Xu Kaitai didn’t know what was lost. “I heard that nearly 30 boxes were lost, all of which were parts of an automatic suction dredger.”  

Mentioning the automatic suction dredger, one can’t help but think of the Tianjing, the miraculous island-building machine in the South China Sea.  

“It seems that what was lost weren’t large components, but that’s how mechanical equipment works; even losing a screw can prevent normal operation.”  

So the island-building plan was put on hold. Although the higher-ups were still trying to find a solution, it wasn’t publicly disclosed, and the lower-level survivors remained unaware.  

After finishing the meal, Xu Kaitai expressed his thanks and said goodbye.  

He also lived in Area B, Zone 2, not far from Jiang Ning and others. “Next time I have a day off, I’ll treat you all to a meal.”  

That’s how socializing works; only when there is give and take can it last.  

After closing the door, Doudou cleaned up the table while Jiang Ning sat on the sofa, thinking that what they salvaged from the seabed was most likely the parts of the automatic suction dredger.  

There were 25 boxes in total, which was still very close in number.  

But she couldn’t just go and ask the base, “Did you lose some parts that I salvaged?”  

The containers were locked; even if she forcibly opened them, she wouldn’t recognize what was inside.  

“Should we return it to them?”  

Huo Yishen thought carefully. “Yes, but the question is how.”  

The area of hundreds of nautical miles belongs to the new homeland, and there are patrol boats. This is a national base with fighter jets and warships and not just a small private base.  

If they handed over the items at the base, it was likely that the personnel would become suspicious of them; if they gave them outside the base, what if they were picked up by survivors from other countries and used for threats or transactions?  

Returning them was their obligation, but the premise was to ensure their own safety.  

Huo Yishen said seriously, “There’s no need to rush. Let’s settle in the base first, then we’ll figure out a reliable strategy.”  

Jiang Ning thought the same; they had to ensure their own safety first.  

If there was an opportunity to return them, she would; if not, then forget it.  

Days passed by, and Jiang Ning was at home, slacking off like a salted fish.  

Doudou had just started her job and faced many difficulties. Some people, believing she was young and easy to bully, began to scheme against her, using subtle threats or trying to win her over for their own benefit.  

She may have had no experience in interpersonal relationships, but thanks to her brother and sister-in-law, Doudou understood one important lesson: don’t let yourself get taken advantage of.  

Being criticized won’t hurt her, so in most cases, she would endure it if she could, and fight back when she couldn’t.  

With a smile on her face, she spoke in a way that was sharp yet not vulgar, leaving her opponents speechless.  

After several confrontations, the coworkers who didn’t gain the upper hand became much more restrained.  

Especially when they learned that she lived in Area B, Zone 2, their attitudes changed 180 degrees, and some even deliberately flattered her.  

But Doudou kept her distance from everyone.  

In the blink of an eye, a month passed, and she came back with a pound of green vegetables. “Sister-in-law, I’ve been converted to a regular employee.” 

Today, benefits were distributed, and each person in the maggot breeding team was given two taels of maggots to supplement their protein. Everyone else was happy, but Doudou looked troubled, someone in the vegetable-growing team was trying to take advantage of the situation. 

Doudou quickly exchanged maggots for green vegetables. 

Her coworkers laughed behind her back, thinking she was foolish to trade maggots for vegetables. “She’s definitely going to get in trouble at home!” 

This is protein, meat! 

The vegetables were growing well, which made Jiang Ning quite happy. “Let’s stir-fry them tonight.” 

So Doudou excitedly washed the vegetables and cooked them. Jiang Ning ate them with great relish and couldn’t help but praise her. “Mmm, the ones Doudou earned are so tasty.” 

Doudou smiled excitedly and announced the good news. “Sister-in-law, our maggot breeding group is expanding and building another production line. I was promoted to team leader because of my good performance!” 

Jiang Ning immediately added a chicken leg to her plate. “Wow, our Doudou is impressive!” 

“Thank you, sister-in-law.” Doudou grinned widely “You treat me the best!”  

Time passed, neither fast nor slow, and another month went by. 

Sharp-mouthed monkey came and knocked on the door, asking if she wanted food or other supplies. 

Jiang Ning then learned that under Wang Meili’s careful care, the survival rate of herbal seeds was very good. He pulled out some seedlings and went out to trade. Unexpectedly, business was particularly good, and he managed to exchange for quite a few supplies. 

Jiang Ning looked at the Sharp-mouthed monkey and felt that he should be doing well recently. His face had grown a little fat. 

She was not short of food. “Give me some small furniture.” 

“Sure, Sister, I promise to find the best for you.” 

Sharp-mouthed monkey smiled sincerely, “Sister, you are such a noble person. Every time we trade, I profit.” 

These herbs brought him a lot of profit, allowing him to eat until he was 50% full. 

Jiang Ning smiled. “I didn’t suffer any loss.” 

After sending Sharp-mouthed monkey away, she continued to lie down. 

She spent her days lazily, eating and doing nothing. As more survivors arrived at their new home, the brother and sister became busier, and Huo Yishen often had to work overtime. 

The promised 8-to-5 work hours and weekends? Ha, you’d be wrong to take that seriously. 

Every now and then, when they encountered Liu Cheng and Xu Kaitai during breaks, everyone would come together to chat. 

Locked away in their room, eating and waiting for death, Jiang Ning was lying around so much that her back ached, and life was gradually becoming boring and irritating. 

At this time, an unexpected visitor came. 

Jiang Ning did not expect that Jiang Guanshan would come to visit. 

Still with a smile resembling that of Maitreya Buddha, he got straight to the point. “Comrade Jiang, I’m here to ask you for medicine.” 

Jiang Ning was puzzled. “You mean the quick-acting heart-saving pills?” 

“Yes, the Chief finished the last bottle.” 

“That bottle was something I got through connections; it’s all used up now.” 

“No worries. There are plenty of herbs ready for harvest in the herbal garden. I heard that you majored in traditional Chinese medicine, and you’ve studied under a renowned master, and you’re very knowledgeable about ancient methods of preparing medicines. I’ve come here today specifically to invite you to join the base hospital.” 

Jiang Ning’s alarm bells instantly rang. “Who told you that?” 

Jiang Guanshan didn’t answer. “The base has a lot of work to do. The survivors have experienced ten years of natural disasters, and many of them are in poor health. More and more people are sick, and Western medicine civilization is almost extinct. Now only traditional Chinese medicine is left, but what the base lacks most is experienced traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.” 

“Comrade Jiang, you’re a descendant of the Yellow Emperor, and we survive not only to live, but also to inherit the five thousand years of civilization of our ancestors. I hope you can be a part of the revival, and I sincerely hope you can join.” 

Jiang Ning didn’t know how to answer after receiving such a huge compliment. 

Jiang Guanshan said sincerely, “If you have any concerns or requests, you can directly raise them. I will do my best to solve them.” 

Jiang Ning hesitated for a moment. “Let me think about it.” 

“Okay, I’ll wait for your answer.” 

He didn’t bother her any further and left. 

That evening, Huo Yishen returned with about two pounds of fish cakes. 

Jiang Ning was surprised. “Where did you get these?” 

“From welfare distribution,” Huo Yishen stated surprisingly, “made from the yellow croaker fish from the sea.” 

“Can mutated fish be eaten now?” 

“The researchers persisted in their research for several months, cutting out the mutant toxin veins in the yellow croaker and completely removing all the internal organs, skin, and mucous membranes. The fish meat was then minced into a paste, formed into cakes, and steamed at high temperatures for two hours.” 

The research department had been searching for taste testers, and after months of tasting, there were no complications. 

The base officially classified yellow croaker cakes as safe food and was in the process of establishing a food factory. Not only would it be sold to survivors outside, but staff would also receive benefits. 

Huo Yishen couldn’t refuse, so he had to take them home. 

Jiang Ning didn’t say anything and put the fish cakes in her space. 

She had no shortage of safe and healthy food now, and if there ever came a day when food was scarce, it wouldn’t be too late to take them out and eat. 

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