Read Novel Full Chapter 616: Owed Her Several Lives
Chapter 616: Owed Her Several Lives
Jiang Ning briefly mentioned what had happened back then.
After learning that Anning was born because Song Yaling was unable to have an abortion, the two couldn’t help but feel unfair for her. At the same time, they were also envious that she had such a powerful father.
Compared to them, Anning was lucky—she found her real parents while she was still alive and could experience what it felt like to have family.
They no longer had that chance.
They were long past the age of yearning for family, but they were grateful to have found their other halves and could face the natural disasters hand in hand.
That alone made them luckier than 80% of the people out there.
And they both knew very well that the only reason they were still alive was because Jiang Ning had snatched them back from the jaws of death more than once.
They owed her—big time. It was the kind of debt you could never fully repay. Hopefully one day, they’d get the chance to do something for her.
The tent was basic. There were no tables, no chairs, not even a stool. They just sat on the ground and chatted about what they went through after the land started sinking.
The past was already behind them, but they still instinctively avoided talking about the worst parts. They tried to keep things light and calm.
After talking for over an hour, Jiang Ning stood up and said she was heading to the farm. “Come over for dinner tonight. You want hotpot or stir-fry?”
Everyone staying at the guesthouse was from the camp, so having a meal together here wouldn’t be convenient. They couldn’t exactly eat meat and let the others just smell it, right?
Zhang Chao didn’t want to trouble her. “No need for that. We should be treating you and Brother Shen to a meal instead.”
They didn’t even have utensils or furniture yet. They’d have to wait until after they got their work assignments.
“There’ll be time for you to treat us later,” Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow. “We grew up together, and now you’re being all formal just because of the natural disaster?”
“Of course not. It’s just… we were worried—”
Anning was the daughter of an official. If they went over like this, it might not look good for her.
“Afraid of rumors?” Jiang Ning couldn’t help but laugh. “Back when we were kids, the three of us even made a pact: if one of us ever found our biological parents first, we’d share them.”
“That was just a silly joke from back then.”
Jiang Ning shot him a look. “Chao, I still mean it. My father is your father too. Don’t overthink it.”
Zhang Chao was speechless. He didn’t even know what to say.
Lu Yu, on the other hand, was much more carefree. “Anning, let’s do hotpot tonight!”
Jiang Ning left with her dog. “Alright, I’ll go get some ingredients from the farm. Come early.”
Lu Yu and Zhang Chao personally walked her to the guesthouse gate.
They watched her leave, but didn’t go back right away.
Zhang Chao frowned a little. “Yu, we haven’t even gotten our work assignments yet. If we just show up at Anning’s place, won’t it cause trouble for her and Brother Shen?”
It wasn’t that they were afraid of people accusing them of pulling strings. It was just that quite a few people had already approached them in private over the past few days.
The four of them had been through hell together for over ten years. Even if others didn’t know who they really were, they still understood how complicated the power dynamics were behind every city.
When immortals fight, it’s the mortals who suffer.
They were born human—who didn’t have a little ambition?
The four of them were human, but only half so.
Bringing over a thousand people meant they were destined to be roped in or used.
Rong Sanshao was the first to approach them. His words were slippery, like an eel, but everything he said hinted at a deeper meaning.
People who survived the storm weren’t fools. Zhang Chao and Lu Yu had some sense. Rong Sanshao had things going so smoothly for him now not just because he was capable, but because he latched onto the right people.
Even back in the villa district in New City, he had tried everything to get close to Jiang Ning.
Guess that saying is true—cling to the right person, and not only can you survive, you might even rise to the top again.
They both understood deep down—if Jiang Ning hadn’t stepped in and saved them again and again out of loyalty, they would’ve already turned into piles of bones.
They owed her more than just a favor. They owed her their lives.
Lu Yu had a more open mindset. “Chao, you’re overthinking it. Since Anning invited us, do you really think she cares what others say?”
When they first arrived, the higher-ups didn’t know about their connection to Jiang Ning. So, they secretly tried to win them over, hoping to bring them under their wing.
But no matter who they chose to side with, it would’ve offended someone else.
Since they grew up with Jiang Ning in the orphanage, it only made sense to stand with her.
From a practical standpoint, the others didn’t really have any major flaws. But on a personal level, siding with Jiang Ning felt right, and it was also a small way to repay her for saving their lives.
“We’re not just going—we’re showing up loud and proud.”
Sure, they had ambitions, but they never dreamed of reaching Jiang Ning’s level. All they wanted was to survive in this disaster-ridden world.
Even though they’d already made up their minds, they still had to talk it over with Ding Qi and Zheng Weili.
After all, New Fengcheng was going to be their new home. Everything needed to be reconsidered.
***
Jiang Ning brought her dog along and headed to the farm. On the way, she made a stop at Commander Yu’s house.
Yu Changzheng and his wife were at work, so only Yu Yin was home.
Jiang Ning invited her to come along to the farm—she could either help out or just take a walk to clear her mind.
Yu Yin was feeling down, but she didn’t reject the invite.
The dog walked up to her and looked up, almost like it was about to cough up the leg it had been chewing on.
Yu Yin didn’t get it and just said hi to it.
So, with one dog and two people, they strolled toward the farm under the warm sunlight.
There were greens, tomatoes, string beans, baby bok choy, mustard greens, green soybeans, and corn growing there.
Jiang Ning noticed they’d built a shaded shed on the farm—and inside, there were wood ear mushrooms growing.
Doudou explained, “When we built the greenhouse, there was leftover wood. We left it outside and after being exposed to wind and rain, mushrooms started growing on it.”
After discussing it with some experts, they decided to try growing mushrooms in a shaded area. Unexpectedly, it actually worked.
There weren’t many mushrooms yet, but Doudou was confident it would grow into something bigger.
Jiang Ning praised her, “Nice job. Once you get the mushroom farm going, I’ll give you a few mushroom kits—then you can have fresh ones for hotpot.”
That’s right. After over ten years of disasters, she still hadn’t used up all the mushroom kits in her space. She could easily set up a mushroom farm.
Jiang Ning gave her some motivation, “Doudou, I believe in you.”
Doudou was thrilled. “Thanks, Sister-in-law!”
Then Jiang Ning got to the real reason why she came to the farm. “When you’ve got time, spend a little more with Yu Yin. Help her open up again.”
She believed that a smile could heal people.
Doudou had her brother and sister-in-law to protect her, so her experience wasn’t as harsh as Yu Yin’s. But she had also struggled with depression. In a way, they shared a bond.
She walked over to Yu Yin and gently said, “Sister Yin, can you help me guide the melon vines onto the wooden poles?”
Yu Yin watched carefully and mimicked her movements, while Jiang Ning went off to pick some greens.
Once everything was in place and Yu Yin was completely focused on the work, Jiang Ning quietly signaled the dog and slipped away.
She dropped by the nearby livestock farm and, just like always, gave out praise and encouragement where it was due—never missing a chance to motivate.
Rong Tingting had a new idea. “Sister Ning, the livestock farm has a bunch of leftover poultry feathers. I was thinking of talking to the textile factory about making a batch of down jackets.”
“If this works out, we could help more people stay warm and also bring in extra income for the farm.”
For someone so young, she was already full of business ideas. It reminded Jiang Ning of a certain domineering CEO’s mom.
Looks like the Rong family’s going to produce another strong woman.
“No problem, go ahead and give it your all.”
Rong Tingting lit up. She wanted to become a down jacket supplier. And once the livestock farm grew bigger, she could even start a meat processing business.
If she teamed up with Doudou’s farm, they’d basically have a full-on agricultural supply base.
Watching her all fired up, Jiang Ning couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. This new generation really had guts and vision.
Of course, she would support her all the way.