“There are currently four staff members on board, and they will return to China soon. Our research vessel is being prepared at a port in Argentina. Some new equipment and supplies need to be transported to the research station. Once the staff have completed the installation and debugging of the equipment, it will depart Antarctica with the vessel.”
Charlie asked him, “Can you arrange for me to go to Antarctica on that research ship? After your people leave, I can stay there for a while?”
Helena said, somewhat surprised, “Mr. Wade, the temperature in the Antarctic Circle is already very low. The temperature near the research station has already reached minus forty degrees Celsius, and it will drop to minus seventy degrees Celsius or even lower during the coldest periods. Isn’t it too dangerous for you to stay there?”
Charlie said, “There shouldn’t be any danger, but the main issue is whether it’s worth staying at your research station.”
Helena thought for a moment and said, “I’m not sure if that’s possible right now. In principle, the direct management department will definitely not agree. I can try to mediate.”
Maria Lin said from the side, “Young Master, if you directly ask to stay at a national-level scientific research station, I’m afraid no one will agree. Not only does it involve the misuse of public resources, but it also carries numerous security risks. I don’t think it’s the right way to go through normal channels.”
“That’s right.” Charlie sighed, “It’s winter in Antarctica right now, and the climate is harsh. It would be very difficult to survive without a place to live. Even if I can barely survive, you, Miss Yun, and Miss Song probably won’t be able to.”
Maria Lin said, “Why not try another approach? For example, we could ask Helena to give us the good news so we can get to Argentina first and catch up with the research ship. We could just say we’re going to hitch a ride to Antarctica and then return with her ship. It should be easy to open a back door like that.”
“Once we get to Antarctica, you can use psychological suggestion to let them finish their work and then leave, with the tacit assumption that we will stay and not publish it.”
Charlie nodded slowly: “That’s one way. Then, let’s go first.”
Helena agreed, saying, “Mrs. Lin’s method is indeed reasonable. Once the research station is closed, it will be forgotten for a long time. As long as those involved don’t speak out after returning, the relevant personnel in China won’t know the specifics.”
“After all, when the station reopens next year, these frontline research personnel will be the ones going there. As long as they can keep it a secret, no one will know.”
Charlie snapped his fingers: “Let’s do it like this. Helena, please help us communicate with them. We’re going to Argentina to catch up with that research ship.”
Helena nodded and then asked, “Mr. Wade, if you want to stay there, you’ll probably have to stay in Antarctica for the next few months after the research ship departs. If you want to return, I’m afraid there won’t be a ship to pick you up.”
“It’s nothing,” Charlie said. “The main reason is to cultivate in seclusion. If I were to immerse myself in it, a few months would pass in the blink of an eye.”
After saying that, he looked at Maria Lin and said, “Miss Lin, the environment in Antarctica should be much harsher than here. It’s easy to get in but hard to get out. Why don’t you consider returning to Aurous Hill first?”
Maria Lin shook her head. “If I go back to Aurous Hill alone, I’ll miss you all day and have trouble concentrating. It’s better to come with me. When you’re alone, I can read and write calligraphy. I can survive no matter what.”
Helena was shocked. From Maria Lin’s words, she could tell that she hadn’t tried to hide her feelings for Charlie at all. She was also very surprised that Maria Lin, who was so young, would fall in love with Charlie, a man nearly thirty years old. She didn’t understand why Charlie was always by her side.
Charlie could understand Maria Lin’s dependence on him. For years, she had carried everything alone. Not only that, but many children also depended on her. She had to be strong and carry that burden.
Now that she no longer has to take care of her adopted child or shoulder the responsibilities of others, she’s more like a little girl. Furthermore, since I can protect her safety to some extent, she can finally live a relaxed lifestyle. It’s natural for her to rely on me more in these circumstances.
Moreover, he himself felt that it would be better if Maria Lin were willing to go to Antarctica with him. He was also secretly worried that Maria Lin would be in danger if he wasn’t by her side.
So he immediately said to Maria Lin, “Then, Miss Lin can prepare more living and entertainment supplies so that we won’t be too bored in the polar region.”
Helena added, “Once winter arrives in Antarctica, the closer we get to the South Pole, the shorter the days become. In May, it’s essentially the polar night, which lasts for more than two months. It’s very cold and dark there all the time, so life must be very miserable. Miss Lin, you should try not to suffer like that.”
Maria Lin didn’t mind at all, and said with a smile, “How could I feel bad if I can accompany you, Young Master? If it were up to you, would you be willing?”
Helena never expected the girl to be so direct, and her question immediately made her blush.
Yes, the Antarctic Circle is extremely cold, and there are often long periods of polar night where we don’t see the sun for months. Who would want to spend months there for no reason?
But the thought of spending a few months with Charlie made the gloom disappear in an instant.
However, she also knew perfectly well that disappearing from public view for a few days was no problem for an empress, just like taking a vacation. But if she disappeared for a few months, wouldn’t the people go crazy?
With that thought, Helena thought dully, “Maybe I should just abdicate. Let whoever wants to be this damn empress be; I don’t want to be empress for even a day.”