In order to find a suitable place to settle down, the eastern military base paid a great price. 

The fuel consumption was high, so they had to cut back on the air force and ship travel and use the key materials for construction projects. 

As submarines continued to arrive, the base really handed over the task of finding survivors to submarines with nuclear energy configuration. 

Liu Cheng and others accepted the task and patrolled outside the 500 nautical miles during this period. When they met their compatriots, they guided them over. 

This time they stopped at the base to rest. 

After parting with 2688, 1926 set off for the coordinates, and many things happened along the way. 

Without the supplies given by 2688, especially the precious herbs, they might not have been able to arrive at their new home safely. 

While walking and chatting, the joy of the reunion made everyone feel lively. 

When they arrived at Area A, Liu Cheng and others went to the task reporting area, while Jiang Ning and others went to the consultation desk. 

At a special moment where supplies was valued, the staff had a sharp memory and recognized her at a glance, “Didn’t you come to ask yesterday? You haven’t returned since.” 

There are many people who come to find their relatives every day. They come with hope but return with disappointment. There are also reunions, but they were truly rare. 

“I’ve registered you. If there’s any news about them, I will inform you as soon as possible.”  

Liu Cheng and others lived in Area B2. After completing the handover, they took a boat back. 

Jiang Ning had a rubber boat so they paddled back slowly. 

Back on the 3rd floor, they saw Wang Meili collecting the planting pots. Jiang Ning called her to a secluded place and handed over the 5 pounds of corn flour and herbal seeds. “These are the supplies exchanged for last night.” 

Wang Meili rarely dealt with her, but her husband kept saying “sister” every three sentences, and the batch of supplies from yesterday were supposed to be a gift. 

Sharp-mouthed monkey would not accept it, and she, Wang Meili, was also grateful. She already provided her and her son’s medical treatment which is already enough. 

Jiang Ning knew she wanted to refuse, “Take it, there are herbal seeds in it. If you think I gave too much, just share fifty percent of the herbs with me once they grow.” 

There were eyes everywhere, and it was easy to get into trouble if they push and pull together. 

Wang Meili was surprised. She understood the value of the herbs and knew her family indeed needed food. 

Although she seems to be a fierce person, she was also emotional. “Okay, once the herbs grow, I’ll give you sixty percent.” 

Afraid of being discovered, Wang Meili quickly took the corn flour and stuffed it into her clothes to hide it. “Jiang Ning, thank you.” 

“No need to thank me; I’ll benefit in the future as well.” 

More than three pounds of dried corn can be eaten in just a few meals, but they had to grind it into powder to make it last for at least a month. After being made into soup, it is so thin that you can use it to look in the mirror. 

Wang Meili went home and made corn porridge for her son with hot water. She wiped her tears and urged him, “Eat, hurry up. We can’t let others smell it.” 

Her son was very hungry. He finished a bowl of corn porridge in a few mouthfuls and licked the bowl clean. “Mother, why aren’t you eating?” 

“Mother is not hungry yet.” Wang Meili reminded her son, “Don’t tell others what you eat at home.” 

The son was afraid of being hungry, “Mother, can we eat again tomorrow?” 

“Yes, I’ll make it for you tomorrow.” 

As night fell, Sharp-mouthed monkey came back with some things. He took out a pound of crushed dried sweet potatoes from his pants, “I exchanged them today. I’ll give them to you and your son. Eat more at each meal and don’t be too frugal.” 

Looking at his thin face, Wang Meili didn’t speak and prepared a bowl of thick porridge for him.  

Sharp-mouthed monkey felt heartbroken. After eating a few bites, he pushed it back to her, “I’ve eaten outside; this is for you and your son.” 

“Eat it, your sister gave you 5 pounds of corn flour and herb seeds.” 

Sharp-mouthed monkey was surprised, why did her sister… 

Looking at his wife and son’s thin appearance, he swallowed the words that were about to come to his mouth, “If she gave it, then she gave it. I’ll find something good for her later.” 

Sister is not the same as his boss; he can’t just take things for granted. He hopes to repay her when he gets the chance. 

He was thinking about how to make a living and set his sights on the herbal seeds. “Can you grow them? Medicine is in high demand now. If you have enough seedlings, I can exchange them.” 

“I’ll try. If it doesn’t work, I’ll find someone in the plantation to learn.” 

… 

Doudou got up early, looking forward to the new life with satisfaction, but thinking of the environment for raising maggots, she couldn’t help but feel a little discouraged. 

After eating steamed buns and drinking soy milk, Huo Yishen saw his sister off, “Work hard.” 

Doudou carried her backpack downstairs to the plantation area. 

Jiang Ning stroked the dog while reading a medical book, and Huo Yishen went downstairs to get sea mud to plant potatoes. 

The morning passed in the blink of an eye. Jiang Ning took out the half-cooled food from the space and waited for Doudou to come back. 

The dog was greedy, wanting to eat but not allowed to.  

Unexpectedly, after waiting for half an hour, Doudou finally peeked her head in, looking extremely aggrieved. “Sister-in-law.”  

Jiang Ning was about to ask who bullied her, but a strange smell came, and she quickly covered her nose. “Huo Yishen, did you have an upset stomach?” 

The room was cramped, and the whole room was filled with bad smell. 

Huo Yishen, who was framed, was about to explain, but then he reacted, “Ah… um.” 

Doudou was about to cry and refused to come in. 

Jiang Ning, still processing the situation, “…” 

On the first day of work, she was mixing “feed.” Doudou covered her nose and threw up a few times. She washed her hands and feet several times when she got off work at noon, but there was still a smell. 

Her clothes were all smelly, but she didn’t bring any change of clothes. 

Jiang Ning came to her senses and pulled Doudou into the room, closed the door, and slipped into the space. “It’s not a big deal. Just take a shower and change clothes.”  

She washed herself from head to toe and changed into clean clothes. 

The smell was gone, but Doudou felt visually overwhelmed, and had no appetite for the table full of delicious food. “Brother, Sister-in-law, I’m not hungry.” 

They had all been workers; who hadn’t experienced the pain of the clash between dreams and reality? 

When Jiang Ning came out to make a living, she didn’t know how many people looked down upon her, and she even cried secretly behind in private. 

All she could say was that one would get used to it. 

Since she had made her choice, she had to face it. 

Jiang Ning did not comfort her, let alone persuade her to quit. 

If she couldn’t endure this little hardship and chose to avoid difficulties, thinking there was a backup at home, would she habitually shrink back when faced with tougher challenges in the future? 

Character development and worldview shaping are significantly influenced by family, but workplace experiences are also essential.  

At Doudou’s age, it was a crucial time for developing her character and worldview.  

Huo Yishen thought the same way. 

So what if there was a bad smell? When truly hungry, many survivors would jump at the chance to eat anything. 

The two exchanged glances, sharing an unspoken understanding without saying a word.  

Doudou didn’t eat; she just drank some water and went to rest. 

When the lunch break was over, she brought an extra set of clothes and her own military water bottle. “Brother, Sister-in-law, I’m going to work.” 

Jiang Ning reminded her to pay attention at work, to smile and get along with her coworkers, and not to be afraid when encountering problems. 

“Okay, I understand.” 

Huo Yishen watched his sister go out and returned to the room with some worry. “I wonder if Doudou can hold on.” 

After being well-fed for the past few years, he was genuinely concerned about whether she could endure it. 

Jiang Ning was also worried, but young birds must eventually learn to fly; they had to let go. “Let’s observe for now.” 

The two continued to stay in their little nest, and the afternoon passed quickly. 

When Doudou got off work, she walked lightly and gently called the dog to her side, and awkwardly asked, “Coke, do I smell bad?” 

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