After the research vessel had spent nearly ten days at sea, Zhang Chulan and the others, who had been through almost a month of trouble from beginning to end, finally returned to a coastal port somewhere in the North China region. And just as Zhang Chulan had promised, someone really did cover the medical expenses for those who had gone on the mission and been forced to suffer radiation exposure without even realizing how lucky they were.
As soon as the research vessel docked, a large group of medical staff and soldiers in radiation-proof suits rushed aboard. After a round of tests, they packed everyone on the ship into fully enclosed negative-pressure ambulances and took them to a military hospital.
And it wasn't an ordinary hospital in the city, either. It was more like one of those cadre sanatoriums in the mountains, deep in the countryside, with villa-style buildings.
As for why they'd been sent somewhere like that for treatment, whether it was for the sake of confidentiality or to prevent them from exposing others to radiation, that remained to be seen.
Perhaps it was both. Perhaps the latter was more likely.
In any case!
After being given free room, board, and medical care, they'd endured all kinds of examinations and tests for several more days. Once the results came in, their treatment was soon declared a success. Zhang Chulan and the others were finally able to set off for Z City by plane, ready to report back to Xu San and Xu Si and wait for whatever questions General Manager Zhao at headquarters might have for them.
Of course, that was mainly a concern for Zhang Chulan, Feng Baobao, and Zhang Lingyu. As for Annie and the others who weren't with the company, they could simply relax, rest, eat,