230: Chapter 229 Seeking Light on the Sandy Journey! A fierce wind chases a secret, a perilous path warms the heart (3)

After finishing the emergency treatment of the injured team members' wounds, Xia Wan also walked over to help everyone organize the supplies. Her movements were agile, a gentle smile on her face, and she looked towards Mu Li from time to time, her eyes filled with concern.

"What were you going to say just now?" Xia Wan walked to Mu Li's side and asked softly, her tone carrying a hint of cautious anticipation, her cheeks still flushed with a faint blush.

Mu Li looked at Xia Wan's gentle eyes and hesitated for a moment. He knew that now was not the time for romance; the xuanguang core loophole had not yet been completely repaired, and the Aurora Alliance's conspiracy had not been completely crushed. He still had more important tasks to complete. However, he didn't want to miss this opportunity, and he didn't want to keep these feelings buried in his heart any longer. In the end, he shook his head and said gently, "It's nothing. When we return to the base and everything is settled, I'll tell you then, okay?"

Xia Wan nodded and did not ask any further. Although there was a hint of disappointment in her eyes, she still smiled gently, "Okay, I'll wait for you. You go ahead and work, don't worry about me, I'll just help everyone organize the supplies." Her cheeks grew even redder, and the anticipation in her heart grew even stronger.

About an hour later, the members of the Technical Team walked out of the underground laboratory with the organized experimental data and usable equipment. All the data had been properly packed, and the equipment had been carefully moved without any damage. "Engineer Mu, the data and equipment have all been organized and packed. We are ready to evacuate at any time!" the leader of the Technical Team reported, his tone full of a sense of accomplishment.

"Good! All personnel, prepare to evacuate!" Mu Li ordered loudly, his tone firm. "Injured team members will board first. Security personnel will provide cover, and the Technical Team will be responsible for looking after the data and equipment to ensure nothing goes wrong!"

The team members moved one after another, boarding the aircraft in an orderly manner according to instructions. Everyone's face showed exhaustion, but also joy and determination—they had not only successfully found the repair solution but had also managed to shake off the pursuit of the Aurora Alliance and successfully waited for reinforcements from the base. This difficult journey of seeking light in the Gobi Desert had finally achieved a phased victory.

Mu Li and Xia Wan boarded the last helicopter together. The helicopter slowly lifted off and flew towards the Xuanguang Base. The fuselage gradually moved away from this vast Gobi Desert, and the yellow sand and broken walls outside the window gradually became blurred. Inside the cabin, Mu Li sat beside Xia Wan, looking at the Gobi Desert fading away outside the window, feeling a thousand emotions in his heart. This trip to the Gobi Desert, although full of danger and setbacks, encountering ambushes and sandstorms, and even falling into a desperate situation of being isolated and helpless, had also yielded a lot—not only had he found the first part of the solution to repair the xuanguang core loophole, but he had also become more certain of his feelings for Xia Wan. This affection, which had sprouted on the dangerous journey and warmed up in adversity, had become increasingly firm.

"Really, thank you this time, Xia Wan." Mu Li turned his head and looked at Xia Wan, his eyes serious and gentle. "If you hadn't arrived in time with the medical staff to treat the injured team members, I'm afraid their injuries would have become increasingly serious, and they might have even been in life-threatening danger. Also, thank you for worrying about me all these days."

"This is my duty, Engineer Mu, no need to say thank you to me." Xia Wan smiled, her eyes gentle, her cheeks still flushed with a faint blush. "Besides, it is sincere that I worry about you. Every time you carry out a mission, you are so desperate, disregarding your own safety. I am really worried, afraid that something will happen to you, afraid that I will never see you again."

"I'm sorry for making you worry." Mu Li's heart was full of guilt, but also full of warmth. "For the sake of Xuanguang Technology, for the country's energy security, and to protect the peace of more people, I must give my all. This is my responsibility and my mission. However, I will pay attention to safety in the future because I don't want to make the people who care about me worry again, especially you."

Xia Wan's heart rate accelerated instantly, like a deer bumping around. She raised her head and happened to meet Mu Li's gentle and firm gaze. The two stared into each other's eyes, and the air was filled with an ambiguous and gentle atmosphere, as if time had frozen at this moment. The other team members in the cabin tactfully turned their heads, pretending not to see, but their mouths all carried faint smiles, silently blessing them.

"Engineer Mu, Doctor Xia, you two..." A young technician couldn't help but speak up, wanting to tease them, but was glared at fiercely by Old Zhou beside him, so he had to swallow the rest of his words and lowered his head in embarrassment.

Mu Li and Xia Wan both lowered their heads in some embarrassment, their cheeks flushed red, and the ambiguous atmosphere in the air became even thicker. After a while, Xia Wan said softly, "Engineer Mu, I know you are busy with work and have a heavy responsibility, but you must also take care of your own body; you cannot just push yourself blindly. If you collapse from exhaustion, what will happen to the Xuanguang Team? What about the grassroots people waiting for Xuanguang Technology to improve their lives? And... and what about me?"

The last sentence was spoken in a very small voice, almost inaudible, yet it clearly reached Mu Li's ears. Mu Li's heart warmed. He raised his head and looked at Xia Wan's shy and expectant eyes, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "I understand, Xia Wan. In the future, I will pay attention to balancing work and rest and will not let myself collapse from exhaustion again. By the way, after we return to the base, I would like to invite you to dinner, as a thank you for your help this time, and also thank you for worrying about me all along."

A flash of surprise flickered in Xia Wan's eyes, and then she nodded vigorously, a brilliant smile appearing on her face, like a flower blooming in the Gobi Desert, gentle and dazzling. "Okay, I promise you."

Seeing Xia Wan agree, Mu Li's heart was filled with joy. He knew that the layer of window paper between him and Xia Wan was about to be pierced, and this affection that had been buried for many years was finally about to bear fruit.

The helicopter flew for about four hours and finally arrived at the Xuanguang Base. The base staff had long been waiting on the tarmac. Seeing the helicopter with Mu Li and his party land, they immediately came up to meet them, their faces full of joy and concern. The injured team members were carefully carried off the helicopter by medical staff and sent directly to the medical center for further treatment to ensure their injuries could recover as soon as possible.

Mu Li took the members of the Technical Team, carrying the found repair solution and experimental data, and headed straight to the R&D Center. Zhao Gang had been waiting at the entrance of the R&D Center, his face full of anxiety and anticipation. Seeing Mu Li, he immediately stepped forward to meet him, his tone excited. "Engineer Mu, you are finally back! You worried us to death! After the base lost communication with you, everyone was on pins and needles, afraid that something might have happened to you. How was it? Did you find the repair solution?"

"We found it!" Mu Li raised the data in his hand, a gratified smile appearing on his face. "This is the first part of the solution to repair the xuanguang core loophole. It contains detailed technical parameters and repair steps. We finally have hope of cracking the xuanguang core loophole and crushing the Aurora Alliance's 'Operation Light-Devouring'!"

"That's great! That's really great!" Zhao Gang excitedly took the data, his hands trembling slightly. "I will go arrange the Technical Team right now to start research immediately, do my best to interpret the repair solution, and advance the repair work as soon as possible, so as not to let down your and everyone's hard work!"

"Good! Thank you for your hard work, Zhao Gang." Mu Li nodded, his tone sincere. "You must interpret it carefully. If you encounter problems, communicate with me in time. Do not rush for success; ensure the repair work is foolproof."

"Understood! I'll go do it right away!" After saying this, Zhao Gang immediately turned around and ran into the R&D Center, his steps becoming much lighter.

Mu Li watched Zhao Gang's back, feeling a sense of relief; the exhaustion of the past few days welled up in his heart at this moment.

He turned around, intending to return to his office to rest a while before continuing to study Professor Chen's diary to find the hidden locations of the remaining two repair plans, but he saw Xia Wan standing not far away, smiling at him with gentle eyes, like the warm sun of spring.

"Engineer Mu, are you finished with your work?" Xia Wan walked over quickly, her tone gentle. "I have already arranged the follow-up treatment for the injured team members. They have all been settled and are not in any life-threatening danger, so you don't need to worry."

"Almost. Thank you for your hard work." Mu Li smiled, his tone gentle. "I was so busy arranging work earlier that I forgot to tell you: thank you."

"Why are you being so polite with me?" Xia Wan smiled, her gaze falling on Mu Li's face, her tone carrying a hint of concern. "The abrasion on your face was only simply treated earlier. It needs to be disinfected and bandaged again. Come with me to the medical center; I will treat it for you again to avoid infection."

Mu Li nodded, not refusing, and followed Xia Wan towards the medical center.

Inside the medical center, it was very quiet. Xia Wan meticulously re-treated the abrasion on Mu Li's face, her movements remaining gentle and her gaze focused. Sunlight spilled in through the window, falling upon the two of them, gentle and serene.

"Xia Wan," Mu Li suddenly spoke, breaking the silence of the room, his tone earnest and firm. "When I graduated from university, I originally wanted to confess my feelings to you, but because the Xuanguang Team had just been formed at that time and the tasks were urgent, I had to immediately throw myself into work, missing the chance to confess to you. All these years, I have kept my feelings for you in my heart, not daring to speak them out easily, fearing that I would waste your time and fearing that I couldn't give you a stable future."

Xia Wan's movements paused. She looked up at Mu Li, her eyes full of surprise. Her eye rims turned slightly red, and tears welled up in them, but she held them back, refusing to let them fall.

She had never thought that Mu Li would actually like her too. This sentiment, buried for so many years, turned out not to be her own one-woman show.

"All these years, I have been busy with the R&D of Xuanguang Technology and various tasks, often failing to care for you, and I have even had very little time to accompany you. I know I am not a qualified suitor," Mu Li continued, his tone carrying a hint of guilt, yet remaining firm. "But I really like you; I have liked you since university. Xia Wan, will you be my girlfriend? I cannot guarantee that I will have much time to accompany you in the future, but I will do my best to protect you and watch over you. Once the vulnerabilities in Xuanguang Technology are completely fixed and the conspiracy of the Aurora Alliance is completely crushed, I will definitely give you a stable future."

Xia Wan's tears finally could not be held back and fell. She looked at Mu Li's sincere and firm eyes and nodded forcefully, saying in a choked voice: "I will, Mu Li, I will be your girlfriend. Actually, I have also liked you since university. All these years, I have been waiting for you, waiting for you to speak. I believe in you; I believe you can complete your mission, and I also believe you can give me a stable future."

Hearing Xia Wan's answer, Mu Li's heart was filled with joy. He reached out and gently held Xia Wan's hand. Xia Wan's hand was very warm and slightly trembling, but she held his back tightly.

The two looked at each other and smiled, both with tears in their eyes. Those were tears of joy, tears of happiness. The sentiment of many years finally had a complete result. After experiencing dangerous paths, this emotion became even more precious.

However, Mu Li knew that now was not the time to be immersed in love.

The core vulnerabilities of Xuanguang Technology had not yet been completely fixed, the remaining two repair plans had not been found, and the "Operation Light-Devouring" of the Aurora Alliance had not yet been completely stopped. They still had a long way to go, and many dangers were awaiting them.

He had to complete his mission as soon as possible to give Xia Wan a stable future, to safeguard Xuanguang Technology, to safeguard the country's energy security, and to safeguard everyone around him who cared for him.

After treating the abrasion on his face, Mu Li escorted Xia Wan back to her dormitory.

"Rest early, Xia Wan. You have also worked hard these past few days. Get some good rest; you still need to take care of the injured team members tomorrow," Mu Li said gently, his eyes full of concern.

"You too, Mu Li." Xia Wan smiled and said gently, "Don't be too tired. Rest well after finishing your work, and don't stay up late. I will wait for you to finish, and wait for you to fulfill your promise to take me out to dinner."

Mu Li nodded and smiled: "Okay, I will. I definitely won't make you wait too long."

Watching Xia Wan walk into her dormitory and close the door, Mu Li turned and left, returning to his own office.

He did not rest, but immediately threw himself into work, opening Professor Chen's encrypted diary to continue studying the hidden locations of the remaining two repair plans.

The diary recorded that the second repair plan was hidden in the "Xuanguang No. 2 Experimental Base" located in the southern mountainous area. The terrain there was steep, transportation was inconvenient, it was shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, it was sparsely populated, and the environment was complex, making the difficulty of searching it even greater than the Xuanguang No. 1 Experimental Base.

Mu Li looked at the entry in the diary, his brows slightly furrowed, knowing clearly in his heart that the upcoming journey would be even more difficult.

The Aurora Alliance would certainly not give up. Since they failed to snatch the repair plans in the Gobi Desert, they would definitely set up more traps and ambushes at the Xuanguang No. 2 Experimental Base, waiting for them to walk right into the trap.

But he had not the slightest thought of retreating, and his eyes remained firm.

For the future of Xuanguang Technology, for the country's energy security, for the people around him who cared for him, and especially for Xia Wan, he had to meet the difficulties head-on. No matter how many hardships and obstacles lay ahead, he would forge ahead courageously to find the remaining repair plans and completely crush the conspiracy of the Aurora Alliance.

Early the next morning, Mu Li organized the core members of the Xuanguang Team and held an emergency meeting.

At the meeting, he detailed to everyone his experience at the Xuanguang No. 1 Experimental Base, the ambush he encountered, the sandstorm, and the entire process of finding the repair plan. At the same time, he also announced his decision to lead a team to the Xuanguang No. 2 Experimental Base to search for the second part of the repair plan.

"Engineer Mu, I will go with you this time!" Zhao Gang, who had just finished interpreting part of the repair plan, raised his hand immediately upon hearing Mu Li's decision, his tone firm. "I have been to the Xuanguang No. 2 Experimental Base once and have a certain understanding of the terrain there. Although the terrain is steep, I can be of help. Moreover, I also want to go with you to complete this mission and safeguard Xuanguang Technology."

"I'll go too! Engineer Mu, take me!"

"We all go! No matter what danger we encounter, we will be with you, and we will never retreat!"

Other members also actively volunteered, their eyes firm. Everyone wanted to contribute their strength to the restoration of Xuanguang Technology and wanted to accompany Mu Li to face the dangers ahead together.

Mu Li looked at everyone's firm eyes, his heart filled with emotion, and his eye rims turned slightly red.

He knew that he was not fighting alone; behind him was the support of the entire Xuanguang Team, and he had these comrades-in-arms. No matter how great the difficulties, they could overcome them together.

"Thank you all for your support; I am very moved." Mu Li said in a deep voice, his tone firm. "However, the Xuanguang No. 2 Experimental Base has steep terrain, is full of dangers, and has a complex environment. It does not require too many people to go. Too many people will make it easier to expose our tracks and increase the danger. I have decided that Zhao Gang, Lao Zhou, and two technical backbones will go with me. The rest of you will stay at the base to continue studying the first part of the repair plan, accelerate the progress of the repair work, and at the same time strengthen the base's security work, strictly guarding against any sneak attacks by the Aurora Alliance to ensure the safety of the base and the repair plan."

"Understood! Engineer Mu, don't worry. We will definitely stay at the base, do our jobs well, guard the base, and wait for you to return safely!" Everyone answered in unison, their tones firm, without a shred of objection.