The little star from the Gobi Desert, handed over to the state, is hailed as a national treasure.

After carefully storing the mineral samples, logbooks, cameras, and other items, and repeatedly confirming that there were no abnormalities around the mine, the group lined up and descended the mountain along the path.

The journey there was gloomy and oppressive, but the return trip was filled with light steps and high spirits. After all, the discovery of a high-quality ore deposit was undoubtedly a great joy for the entire struggling mining area, and most of the fatigue from the past few days had dissipated.

Even Tian Tian has become a major contributor to the team, surrounded by everyone praising her. The little girl's face is flushed, but she also exudes a shy pride.

Back at the mining area, Feng Dapao had been waiting for a long time.

He was overjoyed to see everyone returning with beaming faces, and immediately strode forward to greet them.

"Dean Xu, how's it going? Any chances?"

Xu Qiang stepped forward, stretched out his hands, and shook hands tightly with Feng Dapao.

"Secretary Feng, I have good news!"

"real?!"

Feng Dapao's eyes lit up instantly.

He knew that Xu Qiang was never one to be greedy for credit or act rashly, and he would never do anything he wasn't sure of.

He said there was good news, and then there really was good news.

"Don't rush, don't rush, sit down and talk slowly."

Feng Dapao ushered everyone into the house, then personally poured a cup of hot water and handed it to Xu Qiang before impatiently urging, "Tell me in detail."

Xu Qiang didn't rush to drink water; instead, he recounted the entire process of discovering the rich mineral deposit that day.

Feng Dapao grew increasingly excited as he listened, slamming his fist on the table and laughing, "Damn it! After so many frustrating days, we've finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel! Pass on my orders: the cooks will give everyone an extra meal tonight, and tomorrow morning, He Lin will lead the drilling team into the mountains and drill through that spot!"

When He Lin was mentioned, everyone realized that they hadn't seen him all day.

As is customary, as the drilling team leader, he would definitely accompany the team and work together throughout such an important exploration operation, and would never be absent.

One miner recalled that Captain He left early in the morning looking flustered, and his whereabouts were unknown. Everyone was busy preparing to go up the mountain at the time, and no one paid much attention to the matter.

By this time, he still hadn't seen him. Feng Dapao was puzzled and asked, "Has anyone seen He Lin? Where did that kid go?"

"Reporting to Secretary," a drilling team member stepped forward and said hesitantly, "Captain He seems to have submitted a leave request, saying that his back is hurting badly and he's going to town to buy some ointment for sprains and bruises." "He took leave?" Feng Dapao frowned. He Lin was a workaholic, with an iron body. When did he learn to take sick leave?

"Where's the leave slip? Who approved it?"

"The leave slip is with me." Qin Yan stepped out of the crowd and said apologetically, "I saw He Lin this morning. He was in a hurry to leave, so he handed me the leave slip. I got so busy that I forgot about it. Secretary, please don't mind."

When Secretary Feng took the leave slip, he saw that it indeed read, "Due to a recurrence of an old back injury, I need to go out to buy medicine. I request one day off." The signature was He Linlong's flamboyant handwriting.

The words were real, and the reasons seemed plausible, but for some reason, looking at that thin piece of paper, he felt a strange sensation rising in his heart.

"That He Lin is so disorganized and undisciplined!" Feng Dapao slammed the leave slip on the table, angrily saying, "What kind of unit is this? How could he go to town without reporting to me, the secretary? Besides, it takes most of the day to go to town and back, and it's questionable whether he'll be able to return to the team on time tonight!"

Qin Yan quickly explained, "Secretary, this is my fault. It was my negligence in not reporting it in time. But He Lin said before he left that he would definitely come back before the workday ended. He always keeps his word, so it shouldn't be wrong."

"When he gets back, make him write a self-criticism of no less than three hundred words, a deep and thorough reflection!"

Feng Dapao was still angry, but in the end he waved his hand, not wanting to ruin his good mood for the day because of He Lin's matter.

"Alright, let's not dwell on that. We've made a significant discovery today, it's great news! Let's go through the approval documents first, and as soon as the paperwork is done, we'll get started!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately became excited and busied themselves with discussing mineral exploration plans, compiling sampling records, and drafting approval documents. The room was filled with a lively atmosphere.

Knowing he couldn't get involved in the professional decision-making meeting, Liang Zhe quietly withdrew with Tian Tian in his arms, letting the little girl play in the open space outside.

Sweetie excitedly kicked at the stones on the ground with her little toes, then looked up at Liang Zhe and asked, "Daddy, is the stone Sweetie found today good? Is Grandpa Xu especially happy?"

"Great, really great." Liang Zhe knelt down and gently tidied his daughter's wind-blown bangs. "Our little darling has done a great job finding the precious ore for Grandpa Xu. Grandpa Xu is overjoyed. Once they start their official work, we can go back."

"Huh? You're going back so soon?" Sweetie was taken aback, and the smile on her face vanished instantly.

The little girl wrinkled her delicate nose. Although she didn't like staying in this desolate mine, she had just made a good friend with whom she could share chicken legs, and before she even had a chance to play properly with her, she had to leave?

"What's wrong, Sweetie? Are you reluctant to part with her?" Liang Zhe saw through his daughter's little thoughts.

"Hmm... a little." Sweetie lowered her head, rubbing her little hands together, and whispered, "Daddy, Sweetie still wants to play games with Sister Xiaoyu, like hide-and-seek. She hasn't played with me before."

Liang Zhe sighed silently in his heart.

The daughter lacked her father's company from a young age. Although she now receives double the love from her father, she has lost the nourishment of her mother's love and has no peers with whom she can communicate on an equal footing.

Although the work at the mine was tough, it was the first time she experienced the warmth of friendship.

But he knew even better that his true mission lay elsewhere. If he and Tian Tian could find this uranium mine for the base, their mission would be successfully completed, and they should return to the base as soon as possible.

He could only gently comfort her, "Sweetie, Grandpa Liu, Grandpa Qian, and Uncle Dazhuang from the base are all waiting for us to go back. Don't you miss them? When we get back, there will be many uncles and aunts to play with you."

Now that things have come to this, I have no choice but to play the "family ties" card for my daughter.

Sure enough, upon hearing these familiar and endearing names, Tian Tian's eyes lit up again.

"Yes! Sweetie misses them!" At the center, every grandfather, uncle, and aunt dotes on Sweetie, giving her the best food and toys first. How could Sweetie not miss them?

It seems that I will soon be saying goodbye to Sister Xiaoyu.

The little girl was caught in a fierce emotional conflict, torn between the loving family at the base and her deep longing for friendship. Liang Zhe, unwilling to see his daughter sad, took her hand and led her on a slow walk around the mining area, hoping to cheer her up.

Unlike before, this time, as the father and daughter walked along the street, everyone they encountered greeted them with a kind smile. Some people even stopped to say hello to Liang Zhe, their words clearly praising their little sweetheart for her great contribution.

And just like that, before we knew it, it was dinnertime.