Alex pondered for a moment before responding, "Let's take a trip to Siberia. I'd always wanted to visit Lake Baikal, but I'd never gotten the opportunity. Let's see what we can find out now that I've finally found the time."
Virat nodded and said, "All right." Consequently, Alex and his group were separated from the rest of the Arctic Genesis Station's staff. While one section of the helicopters transported the staff and captured animals to the City of Life, the other section transported Alex, Virat, Sophia, and the medical and security team to Siberia's vast expanses, with Lake Baikal as a backdrop.
The medical and security team members were able to quickly set up a dozen tents on the site, and even a helicopter was able to transport a dining car and a large amount of precious ingredients, as well as a large number of hunting tools, directly to the site. In less than a day, a small inhabited tribe was established with the help of these resources.
The staff selected a camp with excellent facilities, and they were right. Because it's located so close to Lake Baikal, but it's also leeward, and there's even a hot spring nearby—the hot springs are heated by geothermal energy, so lower levels of solar radiation will have no effect on them.
Despite the fact that Siberia is also located in a high-latitude region, and despite the fact that it is equally cold here, it is still significantly better than the Arctic. It is not as desolate as the North Pole, but it is still desolate. If you look closely, Alex may even be able to detect the sprouting of green grass or the presence of some small animals. Unfortunately, the new green shoots of vegetation have been frozen to death, as has the rest of the vegetation. Those small animals are generally not seen outside because they are attempting to stay warm in the cold.
Alex appeared to have completely let go of his own thoughts and given up on thinking about those difficult and obscure things that he had previously considered. During the day, Alex, Sophia, Virat, and other members of the group would go fishing in the lake or hunting with other members of their group. At lunch or dinner, professional chefs who accompanied the dining car would use these ingredients to prepare delectable dishes that Alex could never have imagined. Alex will occasionally prepare the food himself, using barbecue grills or ovens to cook the food, and then gather with the rest of the staff to sing, dance, and drink together as a group.
Alex appeared to let go of his heart when he was in Sophia's good graces. When it comes to the two of them, their relationship develops in a tacit understanding that no one will express explicitly, much like that of lovers, but also like that of old friends who have known each other for many years.
Alex made no mention of Brad, and none of the other members of the team, including Virat and Sophia, made any mention of him. Everyone appears to have completely forgotten about this situation. Fishing was mentioned first, followed by fishing; hunting was mentioned first, followed by hunting; barbecue was mentioned first, followed by barbecue.
Virat even brought a couple of motorboats with him. When the weather is not too bad, Alex, Sophia, and Virat will take the motorboats out on the vast Baikal Lake to charge across the surface. All of Alex's requirements will be met, he will be able to do whatever he desires, and whatever Alex desires, a plane will immediately fly in from thousands of kilometers away, bringing everything Alex desires. There is even a large recreational vehicle among these items. This recreational vehicle is equipped with a large high-definition display screen as well as the most cutting-edge audio equipment. Alex, on the other hand, only used it once, to the K song, and then never used it again. Because Alex discovered that he had a bad singing voice in the past, not because of poor equipment.
The camp was always alive with laughter, as if these people were simply enjoying themselves on a vacation.
In the midst of this silence, time passed quietly. Alexandre couldn't even tell you how long he'd been here because he couldn't remember. How many days are there in a week? Or how about fifteen days? It makes no difference to Alex; he is unconcerned about it.
Alex's heart, on the other hand, is becoming increasingly heavy with each passing day. Reading in the UU tradition. With each game Alex played, he smiled more and more. With each softer Sophia's words, with each softer and more loving eyes he looked in the mirror, Alex's heart grew heavier and heavier. That heaviness is like a shadow that follows a person around all the time, growing larger and larger with the passage of time.
Alex approached Sophia one evening after dinner was finished and asked, "Can you accompany me to sit outside for a while?" Sophia said yes.
Sofia bowed her head, and the two of them walked to the lake together. On the flat stone, the two of them sat side by side, their backs to each other.
Alex appeared to notice Virat's figure in the corner of his light, but he chose to ignore the presence of Virat. Having lived with Virat for a long time, Alex has grown accustomed to his presence. But Alex is also well aware that it is Virat's responsibility to ensure his own safety, and that he should refrain from interfering with Virat's efforts.
The air is extremely fresh, and the clean air of Siberia contributes to the creation of one of the world's most beautiful night skies. The night sky was filled with a few scattered stars, and in some places to the east, the mighty Milky Way stretched across the sky like a ribbon across the sky.
Alex's mind was exceptionally peaceful as he listened to the faint sound of crashing waves and gazed up at the mysterious and deep night sky above him.