Everyone was pursuing life, and everyone was living it.
What exactly was life? It was a very complicated question.
Lying in the sun, doing something one liked, having a drink, or lighting a cigarette and idly letting time slip away for no reason—perhaps that was life.
The bus swayed slightly, like those old buses by the seaside that had been in use for more than ten years.
The ladies and gentlemen sitting on the bus occasionally showed knowing smiles, but quickly restrained them.
Nick was a little worried. In fact, this had been his arrangement.
There were many vehicles in the base. This kind of bus was merely one option, not the only one, but he had overruled everyone else and chosen it.
The hot wind blew in through the open windows, as if it were blowing straight into everyone's hearts.
"Not a bad choice." Lin Qi gazed at the empty beach and let out a long breath.
A smile immediately appeared on Nick's face, and everyone else smiled as well.
Since Lin Qi had approved of the choice, they could express their praise without worry.
"What made you think of this choice?" Lin Qi lit a cigarette. He rarely smoked during formal outings like this. It was inconvenient, since the ash would get everywhere and keep the cleaners busy.
Nick cleared his throat and moistened it. "Mr. Lin Qi, when I discussed this place with the others, I tried my best to avoid using the word 'shelter.' Instead, I used the word 'base.'"
"Those official shelters in the Federation's homeland are truly just shelters. They were built so that the people could avoid disasters, for their safety and for the continuation of human civilization."
"But those private shelters, and this place, are different."
"I considered many different styles, but