Chapter 259 Greenhouse construction.

Meanwhile, the couple who had also refused to join Ivy’s group when Professor Thomas joined them were now in Fierce Hunter Base. The two of them were carrying small pieces of rocks in buckets balanced on their heads, just like the other survivors, and were forced to do hard labor under the scorching sun.

They had also heard about how Hope Base continued to thrive.

News about Hope Base had gradually spread throughout the surrounding survivor settlements. People talked about the abundant food, the relatively comfortable living conditions, the protection provided by Ivy and her team, and the various construction projects that were underway.

It was impossible for the couple not to feel regret whenever they heard such stories.

It wasn’t as though the survivors working in Fierce Hunter Base were completely forbidden from leaving. They could technically leave whenever they wanted.

The problem was that they had nowhere else to go.

Those living in the inner base were the lucky ones. They had better living conditions, received sufficient food, and were not forced to participate in the exhausting labor required to maintain the outer sections of the base.

But the survivors living in the outer base had no such luck.

They had to work in exchange for their continued protection.

Every day, they carried rocks, moved construction materials, cleared debris, repaired damaged structures, and performed whatever other labor the base required.

If they stopped working, they would have to face the consequences.

The couple had once believed that turning down Ivy’s offer and choosing to remain at Fierce Hunter Base was the safer decision.

Now, however, they couldn’t help but regret it.

Leaving Fierce Hunter Base after turning down Hope Base’s offer already seemed impossible. And returning to Hope Base after rejecting Ivy’s invitation seemed even more embarrassing.

So, despite their regret, the couple could only continue working.

*****

Meanwhile, Hope Base had thrown itself into a frenzy of activity.

With the cold front rapidly approaching, every resident understood how important it was to complete the polymer greenhouses before winter arrived.

The greenhouses would not only protect the crops from the harsh weather but would also determine whether Hope Base could maintain a stable food supply during the difficult months ahead.

Under the direction of the base’s construction team, led by Darren and Professor Thomas, the residents worked together from morning until evening.

Some people carried long metal frames across the construction site, while others carefully assembled the support structures.

A group of younger residents secured the joints and tightened the bolts, their hands moving quickly despite the sweat covering their faces.

Nearby, several older residents worked on preparing the ground. They cleared away stones, removed weeds, and leveled the soil to ensure that the greenhouse foundations would remain stable.

Even people who had never participated in construction before found themselves contributing in whatever way they could.

"Careful! Lift that side a little higher!"

"Hold it steady!"

"Pass me another piece of the frame!"

"Don’t let it fall!"

"Someone bring the tools over here!"

Voices constantly echoed throughout the construction area.

Nobody complained about the hard work, the heat or the exhaustion.

Everyone knew exactly what they were working toward.

A warm greenhouse filled with fresh vegetables was far more valuable now than it had ever been before the apocalypse.

Food could no longer simply be purchased whenever someone needed it.

Every crop planted successfully meant another source of food.

Every greenhouse completed meant another layer of protection against the coming cold.

Everyone understood that their efforts today would determine how comfortably they survived tomorrow.

After inspecting the progress of several greenhouse sections, Ivy stood at the edge of the construction site with her hands folded behind her back, carefully examining the structures that had already been completed.

The metallic frames stretched across the large construction area, with several sections already beginning to resemble complete greenhouses.

Although there was still plenty of work left to do, the progress was much faster than she had expected.

The residents were clearly motivated.

And with Professor Thomas overseeing the technical aspects of the construction alongside Darren, very few problems had occurred.

Darren approached Ivy after finishing an inspection of his own.

"Captain Ivy, we’ve completed nearly half of the main greenhouse structures," he reported. "If everyone continues working at this pace, we should be able to finish the remaining sections before the cold front arrives."

Ivy nodded with satisfaction.

"That’s good."

Her gaze shifted toward the busy residents.

Everyone was covered in dirt and sweat, but their faces were filled with determination.

Some were exhausted enough to barely stand upright, yet they still continued working.

"Tell everyone they’re doing well," Ivy said. "As long as we maintain this pace, we won’t have to worry about delaying the planting schedule."

Darren smiled.

"Understood, Captain."

Ivy looked around once more.

Then she suddenly raised her voice so that the people nearby could hear her.

"Everyone, stop for a moment!"

Her voice immediately carried across the construction site.

The residents gradually lowered the tools in their hands and turned toward her.

Some wiped the sweat from their foreheads, while others leaned against the metal frames they had been carrying.

A few residents exchanged curious glances, wondering why Ivy had suddenly called for a break.

Ivy looked at all of them before speaking.

"I’ve inspected the progress of the greenhouses, and I’m very satisfied with what I’ve seen."

A murmur of excitement immediately spread through the crowd.

The residents exchanged smiles.

They had been working tirelessly for days, so hearing Ivy praise their progress naturally lifted their spirits.

"However, I know everyone has been working incredibly hard," Ivy continued. "So I want you all to remember something."

The residents immediately quieted down as all eyes were focused on her.

"Once this year’s work is completed and the base enters a stable period, everyone who has contributed to the construction and development of Hope Base will receive benefits according to their contribution."

For a moment, the entire construction site fell silent.

The residents seemed to need a few seconds to process what Ivy had just said.

Then....

"Really? Captain Ivy said there’ll be benefits?"

"Will we really receive something based on how much we’ve contributed?"

"Captain Ivy wouldn’t lie to us!"

The residents began whispering excitedly among themselves.

Some of the exhausted workers straightened their backs while others exchanged excited looks.

"Of course it does," Ivy replied immediately.

Her words caused the atmosphere to explode with excitement.

"Then let’s finish this!"

"Everyone, move! We can’t be slower than the others!"

"Come on! We still have three sections to complete today!"

"Let’s get back to work!"

"Don’t just stand there! Pick up those frames!"

The residents who had looked exhausted only moments earlier suddenly seemed to regain their strength.

Several people immediately picked up their tools and returned to work while others began carrying materials across the construction site with renewed enthusiasm.

Seeing this, Darren couldn’t help laughing.

"That was quite effective."

Ivy glanced at him.

"People need something to look forward to."

She turned her gaze toward the rapidly expanding greenhouses.

"Especially now."

Darren nodded. "You’re right. Everyone has been working hard, but knowing they’ll be rewarded afterward will definitely give them another reason to keep pushing."

Ivy didn’t respond as her eyes remained fixed on the construction site.