The next morning, before dawn, Xu Mingxuan, Chen Lan, and Xiang Xi were already up. The three of them quickly got ready and, braving the biting cold wind, set off from the camp in the dark, stumbling along. This was because Xu Mingxuan had arranged with the cooperative's procurement officer, Andre, three days prior. They were all to gather at the entrance of the rural cooperative in Pogranichny town at ten o'clock that morning, then drive with their goods for exchange to their first destination, Ussuriysk.
The three were quite daring, each holding a finely crafted crossbow as they walked through the mountain forest in the early morning. The autumn mountain forest mornings were bone-chilling. The wind howled, stinging their faces like knife cuts. Even though they were all wearing thick cotton-padded jackets and hats, the biting wind chilled them to the bone.
The mountain forest was shrouded in mist. The distant mountains and nearby trees were enveloped in morning fog, creating a vast expanse of white. The thin mist, accompanied by the biting wind, swept towards them, carrying a hint of coolness. After they had walked for a while, the sun rose, and at the moment it appeared, the mist began to slowly dissipate.
By the time the three of them reached the secret passage to Russia, it was completely daylight, and the sun had already risen.
It took them less than an hour to reach the cave entrance. Xu Mingxuan carefully observed the entrance and found nothing unusual. He then pulled aside the branches blocking the opening and went in first.
Chen Lan called out to Xiang Xi, who was staring blankly at the cave entrance, "Little Watermelon, hurry up and get in! We're short on time, so be quick."
Xiang Xi then snapped back to reality and stammered, "Little Lan, what are we going into the cave for? Is this the secret passage to the Soviet Union on the other side?"
Chen Lan couldn't help but chuckle at Xiang Xi's words. As she pushed him into the cave, she laughed and replied, "Little Watermelon, I really don't know. Your imagination is quite vivid! We already went through the secret passage. Now we're going into the cave to put makeup on you, understand?"
Xiang Xi was even more astonished. He exclaimed, "Little Lan, why do we need makeup? Why go through all this trouble?"
Chen Lan took out a set of clothes the couple had worn last time from the system's warehouse. She then took a deep breath and patiently explained, "Little Watermelon, if you don't wear makeup, as soon as you arrive in the Soviet Union, someone will find trouble with you in minutes. They'll ask you how you got here, where's your transit permit. If you have nothing, you'll be in big trouble. They'll arrest you as an illegal immigrant or a spy and interrogate you. They'll ask why you came here, if you're here to cause trouble, what secret mission you're on, what classified documents you're trying to steal, and so on. In short, there will be a pile of trouble waiting for you. I don't know if you'll be able to safely return home to Hulunbuir then! So, will you or won't you wear makeup?"
Chen Lan's words scared Xiang Xi, and he repeatedly nodded and hastily agreed, "Little Lan, don't say any more, don't say any more. I'll wear it, okay?"
Chen Lan continued, "Not only do you have to wear makeup, but you also have to adopt a Soviet Russian name to fit in. My brother Mingxuan and I have already chosen Russian names. My Russian name is Mila, which means bringing grain home. Brother Mingxuan is called Nikolai, meaning victory of the people. Little Watermelon, what do you think of the names we chose? Aren't they meaningful and very nice?"
Xiang Xi was incredibly cooperative now. His earlier reluctance was completely gone. He put on the light brown-black wig with Chen Lan's help. However, Xiang Xi wasn't idle and still asked, "Little Lan, the Russians in the Soviet Union have high noses and deep-set eyes. No matter how we put on makeup, it won't look like them."
Chen Lan replied irritably, "Can't you just say you're mixed-race? Say your father is Russian and your mother is Chinese, just like Aunt Chang Sanmei! Her two sons are of Chinese-Russian descent. They are so handsome, with wheat-colored skin, deep light brown-black eyes, and relatively straight noses. They truly have: sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, and an imposing presence! Little Watermelon, you're similar in this aspect. Your nose is also quite high and straight. With my makeup, you'll look even more handsome and charming, with an air of mystery of a mature man."
Xiang Xi was inwardly pleased by Chen Lan's indirect praise and became even more cooperative. However, he still asked, "Little Lan, after I put on makeup, will I really look as good as you say?"
Chen Lan, while grooming his messy eyebrows, replied, "Whether it's true or not, you'll know after I finish your makeup and you look in the mirror. Don't you think about it, what's our relationship? We're childhood sweethearts, you know? We grew up drinking from the same mother's milk! How could I trick you?"
Xiang Xi was finally reassured and stopped asking further questions. Chen Lan was then able to speed up and quickly finish with Xiang Xi. She handed him a small mirror and a set of Russian men's clothing, telling him to go to the side and admire his own beauty.
By this time, Xu Mingxuan had also finished getting ready. He walked over and helped Chen Lan put on her wig, wear the Russian traditional clothing, and put on a large shawl. The couple checked each other and found no issues. They then looked at Xiang Xi, who was still giggling at himself in the mirror. Xu Mingxuan said, "Xiang Xi, what are you still giggling about? Hurry up and change your clothes, it's getting late, and we need to go."
With that, he took Chen Lan's hand and they exited the cave.
The couple waited for a moment, and then Xiang Xi hesitantly emerged from the cave. Chen Lan looked up and gasped, "Wow! What a handsome mixed-race man!" After Chen Lan's touch-up, Xiang Xi had completely transformed, becoming a different person.
They had spent too long in the cave. As they walked, the three of them discussed a Russian name for Xiang Xi. The couple suggested several names, but he wasn't satisfied with any of them. Finally, Chen Lan made the decision, "How about this! Let's call him Boris. It means fighting for honor. What do you think, Little Watermelon?"
Xiang Xi kept muttering, "Boris, fighting for honor." Only then did he reluctantly nod.