Natural Disasters Strikes: I stockpiled like crazy! - Chapter 227

Chapter 227: Crystal Water Facility Mission (7)
Nanzhi’s sharp gaze swept over the five soaked figures, water dripping steadily from their clothes. A deep, nagging discomfort settled in her chest.

She took a step forward and spoke, her voice crisp and unwavering. “Wait. Don’t bring them inside the rooms yet.”

The bustling hands froze, and every pair of eyes turned toward her.

Lan Fuyou arched an eyebrow, his tone filled with mockery. “Oh? And why not?” he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Surely, you don’t expect me to let my men suffer in the cold? How ruthless.”

The Thorn Team saw an opportunity to attack Nanzhi and clicked their tongues in exaggerated disapproval, fanning the flames while fawning over Lan Fuyou.

“Poor things must be starving. And she wants them to stay outside?”

“Aiya, I heard some people are born without compassion. I just didn’t think I’d see it firsthand.”

Lin Weihao shot them a dark glare, but Nanzhi ignored them, her gaze still fixed on the drenched figures.

The Thorn Team Leader’s gloating smile faltered, and he found himself taking a step back seeing Lin Weihao’s gaze.

Nanzhi continued, her voice cold. “The nearest water body here is the reservoir, half a mile away. It’s said to be infested with alien beasts. Look at them. They don’t look injured—no scratches, no bruises. How could they have made it here unscathed?”

She couldn’t pick up the faintest scent of blood.

Even if they were unconscious, Nanzhi should have been able to detect their energy field. But there was nothing. This meant they were people with no abilities. Five non-awakeners escaping from a den of alien beasts? It was hard to believe.

Yu Baoyin spoke up, “Sister Nan is right! There should at least be cuts or scratches!”

Feng Ran nodded, agreeing with her assessment. “Sister-in-law is right! There should definitely be some kind of injury! Unless they have teleportation!”

Nanzhi pressed on. “And even if they accidentally fell into the water reservoir, their clothes are thoroughly drenched, as if they just crawled out of the water. From the reservoir to here, running in complete darkness would take at least an hour. By then, they would have dried a little.”

“Not to mention,” she added, “without light, they would have stumbled at least once while groping for their way. But aside from being drenched, there isn’t a speck of dirt or mud on them.”

From what she had heard earlier, Lan Fuyou’s driver had said these scouts had been missing for four days.

From every angle, this situation reeked of suspicion.

Additionally, this whole scenario reminded her of a memory from her time in Jade City. At that time, she was already under Uncle Meng’s tutelage.

She recalled an incident involving a large, powerful team that had been wiped out under mysterious circumstances. The only detail she had heard was that the team’s destination was the food and beverage factories near the Qiangde River, which was near the water reservoir.

Nanzhi hadn’t stayed in Jade City long enough to hear the full story. She had already left with Yu Baoyin by the time the investigation unfolded.

As she spoke, some of the others began to see her logic. It was, indeed, suspicious.

The Iron Gale Squad, Zhao Lin’s team, Luo Gang, and the blue-eyed man… her points made sense.

However, the Thorn Team was more concerned with getting back at her.

“Boss Lan knows what he’s doing! Who are you to question his decision? He’s paying you to escort him, not to argue with him! Just shut up and follow his orders!”

Lin Weihao narrowed his eyes, his expression cold and menacing.

The Thorn Team fell silent. It was as if Lin Weihao’s stare was a warning: Try to point your fingers at her again, and I’ll chop it off.

He instantly brought his hands down.

Lan Fuyou, however, was unfazed by Nanzhi’s reasoning. These scouts knew exactly where the supplies were hidden, and that made them valuable. “Enough! Whether you like it or not, I’m bringing these men inside!”

Nanzhi looked at the five figures again, her gaze lingering on the way the water continued to drip from their bodies, as if their flesh refused to dry.

She had said what needed to be said.

If they wanted to ignore reason, so be it.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Lan Fuyou’s voice rose, filled with anger. “The mission isn’t over yet! If you leave now, I won’t pay you with spars!”

He stomped his foot, glaring at Nanzhi as she turned her back on him.

“I and my team won’t be staying here,” she called back over her shoulder. “If something happens, we wouldn’t want to be caught in it.”

With that, they returned to the cars.

A few uneasy individuals followed behind—Zhao Lin’s team and the Iron Gale Squad.

Sleeping in the cars might have been uncomfortable, but at least it was safer than staying in the water pump station.

The Thorn Team snickered amongst themselves.

Luo Gang and his team hesitated.

As for Lan Fuyou, his frustration was palpable. Nanzhi’s impudence had infuriated him.

That evening, while everyone was eating dinner in the cars, Nanzhi received an unexpected visitor.

Luo Gang, a middle-aged man with a sturdy build and a naturally jolly face, appeared at her side. But tonight, he seemed a little awkward. He scratched his head, his expression torn between gratitude and embarrassment.

Clearing his throat, he shuffled closer, holding his bowl like a lifeline. “Uh… Miss…”

Nanzhi and her friends lifted their gazes, her expression calm and unreadable. “Hmm?”

Luo Gang let out a nervous chuckle. “I… I just wanted to say thank you! Really, thank you for earlier! For taking my place to scout the water pump station, I mean.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

Nanzhi blinked. “It wasn’t a big deal.”

Luo Gang shook his head. “It was to me! Really, I owe you one!” His voice gained a bit of enthusiasm. “If you ever need anything—food, water, a shield in battle—just say the word! Luo Gang might not be the smartest or the fastest, but I’m definitely the most reliable!” He thumped his chest proudly, then winced as though he had hit himself too hard.

His enthusiasm and the way he thumped his chest reminded Nanzhi of someone, that clever little boy.

She stared at him for a moment before speaking, her voice calm but firm. “If you keep letting the Thorn Team push you around, this won’t be the last time you need someone to take your place.”

Luo Gang froze, his mouth slightly open.

Nanzhi stared at him for a moment before speaking, her voice calm but firm. “If you don’t grow a backbone, the cycle will keep repeating. Every time something dangerous comes up, they’ll throw you to the wolves.”

Luo Gang’s lip parted as though he wanted to speak, but no words came. After a long silence, he sighed deeply, looking years older than he had just moments before.

“I wasn’t always like this, you know,” he muttered, his fingers around the bowl the contents tightened. “I used to be part of the Thorn Team.”