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

Chapter 568: Chief Ling, Long Time No See

Yu Changzheng’s words calmed the others down. The chances of a container falling into the sea without taking on water were extremely low. 

They were only picking up whatever they could salvage if they came across it. 

However, they quickly reached an agreement—out of 3,000 Fire Seed Containers, only a little over 100 had been found so far. Searching globally based on coordinates would be too inefficient. 

The longer the Fire Seed Containers remained lost, the harder it would be to recover them. 

The base couldn’t afford to sit and wait; they needed to take proactive measures to locate them. 

“We can have the Fire Seed Planners go out in submarines to search. Once the coordinates are confirmed, we can send the recovery team.” 

Dividing the tasks this way would save fuel and improve efficiency. 

Yu Changzheng had no objections to this proposal. 

After the meeting, he left in a hurry. A fellow officer of the same rank, Commander Xiao, caught up with him, teasing as they walked, “Old Yu, you really stole the spotlight this time.” 

Yu Changzheng hummed nonchalantly. “It’s all for the base. Chief Gu wasn’t feeling well, so I just stepped in temporarily. I’m not looking for credit—just trying not to make mistakes.” 

“The recovery team’s skills are really impressive. The base urgently needs talent in this field. Are you planning to expand the team?” 

Yu Changzheng smiled slightly. “Old Xiao, the special recovery team is under the chief’s command. I’m already swamped with my own responsibilities. If you’re curious, why not ask him yourself?” 

Commander Xiao was momentarily at a loss for words. “I’m just thinking about the base’s development.” 

“Aiya, the meeting made me forget to take my medicine.” Yu Changzheng patted his head, “I’m going to be lectured by my wife at home again.” 

He waved and hurried back to the office to get his medication. 

In the evening, Jiang Ning didn’t feel like cooking. She took out steamed ribs, herbal chicken soup, braised pork, and stir-fried vegetables from her space. 

The abundant dishes were placed on the table. Shu Xueqing was astonished, but seeing Gu Tinglin’s calm expression, she wisely didn’t ask. 

Under the warm glow of the lights, the family sat together, enjoying their meal in harmony. 

After more than ten years, having such delicious food again was an ultimate indulgence for the taste buds. But what truly comforted Shu Xueqing was the radiant smile on Gu Tinglin’s face. 

Jiang Ning had truly accepted him as her father. 

She felt happy for Old Gu—his greatest emotional burden had finally been lifted. 

After dinner, Jiang Ning handed Shu Xueqing a box of fruit. “Eat some every day. When you run out, just come by for more.” 

Gu Tinglin didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he sat down to discuss matters with his daughter and son-in-law. 

The military would be organizing teams to locate the coordinates of the lost Fire Seed Containers scattered across different regions. Once confirmed, the recovery team would likely be even busier. 

The base desperately needed development, but going out to sea carried risks. Gu Tinglin didn’t want to put too much pressure on them. “Your safety comes first. If it’s not suitable, I’ll figure out a way to decline.” 

Development depended on teamwork, not just individual effort. 

But having experienced loss before, Gu Tinglin didn’t want any regrets. He would rather slow down the development of the base than take unnecessary risks. 

Jiang Ning thought for a moment. “Let’s focus on gathering the coordinates first. Whether or not we recover them can be decided later.” 

After resting at home for two days, Jiang Ning headed to the port to board the ship. 

These past few days, Rong Sanshao had been extremely busy, coordinating personnel and arranging transport for the Fire Seed Containers. Because of this, he had completely missed any chance to join them for a meal. 

Despite his usual laid-back attitude, he had an authoritative presence when working. 

Jiang Ning glanced at him from afar but didn’t go over to disturb him. 

Once on the transport ship, Huang Mao, Zhang Li, and the others helped move supplies. After the transfer ship departed, they got to work discussing how to modify the containers. 

When Jiang Ning arrived, the team members were delighted. “Sister Ning.” 

Since there were no outsiders around, Jiang Ning took out a drilling machine, cutting machine, sewing machine, and power boxes—all essentials the team had been lacking. It was a timely relief. 

“Sister Ning, what do you plan to do with the supplies you and Captain Huo received?” 

Jiang Ning responded casually, “I’ll keep a few bolts of fabric for personal use. The rest will be exchanged for points. Do any of you need containers? If not, I’ll give them to someone who does.” 

The supplies were split evenly, but there were only thirteen containers. Since Xu Kaitai had a higher rank and was assigned a dormitory, he indicated that he didn’t need a container. 

Huang Mao and the others were already satisfied with getting one to themselves. “Leave it for those who need it more. We have enough.” 

After some casual conversation, Rong Sanshao arrived on a transport ship to help organize the unloading. “Sis.” 

Jiang Ning asked, “Where is Mayor He staying now?” 

“Mayor He has a high rank, so the base has made arrangements for him.” 

Jiang Ning handed him two containers. “Take care of it as you see fit.” 

Rong Sanshao smiled brightly. “Thank you, Sister.” 

By the time evening approached and Jiang Ning was about to return to the port, she spotted a ship approaching from the distance. 

It wasn’t small, but it was extremely worn-out, clearly having endured many storms at sea. 

Jiang Ning pulled out her binoculars and saw a large group of people standing on the deck. 

The survivors on board had also noticed the port—some covered their faces and wept, while others embraced in excitement. 

They were all thin, their bones visible beneath their skin, and their faces streaked with tears and snot. There was no doubt they were fellow countrymen. 

Rong Sanshao had been stationed at the port for a long time and had seen situations like this many times. “Sister, while you were out at sea, several groups of survivors arrived at the base—some by sea, others traveling long distances overland. Even a few submarines have made it here.” 

In less than a month, over three hundred people had arrived. 

The base was accepting more and more survivors. 

Though they had grown accustomed to it, seeing their fellow countrymen arrive still stirred emotions in their hearts. 

After all, they had gone through it too. 

The ship slowly approached, not far from the transport ship. 

Huang Mao’s expression changed in surprise. “Sister Ning, don’t they seem familiar? I think they were with us when we got caught in the tsunami.” 

Jiang Ning hadn’t noticed at first, but then she spotted a boy with a head injury, still bandaged. 

It was the official survivor ship from Jiacheng. 

Jiang Ning felt a little hopeful and used her binoculars to scan the crowd, but she didn’t spot Qin Chuan and his son or the Zhong family. 

Some sharp-eyed survivors on the ship recognized Huang Mao instantly and even waved. “Young man, we made it!” 

The team members, feeling the same excitement, waved back, shouting, “Welcome to Fengcheng!” 

The containers were large, and with limited lifting and transport equipment, the supplies had to be broken down and transported to the base in smaller loads. The handover process took a long time. 

The team members helped on the ship, and it served as a bit of rest for them. 

Once the containers were modified and brought ashore, they would hold a welcome feast. 

“Sister Ning, you and Captain Huo have to join us when the time comes.” 

Jiang Ning nodded as she left. “Of course.” 

The boat arrived at the shore, just as the survivors from Jiacheng Base were queuing up to get off the boat with their belongings. 

On the shore, military personnel were organizing the line and verifying identities. 

The port was bustling with activity—supplies being unloaded, survivors stepping onto solid ground. 

Just as she was about to leave, a voice called out from a short distance away. 

“Jiang Ning.” 

She turned toward the sound and saw a lean man in tattered clothes. 

He was thin but had sharp eyes. 

Jiang Ning stared at him for a moment—Chief Ling? 

When the disaster first began, he had been in his thirties. Now, he was close to fifty. 

Remembering his past demeanor, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of emotion. Though his spirit remained, the disaster had been ruthless. 

Time spares no one. More than ten years had passed in the blink of an eye. 

Through the crowd, their eyes met. 

Jiang Ning walked over and smiled. “Chief Ling, long time no see.”