Chapter 181: Chapter 181: The Elephant That Ants Can Move
After eating, Jiang Si and Qin Shen opened the hotel’s files together.
The registration information for a family of four came into view.
Of the two children, the boy’s age was a likely match.
After browsing through the other check-in records, they were fairly certain that his name was Bobby.
But as for Bobby’s parents and his younger sister, they had most likely met a tragic end.
Bobby had accidentally acquired an energy stone and his body had mutated, which was how he survived.
Jiang Si said to Qin Shen, "You can try calling him Bobby. See if he reacts."
Qin Shen nodded. "Okay."
There were so many animals being raised on the Icebreaker now, and everyone had their own jobs to do.
Especially the four young Vultures. Their growth rate and appetite were enormous.
They were still fluffy just a couple of days ago, but now stiff feathers were starting to sprout on their wings.
The moment Jiang Si showed up, they went wild, gaping their beaks and waiting for her to toss them food.
Their beaks were big enough to swallow her head.
Unfazed, Jiang Si fed them some frozen meat, then brought them some mealworms to peck at on their own.
The young Vultures ran around cheerfully. Without full plumage, they looked a lot like ostriches.
’Maybe it was because she saw them as her own, but she found them cute no matter what.’
Jiang Si played with them for a while, training them to move in unison and rewarding them each time they got it right.
At the rate the young Vultures were growing, the room would be too small for them to even stretch their wings in another month.
By then, their feathers would be thick enough to protect them from the cold, and they could go play outside.
Back in her room, Jiang Si thought about how to get the ship ashore while she showered.
Qin Shen returned from checking on Bobby. Hearing the shower, he took the initiative to ask, "Need some service?"
Jiang Si couldn’t help but laugh. "Not necessary."
Qin Shen said from the doorway, "But I think you do."
"Don’t you dare come in, or I’ll punch you."
"Alright. Such a shame. You’ve missed out on a perfect, hormone-fueled service."
Jiang Si twisted her hair up and wrapped a towel around herself. "Wow, what a terrible shame."
Qin Shen tried to push his way in, but Jiang Si quickly shut the bathroom door, snickering on the other side.
After a little while, she emerged with her hair freshly blow-dried.
Qin Shen immediately grabbed her, pulling her into his arms for a kiss. "I’ve been waiting for you."
Jiang Si gave him a little push. "How did it go? Did Bobby react to his name?"
Qin Shen shook his head. "No reaction. But his disposition is much better than before. He’s a bit like Number One and Number Two."
"Sigh... I guess it really is hard for someone to return to normal. But as long as he’s compliant, we can take care of him. And if he can’t remember all the sad things that happened... maybe that’s a kind of happiness for him."
Qin Shen nodded. "You’re right."
Jiang Si thought for a moment before adding, "Bo Xi and Bobby both have an energy stone. Counting the two of us, that makes four. Don’t you think... that might attract some kind of great danger?"
In her past life, a group of superpower users had cut her open right after the Superpower Stone entered her body.
She shuddered just thinking about it.
Qin Shen held her tighter. "I’ll protect you."
His gaze was resolute. Her heart softened, and she couldn’t help but say, "I’ll protect you too."
"Good."
"So... shall we...?"
He suddenly pinned her down.
Jiang Si froze, her face flushing red. "You haven’t even showered yet."
Qin Shen let out a low chuckle. "So you’re agreeing. I’ll go right now." He gave her another quick kiss. "Wait for me."
As he closed the bathroom door, he didn’t forget to shoot her a flirtatious wink.
He knew she was a sucker for it.
Jiang Si buried her face in the covers and rolled over. ’How did the aloof and self-controlled Qin Shen I first met turn into... this?’
’It’s not like... I did anything to cause it.’
「The next day.」
Zhang Aihua and his people came back to help Jiang Si’s group with the cave hotel renovation.
The basic furnishings didn’t need much modification.
The most critical parts were the plumbing for waste disposal and the heating system.
The hotel’s original systems were definitely unusable, but Jiang Si’s group had plenty of ideas.
She also had various kinds of heating equipment that she’d bought beforehand stored in her space.
But for a hotel this large, those kinds of heaters wouldn’t be appropriate.
The best solution was to utilize the hot spring that ran throughout the hotel.
After a great deal of thought, Jiang Linhai finally figured out a way to create a heating system using the hot spring.
The overall design was incredibly complex, but as long as they had the materials, it was achievable.
Piping was a key component, as was the power supply. Things like cement and stone slabs were secondary.
Zhang Aihua was extremely envious when he heard Jiang Linhai’s plan.
Unfortunately, even if they could salvage some usable pipes from collapsed houses, setting up a power system was out of the question for them.
All they could do was watch in envy and marvel at what a genius Jiang Linhai was.
But after helping Jiang Si’s group on these occasions, Zhang Aihua had confirmed that there were indeed fewer than ten people on the entire Icebreaker.
This made him somewhat pleased.
With so few people in their group, Jiang Si and the others would sooner or later need more of their help.
When that time came, their relationship would grow stronger, and his group would gain more benefits.
The thought of robbing Jiang Si’s group had crossed his mind for a split second.
’After all, we have more people.’
’But on second thought, the fact that Jiang Si and Qin Shen dared to ask us for help meant they must have something to back them up. If we tried anything funny, they could probably take back everything they’ve given us and leave us to die with no place for burial.’
Although Zhang Aihua prioritized his group’s interests, he also considered himself a grateful person.
Jiang Si and Qin Shen had been good to them; he couldn’t bring himself to do something so devoid of humanity.
Construction on the cave hotel was expedited. In about another week, they would probably be able to officially move in.
Zhang Aihua’s people helped every day, and every day Jiang Si’s group would give them something in return.
One day, they even gave each of them a flashlight.
Everyone was overjoyed.
This was a real treasure. Now they could check on things at night.
With another heavy snow on the horizon and the cave hotel still unfinished, Jiang Si worried the Icebreaker wouldn’t withstand it. She had everyone start moving their belongings into the cave hotel ahead of schedule.
The first, second, and third floors were completely renovated from their original state, ensuring all the animals would have a safe home.
While setting up the new room for herself and Qin Shen, Jiang Si looked out at the Icebreaker, standing alone in the snow, and felt a pang of reluctance.
’We haven’t even finished harvesting all the vegetables we planted with our own hands.’
’Are we really going to abandon the ship before it’s made a single voyage?’
Sensing her thoughts, Qin Shen suddenly said something that completely astonished her. "Bo Xi can summon insects, right? There are insects in the sea, too. What if we have them push the ship onto the shore, and then have the land insects take over and move it the rest of the way?"
Jiang Si was utterly dumbfounded. "Would that even work?"
Qin Shen smiled. "An ant can move an elephant. How will we know if we don’t try?"
Jiang Si thought about it. ’Well, it doesn’t cost anything to ask.’
’What if it works?’
’It just might actually work.’
