The next day, a large number of workers gathered at the port.
Due to the temporary closure of the port, the workers who made a living by hauling goods could no longer wait.
The security captain, Wade, ordered his men to stop the gathering of workers.
There's nothing we can do about it.
Pirates have appeared in the nearby waters, and there has been no news of the reopening of the area from above, so they dare not make any decisions rashly.
"Captain Wei, if this continues, we'll starve to death. Our whole family is waiting for food and drink."
Lin Jianjun, a porter, had tears in his eyes.
His dark face was covered with wrinkles, and his back was slightly bent.
He was actually only in his thirties, but due to long-term exposure to the sun and carrying things, he looked more than ten years older than his actual age.
After being out of work for almost a month, we're practically starving at home. We're eating sweet potatoes and vegetables every day, with no meat at all.
“That’s right, Captain Wei, if the port doesn’t reopen soon, our families will be starving…”
The other workers immediately echoed this sentiment, their faces showing unpleasant expressions.
They didn't want to gather and cause trouble; they only came together because they were forced by circumstances.
Before, with this moving job, my family could barely make ends meet.
It's hot now, and we don't have much land at home, so we can't grow much grain.
“We wouldn’t dare to open the port without the approval of the higher authorities.”
“I’ll call and ask again…” Wade said, then put his hands behind his back and walked toward his office with a serious expression.
If this continues, something really bad will happen.
Let's hope that we don't end up failing to catch the pirates, but instead causing the villagers who depend on the port for their livelihood to riot.
The shops and restaurants around here make their money from the port.
Wade reluctantly called his superiors, but they simply said, "We haven't received any notification," and hung up.
This really worried Wade. How was he going to explain this to the workers?
When Lin Ziyan and Fatty arrived at the port, all the nearby restaurants were closed, and the area was quiet.
It looks like an abandoned port.
"Ah Yan, there are far fewer orders for ice at the port, almost none left." The chubby girl was extremely anxious, not even wiping the sweat from her forehead.
She's been coming here frequently these past few days, and the port has been closed off.
"That's normal. With the port closed now, nearby restaurants have no business, so of course they won't order too much ice."
They're ordering large blocks of ice now just to keep stock.
Lin Ziyan analyzed the situation, pursing her lips as she looked into the harbor.
She guessed that they were preparing to lift the lockdown, as a prolonged lockdown would be even more detrimental.
Just as they were about to turn and leave, a group of people emerged from the port, who appeared to be workers dressed in dark blue.
Several of these people looked familiar.
"Uncle Lin, what's going on here?" Lin Ziyan called out to one of them and pushed her bicycle over.
The others hung their heads, their faces looking grim.
This trip was a waste of time; they wouldn't reveal a single piece of news about the port opening.
“We came to find the captain of the security team to ask when the port will reopen. If this continues, we’ll have to find other odd jobs.”
Lin Jianjun stopped and sat in the shade nearby. He took out a plastic bag from his pocket, took out some paper, put the tobacco in, and rolled it up tightly.
He furrowed his brow deeply, slowly flicked the match, and lit a cigarette.
"No explanation from the port?" the chubby girl asked first.
The others sat down as well, all shaking their heads.
Lin Ziyan didn't ask any more questions and left with the chubby girl.
On the way back, Lin Ziyan said, "The port will be reopened soon, it should be in the next few days."
With the port closed for an extended period, many cargo ships are stuck at sea, and things will definitely get very busy.
In this weather, I bet the cargo ships will be looking for large blocks of ice as soon as they dock.
The chubby girl pursed her lips and didn't ask any more questions.
She thought to herself that maybe Ayan was just trying to comfort her.
…
Inside the city's conference room,
"I just received a call from the port, saying that workers have gathered to ask about the port's reopening."
When Minister Xu, who was in charge of port management, received a call from the town director, his heart sank.
They cannot keep the port closed indefinitely out of fear of taking responsibility, or there will be a huge mess.
"What are your thoughts?" Minister Xie, who was in charge of marine management, asked.
"The lockdown is lifted." Minister Xu took a drag of his cigarette, his eyes clear.
"We both know how big the impact of closing the port is."
"I've seen people guarding against thieves, but I've never seen anyone living in constant fear and apprehension," Minister Xu continued.
"We must come up with a plan today," Minister Xie said, looking at the others in the conference room.
He knew how difficult life was in the fishing village below.
The fishing villages near the port have little arable land, and if they want a better life, they have to go out to sea.
Many people work as porters carrying heavy loads, but it's generally considered a source of income.
"With the port reopened, and the patrol teams sending out several ships a day, I don't believe those pirates will dare to come again."
"If they dare to come, open fire!" The Coast Guard Minister slammed his fist on the table, his gaze sharp.
The others nodded; at this point, a tough approach was necessary.
"I agree. I need to take responsibility. I'll sign." Minister Xu said solemnly.
Minister Xie, who is in charge of marine management, said, "I agree, and I am willing to take on this responsibility."
After the group finalized their decisions, they discussed a few more details before adjourning the meeting.
…
night,
The Lin family's courtyard.
Jiaojiao pulled her second sister along and went to find a friend from the neighbor's house, arriving at the small courtyard.
The chubby girl was cutting a mango, glancing frequently at the kitchen. The air was filled with the aroma of eggs, making her eager to go in and lift the lid.
"Stop looking, it's not working yet." Lin Ziyan shook her head and continued stirring the milk powder.
When I went to Fangjie's place, I saw a can of milk powder and she immediately bought it.
I bought the mangoes at the distribution center at noon today.
"Ayan, what delicious food did you make? It smells so good." The chubby girl swallowed hard.
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