Chapter 322 Space Mukbang
The three Eagle Nation astronauts, filled with trepidation and astonishment, were led into the interior of the Dragon Country colony building with unsteady steps. Stepping through that door felt like entering another alien world where technology and vitality intertwined!
The metallic corridors glowed with a soft, cold light. Data panels occasionally flickered on the walls, recording mysterious information about the base's operations, while green plants adorned the corners, creating a unique sense of warmth and vitality on this exotic Mars.
Meanwhile, on distant Earth, Su Chen was curled up in his room when Elder Qin's familiar and slightly teasing voice came through the communicator:
"Little Chen, you must be watching the live stream! We originally intended to keep a low profile and just watch the Eagle Nation's Mars landing from the sidelines, but who would have thought they'd be so lucky—or unlucky—to land right near our colony. Isn't that annoying!"
Su Chen's lips curled slightly into a smile, his eyes revealing a calm insight into worldly affairs as he replied:
"It is indeed a bit annoying, but this isn't some bizarre coincidence!"
"The name 'Infrastructure Maniac' for our Dragon Country isn't just for show. It's been a year since we launched our last probe, and basically all the flat, landing-capable terrain on Mars has been converted into plantations by us."
"Looking around, thousands of colonies are scattered like stars in the sky. The probability of them bumping into one is actually quite high."
Elder Qin fell silent on the other end for a moment, silently agreeing that this made sense, and decided not to dwell on the inevitability behind this coincidence, changing the subject:
"What do you think we should do with these three astronauts now?"
"For ordinary matters, we could just hold a meeting to decide, but this involves colony secrets and major technology. I'm worried that if they take a look and commit it to memory, they might leak key information to the Eagle Nation when they return, which would be troublesome."
"Anything related to technology still requires your input."
Su Chen pondered for a moment, and after only two seconds, he spoke calmly:
"It doesn't matter! The core technology of our colony buildings is hidden. As for the structures and facilities on the surface, they can take a cursory glance, but they won't be able to figure out the secrets."
"Besides, it's being broadcast globally. If there really were any sensitive technology exposed, regardless of whether these three astronauts noticed it or not, the eyes of netizens worldwide are sharp; it's bound to be spotted."
"So, in my opinion, let's just let them go back. It shows our magnanimity."
Upon hearing this, the heavy stone in Elder Qin's heart fell, and he laughed heartily:
"Alright, that's what we'll do! We'll send them off, which will save us trouble later on."
The order, like an electric pulse, was swiftly transmitted to the Mars command center.
"We have received orders; you may leave now!"
A Dragon Country soldier, standing straight as a ramrod, conveyed the order with a voice like a booming bell.
Upon hearing this, the three astronauts were stunned, then looked at each other in disbelief, as if they hadn't expected to be released so easily.
While they were still dazed, an untimely yet incredibly real "rumble" broke the brief silence.
One of the astronauts' faces instantly flushed red. He awkwardly raised his hand, his gaze lingering greedily on the fresh vegetables. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed silently, then he mustered the courage to say:
"Respected Dragon Country soldier, our food supply has had some issues. The space food we've been eating on this journey not only tastes terrible but is also nutritionally unbalanced; it's truly difficult to swallow."
"Could you... could you let me taste a fresh tomato!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the other two astronauts seemed to have their hunger switches triggered, their faces revealing an undisguised look of longing!
Their eyes were fixed straight on the vegetables, like hungry wolves staring at prey, and they were only a step away from grabbing them.
The soldiers looked at each other, all stunned. As the person in charge was about to refuse, Elder Qin's voice sounded in his earpiece at the right moment:
"Let them eat!"
"It's the perfect opportunity to give our space food some free advertising and let the world see our Dragon Country's new products of the future."
The soldiers understood immediately. They quickly took out a delicate small vegetable basket, handed it over, and said generously:
"Pick what you want to eat, just don't waste it!"
The three astronauts were stunned at first, then filled with surprise, thanking them profusely:
"Thank you so much!"
Now, they didn't stand on ceremony. Like gluttons who had been starving for a long time, they dove headfirst into the vegetable patch.
In no time, they had filled a small basket with vegetables, then found an open space, sat on the ground, and started a "mukbang."
The three of them devoured the food, completely abandoning the reserve of elite astronauts!
Their eating manners were exactly like travelers who had trekked through a desert for days without a drop of water, finally finding sweet rain.
One of them held a tomato and took a bite; juice splattered everywhere. The full, rich juice flowed down the corners of his mouth. His eyes instantly widened, full of surprise and intoxication, and he praised it endlessly:
"Unbelievable! This tomato is full of juice and doesn't have a hint of sourness. Eating it, it doesn't feel like a vegetable at all, but rather some kind of wonderful fruit. Although it's not as sweet as fruit, its texture and flavor are in no way inferior to sweet, cloying fruits. Is this really a tomato?"
"It's simply the best delicacy on earth!"
Another person's cucumber made a "crunch" sound as he bit into it—it was so crisp that drool was almost dripping onto his collar. He also praised it with great excitement:
"This is absolutely the best cucumber I've ever eaten. It's sweet, crisp, and firm. One bite, and it's like a playful cucumber girl dancing on my tongue, giving it a massage! Wonderful, absolutely wonderful!"
Looking at the third person, he was already too busy to express his feelings. Using both hands, he kept stuffing vegetables into his mouth, his cheeks bulging as if he had two large steamed buns in them. That appearance was enough to show that these vegetables were definitely extraordinary and must be the essence of Dragon Country's space cultivation technology.
The audience in the live stream was dumbfounded, and the comments flew by like snowflakes.
"Oh my god! Is it really that good? I'm drooling just watching it!"
"These are space vegetables! You can tell just by looking that they're good stuff!"
"Post the link! Post the link! Who are you looking down on!"
"I believe this is definitely not an ad, it's too real! I was watching and took two big bites of the tomato from my house, damn it, it was so sour!"
On the Eagle Nation's side.
President Biden was so angry his face turned livid, the veins on his forehead bulged, his hands were clenched tightly into fists, and his body was trembling slightly with rage!
"These stupid guys, they're giving them free advertising, and they don't even know they're being used!"
His eyes were fixed intently on the three astronauts devouring the food on the screen, his heart full of resentment and annoyance.
He never imagined that the astronauts his country had carefully selected, carrying countless honors and expectations, would now become live billboards for Dragon Country's space food!
The way they ate with such intoxication and endless praise showcased Dragon Country's space cultivation achievements to the fullest—the effect was so good that he couldn't help but feel jealous.
Seeing this, Musk tried to ease the atmosphere, which was so tense it felt almost frozen, and let out two dry laughs to joke:
"As expected of the carefully selected elite astronauts; even their eating manners are so infectious. They might as well retire and become mukbang streamers!"
As he spoke, he laughed first, but the only response he got was a deathly silence.