Could you please provide the full text you would like translated?

Where is this place? Where exactly are we?

“Report, Rocket No. XX has changed its trajectory.”

“Report, Rocket No. XX’s data is disappearing!”

“…”

Where have the people on the rocket gone? At this moment, no one at the satellite launch center could answer, nor could anyone estimate their whereabouts. Emergency communications had failed, and their distinguished scientists and two astronauts were now on the missing persons list. This cast a heavy pall over everyone in the launch center. Should they still proceed with transferring personnel to Mars? They could not bear the blow of losing more outstanding astronauts. As the chief commander of the satellite launch center, he had no choice but to call his superiors to consult about what should happen next.

Where did those missing people end up? Inside the space capsule, everyone thought they were doomed, but after a violent jolt, everything stopped. The two astronauts, displaying strong military discipline, took the lead and pushed open the hatch. Outside was a thick, white fog, nothing visible in any direction. They sniffed carefully; it smelled like gunpowder. Unsure whether it was safe, the astronauts hesitated. Behind them were ordinary civilians, unarmed and vulnerable, and the scientists were all over fifty. With safety uncertain, the two astronauts dared not act rashly. They returned to the capsule and explained the situation. It was a dilemma: they didn’t know what was outside, but staying in the capsule was not a long-term solution—the food inside would only last two days.

“You’re soldiers, your ability to adapt is high. We’ll follow your lead.” After some discussion, Yuchi Ankang and Zhu Anfu decided to follow the astronauts. They were worried, though; if the two soldiers had to protect the scientists, the group might be slowed down and progress would be difficult.

“We won’t follow you. We’ll stay here. Please help us secure the capsule; we’ll make this our base and home, and see if we can repair it.” The scientists were very self-aware. “Just, if you go exploring, please don’t forget us. Bring back some food if you can.”

“We want to look around; maybe we can find a way home.” Since the capsule had veered off course, most inside had been complaining incessantly. Now, with the option to leave, nobody wanted to stay. Before anyone could object, they grabbed food and left. The astronauts did not stop them. When all who wished to leave were gone, only the scientists and two young men remained.

“You…” The astronauts looked at them. They wouldn’t stray far, and had to stay nearby to protect the scientists in this unknown environment.

“We said from the start we’d stick with you. We don’t know if this is Earth or somewhere else. We value our lives; it’s safer with you.” Yuchi Ankang finished, and Zhu Anfu nodded vigorously, clearly in agreement.

“Alright, most of the food is gone. We’ll split into two teams, using the capsule as our base. We’ll head out in two directions, and regroup here in half an hour. Sync your watches. If you find food along the way that’s easy to grab, bring it back. The main goal is to map the area. Understood?” The astronauts waited for their nods. “I’m Zhao Long, and he’s Wang Fei. Will you split up or stick together?”

“We’ll stay together. We haven’t had military training and would just slow you down. I’m Yuchi Ankang, he’s Zhu Anfu. I’m a university professor, he’s an online novelist.” Yuchi Ankang shook Zhao Long’s hand. With the astronauts’ approval, they synchronized their watches.

“If you encounter trouble or an attack, don’t try to fight—return here as fast as possible and seal the capsule.” Zhao Long instructed repeatedly, and both teams set out empty-handed. Zhu Anfu considered giving them something, but worried the scientists might make him a research subject, so he gave up the idea. Perhaps, when they returned, he’d bring a kitchen knife or something, or leave something behind for the soldiers to retrieve later.

Zhu Anfu and Yuchi Ankang set off, and soon encountered those who had left earlier. They looked more like they were trying to hoard food for themselves. But upon seeing Yuchi Ankang and Zhu Anfu, they quickly moved on, which struck the pair as odd. Their direction was different from the others; Yuchi Ankang walked forward, while Zhu Anfu walked backward, fearing those who left might double back and attack them.

All around, there was nothing but open ground, not even grass, let alone anything to provide cover. The two were frustrated, coughing from the fog’s acrid smell, and had to return. By the time they got back, the astronauts were already at the capsule. When the pair returned, they seemed relieved, their attitudes much improved. “Did you find anything?”

“It’s all white fog out there, nothing but open ground, no weeds at all. When we left, we ran into some of those who’d left before us; they ran off as soon as they saw us.” Yuchi Ankang reported their findings. “The fog blocks our view. No idea when it’ll clear.”

“Looks like we were luckier. We found woods fenced in with wire. It seems we’ve entered some human civilization, so we won’t be experiencing a time-travel scenario back to ancient times, like in those web novels.” Zhao Long joked. “The woods are well protected. I think we’re probably still on Earth, but… we still can’t contact the satellite launch center.”

Zhao Long took out two packs of bread. Those who left would never know where most of the food had been hidden; they thought they’d gotten a good deal. “We’ll have to wait for the fog to clear before we can determine our exact location and plan our escape.”

“We’ll follow your lead!” Yuchi Ankang and Zhu Anfu leaned together, eating bread.

“You’re an online novelist. What’s your pen name? I like reading web novels myself. I’ve been following Bingwu’s stories, but… now I can’t see any updates.” Wang Fei sat across from them, while Zhao Long stood guard outside.

“He won’t be updating anymore.” Zhu Anfu blinked, surprised to have an astronaut as a reader. He was so excited; if there were internet now, he’d definitely brag about it. Damn, that’s pretty cool.

“Did something happen to him? Do you know him?” Wang Fei sounded disappointed, but quickly grinned mischievously. “Anyway, since I can’t read them, nobody else can either, so I feel a bit better.”

“What kind of logic is that!” Zhu Anfu was annoyed; he’d been about to say he was Bingwu.

“Actually, Bingwu is kind of silly. Once, I urged him to update but couldn’t think of a good reason, so I made up a story about being hospitalized. He posted three chapters that day.”

Zhu Anfu glared at Wang Fei and took a fierce bite of his bread. He didn’t remember any reader being hospitalized, and the three chapters were probably because he had something to do the next day. Yuchi Ankang, knowing Zhu Anfu well, looked at Wang Fei with sympathy and shook his head. The disappointment would come soon enough.