In 2022, Earth erupted into nuclear war, which lasted for about a year. Due to the excessive use of nuclear weapons, Earth's structure became unstable, with frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Not only did dormant volcanoes around the world begin to erupt, but countless new volcanoes also appeared. Most of Earth's surface was shrouded in the shadow of volcanic ash clouds. By 2025, three years after the nuclear conflict, Earth had undergone significant self-repair, with a marked reduction in the frequency of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and the volcanic ash clouds no longer dominated the sky.

On the Arctic ice sheet, there is a large research base measuring 500 meters by 500 meters. At the center of the base's square is a prominent red flag fluttering high. From a bird's-eye view, the square reveals four large Chinese characters: Ice Dragon Base. The entire base is constructed from a new type of synthetic material that is not only high in strength and flexibility but also much lighter than water. The base is modular and composed of ten large anchors securing it to the ice surface.

This is China's third research base in the Arctic and the largest Arctic research base globally.

Waking from his slumber, Zhang Le looked through the transparent roof and saw the pale blue sky. The midnight sun had finally arrived. Due to the latitude, the sunlight at the poles is weak, but fortunately, the base has a large solar light collector. Six curved mirrors form unusual angles and reflect sunlight through a tall mast, distributing it to various corners of the base.

The polar night had been unbearably dull. The base's energy supply could barely provide basic lighting, let alone power electronic devices. Most auxiliary personnel at the base had little to do except eat and chat during the polar night. As an agricultural expert, Zhang Le's sole activity during the polar night was cultivating mushrooms.

Stretching his body, Zhang Le went to the bathroom. This was a temporary dormitory in the cultivation area, sharing a roof with the mushroom house. The dormitory and mushroom house were separated by a transparent glass wall, with only a bed and a simple shower area. Zhang Le enjoyed staying here because it had a light. In a base suffering from energy shortages, any place with a light was important. During the polar night, fresh vegetables were scarce at Ice Dragon Base, making mushrooms a highly sought-after delicacy. Mushrooms needed minimal light to grow, so this room had a light.

Ice Dragon Base had three main power sources: solar panels distributed throughout the base, twelve wind turbines, and a deep-sea geothermal power plant. In 2023, the base experienced a tsunami that destroyed eleven of the twelve wind turbines and caused a steam boiler leak in the geothermal power plant.

During the polar night, only that one wind turbine could provide electricity. Since wind power is unreliable and dependent on the weather, everyone had to conserve energy as much as possible.

The room temperature was around 10 degrees Celsius. Although the geothermal system could not be used for power generation, its water circulation system was still available for bathing and heating.

With the arrival of the midnight sun, Zhang Le's mood improved. He sang loudly while showering, thoroughly cleaning himself.

After drying off, Zhang Le walked out of the bathroom with a carefree attitude. As soon as he opened the door, he was startled and quickly covered himself with his hands.

Standing at a diagonal in the room was a tall woman dressed in a beige wool coat, with a purple scarf and lazy, long, curly hair. Her slightly rounded face had a pointed chin, and her sharp eyes held a blend of softness and strength. The large black-framed glasses made her snow-white skin even more striking.

The tall woman was Zhao Fei, the head of the Life Sciences Department at Ice Dragon Base, one of the three key figures in the research station. She held dual doctorates in Clinical Medicine and Genetic Science and led three national key research projects. At 28 years old, Zhao Fei was significantly more senior, while Zhang Le, a 25-year-old agriculture expert with dual undergraduate degrees from China Agricultural University, was just a low-ranking staff member.

Zhang Le, who had rarely spoken to Zhao Fei, was taken aback. Despite the base being reduced to just ten people, their interactions remained minimal. Zhao Fei spent most of her time doing research, leaving little room for casual conversation with Zhang Le.

Zhao Fei glanced disdainfully at Zhang Le, who was still covering himself, and said, "Stop being so shy. Put on your clothes and come with me. You're acting like a woman." She paused before adding, "I'm a medical professional. There's nothing to hide." With that, she turned and walked out.

Medical professionals are indeed peculiar; the human body holds no secrets for them.

Zhao Fei, being the highest authority at the base, was likely looking for Zhang Le to discuss something important. Realizing this, Zhang Le quickly got dressed and hurried out.

When he emerged, Zhao Fei turned around and started walking away. Zhang Le followed her in confusion.

They passed through the cultivation area, went by the changing room, walked past a corner of the dining hall, and arrived at the Ice Dragon Base's main square. The horizon held a red sun, the sky was cobalt blue without a single cloud, and the crisp, cold wind made Zhang Le shiver.

Zhao Fei walked to the center of the Ice Dragon Base's central square and then stopped, with the massive solar collector overhead.

Zhao Fei did not hesitate and, noticing Zhang Le's slightly awkward demeanor, asked, "I heard from Cha Xiaxia that you're planning to return to China. Is that true?"

Cha Xiaxia is a staff member in the base's logistics department, a graduate of the Geophysics program at the University of Science and Technology of China, and considered a good "buddy" of Zhang Le, both being from the post-00s generation.

Zhang Le nodded. Although he was aware of the dangers of returning to his homeland, he had decided to go back. Despite his mother's lack of affection after the divorce and his father's disappearance, the uncertainty of the post-apocalyptic world made Zhang Le put aside his grievances and start missing his parents.

After the nuclear war ended, the personnel of Ice Dragon Base returned to China in multiple batches, but there had been no news from them so far. Zhang Le was aware of the perils involved.

Zhao Fei was silent for a moment before saying, "Alright, if you want to go back, then go ahead. Come by my lab tonight with Xiaxia." With that, she turned and walked away. Zhang Le was left puzzled, not understanding what Zhao, the senior manager, was up to.

Looking at his watch, Zhang Le saw it was three in the afternoon. Although he was a bit hungry, it was still before the mess hall's meal time, so he decided to find something to eat on his own. This was no problem for him as an agricultural expert; the entire planting area was his domain.

Zhang Le thought of Xu Lang's laboratory. Xu Lang was an expert in new materials and energy, 33 years old, very handsome, straightforward in character, and generous in mentoring newcomers. He was the first life mentor Zhang Le met after graduating. Three months ago, Xu Lang and the last batch of evacuees had returned to China, and before leaving, he gave Zhang Le the key to the surge power generation laboratory.

The surge power generation was experimental, with a small artificial sun as the output device. The laboratory was located at the southeast corner of the planting area, covering more than a hundred square meters. With the artificial sun, Zhang Le could grow vegetables even in the polar night environment. Although the artificial sun's power was not great, it was sufficient for Zhang Le, so he filled the laboratory with vegetables.

Months had passed, and Zhang Le had thought about visiting the laboratory to check the growth of the vegetables, but in his mind, as long as he didn't go there, the amiable Xu Lang would still be there, not having returned to China.

He decided to find Cha Xiaxia first and then visit the laboratory together, wanting to share the good news with his buddy.

The dormitories at the Ice Dragon Base are divided into male and female zones. Except for couples and those at the managerial level or above, who are allocated individual rooms, other single staff members share rooms with one other person.

Currently, there are only three women in the base: Zhao Fei, Cha Xiaxia, and Zhuge Chen from the security department. Zhuge Chen shares a room with Cha Xiaxia.