At noon on February 25th, the Chilean Air Force airport announced definite news: the plane from Punta to Antarctica would arrive at 1 PM and return at 3 PM. This meant that I had only three more hours before leaving Antarctica, bidding farewell to the Changcheng Station and its scientific research team members. Even though I had only stayed here for two days and three nights, I had already become very familiar with everything about Changcheng Station. Especially the experience of queuing up together for meals and living a communal life reminiscent of communism made me feel as if I had returned to my student days several decades ago. It was indeed very hard to part with all this.
Director Pei invited everyone to the VIP room where he presented us with a beautiful large guestbook, asking the members of this慰问team (consolation group) to leave some remarks and blessings. I told Director Pei that I would write on this page, leaving more space for other colleagues. But as I wrote, I found there were so many things I wanted to say, and unconsciously continued to the second page. My message to Changcheng Station read: "May Tencent QQ accompany all the staff of the Chinese Great Wall Station in Antarctica every day! Let QQ be the bridge connecting the scientific expedition members with their families back home and a source of emotional support!"
After everyone finished writing, I specially went to Director Pei's office and tentatively asked him if he could sign the postcards we intended to give to our QQ users. He very straightforwardly agreed. I reminded him that there were over a hundred postcards, and time was tight; he said no problem, let's do it quickly! So I hurriedly fetched the postcards and asked the director to sign while I helped organize them. The director signed over a hundred postcards in one breath, which made me feel extremely apologetic but also deeply moved. Isn't this the most precious gift from the Antarctic Expedition Team to our tens of millions of QQ users?
At 2 PM, we gathered and set off from Changcheng Station to the Chilean Air Force airport. Just before leaving Changcheng Station, I specially went to the VIP room to see our crystal QQ penguin. It had already been displayed in the most prominent place on the exhibition stand, with three terracotta warriors placed behind it. Although I was about to leave here and might not be able to come back again, I found comfort in knowing that the crystal QQ penguin would forever remain under the protection of the terracotta warrior guardians, accompanying our beloved Antarctic expedition team members!