Zhang Wen's name

Two days later.

Hou Liangping and Chen Hai arrived in Yulin City, X Province. Since it was Chen Hai's first time here, he was not used to the climate.

"Monkey, I really admire you. You've actually worked here for almost two years."

Hou Liangping glanced at him and said, "Are you an idiot? What do you mean I've been here for two years? I had no choice."

"Chen Hai, I used to live in the provincial capital. I've never worked in the desert before."

As the two were complaining, a gust of wind blew by, making them cough for a long time, and their clothes were covered with sand.

Hou Liangping and Chen Hai exchanged a glance. Is this even a place for humans to stay? How can there be such a huge sandstorm?

"Monkey, let's stick together for warmth from now on, otherwise I'm afraid I won't be able to hold on by myself."

Hou Liangping didn't argue this time either; this was just too much. It seemed he'd have to go find Teacher Gao and ask him to make some arrangements.

"Chen Hai, what do you think about us calling Professor Gao? We're his students after all; he can't just stand by and watch us die, can he?"

Chen Hai was still a little hesitant, feeling that this was Gao Yuliang's arrangement.

"Monkey, you should do it. Teacher Gao will definitely hate me."

Hou Liangping felt speechless. "I'm being dragged down by you, you bastard!"

"Let's go report first, and then call Teacher Gao after we've settled in."

Chen Hai had no better options and could only agree to Hou Liangping's suggestion.

Two hours later.

The two arrived at the reporting location, the Maotan Town Desertification Control Center, and were shocked to see that it was all cave dwellings. They wondered how it could look like there was no electricity.

Those inside, seeing the two men's disheveled appearance, knew they were there to report for duty.

Director Li was pleasantly surprised to see new recruits arrive, but he was also astonished by their ranks—both were at the division chief level, one rank higher than his. He was a little unsure how to assign tasks to them.

"Welcome Comrade Hou Liangping and Comrade Chen Hai to our desertification control center."

Chen Hai and Hou Liangping didn't overestimate themselves; they knew this man was the director of the station.

"Hello, Director Li, we are the team leaders assigned here this time."

Director Li was quite satisfied with their attitude; it seemed he didn't need to give them a hard time.

"You two must be hungry after your long journey. I'll ask the canteen to make you some noodles."

Hou Liangping seemed fine, but Chen Hai's expression was a little unnatural.

Seeing Chen Hai's expression, Director Li immediately understood what Chen Hai meant.

"Comrade Chen Hai, we mainly eat noodles here, so you'll need to get used to it."

"Director Li, I'm from Handong and I'm not used to eating noodles. Can I have rice instead?"

Director Li was speechless after hearing this. "Do you think this is your home? You want to eat? Who doesn't want to eat?"

"Comrade Chen Hai, we mainly eat noodles here. The conditions here are already very harsh. Look, the electricity here is all generated by wind power. We are on the front line of desertification control, not here for you to enjoy yourself."

Chen Hai fell silent after hearing this. What a wretched place this was! There wasn't even food to eat.

"Director Li, I apologize. I just haven't adapted yet."

Director Li was very satisfied with Chen Hai's attitude.

"Comrade Chen Hai, now that you're here, you should adapt to the environment. It's impossible for the environment to adapt to you. Look at Comrade Hou Liangping, he's quite good. You should learn from him."

After saying this, Director Li went to make arrangements for the canteen.

Chen Hai was annoyed by the criticism he received upon arrival, and was quite surprised to see Hou Liangping's calm expression.

"Monkey, why are you so calm? Do you even like eating noodles?"

Hou Liangping was speechless after hearing this. What the hell do you mean? Are you here to mock me on purpose?

"Chen Hai, when did you ever see me liking noodles? I had no choice. The conditions here are what they are. Maybe it's better in the provincial capital. Since we're here, let's keep a low profile. If we get targeted, we're finished."

Chen Hai fell silent after hearing this, never expecting it to be so miserable.

While the two were talking, the chef brought over two bowls of noodles.

Chen Hai was quite surprised to see such wide noodles for the first time.

Hou Liangping no longer had so many concerns and picked up a bowl of noodles to eat.

Seeing how much Hou Liangping was enjoying his food, Chen Hai started eating too.

They finished the two bowls of noodles in no time. Director Li came out from the back and was surprised to see how quickly they ate. Were they starving? The bowls were huge, almost the size of small basins. Despite his surprise, he still asked them what was wrong.

"Are you full? If not, please have more. I'll ask the cafeteria to cook some more."

Chen Hai blushed a little, mainly because the noodles were really delicious, and the taste was completely different from that of Handong.

"Director Li, I'm only half full. Could you give me another bowl, with extra meat sauce? I think it tastes really good."

Hou Liangping, not to be outdone, chimed in.

"Give me one too, with extra meat sauce and extra chili."

Director Li was speechless. Just a moment ago, he said he couldn't get used to the food, but he ended up eating it with more gusto than anyone else. It seems no one can escape the "it's actually delicious" phenomenon.

Just as Hou Liangping and his companion were eating noodles, Gao Yuliang also learned that they had arrived.

Gao Yuliang decided to give them a little shock.

With this in mind, Gao Yuliang dialed the phone number of Yu Lin, the Party Secretary of the Municipal Committee.

"Hello, this is Gao Yuliang from the Provincial Party Committee."

Wang Defa was very respectful when he heard that it was Gao Yuliang calling.

"Hello, Secretary Gao, do you have any instructions?"

"Comrade Defa, Handong has arranged for two cadres to come here for training. You must take good care of them and let them learn the spirit of hard work and perseverance."

Wang Defa immediately understood; this meant he was being asked to make proper arrangements for them.

"Okay, Secretary Gao, I know what to do."

Wang Defa hung up the phone and immediately dialed the number of District Chief Yu Lin.

"Comrade Malin, have two comrades from Handong come to Yulin District for training?"

Marin was a little confused after hearing this. How come I didn't know about this?

"Secretary Wang, I'll go ask for you."

Three minutes later, Marin dialed Wang Defa's number.

"Secretary Wang, two comrades have come to our district. Their names are Chen Hai and Hou Liangping. It seems they are both at the division level."

Wang Defa was a little surprised. He had offended someone; a division-level cadre had actually been reassigned. It was indeed better here.

"Comrade Ma Lin, according to the instructions from above, Chen Hai and Hou Liangping lack ideological awareness and need to be taught the spirit of hard work and struggle. Therefore, I propose that they go to the most arduous frontline areas to plant trees and create forests."

Marin was shocked. Had they broken some kind of divine law to do this?

"Yes, Secretary Wang, I will definitely carry out the instructions from above."

After hanging up the phone, Ma Lin explained the instructions from above to Director Li. Director Li immediately understood that he was being asked to arrange for them to go to the front line.

After receiving the order, Director Li immediately summoned the two men to his office.

"Chen Hai, Hou Liangping, based on instructions from above, I have decided to transfer you to the front line for afforestation."

Chen Hai knew it was Gao Yuliang's revenge.

Hou Liangping looked dejected; it seemed he would have to call Teacher Gao sometime.

What Hou Liangping didn't know was that Gao Yuliang had long wanted to get rid of him.

"Yes, Director Li, we will follow your instructions."

Director Li felt some sympathy for the two of them, but that was all he felt; he had seen far too many cases like this.