Jiang Ning looked up and saw a thin woman on the other side of the fence. Her face was marked with several hideous scars, and she walked with a limp. 

She was very thin, which made her eyes look big. She stared at Jiang Ning, who was wearing a mask. 

Jiang Ning frowned. Who is this? 

“Jiang Ning, is it really you?” The woman held the fence tightly and said with a complicated expression, “It’s me, I’m your mother.” 

Jiang Ning almost choked. 

Song Yaling? She was barely recognizable. 

Not only was she skinny, but she also had hideous scars on her face and several bumps. Her body was obviously bruised, and her clothes were tattered. 

It was easy to guess that she had been living in terrible conditions. 

Her entire being seemed on the verge of collapse, like a camel about to be crushed by a final straw. When she saw Jiang Ning, a glimmer of light appeared in her eyes. “Jiang Ning, I’m your mother. I gave you life. You must save me… save me…”  

Song Yaling was a parasite who relied on men all her life. In the end, she was sent to the official base of Jiacheng by Gu Tinglin. 

Jiang Ning had expected her to live miserably. 

And it seemed she really had. 

But she had to admit, her survival instincts were strong. 

However, she’s not interested in Song Yaling’s misery, and she didn’t feel much satisfaction or resentment in her heart. 

Looking at the unrecognizable Song Yaling in front of her, Jiang Ning felt as calm as if she were looking at a stranger. 

So what if she had given her life? It wasn’t because Song Yaling had wanted to, but because she had no choice but to give birth. 

Jiang Ning’s upbringing had not been a happy one. After two lifetimes of suffering, it was only when she met Huo Yishen that she felt warmth.  

A woman who was so selfish that she wanted to murder her to keep her lies from being exposed, Jiang Ning thought it was already generous enough not to take her life. 

This was fine. Let her live like this, in pain, and may she live a long life. 

Jiang Ning’s expression remained calm. “Sorry, you’ve got the wrong person.” 

Although Ma Guangnian was surprised, he didn’t ask, but said to the soldier next to him, “The patient is emotionally agitated and not suitable for consultation, take her away.” 

Song Yaling grew more agitated. She struggled violently and wanted to pounce on Jiang Ning. She tried to grab and bite the soldier who was trying to take her away. 

The protective clothing worn by the soldier subdued her effortlessly and dragged her away by force. 

Song Yaling shouted hysterically, “Jiang Ning, you will die a horrible death!” 

Jiang Ning assured her, “Madam, although I don’t know who you are, I will definitely live well—and much better than you.” 

After coming out of the examination room, seeing that it was still early, Ma Guangnian went to other areas to check. 

In Area F, there were several activity areas where patients with mild conditions and stable emotions could come out to exercise. There were also counselors to help them manage their emotions. 

While walking around, there was a sudden noise in front. 

A survivor suddenly went crazy and caught the survivor next to him and beat him violently. 

The soldiers quickly came over and pulled the crazy person out and locked him in the isolation area. 

After seeing this, Jiang Ning had a rough idea of how Song Yaling had gotten hurt. 

Compared with other patients, her illness is not serious, but she has been dependent on others all her life, making it hard for her to survive in such a harsh environment. 

For someone like her, living was the most painful thing, yet she didn’t have the courage to die. 

Jiang Ning returned to Area B after work and did not tell Huo Yishen about what happened to her in Area F when she met Song Yaling. 

There was no need for it. 

*** 

Medical personnel are in short supply, and medicines are even more scarce. Limited resources should be used where they are needed most. 

This kind of mutated disease is difficult to make a breakthrough with even in an era of abundant medical resources, let alone in a world of natural disasters. 

Jiang Ning didn’t support this research project, but she didn’t oppose the higher-ups’ decision either. She simply chose not to follow up on it anymore. 

*** 

As time went by, the variety of herbs in the plantation became more and more abundant. 

Also, after successfully separating the poisonous parts of yellow croaker, the research institute also managed to isolate the toxic glands of silver croaker and ribbonfish. After sustained high-temperature baking, they became safe for consumption. 

The availability of edible sea fish greatly eased the scarcity of supplies.  

Though things were still tight, survivors no longer fought viciously over a piece of food, and their thin faces gradually gained some flesh. 

Smiles began to reappear. 

Jiang Ning was taking a nap in the dormitory when she was suddenly awakened by a nurse knocking on the door, “Doctor Jiang, there’s an injury.” 

The steel room wasn’t soundproof, and since it had been a while since she and Huo Yishen had shared some meaningful conversation, with no one around, the atmosphere had been just right…  

Jiang Ning pushed Huo Yishen away, got dressed quickly, and went out, “I’m going to perform surgery.” 

It was still an injury on the construction site, and it was a soldier. His clothes were stained with blood and were sent by several comrades. 

Jiang Ning walked towards the operating room while wearing a mask, and her tone was concise and capable, “Bring the patient in. Non-medical personnel, wait outside.” 

“Sister?” 

Jiang Ning’s arm was suddenly grabbed by someone. 

She subconsciously turned around and saw a man in an old military uniform with an excited expression. 

Jiang Ning frowned. Who is this? 

“Sister, it’s me.” 

The voice was a little familiar, but his face was so thin that it was really unrecognizable. 

The man looked aggrieved, “Sister, am I so unimportant in your heart?” 

Staring at the man’s face, Jiang Ning’s mind went blank.  

Ten years after the natural disaster, Jiang Ning knew quite a few people, but not many people called her sister. 

In addition to the sharp-mouthed monkey, there was only… Rong Sanshao! 

Oh, was this really the third young master of the Rong family, who once wore a military coat with slippers and paired floral shirts with cropped pants? 

Tired dark circles, skinny cheeks, patched military uniform… 

Sorry, she really didn’t recognize him. 

Jiang Ning quickly came to her senses, “Wait a moment, I need to finish stitching the wound first.” 

After more than half an hour, she finished handling the emergency injury. 

Jiang Ning walked out of the operating room and instructed the soldiers who had brought in the injured man. “He’s stable for now, but he’s lost a lot of blood and needs rest. Try to improve his nutrition and work on his diet.” 

The other soldiers took the injured man to the inpatient ward, leaving Rong Sanshao and Jiang Ning standing at opposite ends of the hallway. 

Jiang Ning hadn’t changed much, but Rong Sanshao looked as though even his own father wouldn’t recognize him. 

Thinking back to the past, Rong Sanshao, as the son of the richest man, was so glorious. 

Even after the natural disaster, he was still the object of pursuit by celebrities and rich people in the villa area. 

Until he jumped out of a pile of corpses at the military base… 

Rong Sandhao covered his face, why was he so embarrassed every time he met her? 

Jiang Ning greeted him as if nothing had happened, “When did you come?” 

“Half a month ago.” 

“What are you doing now?”