Laura was determined to provide comprehensive support—not just with building materials to help David and the others construct a better house. She had ordered a vast array of daily necessities, clothes, shoes, socks, and various seasonings. She even included weapons and ammunition, ranging from firearms to cold weapons crafted with modern technology.

Three of them sat on a log, listening to Laura as she held a small notebook, detailing the supplies. Confusion flickered across their faces.

“That’s everything I can think of for now,” Laura concluded, taking a deep sip of water. After a moment, she asked, “Did I miss anything?”

“This... I didn’t expect you to buy so many things in such a short time,” David said, still processing it all. He considered the wealth and connections of the Crawford family. The Lawford family didn’t hold a candle to them.

“I just placed an order. The items will be delivered gradually,” Laura replied, her brows furrowing. “Thank goodness I didn’t order too many building materials.”

She’d just learned about the restrictions on carrying items. If she had gone ahead with her original plan to order a large quantity of building stones, she would have been stuck hauling bricks back and forth.

Now, carrying things like cement powder, glass windows, and waterproof boards wouldn’t be too troublesome. Clothes and weapons would be easier to move—she could just make a few trips.

“By the way, can I order some extra books?” Fording chimed in after Laura finished. “Books for learning English.”

He had been studying English with Mark Watney for a while now but felt he was still a beginner. Having books would help him learn faster, allowing him to communicate with Laura and Mark without relying on David as a translator.

“That’s easy enough,” Laura said, readily agreeing. Unexpectedly, David also had a request for books, as if a light bulb had gone off in his head.

“Oh? What type of books do you need?” she asked.

Fording needed English learning materials from beginner to advanced, and he also planned to prepare teaching videos. He intended to set up a generator in Winter Village to power electronic devices.

“I’m not sure what type of books I need exactly; can you help me with that?” David replied after a moment's thought. “Books about the various histories of our world would fit my needs.”

“Oh, that covers quite a bit,” Laura responded, understanding his intent. It seemed the village chief wanted to learn how to manage the village better by studying the “advanced experiences” from her world. “Let me help you pick out a few books first. If you have questions after reading them, I’ll help you find more.”

“Sounds good,” David agreed. Laura’s suggestion was reasonable, and he saw no reason to disagree.

David’s request for books from Laura had a deeper purpose. He wanted a way to rationalize certain aspects of himself—like his knowledge of French and the occasional Earth-centric thinking that slipped through. Over time, those traits would be hard to conceal.

Having a logical explanation for his knowledge, such as learning about Earth, felt like the best approach. Of course, if their relationship grew close enough, it might not be impossible to tell Laura that he had traveled from Earth to this world.

He hadn’t fully decided whether to share that or not, but he made preparations for both possibilities.

After watching Laura jot down a few notes in her book, she stood up, ready to leave.

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“Is this it?” David asked, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

“Of course! I’m not planning to live with you until the house is built,” Laura replied, not a spoiled young lady but one who didn’t see the need to endure unnecessary discomfort. “I will come by often, though. See you tomorrow!”

“See you tomorrow.”

Such scenes became the norm in the following days. With the modern tools and materials Laura provided, their construction speed increased dramatically.

Before long, they completed the foundations for four wooden houses and built their basic frames. David and Fording, with their exceptional strength and physical fitness, along with Mark and Laura’s practical skills, made quick work of the project. As they harvested the first potatoes, they also finished constructing the log cabin.

The four wooden houses featured a simple one-room design, complete with fireplaces for warmth. Although their handmade furniture—beds, tables, chairs, and cabinets—was rough around the edges, they were proud of what they had created.

Sitting among their newly constructed homes, enjoying freshly harvested potatoes (they had set aside enough for replanting), and sharing the food and drinks Laura had brought, they celebrated.

“Cheers to the birth of Winter Village!” David declared.

Once, it had only been a camp, but now they had real residences and cultivated farmland. They had truly established a village.

During the construction, Mark and Laura also crafted some furniture, including a rectangular table, perfect for shared meals.

As the four gathered around the square table, relishing the joy of their hard work, David felt a swell of happiness at the progress in Cold Winter Village.

Each person found their own source of joy: Fording appreciated his new hermitage, allowing him to visit his family more easily. Mark no longer faced the specter of starvation or death from a facility failure on Mars. He spent most of his time in Winter Village, checking on the Mars base occasionally.

Laura's thoughts were more complex. She had discovered a place ripe for exploration, and the world held many secrets she was eager to uncover.

Laura felt that Winter Village was a fantastic place—like a new home.

David took a sip of the wine Laura had brought and gazed at the four wooden houses on the east side of the village, contemplating their next steps. His understanding of the Holy Light hadn’t deepened, but the physical labor and combat training had improved his fitness significantly.

With the various weapons Laura had provided, his combat effectiveness was much stronger than before.

“Maybe we should head to the forest in the north,” David suggested. “If we can, it’d be best to eliminate the wolf threat. They’re always lurking nearby, and it makes me uneasy.”

Fording nodded in agreement. The housing and food issues were mostly resolved; now, it was time to tackle external threats.

“Where’s Mark? What are you planning to do next?” David asked.

Thanks to the teaching materials Laura provided, Fording’s English had improved rapidly. He could now communicate on a basic level.

“Just taking care of the potato fields and learning about the Holy Light. There’s really not much else,” Mark replied. He had been diligently studying the Holy Light, but despite his efforts, it hadn’t responded to him at all. David had mastered it on his first try, and Mark couldn’t shake his frustration.

“Maybe I should revisit my previous plan,” Mark said after a moment of thought.

“What plan?” David asked, recalling what Mark had done in the original plot. Did he want to plant potatoes on Mars again?

“Growing potatoes on Mars! I’d love to see if my idea works.” For a botanist like Mark, this was no longer a matter of survival but a scientific research project. He believed that if he could successfully connect with the space agency, it would help explain how he had survived on Mars until rescue—without revealing the story of Winter Village.

“That sounds like a fascinating plan,” Laura said, intrigued. She had grown more familiar with Mark and recognized the constructive nature of his idea. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t be able to witness the process firsthand.

Laura had also learned why Mark reacted the way he did when he heard her name; in his world, she was a world-renowned archaeologist.

“I didn’t realize I was a global celebrity on ‘Another Earth’,” she said, surprised but pleased. She took pride in it and often boasted to David and Fording, which left David feeling speechless as he fought the urge to reveal the truth.

“Where’s Laura?” David asked.

“Are you planning to go to the forest to deal with those wolves?” Laura bit into a potato, savoring its taste. “I want to join you and explore the area. These potatoes taste better than any from my world.”

“Sounds good,” David replied. Exploring the surroundings of Winter Village would be beneficial, and it would add to their experience in navigating the virgin forest.

“Oh, by the way! To celebrate the completion of our new home, I brought gifts!” Laura exclaimed, pointing to a box already placed on the table. “One for each of you—don’t fight over them!”