The Beginning of Natural Disaster, I Won by Hoarding Tens of Billions of Supplies

Chapter 508: Why Don’t They Just Quietly Kill Us

He Tianming had distinct features, and even though he had become thin and old, Jiang Ning recognized him immediately. 

Her face was calm, but inside, her heart was still in turmoil. 

The killing blade of the apocalypse was especially sharp. 

She still remembered when they first met: He Tianming was a refined man with an air of cultured elegance. Even though the disasters they faced later were more severe, He Tianming had risen from the head of Aoyuan to the deputy mayor of Fengcheng.

Time had aged his appearance, but had refined his temperament. 

But now, he was a withered, frail old man. 

He was so thin that he seemed like he could easily be blown over by the winds. 

Jiang Ning felt mixed emotions, but her face remained composed. After Ivanov’s introduction, she showed a fitting expression for meeting a fellow countryman in a foreign place. 

“It’s fate. I didn’t expect that we are both from Fengcheng.” 

After the greetings, Ivanov led everyone to work. 

They brought wooden stakes and steel, all of which were found on the transport ship and could help expand the ice house. 

First, they chose a piece of land, repeatedly pressed down the snow, and then used sharp knives or saw blades to cut it into large blocks of snow, stacking them one by one. 

Since the supply of vegetables was critical, Ivanov paid special attention to the ice house. “Jiang, it will take a long time for the snow bricks to freeze into ice cubes. You should find a way to get the snow to melt into water.” 

So, Jiang Ning and Doudou went outside to scoop snow, boiled it, and then carried it in wooden barrels. 

Ivanov gently poured the boiling water over the snow bricks with a spoon. 

At several degrees below zero, the snow and water quickly melted and froze, with the hardness steadily increasing. 

The project was huge, so Jiang Ning provided the food. 

She prepared the baked potatoes and crocodile meat that had all been exchanged with Ivanov earlier.

They were baked inside the ice house. Everyone sat around the fire, roasting potatoes or grilling meat, and taking a big sip of vodka, which was so refreshing. 

Jiang Ning beat a few crocodile eggs into the boiling iron pot, then threw a few handfuls of green vegetables in. As soon as the pot was opened, it was emptied, with people grabbing it so quickly it seemed like they would dive in with their hands. 

Ivanov ate very quickly and spoke in a particularly hypocritical tone, “Jiang, Huo, why aren’t you eating?” 

Jiang Ning smiled, “You’ve worked hard today; eat more.” 

After finishing the egg and vegetable soup, Ivanov chewed on the crocodile meat, “If only there were chili and a bit of cumin, it would be perfect.” 

He missed the Chinese barbecue, hotpot, braised dishes, and soy milk. 

Jiang Ning and Huo Yishen only nibbled on potatoes. They wouldn’t touch any food they weren’t 100% sure was safe. 

As for Doudou, neither of them let her show up. 

The young girl grew up, and her delicate face bloomed beautifully, but in the apocalypse, it wasn’t a good thing. 

There are more and more survivors in the Arctic, and the Russians are following the old path of the previous leaders in the Arctic, constantly recruiting soldiers and expanding their strength. 

Most of the survivors are male. What if, one day, out of hunger or desire, they started having inappropriate thoughts about Doudou? 

So, Doudou tried to stay out of sight. Even if she did go outside, she would wrap herself up so only her eyes were visible. 

While the heartless couple, after being beaten, became even more vigilant and would not make a sound unless something special happened. 

Jiang Ning and Huo Yishen helped, and by the evening, they had finally completed the ice house. 

It was quite spacious, enough to grow vegetables, but they were worried the snow bricks might not be strong enough and might suddenly collapse. 

“Jiang, trust my skills, it will definitely be warm and safe,” Ivanov said confidently. “The fire pit will heat the air, and the steam will rise. As it condenses inside the house, the ice will become even harder.” 

Jiang Ning thanked them and sent them out. 

She didn’t talk too much to He Tianming and the others. She simply said goodbye to all of them, “Be careful on the road.” 

Ivanov waved his hand, “Jiang, Huo, Happy New Year.” 

The two of them said together, “Happy New Year.” 

Jiang Ning noticed that He Tianming’s expression was a bit complicated, but he quickly returned to his usual numb and dazed look. 

On the way back, Ivanov happened to be sitting on the same snowmobile with He Tianming. 

Seeing him sitting and staring blankly, Ivanov thought for a moment and asked, “He, are you afraid of us?” 

He Tianming came back to his senses, “Before the natural disaster, our two countries were very friendly, and you rescued us from the United Base. We can’t even thank you enough, so how could we be afraid of you?” 

Ivanov smiled slyly, “But I always feel like you’re afraid of us.” 

“I am indeed afraid.” He Tianming did not rush to deny, “It’s not that I’m afraid of you, but of all the other survivors.” 

“Natural disasters devour humanity. I have witnessed people resorting to cannibalism and siblings turning on each other, but all of this was driven by the pressures of the apocalypse.” 

“If given a choice, no one would want to do such things, but reality forces them to commit evil deeds. Many people are angels today, but tomorrow they could be demons, so fear is a natural instinct.” 

He Tianming looked at Ivanov calmly, “Do you understand what I mean?” 

Ivanov didn’t answer directly, “Actually, Jiang and Huo are very good people. They know medicine and even saved our teammates.”

“They are your fellow countrymen. If you want to leave, I can talk to them. I believe they’d be willing to help and take you in.”

“Then, you can grow vegetables and trade with us, we can all be friends.” 

Unexpectedly, He Tianming shook his head, “When it comes to life and death, even fathers and sons might turn against each other. What’s the bond of brotherhood? I’m content with the current situation, as long as I can get food through work. 

The disaster is hard for everyone. I don’t want to rely on anyone, and I won’t disturb them.” 

Seeing that he had made up his mind, Ivanov said nothing. 

The snowmobile roared through the snow, and before long, they returned to the camp. 

He Tianming and the others were given two baked potatoes, which they took back to the underwater fortress to rest. 

This was their dinner today, which was barely enough to make them 50% full. 

Yang Weimin came over, “The Russians tried to test you again?” 

“You’ll get used to it,” He Tianming said, peeling off the blackened skin of the baked potato and slowly chewing it. “I’m just worried the Dragon Slayer might end up turning into an evil dragon.”

Yang Weimin frowned; he was right. 

The Russians had destroyed the United Base but were slowly becoming like the base. 

They had absorbed more than half of the prisoners, and during this period, they were still actively recruiting more survivors who had landed in the Arctic. 

Yang Weimin felt uneasy, “I heard that a group of survivors from our country landed some time ago, with a total of more than 200 survivors. Not only did the Russians not recruit them, but after they returned, they became even more cautious of us.” 

He Tianming nodded, “This Ivanov, he seems very nice to Jiang Ning and Huo Yishen, but actually, he’s also secretly on guard.” 

Survival was a complicated matter, and it was hard to explain in just a few words. 

Yang Weimin couldn’t understand, “If they’re so cautious about us, why don’t they just quietly kill us?”