Over the past three months, Tang Yue and Tomcat had discussed this in private more than once.
The United Space Station was ultimately limited in its self-sustenance. Even though it was far from reaching the end of its life, it was unknown how long the space station could endure without any supplies. Leaving Mai Dong alone up there left Tang Yue uneasy. If anything were to happen, neither he nor Tomcat could help her.
Another severe problem was Mai Dong's health. The United Space Station wasn't a place suited for prolonged residence. No one enjoyed living in cramped tunnels. If one had claustrophobia, it would be a nightmare. Under these repressed conditions, the negative effects of zero gravity and radiation far exceeded Tang Yue's and Tomcat's expectations. Mai Dong's weight was rapidly dropping, and she was even beginning to lose her hair.
