Chapter 948: Lost Contact with Jingshu's Family

At this time, in Lao Jing's villa in Nanhai.

Grandma Jing brought out a plate of meat wrapped in naan from the kitchen and placed it on the dining table, which already had seven or eight dishes. Today was a family gathering, and both Third Aunt and Youai would be there, so she had kept the table simple. After putting the dishes down, Grandma Jing anxiously called out to the inner room, "Old man, the girl hasn't replied yet?"

In the room, Jing Ye also frowned, clutching his phone and scrolling through something non-stop. He shook his head and replied, "No... Well, I told you the signal is bad. Think about it, it's been so many days, she must have left the country. In this environment, do you think everywhere is like our country, trying every possible way to restore this and build that? Don't worry, the girl will be fine!"

Despite what he said, he kept checking messages on his phone. Although his movements were a bit clumsy, one could still see the old man's anxiety.

Not long after, Jing's father, Jing's mother, and Third Aunt Youai all arrived, and Jing's grandmother also brought the last coconut chicken soup to the table: "Drink the soup first, drink the soup first. This is Wenchang chicken stewed in coconut water. It's a local specialty. I'm making it for the first time, you guys should try it."

As Jing's father used a large spoon to serve soup to Jing's grandfather, he examined the ingredients scooped up in the spoon. "Hey, Mom, this chicken isn't fresh at home, and we have some coconut water, but the fresh green mandarins in here are local, right? They're hard to find."

Grandpa Jing took the bowl of soup and said proudly, "Hehe~ You guys are busy and don't have time to look around. In our backyard, that's the area I just cleaned up. I've planted all sorts of things! Not to mention green tangerines, I've also planted jackfruits, mangoes, longans, and all sorts of other things! I also planted Thai lemongrass. When it grows, your mom will make you some lemongrass shrimp!"

Jing's father was a little surprised: "Wow, I haven't seen it before. But, Dad, where did you get these saplings?"

While drinking his soup, Jingye proudly raised a finger and said, "I exchanged it for a pack of cigarettes. A pack of cigarettes has 20 cigarettes, so I got 20 seedlings. Your mother said this is the most worthwhile pack of cigarettes I have ever smoked in my life~ Hehe."

While others might think twice about exchanging cigarettes for supplies, that's exactly what Lao Jing's family is doing. As order stabilizes in the aftermath and the nation vigorously recovers and rebuilds, more and more people are pursuing more than just basic necessities, and cigarettes have become a hard currency.

"Oh... that's it, a pack of cigarettes, not a big deal in our family." After saying that, Jing's father seemed to remember something and turned to Third Aunt Jinglai and said, "By the way, speaking of cigarettes, Jinglai, last time you asked for chili peppers, I first asked someone to inquire in Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou, intending to exchange them with tobacco. Unfortunately, the chili peppers there are either not produced or have no spicy taste at all. Later, I thought about it and decided that chili peppers should be found in Ganpo! Hey! Sure enough! They replied this morning. The main product there is now a spicy hot pepper. I have already ordered 30 tons for you to try. If it suits you, this line can be a good business. I calculated that even with these 30 tons of chili peppers, including shipping and labor, if exchanged for our cigarettes, it would only cost the same as a pack of cigarettes."

Auntie nodded after hearing this. "Yeah! So many people have migrated here, and now that they can eat, they've started asking for this and that. A lot of people love chili peppers, and it's humid on the beach, and there's no sun. The demand for chili peppers is growing. If we get the price here, we can triple it and sell it here without any worries. If this batch of chilies from Ganpo is suitable, then our family will have another way to make money. Hey, brother, how much is this cigarette? I have to give it to you!"

Jing's father waved his hands: "Well... although your sister-in-law is in charge of your brother's and my money, will she let you spend such a small amount? Let's talk about it later! Right, wife."

After Jing's father finished speaking generously, he quickly turned and looked at Jing's mother in a flattering manner.

Jing's mother, who had been silent throughout the dinner table, finally spoke. Everyone then realized she had been frowning. "Ah... money, that's all. I've been messaging Jingshu since yesterday, and she hasn't replied. I know the signal might be bad abroad, or there might be other objective reasons... but I just can't help but feel..." As she spoke, Jing's mother subconsciously covered her chest.

After Jing's mother said this, the whole family fell silent. It turned out that none of them could contact Jing. Although it was only two days, it seemed so long.

Jing's father quickly hugged Jing's mother's arm and said while comforting her, "It's okay. This is not the first time that our Jingshu has represented the country. She has gone through so many storms and always returned safely. Besides, I heard that this time the country has gathered the country's top masters to go together, so there will be no danger. I will ask someone to find out what's going on. Let's eat, eat. Ah, don't worry too much, our Jingshu will be fine."

Although Jing's father, who is always not good at speaking, is a little worried about his daughter, he can only quickly change the subject so as not to let the family fall into anxiety.

"By the way, have you heard? Our country's previously planned 'Clearing the Clouds to See the Sun' project will be implemented next month! Dozens of satellites have been deployed, gradually absorbing and clearing away the haze in the atmosphere. Soon, sunlight will slowly return!"

Jinglai also agreed: "I heard it, I heard it. What's infuriating is that the Americans suddenly jumped out and said that our country's actions would endanger their country's security! They want to use their satellites to block our Operation Clear the Clouds and Reveal the Sun. They are really troublemakers on Earth! I'm so angry that tomorrow I will buy the American embassy and consulate here and turn it into a pigpen!"

"Okay! Pay attention to this!"

Only Wu Youai finished her meal in silence and settled herself on the sofa nearby, flickering through her phone. She had also seen the news that the fleet dispatched to the Middle East had temporarily lost contact, and had sent a message to Jingshu, but hadn't received a response.

The last message left on Jingshu's WeChat chat was from a conversation between Wu Youai and her one night. Jingshu wrote:

"Everything is fine here, don't worry. If I really can't come back this time, I'll probably just move to a new place. Although the supplies left for home are limited, I'm thankful that my family has gained the courage and ability to survive tenaciously over the years. I believe that the clouds will eventually disperse, the sky will eventually open, and the sun will surely rise again!"

Wu Youai's hand tightly grasped the phone. No, she would be fine! Anything could happen to anyone, but not to her! She must come back safely!