Apocalypse Escape: Day One of Survival

Chapter 187: Chapter 187: I Will Become Strong

Wang Zongxuan was speechless. "What are you picking this junk up for?"

"You don’t get it. Later, I’ll have Ms. Ning cut these up for me, and then I can practice my ultimate flying dagger technique!"

Wang Zongxuan really wanted to say, "Give me a break," but when he saw Ji Erhuo’s gung-ho expression, he silently held his tongue.

Actually, what Ji Erhuo had in mind was quite considerate. This way, he wouldn’t need to trouble Ms. Ning to use her superpower to make the daggers, only to cut them.

"I’ve thought about it carefully. I think the method Ms. Ning suggested is viable. Hey! Hey, let me finish!"

Gu Chen had brought a large amount of firearms and ammunition on this trip, so when they boarded the ship, they barely relied on Superpower Users for the sweep.

Moreover, they were worried the ship couldn’t withstand a bombardment and would be blown apart, so they could only hold back and use light weaponry.

After Ta Lake Cargo Ship No. 18 was completely cleared, everyone began inspecting the cargo on board.

However, this ship had no food. It was filled entirely with coils of steel.

Ji Erhuo furtively stashed away two more coils of steel, snuck over to Xie Ning’s side, and asked in a hushed voice, "Ms. Ning, did you put any away?"

Xie Ning shook her head. "Let’s leave it for the base’s construction."

Transporting this ship’s cargo back to the base would solve their urgent need for construction materials.

Just then, a short, startled cry from her aunt came from the cockpit at the bow.

Xie Ning hurried over.

Just as she reached the cockpit door, she saw her uncle send a zombie’s head flying with a kick. It tumbled across the deck.

He Shuping held a knife, gasping for breath.

Seeing Xie Ning rushing over, Song Shijun said quickly, "It’s okay, Sis."

"There’s a small compartment in here with a lot of rice and grain." Song Shijun pushed open a small door.

Xie Ning patted Ji Erhuo. "Have your boss get someone to collect this."

Gu Chen was making that kid, Wu Meng, collect and then deposit the steel.

After a few trips back and forth between the ship and the vehicle, the kid was actually panting, which made Gu Chen frown.

A few Power-type Superpower Users felt sorry for him and lent a hand, carrying the coils of steel off the ship to save Xiao Wu some trips.

Gu Chen wore a stern expression, planning to scold the kid later and tell him to step up his physical training.

Just then, Ji Erhuo came running over happily. "Boss, Ms. Ning said to bring a Space Ability User over to collect some rice and grain."

Wu Meng felt that Miss Xie was practically Bodhisattva Guanyin, come to save him from his suffering. He let out a long sigh of relief.

Sure enough, his boss forgot all about scolding him. His handsome brow suddenly relaxed as he called Wu Meng over, and they turned and walked quickly toward the cockpit.

There wasn’t much, so Gu Chen didn’t stand on ceremony with Xie Ning and just had Wu Meng collect all the goods from the small compartment.

Then, he asked with a beaming smile, "Ningning, are you hot? Want a drink?"

The long-suffering Wu Meng could hardly bear to look at his boss.

’Toward them, he has a cold, ruthless face, but toward that girl, he’s like a gentle spring breeze. The only thing missing is a shower of peach blossoms over his head.’

Lu Wei walked over just in time to see this scene.

Wu Meng was rolling his eyes so hard they were in danger of launching into orbit...

"There’s a ship full of infant formula next door. Want it?"

"Yes!"

Gu Chen and Song You’ai spoke at the same time, then exchanged a look.

’Xie Ning looked at her mother, tempted to remind her that they’d already stocked up quite a bit last time. She shouldn’t be competing with Xiao Gu over this!’

But to her surprise, Xiao Gu turned his head, his charming eyes sparkling. "Auntie, how much do you need? You take first."

Song You’ai quickly cleared her throat. "What I mean is, why wouldn’t we want it? It would be a waste not to. If we transport it back to the base, there are probably a lot of pregnant women, right? Newborns will need this."

Lu Wei nodded. "So, you want it? If so..."

"We don’t!" Xie Ning refused, her face expressionless.

"Then we’ll transport half of it back to the Capital." The men went over to discuss it, dragging Wu Meng along with them.

Gu Chen slipped over to her side and stuffed a bottle of milk tea into her hand. "This mission comes with a points reward."

"Based on the steel we’ve found, we can get you five thousand points."

’That much?’

Xie Ning was stunned for a moment before looking up at him.

"It’s not that much. These construction materials are very useful for the base. Besides, we still have other supplies to search for."

"If you and Auntie hadn’t told us there was cargo here, the base wouldn’t have scored such a huge haul."

Xie Ning had to laugh. "You’re sweeping the areas around the base. You would have eventually gotten here."

"That’s different. In any case, you provided the initial intel, so you must be rewarded. Otherwise, who would bother providing the base with reliable information in the future?" Gu Chen winked at her.

"Are you guys... about to head back to the Capital?" After some thought, Xie Ning finally asked.

Gu Chen nodded slightly, then added, "Don’t worry, I’ll come back to see you. It won’t be long."

Xie Ning inexplicably felt like laughing as she looked at this forward young man.

"Actually, I originally wanted to bring you all back to the Capital with me," Gu Chen muttered under his breath. "But I figured you probably wouldn’t agree."

He saw her almond-shaped eyes glare at him and quickly raised his hands in surrender. "I will definitely respect Ningning’s decision. But Jingji Base, honestly, is probably the most indestructible base post-apocalypse. If..."

"I’m just saying, if you get tired of staying here, you could give it some thought."

Xie Ning leaned on the railing, gazing out at the calm, viscous surface of the water. "The Capital might be great, but this is the home I’m attached to. I want to slowly grow stronger—so strong that no one would dare provoke me."

"Maybe by then, it won’t matter where I go."

"Yeah, I know." Gu Chen vaulted onto the railing and ruffled the bun on top of her head. "Maybe when I see you again in a few months, you’ll completely blow me away."

The two of them tapped their drink cans together and shared a smile.

For a moment, the atmosphere was surprisingly pleasant.

The sound of Song Youzhi’s pointed cough came from behind them.

Xie Ning turned, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled at him. "Uncle, find anything?"

Song Youzhi watched the young man swing his long legs and hop gracefully off the railing.

’For some reason, under the bright sun, he felt the young man and his grandniece looked surprisingly good together.’

"Let’s go take a look," he said with a hearty laugh. "They found a ship full of coal nearby. There were also a few ships of fish, but they’ve all rotted and gone bad from the heat. What a pity."

"But there are also two ships of soybeans and all sorts of other beans! If you can think of a bean, it’s there!"

"All kinds of beans are great! We can make tofu, tofu pudding, pan-fried beans, stir-fried beans, and deep-fried beans!"

All Xie Ning could think about was Xiao Gu going on and on about beans. It was giving her a headache.

’Other than a slight interest in soy milk, she had zero interest in anything else he was talking about...’

Carrying her half-finished bottle of milk tea, she strolled over with Xiao Gu and saw everyone wearing masks, squatting on the boat and sorting through fish.

"These few baskets are still good. They were in cold storage below and didn’t spoil."

"Xiao Wu, store these for now."

"Auntie, you should take some. Aunt Song and the others came along today but haven’t taken anything, and you even helped sort the goods. We feel a little bad."

"No need. There are more of you, so just take it all."