Chapter 144: The Brewing Storm on the Sea

Later, through a twist of fate, he was adopted and had to learn the ways of human society. For someone who had spent so long living in a ruthless environment devoid of warmth, adapting to the deeply sentimental atmosphere of a suburban, rural region in China indeed required a considerable amount of effort.

By the time he reached the age where people began talking about marriage and settling down, he failed to develop any of the impulses or expectations regarding marriage that his "peers" experienced.

Until he met Jiang Huan.

Yet... "Even if my heart beats faster, what of it? I am the one who chose to get this world running again, and therefore I must bear the consequences."

Even though the researchers at the institute cared for him deeply, and none of them were crazy enough to carve him into pieces or drain him dry in the name of science, he still felt lonely.

A loneliness that could neither be controlled nor forgotten.

During his break today, Xie Congzhou manipulated a berry seed, watching it sprout and wither, eating the fruit one bite at a time, leaning against the wall in a daze.

The fifth fishing net was finally repaired with the abundant materials that had been transported over.

Yet the risks involved in Jiang Huan and her team's underwater operations were not reduced in the slightest. A batch of nutrient solution had been shipped from above—red in color, said to quickly boost mental stamina and replenish energy.

Jiang Huan immediately thought of where the source of the so-called energy milk came from.

Consequently, she remained somewhat wary of this red nutrient solution.

Fortunately, it came with an ingredient list, showing it was made from things like red ginseng.

"The benefits keep getting better and better," a team member remarked with emotion.

With very few areas left that were still arable outside, they had even managed to carve out plots for red ginseng cultivation.

To be able to produce such a large quantity of nutrient solution meant the cultivation area must be quite substantial.

Jiang Huan collected her share for the week. Noticing that those around her experienced no discomfort after drinking it, she began occasionally consuming a small bottle in front of others starting from the second week, just to blend in.

She now spent half of every day engaged in team missions. For the rest of the time, relying on the anti-radiation suit and body-tempering fluid she had obtained from opening supply boxes, Jiang Huan took on private tasks.

As the exchange points increased, Jiang Huan quickly climbed into the top three earners of the Monster Corps.

One had to realize that some people had been stationed here for nearly a year, arriving long before Jiang Huan, yet their points lagged behind hers.

Looking at the exchange board, Jiang Huan used all her points to trade for this nutrient solution and some basic living supplies for her younger brother.

She lacked nothing herself. As for Jiang Xi, although his living conditions were far better than those of many survivors, she could not constantly provide for him in person, so she decided to make do with these for now.

As late September arrived, the temperature shifted, and the meteorological observatory predicted that a new wave of freezing weather might sweep in once again.

Storms at sea were also beginning to brew, and the entire island had recently been conducting evacuation drills.

From the capital, a submarine built in Fujian province, having passed its underwater inspection tests, was shipped directly to the Monster Corps and the Elite Corps. Looking at the currently calm surface of the sea, Jiang Huan shuddered to imagine what kind of driving force a prolonged ocean storm would impart to the radioactive wastewater that was already nearing the inner seas.

When that time came, if the ocean defense line fell, how long could the people on land remain at peace?

Step by step, they had retreated, and she had no idea how much further they could possibly fall back.

This overwhelming emotion drove Jiang Huan to fight with ruthless abandon during her underwater battles. An untold number of sea beasts perished at her hands, terrifying her superiors to the point that they ordered her to visit the clinic and see a psychologist.

Yet, after the session ended, Jiang Huan continued to act entirely on her own terms—though the psychologist suddenly developed a strong desire to head out to sea and slay beasts themselves.

No one ever knew what the two of them had discussed that day; people could only feel that Jiang Huan truly was a multifaceted person.

Just as the sea beasts in the vicinity were being slaughtered to the point of a temporary vacuum, good news arrived from the interior.

Those regions that had been cultivating high-altitude "marine products" even before the apocalypse had been rebuilt, restoring the scale of two artificial seas. Large swathes of grassland had been revived, and efforts were currently underway to cover them with novel materials to protect these achievements when the new cold wave struck.

Good news arrived in a flurry. The capital also confirmed the successful breeding of three hardy grain varieties capable of surviving in sub-zero weather. Their yield was not exceptionally high, but if a family of three had just one room dedicated to growing these grains and cultivating vegetables through hydroponics, they could maintain a basic level of survival.

For a time, the radio was filled with inspiring words about pulling together as one, achieving the impossible, and maintaining unbreakable unity.

Merely listening to the broadcasts gave one a sense of a flourishing and thriving scene.

Listening to this, Jiang Huan felt a surge of motivation, and the anxiety in her heart dissipated significantly.

The name Lu Pengchun began to appear with increasing frequency.

He was crowned with the title of genius; not only had he invented the anti-radiation suit and led the trials for anti-radiation medications, but even these new crop varieties had been developed under his guidance.

A thought flashed through Jiang Huan's mind, but she failed to catch it and simply let it go, figuring that he was, after all, a complete stranger to her.

Yet this stranger kept her on his mind, insisting on mentioning Jiang Huan every time he achieved a minor milestone.

The director of the institute grew utterly exhausted by the harassment and ordered the deputy director to handle the matter.

Believing it would be an honor for the current darling of the scientific community—and for the girl named Jiang Huan as well—the deputy director made phone calls to Wu Bing and the Monster Corps, instructing them to send Jiang Huan over in a few days' time.

His tone was so grating that it made Wu Bing want to punch him.

Was Jiang Huan some kind of welcoming greeter at a hotel? "Send her over in a few days," indeed.

She was a soldier! How could anyone order people around like that?

After consulting with the Monster Corps, Wu Bing and the team decided to stall, which was why Lu Pengchun still hadn't been able to see Jiang Huan.

He was naturally somewhat petty, and after being brushed off and delayed repeatedly, he lost his temper. He actually went ahead and wrote Jiang Huan's name on the official documents for the new crop varieties sent by the Agricultural Science Academy, replacing his own name with hers on every single document thereafter.

His intention was to intentionally force everyone to notice his temper tantrum and consequently send Jiang Huan to him.

Naturally, documents missing Lu Pengchun's signature were considered invalid and were promptly rejected and sent back.