Chapter 78: Large-Scale Rain Chasing Operation

Shen Yanming continued to reveal the truth behind his decision, stating, “At the time, Shen Group had a massive project. If it went through, I’d be working in Europe for at least a year.”

He admitted his actions, a flicker of shame in his downcast eyes. “I couldn’t bear that separation. I made excuses and used my connections to forge a medical record…”

“I never expected that upon returning to Qinghua, fueled by those with hidden agendas, the story spun into me being critically ill,” he continued, bitterness in his voice.

“I’d just started dating Qiao’an. I couldn’t bear the thought of being separated,” he said, his voice softening. “So, I went with the flow and sold my shares.”

Qiu Man understood Shen Yanming’s reasoning, but countered, “Couldn’t you have stayed with Qiao’an without selling your shares? Those would have provided steady dividends.” He raised a questioning eyebrow.

Shen Yanming, however, remained resolute. “My control was only relative, even while I was in charge. Besides, my assets are more than enough for Qiao’an to live a luxurious life. Beyond that, money’s just a number.” His voice was firm.

“So, Mr. Shen, have you made any other investments?” Qiu Man inquired.

“Yes, I bought a supermarket in the Netherlands.” Shen Yanming was open about it. “Business is thriving. We sell not only Dutch products but luxury items from France, Iceland, Europe, and even Iran. All those things in the storage room and cloakroom were all mailed from abroad.” He gestured towards the rooms.

Qiu Man nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. This aligned with what he’d uncovered. “So, what inspired you to open a supermarket in the Netherlands? Isn’t long-distance management a challenge?” His tone was curious, but his eyes remained sharp.

“Mm, didn’t I get into the Management Bureau? It’s not convenient to do business in Qinghua,” Shen Yanming replied.

Qiu Man nodded. After chatting a bit longer, he bid farewell, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.

The moment Qiu Man left, Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an released a collective sigh of relief. “Good thing we made a cover story back then,” Bi Qiao’an whispered.

A flicker of worry crossed her face. “What about the computers, printers, all those boxes, and notebooks?”

Shen Yanming ruffled Bi Qiao’an’s hair with a reassuring smile. “Relax. Just standard office supplies. I’ve taken care of everything,” he said, his voice calm and confident.

Qiu Man sat in the car, his expression pensive. His companion asked, “Boss, is there a problem with Shen Yanming?”

“No, everything lines up with our investigation,” Qiu Man replied, his tone distant.

“What should we do, then?” the companion pressed.

Qiu Man stared out the window, silent for a moment. “Put someone on Xiao Fei. Watch for anything unusual,” he ordered, his voice low and decisive. He paused, then added, “Keep an eye on Shen Yanming as well. Report any changes immediately.”

“Yes, sir!” his companion responded.

Days turned into weeks. Under official guidance, the people of Qinghua rallied in preparation with focused determination. Meanwhile, the Qinghe Alliance had been equally busy preparing for the coming changes, working behind the scenes to ensure the country’s survival.

They established secret bases across the country, complete with hidden supply warehouses stocked with purified drinking water.

To ensure food supplies, the Qinghe Guard built reservoirs and farms. They grew vegetables, grains, and raised poultry while equipping each guard unit with dehydrators to preserve fresh produce.

Along the coast, over a hundred seawater desalination plants were constructed. These would be humanity’s final line of defense against drought.

All of this was done in utmost secrecy, allowing ordinary citizens to continue their lives without disruption.

In mid-August, the Qinghe Alliance’s official Weibo account released a recruitment message: “Due to the high unemployment during the rainy season, the Qinghe Alliance is recruiting a batch of special labor personnel.

Eligibility is limited to unemployed persons aged 16-55. Work will be arranged according to changing environmental needs. Registration runs from August 15th to September 10th.”

This announcement sent Qinghua into a frenzy. They had been jobless for too long, stuck inside and growing increasingly panicked with each passing day. They considered finding other work, but the rainy season’s impact was severe; hardly anyone was hiring. Their hopes were repeatedly dashed.

Now, finally, they felt relief. The Qinghe Alliance hadn’t forgotten them! They would have jobs again, their futures suddenly brighter.

So, almost all the unemployed flocked to the registration portal, their eagerness to secure a position nearly crashing the server.

The back-end staff watched the registration forms flood in, feeling a mix of pride and trepidation.

From July onward, the temperature had soared. Even the rain couldn’t quell the summer heat; the air felt thick and suffocating.

August brought less rain. Flights, trains, and highways fully reopened, though a 60 km/h national speed limit remained in place. Slowly, the country edged toward normalcy. The transportation industry roared back to life, goods flowing across regions once again. This was especially true for fruit, whose yield had doubled after the heavy rain.

Fruit farmers, who originally feared their crops would rot in the field due to the heavy rain, unexpectedly met with a thriving field as the rain lessened, their worries turning to joy at the anticipated profits.

Nourished by the energy rain, the fruits tasted exceptional, quickly going viral on Weibo. Bi Qiao’an followed the trend, her supermarket basket overflowing with a vibrant mix of fresh produce.

However, rain-soaked fruits were perishable, forcing Bi Qiao’an to turn most of her haul into dried treats.

August clung to its sweltering heat, the air thick with a fishy odor. In unseen corners, some things were rotting, and some organisms were breeding, the cycle of life and death continuing unabated.

Mid-month, news broke: Mill Country’s rain had stopped. The nation rejoiced, their jubilation spilling onto the internet. Qinghua’s citizens offered sympathy veiled in polite words—after all, they’d perfected the art of keeping quiet about good fortune. They were cunning, for sure.

Still, everyone’s worries lingered. What if their own rain ceased? That fear grew stronger with each day. Annoying as the daily rain was, the energy it brought proved irresistible.

While the rain continued, people bathed every night with newfound fervor. They brought containers, desperately attempting to store some of the energy rain before time ran out.

But no one could halt the rhythm of the ending rain, its dwindling as certain as the changing of the tides. Each day, the rain’s intensity lessened.

By late August, it stopped entirely in Meng Province on the north border of Qinghua. Netizens there wailed on Weibo, some even making the desperate drive to neighboring areas in hopes of catching the dwindling energy rain.

Their hopes were dashed when, after just two days, the rain stopped once more…

Qinghua’s citizens embarked on a massive rain-chasing operation, their desperate pursuit of the dwindling energy rain a bittersweet spectacle. Because no matter how frantically people chased the rain, it always seemed to just slip away.

The global rain retreated bit by bit, disappearing as unexpectedly as it had arrived. By September, the rain stopped entirely, the clouds dispersed, and the sun broke through.

The sky was an impossibly clear blue, occasionally dotted by a drifting white cloud. Golden sunlight enveloped the earth with a gentle warmth, and although the energy rain’s end left everyone a bit wistful, the return of long-lost sunlight brought a sense of joy and renewed spirits.

Shops reopened, and the streets filled with activity, bringing a buzz back to the city. Lights glimmered once more, and the sounds of late-night revelry echoed through the streets, signaling a return to the vibrant city life that had been missing for so long. Workers who had been on rotational leave due to the rain’s impact adjusted their schedules, signaling a shift towards normalcy as businesses and institutions resumed regular operations.

Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an received notice to report back to work on September 5th, marking the return of their regular routines. With two days to spare, Bi Qiao’an meticulously selected several dozen outfits from their space, ranging from summer to winter wear, underwear to outerwear, ensuring they were prepared for all seasons.

She tossed them all into the washing machine for a thorough rinse—might as well take advantage of running water and a working appliance while she still could!

Seeing the balcony overflowing with clothes drying under the warm sun, Bi Qiao’an felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

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