Jiang Ning leaned against Huo Yishen’s shoulder as he talked about his past experiences during that time when the world was corroded by acid rain. 

The severity of the acid rain surprised even Huo Yishen, who had experienced it before. He couldn’t fathom what the future might hold. 

Jiang Ning checked his body for injuries and was relieved to find none. “Were you burned by the acid rain last time?” she asked. 

“Yes, but I managed to dodge it in time,” he replied. His arms and face showed scars from the incident, marks that spoke of resilience in tough times.  

“Thankfully, Doudou and Coke are unharmed too,” Jiang Ning reassured him, her voice betraying a mix of relief and lingering concern. 

“It’s good that your medicine wasn’t needed,” he responded quietly. 

Jiang Ning hugged Huo Yishen tightly, grateful for his support during this challenging time. “Mr. Huo, you’ve worked hard during this period.” 

He was handling things okay, though occasionally feeling stifled, which prompted him to ask, “Have you mastered everything you’ve been learning?” 

Startled, Jiang Ning blushed, feeling slightly embarrassed. 

As they lay on the soft bed, exhaustion overtook them, and they drifted into a deep sleep. 

In the morning, she was half asleep and was gently awakened by Huo Yishen. “Anning, it’s time to go.” 

Blinking through her heavy eyelids, she realized it was barely past five, the sky was still dark outside. Nevertheless, she got up, brushed her teeth, had breakfast, and then put on the cumbersome protective suit.  

At six o’clock in the morning, the sky was hazy, and it was not very clear. It was still raining, but the rain was much lighter than before, and the road was so quiet that only the sound of rain could be heard. 

After walking for about half an hour, the sky gradually brightened, but it was still gloomy, with no sign of clearing up. 

The frames and wires of the streetlamps were corroded by acid rain; if it continued to fall, the bulbs would remain unlit for a long time.  

The unexpected rain also disrupted the footsteps of all survivors, leaving those outside still trapped. 

Those who took shelter from the rain in the store were somewhat better; they could ask for water to drink or a place to rest. However, those who were truly hungry would resort to smashing and robbing. 

But for those huddled under the eaves, they faced even greater hardship, enduring hunger and cold while constantly dodging the acid rain. After two days of torment, many had reached their breaking point. 

So, when they see figures clad in protective suits navigating through the acid rain, it was enough to unsettle anyone. Some reacted with cries for help, while others resorted to aggressive acts. 

After a day of rest, their physical strength was restored, and they resumed their journey. Jiang Ning’s temper was not as good as Huo Yishen’s. When she saw someone smashing things, she bent down, picked up a stone, and threw it. 

“Ah!” 

A scream rang out, and the perpetrator was smashed and bleeding. He covered his forehead and wanted to curse, but seeing the intensity in Jiang Ning’s eyes beneath her mask silenced him. 

Others who had found amusement in his misfortune quickly retreated. 

“Wow, she’s fierce!” 

The two continued to move forward. Perhaps the population of Fengcheng is not as dense as that of Yuecheng, and there are not so many survivors trapped by acid rain. However, the rebuilt cement house is not as strong as before the natural disaster. There are gaps in the structure or drainage system. If the acid rain lasts for a long time, the cement board may not be able to withstand it. 

Jiang Ning examined the fallen cement slab by the roadside. The surface had been corroded and marked with pits. 

She was grateful their villa had a glass shed. Otherwise, enduring a torrent of acid rain could have proven catastrophic. 

Perhaps with the company of a loved one, she felt that her steps were much lighter than they were yesterday. 

After ten arduous hours, they finally crossed through the acid rain and returned home. 

With the arrival of acid rain, the neighborhood once again fell into desolation, with everyone hiding indoors, trembling in fear. 

They not only faced acid rain but also the looming issues of soil and water contamination. If left unresolved, the neighborhood would likely descend into chaos soon. 

Huo Yishen seemed to anticipate her thoughts. “Rong Sanshao is quick-witted. He reminded the homeowners on the channel days ago to stockpile water.” 

However, no matter how much they stocked, it seemed futile. The contamination issue couldn’t be resolved overnight. 

Curious, Jiang Ning asked, “How did you handle this before?” 

Huo Yishen recalled, “The authorities dug deep wells; they drew the groundwater that was filtered before consumption.” 

He belonged to the official side, where relevant departments managed solutions. How ordinary survivors coped wasn’t quite clear to him. 

In any case, until the great plate collision, contaminated water and soil remained unsuitable for planting. 

Returning to Building 50, Huo Yishen hadn’t opened the door yet when they heard whimpering from upstairs. 

The dog had caught their scent! 

Jiang Ning felt relieved. After traveling over 30 kilometers, she had finally returned home. 

Upon entering, the excited dog rushed downstairs. Jiang Ning quickly stopped him, “Stay!” 

After cleaning their protective suits and hanging them up, she affectionately embraced the dog. “I’m back!” 

“Sister-in-law,” Doudou chimed in and rushed over. 

The two circled around Jiang Ning, leaving Huo Yishen to awkwardly scratch his nose. “Is everything okay at home?” 

Doudou jumped into her brother’s arms. “Yep, we and Coke have been eating well.” 

Following Jiang Ning, her cooking skills are not bad. She has a good meal every time and also takes care of Da Hui and Xiao Bai. 

Outside, the acid rain still poured relentlessly, but inside their home was warm and inviting. Doudou, who was still wearing an apron, “Sister-in-law, dinner’s ready. I’ll just fry up some vegetables.” 

Jiang Ning smiled knowingly, appreciating Doudou’s journey. Before, she only assisted in the kitchen, but now she can cook on her own. 

Red-cooked ribs, scrambled eggs with garlic chives, meatball soup, stir-fried vegetables—all prepared by Doudou. 

The vegetables were grown on the rooftop, while the poultry had been wiped out. But before that happened, they had stored quite a few fertilized eggs. Doudou had diligently used an incubator to hatch several clutches, nurturing them for nearly two months. 

Jiang Ning was very relieved to have another diligent person at home. 
 

It got dark quickly on a rainy day, so the family turned on the lights and had a quiet and warm meal. 

After experiencing such a hard time, Jiang Ning rested at home for a few days until she had fully recovered. 

Huo Yishen maintained his discipline and continued coaching his sister and Coke every day. He also reminded Doudou to conserve water. “The water is contaminated. We only have a few water tanks at home, so we need to use it sparingly.” 

Jiang Ning had no shortage of water in her space, but he couldn’t ignore the need to instill a sense of crisis awareness in Doudou. 

Doudou nodded, then took a moment to radio Qin Mu, “Brother Xiao Mu, the water is contaminated. Your family needs to save water. Without it, people will get thirsty and die.” 

They couldn’t afford to lend any. 

Jiang Ning was really not used to being idle all of a sudden. She picked up the radio and adjusted the channels. 

The neighborhood channel was very lively. Some people praised Rong Sanshao for his water storage reminder, while others expressed concerns about their rooftops corroding and springing leaks. Some were lamenting that their own vegetables had died. 

Jiang Ning listened quietly without saying a word. 

She visited the balcony and backyard; the glass shed remained intact.  

She also checked on Da Hui and Xiao Bai. They were no longer brooding; their offspring were still being produced. 

Thinking of how they had accompanied her through all the challenges, Jiang Ning rewarded them with a plate of minced meat and patted their heads. “Enjoy, you’ve worked hard.”