[edited]

Faced with everyone’s doubts, Zhong Ping found himself at a loss, his expression reflecting a deep sense of confusion.

“Perhaps ten years, twenty years, or maybe fifty or sixty years, no one knows the exact day.”

They originally felt happy about the New Year, but after hearing Zhong Ping say those things, it felt like a heavy blow to their hearts.

Jiang Ning spoke up, asking, “Is the extreme cold we’re experiencing now something the whole world is facing?”

“Different geography, different latitudes, disasters cannot be the same, but according to researchers’ speculation, due to unstable weather, all kinds of disasters will only intensify, meaning droughts will become more severe, floods will become more frequent, and in some areas, deserts may even turn into oceans.”

Deserts turning into oceans? Everyone shivered in horror.

A single stone can stir up a thousand waves. Seeing the gloomy mood on the 18th floor, Zhong Ping hurriedly said, “But we don’t need to be pessimistic. We should believe in the strength of our country. The Agricultural Science Institute has already taken action. Besides developing cold-resistant crops, they are also researching crops that can withstand high temperatures and droughts day and night.”

Jiang Ning was surprised, “Fengcheng has an Agricultural Science Institute?”

This was unheard of in her previous life. Researchers were chasing after natural disasters, and many died from exhaustion.

Could it be that the letter she sent out was really taken seriously?

“Fengcheng Agricultural Science Institute was overwhelmed, so they’re collaborating with coastal cities.”

Zhong Ping was busy with work all day and wasn’t very clear on the specifics, but he still had more information than the average person. “Yuecheng Agricultural Science Institute is researching crops resistant to high temperatures and droughts, Pengcheng focuses on flood-resistant crops, and Huicheng is dedicated to reducing soil acidity…”

No city was idle; they are all sharing technological achievements and joining hands to resist natural disasters, hoping to get through them safely.

Jiang Ning was touched. None of this had happened in her past life.

Perhaps it did, but it wasn’t successful, or it succeeded but as an insignificant person like her, she couldn’t access it.

Regardless, once she got her hands on the cold-resistant experimental seeds, she would know after trying to plant them.

Grandma Zhong comforted the anxious young people, “Our country is very powerful. You are still young. As long as you work hard and don’t give up on life, the prosperous age will come again.”

The old lady’s broad-mindedness comforted Zheng Weili and the others who were anxious.

“Taking Grandma’s words for good luck, we will get better.”

“No matter what happens tomorrow, let’s enjoy the New Year’s Eve dinner today with joy.” Grandma Zhong smiled and stood up, “Grandma wishes you young people happiness and joy, to eat your fill every meal, and have meat in every dish.”

“Grandma, stay healthy and live a long life.”

After seeing off Grandma Zhong, the group temporarily put aside the New Year’s Eve dinner and discussed how to plant the cold-resistant potatoes.

It wasn’t practical to plant separately and supplement light separately.

“How about you plant it, Anning? We have no experience, but we will be responsible for generating electricity. You have planting pots and soil. You can come over in the evening to provide supplemental light to the plants. If there’s a harvest, you take the bulk share?”

Jiang Ning weighed the potatoes. Despite their small size, they had quite a few sprouts. Each could be cut into five or six pieces.

“I have planting pots and soil, but my balcony can’t accommodate them, and I have dogs and rabbits at home. They might dig them up one day.”

“You can come and plant and put them on my balcony.” Huo Yishen spoke up. “You can come over to check on them, and if there’s any problem, we can find out in time.”

So, it was decided happily. 1803 would prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner, while Jiang Ning and Huo Yishen would plant the potatoes.

Back home, Jiang Ning took out the planting pots from space and harvested the second batch of potatoes.

Then she went to 1801 and placed the planting pots on the balcony.

The balcony windows of 1801 were also covered with one-way peeping film, making it unclear from the outside, but if the lights were on, they would still be noticed.

Huo Yishen pondered for a moment. “We can supplement the light during the day or install blackout curtains.”

Alright, this small matter couldn’t stump him anyway.

The two emptied the soil from the planting pots, sprinkled antifreeze on it, and mixed it evenly with a shovel.

It’s miraculous to say, not only did the soil not freeze, but it also seemed a bit fluffy.

Jiang Ning took out a knife and taught Huo Yishen how to cut the sprouts.

Potato skins were thick and tough to cut, with visible coarse veins inside. While they would fill the stomach, the taste would certainly be unpleasant.

Jiang Ning teased, “You try it.”

Huo Yishen actually cut a piece and tasted it, then furrowed his brows.

“You’re really straightforward. I asked you to taste it and you really did.” Jiang Ning burst into laughter. “How does it taste?”

“It’s very hard, rough, and fibrous, with an extremely bitter taste.” Huo Yishen glanced at her. “It’s not as delicious as the ones you plant.”

… Why did she suddenly feel a bit embarrassed?

Unexpectedly, Huo Yishen took the knife from her hand and lowered his head and started cutting the potato into pieces.

Jiang Ning prepared the solution beside him. She soaked the cut potato pieces in the basin.

It needed to soak for three hours. Since they hadn’t gone to 1803 for help, and considering they would have to cook later, they decided to practice cooking in the living room.

Yes, even on New Year’s Eve, they kept practicing.

When the time was about right, Jiang Ning taught Huo Yishen how to plant potatoes.

Normally he’s reserved but he suddenly asked, “Anning, it seems like you know everything?”

Jiang Ning paused, smiling bitterly. “Children without parents to shelter them from the rain can only run desperately to avoid getting wet. You have to run faster than normal people to survive.”

Huo Yishen wanted to comfort her but didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s nothing.” Jiang Ning chuckled at herself. “I used to feel sad occasionally as a child, but now I’m grateful. I now live freely and independently without any burdens.”

“In fact, you’re not alone. There are people who care about you.”

“Yeah, as friends, Zhang Chao and the others are indeed tolerant of my bad temper.”

“Huh? Bad temper?” Huo Yishen was puzzled.

Jiang Ning retorted, “Haven’t you ever thought my personality wasn’t good?”

“Why would you think that?” Huo Yishen’s gaze fell on her, his eyes carrying an imperceptible smile. “I think you’re pretty good.”

With no one else around, Jiang Ning tested, “Don’t you think it’s selfish of me to have firewood and vegetables in my space but not share it with Lu Yu and the others?”

“That’s your own opportunity. Whether you want to share or not is up to you.”

Huo Yishen thought for a moment. “The human heart is like a tiger’s. If the situation continues to deteriorate, it wouldn’t be surprising if friends and classmates turned to cannibalism. How would you ensure that people’s hearts don’t change? Your space can grow things, and maybe it’s nothing to share with Lu Yu and the others now, but if they want to take refuge in your space during severe weather while you want to save it for later, what will you do then?”

With many mouths to feed, conflicts would accumulate over time.

Huo Yishen didn’t think Jiang Ning did anything wrong. “It’s fine.”

Fine? What does that mean?!

Jiang Ning couldn’t read him and wondered how to respond.

“Don’t worry, I won’t reveal your secret.” Huo Yishen suddenly looked up at her. “Everyone has secrets. If I tell you my secrets, would you stop being wary of me?”

Jiang Ning, who had a silly expression on her face, “…”