying, "Some people seem to have high academic qualifications and know how to conduct themselves, but when it really matters, they can't be relied on."

Brother Sun, don't let my young age fool you, my starting point is something many people can never reach in their entire lives.

I don't look down on Brother Sun. It's because of you that I was saved and able to get this fuel. I thank you.

But what I can bring you is something you can't even imagine.

Sun Chengwu said, "But our goal now is to survive."

What can you give me now?

Bai Zhan was taken aback, then suddenly laughed.

He wasn't afraid of Sun Chengwu making exorbitant demands; he was afraid that Sun Chengwu would keep refusing.

Bai Zhan said, "This trip to the United States was a team building event organized by our company. Some of the people you see around me are my friends, and some are my employees."

Brother Sun, it's too difficult to fight alone in this environment. We should stick together and support each other.

If you're willing, Brother Sun, you can lead this team.

From now on, we'll listen to you.

Sun Chengwu said, "I don't have much leadership ability, and I know my own limitations."

You don't need to flatter me.

If you ever need anything from me in the future, I'll help you; just give me a reward.

All I want is to survive. I don't want to cause you any trouble, and I don't want anyone to cause me any trouble.

Bai Zhan understood. Although this result wasn't the best, it was acceptable. "Brother Sun, I'm relieved to hear you say that. Nothing is more reassuring than having a doctor by your side, especially a capable one."

Sun Chengwu always understood that, once you leave the rules of how society operates, ability equals power, and power equals status.

No matter how high one's status was in the original society, in order to survive here, one has to be subservient to others.

Whoever controls food, fuel, and fresh water is king.

Currently, the prerequisite is that we can hold onto these things.

Coincidentally, Sun Chengwu had all of these things.

This is also why Bai Zhan is determined to win him over.

It soon got dark, and fuel flowed slowly at low temperatures. There was still more than half a tank of fuel left, and neither side wanted to give up the remaining fuel.

But as the temperature drops, staying any longer won't be enough to withstand the cold wind.

The middle-aged white man in a suit suggested, "How about we block the fuel line first and come back to pick it up tomorrow?"

Bai Zhan agreed, "Okay."

As the fuel spill stopped, both sides gradually dispersed.

Back in the cabin, Bai Zhan pulled Sun Chengwu aside and said, "Brother Sun, I'm a little worried. Their people will definitely sneak over to transport oil in the middle of the night. Should we arrange for someone to keep an eye on them?"

Bai Zhan could have made this decision himself, but he deliberately told Sun Chengwu about it, hoping to recruit him.

Sun Chengwu replied, "Okay, two people per group, one group keeps watch for half an hour, make sure they wear more clothes and give them more food."

Bai Zhan laughed, "What a coincidence, that's what I was thinking too."

Sun Chengwu saw through it but didn't say anything. "You make the arrangements. I'm going back to sleep."

After Sun Chengwu left, Bai Zhan's face instantly darkened. He stared at Sun Chengwu's back for a long time before walking towards the refined-looking man with glasses. "We need to send someone to watch the fuel tanks to prevent those foreigners from stealing fuel in the middle of the night. Find a partner to watch the first batch together. I'll give you an extra half pack of instant noodles."

The refined-looking man with glasses froze instantly. "Brother Bai, I... I gave you a pack of cigarettes, didn't I? Could you please give me someone else?"