Read Novel Full Chapter 560: Underwater Currents
Chapter 560: Underwater Currents
In the distance, a group appeared, dragging firewood, tattered tents, and other materials.
It seemed like they had returned from gathering supplies.
When the group appeared, the survivors from Guangdong Province were very happy.
The leader was older, but still had a straight posture, and even shook hands with Xu Kaitai.
He seemed like a reasonable person and had a lot of influence.
When the survivors saw him return, they became much calmer, no longer behaving aggressively like they had earlier.
From a distance, it was unclear what the two of them were talking about.
Not long after, Xu Kaitai and Huang Mao were free.
Jiang Ning carefully studied the face of the man leading the group. He was thin and weathered, his skin darkened by the sun, but there was something familiar about him, as if they had met before.
After a moment, the two of them came back, looking a bit conflicted. “They’re survivors from the official base in Jiacheng.”
Thin, bony faces with pleading and submissive eyes, as if they wanted to kneel and beg to be saved and taken away.
It was truly heart-wrenching.
But the mission had to come first, and they were powerless to do anything. Thankfully, the leader was determined; otherwise, leaving wouldn’t have been so simple.
Even if they had forced their way out, they would have felt uneasy about it.
Huang Mao couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. “They have a boat and have been trying to fix it. It should be ready in a few days.”
Huo Yishen didn’t say much more. “Let’s go. It’s getting late.”
At a safe distance, Jiang Ning took out the helicopter to head back.
Less than an hour later, the helicopter landed on the beach.
There was no sign of anyone, only a few scattered seaweeds washed up on the shore.
Could they have been swept away by the tsunami?
The four of them quickly spread out to search.
After half an hour of searching, even using high-powered binoculars, there was no trace of anyone.
Could they really have been swept away?
That was ten lives lost, and when they parted, they had been hoping the team would come back with the Fire Seed Containers.
Though they hadn’t spent a long time together, the atmosphere had been very harmonious.
Moreover, they had been specially selected by Gu Tinglin, so Jiang Ning couldn’t help but feel discouraged and upset. They had even planned to make seaweed dumplings together.
“Captain, look!” Huang Mao suddenly waved his hand excitedly. “They’re over there!”
He pointed towards the end of the sea.
Jiang Ning stood on a rock and quickly used the binoculars.
A periscope was sticking out of the water.
2688 was still there, and it was in the deep sea.
Waving their hands, 2688 surfaced.
Jiang Ning took out the inflatable boat, and the four of them immediately went out to sea.
Twenty minutes later, the submarine hatch opened, and Zhang Li was the first to jump out, excitedly hugging Jiang Ning. “Thank goodness, you’re okay!”
Jiang Ning smiled. “Are you all alright?”
Everyone thought back to what had happened recently and couldn’t help but feel relieved to have escaped another disaster.
After Jiang Ning and the others left, two stayed behind to guard the submarine, while the rest were in the shallow waters picking seaweeds.
They had picked most of it yesterday, and by the next day, they were almost done when they noticed the sudden change in the ocean current.
After drifting on the sea for two years, they had developed a good understanding of climate changes.
No one dared to take chances, and they all immediately boarded the submarine and sped away from the area.
However, they were still struck by the tsunami. Fortunately, the submarine had been designed for tsunamis and super earthquakes, so they managed to survive without major issues.
Ten people, all safe and sound.
When they learned the fourth Fire Seed Container had been successfully retrieved, Zhang Li suggested, “How about we make seaweed dumplings to celebrate?”
Everyone raised their hands in agreement.
The dough wasn’t made from pure flour but a mix of sweet potatoes, potatoes, and wheat, which didn’t have much stickiness.
Even so, it wasn’t something everyone could enjoy, as the supplies had been specially allocated.
Jiang Ning was a bit tired. She brought a bag of flour from the room and handed it to Zhang Li, deciding not to get involved in making dumplings.
It wasn’t refined flour, but flour made from wheat she had harvested from her space.
The wheat husks were ground and mixed in, but to everyone, it was still a luxurious treat.
Without speaking, they all understood each other’s thoughts, and everyone was secretly overjoyed.
At first, when they took this mission, they thought it was an impossible task, but following the captain and Jiang Ning, it turned out to be quite easy, and there was even extra food.
Maybe it really was a blessing for China, with the appearance of special ability users giving the people of Fengcheng a glimpse of hope after their hardships.
The group worked together: the men kneaded and rolled the dough, while the women wrapped the dumplings.
While they were busy cooking, Huo Yishen and Xu Kaitai sat by the observation window, analyzing the last stop of Route 1.
It was a bit over 300 nautical miles, not far, but the intersection of several ocean currents and the complex seabed terrain required them to avoid certain tidal phenomena.
Jiang Ning took a nap, and when she woke up, it was already late at night.
Huo Yishen hadn’t disturbed her but left a bowl of dumplings for her. Seeing she was in good spirits, he suggested, “Want to try some?”
She didn’t refuse.
The dumplings didn’t have any seasoning, and the seaweed had a bit of a fishy taste. However, the dumpling skin was good, with a wheat fragrance and plenty of elasticity.
Jiang Ning ate three, and the rest went into Huo Yishen’s mouth.
He wasn’t picky and accepted whatever was given to him.
Jiang Ning poured two bowls of chicken soup, and the two drank slowly. “You seem thinner,” she remarked, but he appeared more energetic.
She touched his short hair, which was stiff and prickly, and she liked it very much.
Men, really, are most charming when they’re focused on their careers.
She felt she had wronged him in the past few years.
Huo Yishen, equally concerned, said, “If it’s too risky, don’t push yourself.”
Jiang Ning knew what to do.
The next day, she woke up feeling full of energy again.
She had just sat down for breakfast when the submarine suddenly rocked, and the potato in her hand flew out.
Xu Kaitai urgently reminded, “Be careful, a storm has suddenly hit the sea, and the ocean currents have changed.”
This was bad. A storm causing a shift in ocean currents could cause a collision, and if the force was strong enough, it might tear the submarine apart.
He rushed into the cockpit to give tactical instructions.
Another violent shake. Although everyone grabbed onto something to steady themselves, their insides felt terrible.
Pots, bowls, and utensils flew around, and every loose item slammed against walls or people.
It felt like the submarine was about to flip over. Jiang Ning, who was suspended in the air, collided with someone else, and her body ached and went numb. Her head buzzed.
Her body turned upside down, and her wrist hurt badly.
Suddenly, she crashed into a broad chest and was pulled into a tight embrace.
“Anning!”
It was Huo Yishen. The two held each other tightly, with his hand protecting her head.
The whole submarine felt like it was being tossed in a washing machine, spinning uncontrollably.
Jiang Ning found a safety belt, and they both secured themselves tightly.
After the intense shaking, the submarine began to stabilize. Xu Kaitai in the cockpit wiped the sweat from his forehead.
They had finally made it through.
“Congratulations to us, we’ve beaten death again.”
The men in the cockpit cheered loudly. They rushed out, embracing each other and shouting excitedly.
“Ugh…”
Someone, not sure who, started throwing up on the others.
Soon, most of the group couldn’t hold it in, and the unpleasant smell spread everywhere.
No one complained, though. They were all just relieved to be alive.
Unfortunately, a few people were injured and bleeding.