Natural Disasters Strikes: I stockpiled like crazy!-Chapter 188: I’m not a fool to let a single jade go!

The Yu Baoyin of today was vastly different from before. Her usual cheerfulness dimmed by the memories resurfacing in her mind.

With a voice tinged with melancholy, she began, "When I was in college, I had some classmates who loved to prank others. One day, during our practicum, they switched out my materials for a real hide… one infested with worms."

She could still remember it vividly—the sensation of countless maggots writhing against her skin, their cold, slimy bodies burrowing between her fingers. The initial horror had been unbearable. No matter how much she washed her hands afterward, the feeling remained, haunting her dreams for years.

Just hearing her words made Nanzhi clench her fists.

Yu Baoyin had been insensible at the time. She hadn't realized the prank immediately and had even requested new materials multiple times, unaware of the malicious switch.

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Come to think of it, in her past life, Yu Baoyin had always avoided fur fabrics and skin-tone leather textiles. So this was the reason.

Nanzhi pressed her fingers against the bridge of her nose, then looked at Yu Baoyin with guilt. "I'm sorry."

But Yu Baoyin quickly waved her hands, forcing a smile. "You don't need to apologize! It's not your fault, Sister Nan! You didn't know." She brightened, trying to lift the mood. "Besides, I still plan to sew those ant and pelt armors! It would be a waste to leave those materials unused."

Nanzhi frowned. Of course, she was against it. She needs gears but it not would be at the expense of Baoyin's suffering.

But Yu Baoyin had already latched onto her arm, going into 'octopus mode' again, clinging like a stubborn vine. "Sister Nan, let me, okay!"

Just then—

Creak—

The door opened.

Nanzhi and Yu Baoyin turned their heads simultaneously. Two figures stood at the threshold.

It was Wang Jian and his daughter.

The little girl's eyes brightened upon seeing them. "Big Sis!"

Wang Jian bowed deeply, his voice sincere. "Miss Lu, Miss Yu, thank you so much. I will never forget this kindness.

Half an hour later, Lin Weihao was in another room, discussing the situation with Lao Gong and the others.

If they left and an attack like the one this morning happened again, this base would be doomed.

They simply didn't have the ability to defend against the alien beasts.

Lao Gong, Wang Jian, and He Cuifen sighed in unison. They had considered relocating before, but hesitation held them back.

"Where would we even go in this apocalyptic world?"

"And even if we find another base, we won't last long without food and water. Not to mention the gas for our vehicles. We also need weapons."

"Besides, who's to say the situation in other bases is any better?"

"In this city, we face ants. But we have no idea what kind of monsters lurk in other places."

Fear of the unknown was a powerful thing.

"The communication device has been repaired," Lin Weihao reminded them. "Why not try using it?"

"So soon?" He had once followed the late base leader and understood the importance of such a device. If it was working, then there was still hope.

Taking a deep breath, he adjusted the frequency and spoke into the receiver.

"You've reached Pearl City's Military Base. This is Private Colonel Lin speaking…"

A voice crackled through the radio.

It worked!

Lao Gong's eyes widened.

Three hours later, after much persuasion and discussion, the people finally agreed.

Movement is life. Staying here meant death. They had no choice but to move forward.

At lunch time, the survivors gathered at the gates to see them off. The atmosphere was heavy, filled with unspoken emotions.

"You're leaving so soon?" He Cuifen's voice was laced with reluctance.

"We still have a long road ahead," Nanzhi replied, her expression serious.

Lin Weihao raised a brow. Others might have been fooled by her composed demeanor, but he wasn't. He had caught the brief flicker of her gaze toward the jade accessories the people wore.

The two children, Si Hao and Jiu Jiu, stepped forward, each holding a small paper pinwheel.

"We made these for the road," Si Hao said, grinning. "At least you won't get bored."

Yu Baoyin smiled. "Thank you! They're so pretty!"

Nanzhi accepted hers and blew gently, watching the pinwheel spin. Her thoughts drifted to Lin Yicheng.

The car doors closed, engines roaring to life.

The people didn't cry, didn't beg them to stay.

Instead, they raised their hands high, waving with gratitude, their eyes filled with emotions they didn't voice.

"May the road keep you safe!" Wang Jian's voice trembled.

"May we meet again!"

"Goodbye!"

They watched the car disappear from their sights.

Silence settled.

Sigh.

"Come on, let's go inside." Lao Gong's voice was steady, but his gaze remained fixed on the empty road. "We need to prepare for our own journey. The earlier we leave, the better."

"But how will we find food, water, and gas?" someone muttered. "The Nether Bone Gang already ransacked the entire area."

Wang Jian narrowed his eyes.

"Wait… What's that?"

A Volvo truck was approaching.

The survivors immediately went on guard.

The truck reached the gate in no time. The doors opened, and two people, clad in black baggy jackets, wearing face masks and black sunglasses, stepped out.

Lao Gong's expression darkened. Wang Jian and He Cuifen instinctively pulled the children close.

"What do you want?"

One of the robed figures spoke in a deliberately lowered voice.

"We're merchants from the south. Selling supplies… in exchange for jade."

Lao Gong's frown deepened.

At the same time, inside his disguise, Lin Weihao turned to his wife and whispered, "Zhi Zhi, this robe is too hot."

His mind replayed their conversation from earlier.

"Dress up. We need to make a side hustle first. Do you think I'd let all that jade go to waste?"

His lips twitched. He had known she was up to something.

"I'll give you a bucket of ice cream later," Nanzhi whispered back. The land rover could only hold little supplies. Driving a truck is less suspicious.

"Ice cream? That's underpaying me." Lin Weihao huffed. "Make it three cuddles, and then we're fair and square."

Nanzhi pinched his waist.

"Ow. That hurts. Do you want to be a widow this early?"

Nanzhi forgot the increase in her strength. "Fine. Three cuddles."

Beneath the mask, Lin Weihao smiled in satisfaction.

Lao Gong, however, remained suspicious. "Supplies for jade? That sounds like a scam."

The other merchant gestured for them to check the truck.

The cargo door opened, revealing boxes stacked neatly—water, grains, canned goods, biscuits, noodles, oil, medical supplies…

On the lowest shelves were even gallons of gasoline and weapons!

The survivors were stunned.

Minutes ago, they had been lamenting their lack of resources. Now, supplies had practically fallen from the sky!

"It's real…!"

"We're saved!"

Two hours later, Nanzhi and Lin Weihao reunited with the team.

Yu Baoyin had just finished a set of gear and held it up excitedly.

"Sister Nan, look what I made!"

Nanzhi blinked in surprise.

Ding—