Chapter 1743 - 951:

Big Camphor Tree Base.

Li Yu waited continuously in the duty room, waiting for news from Oil City.

An hour and a half later.

He finally received another message from Ju Tianrui.

"This is Ju Tianrui from Oil City, calling Big Camphor Tree Base."

"This is Li Yu, is the transaction complete? Was it traded at ninety tons according to the ratio you just mentioned?" Li Yu asked eagerly.

Hearing Li Yu’s voice, Ju Tianrui quickly replied:

"Yes, Director Li, the medicine ratio is one to three, the salt and sugar ratio is one to two. They took forty tons of gasoline and fifty tons of diesel."

"Moreover, when Dong Tai went out for the transaction, he learned that Southern Paradise had a major earthquake, and originally the second-in-command, Scar, was killed. The entire force linked to him was uprooted, and now Mr. Hu holds absolute power in Southern Paradise.

They told us not to worry about the stability of Southern Paradise anymore. Additionally, they mentioned if the transaction happens once a month next time, they’re hoping to reach four hundred tons, which would amount to about one hundred tons per week."

"How did you respond to him?" Li Yu asked.

Ju Tianrui replied, "I wasn’t there at the time, but Dong Tai told them to continue with the exchange at one hundred tons per time. Director Li, what’s your opinion?"

Hearing Ju Tianrui’s words, Li Yu thought to himself: The natural disaster is coming soon, and there are too many uncertain factors.

So, Li Yu pondered and said, "Let’s wait and see next time they come."

"Okay, Director Li. Xiao Jun and the team are expected to depart tomorrow morning and arrive at Big Camphor Tree Base the day after tomorrow."

"Understood. How are the mobile switch blade and oil well maintenance progressing?"

Calculating the time, four or five days have already passed.

Ju Tianrui quickly said, "The mobile switch blade is about to be completed, and should be finished by tomorrow evening. The oil well is expected to be done by the day after tomorrow."

"Good, report any situation at any time."

"Understood."

....

Putting down the military radio headset, Li Yu walked out of the duty room, shielding his eyes slightly from the harsh sunlight with his hand.

He thought to himself:

Scar is dead? In the previous life, it was Scar’s betrayal of Mr. Hu that led to the collapse of Southern Paradise, forcing him to leave with Guan Zhongjin.

In this life, I merely said one more sentence, and Scar ended up dead.

Originally, I just wanted Mr. Hu to be more vigilant, didn’t expect him to act so decisively.

Mr. Hu is quite commendable, he died early in the last life, and it’s nice he’s surviving this time.

As he contemplated this, he began walking towards the walls of Big Camphor Tree Base.

Suddenly.

He saw a familiar figure walking from a dozen meters away.

"He Chao? Why are you out?" Li Yu asked.

He Chao’s face was pale, his jacket obscuring the wound on his back, but judging by his labored movements, pale complexion, and faint signs of pain in his expression, it was clear his injuries hadn’t healed.

"I’ve been lying down for days, and wanted to get out and do something sooner. Last time those protesters weren’t handled well, causing a riot in the Fourth Outer City. I feel terribly guilty," He Chao said, stumbling toward Li Yu.

"That’s not your fault, it’s none of your business, and anyway, it’s already been resolved, no need to feel guilty.

I told you to rest well, didn’t you hear a word I said? Go back and rest, if your wound reopens, it’ll take even longer to recover, so hurry up and get back to rest," Li Yu scolded.

You could say that He Chao was among the first batch to join from the Outer City, and he’s the most loyal to Li Yu.

Thorough and cautious, he manages the Outer City, easing Li Yu’s worries significantly.

This time he got injured protecting Li Hang, which deeply moved Li Yu.

He Chao listened to Li Yu’s unreserved berating.

Despite the harshness and poor attitude, a warmth rose inside him.

He smiled at Li Yu and said, "I’m really fine, believe me. I can even do push-ups."

Li Yu glanced at him and retorted, "Nonsense."

Then, unapologetically, he approached, lifted He Chao’s jacket, and saw the bandage on his back was a bit red, clearly indicating blood seeping through.

Seeing this, Li Yu’s tone worsened.

"With such a severe wound, Liu Pengfei said at least a month of rest is needed to heal, you’ve only been out ten days and you’re already up, are you risking your life? Get back to rest, don’t make me angry!"

"Uh... Director Li, staying in the ward is really boring, I wanted to take a walk in the Outer City. Zhuzi and Shunzi are both here..." He Chao said helplessly.

Those who followed He Chao back then, dozens of them, were all in the Outer City.

Li Yu glanced at him and said:

"In that case, return to the Outer City. I’ve given special permission for your daughter to see you every day.

Just don’t do any work, focus on recovering, I’ll have Liu Pengfei change your dressing and check your wound daily.

If you dare work again, watch out, I might punch you!"

He Chao’s face was pale, but he felt warm inside, not just from the afternoon sun, but also a warmth in his heart.

Seeing Li Yu being so firm, He Chao nodded and said, "Alright, Director Li, I’ll be sure to rest well."

Only then did Li Yu express satisfaction, saying, "That’s the way, if something happens to you, who’ll help me manage the Outer City."

"Hehe." He Chao displayed a simple and honest smile.

"Off you go," Li Yu said.

He Chao wanted to follow and see him off, but Li Yu turned his head and snapped:

"Why are you following? I told you to rest."

Even though He Chao was scolded like a child, he just maintained a smile in the face of Li Yu’s sternness.

He nodded, without saying a word.

Li Yu left, heading toward the Inner City.

The Bunker construction in the Inner City was ongoing, and he saw Ding Jiu leading Fourth Uncle and the others, directing construction activity.

Li Yu shifted his eyes; the roads in the Inner City were paved with cement and gravel, flanked by lawns.

Although the lawns looked unsightly.

On the lawn, Li Suxin, now seven, and her cousin Zhang Zhixing were next to Old Huang the ox.

Behind them were some older children — like their sixteen-year-old cousin Liu Chi and others, numbering five or six, herding over a hundred cattle and sheep.

"Zhang Zhixing, let me up, let me up," Li Suxin, dressed in a cartoon cat and mouse outfit, bounced and shouted at the youth sitting on the ox.

"Call me brother, and I’ll let you on."

Three years into Doomsday, Zhang Zhixing, originally seven, was now ten. Li Suxin, previously four, was now seven.

Li Suxin frowned, her face crumpling.

"No, I won’t!"

Suddenly, everything darkened as the sun was blocked.

She looked up to find Li Yu.

Li Suxin’s previously frowning face instantly bloomed like a flower.

"Big, big brother!"

"Haha, how big is your big brother?" Li Yu chuckled, asking.

Li Suxin tugged at Li Yu’s coat, saying, "Big brother, you’re the best."

"?"

A question mark appeared on Li Yu’s forehead.

Curiously, he looked at Li Suxin.

Unsolicited flattery, it usually means something suspicious.

"What’s the catch?" Li Yu knowingly asked, smiling.

"I want to ride the ox."

Seeing the smile on Li Yu’s lips, Li Suxin hurriedly said.

She knew Li Yu always doted on her.

"Big cousin."

Swish!

Zhang Zhixing slowly slid down from the ox, speaking in a muffled voice to Li Yu.

Li Yu smiled and patted his head.

Then, with a scoop, he lifted Li Suxin onto the ox’s back.

Li Suxin sat on the ox, waving her arms and legs, laughing heartily.

The afternoon sun, the green lawn, albeit uneven and grazed by cattle and sheep, and the children’s carefree laughter, turned this scene into a beautiful painting.

Li Yu watched Li Suxin closely, preventing her from falling.

At that moment, Zhou Weiguo, who was in charge of the livestock, rushed over urgently.

Shouting loudly, "Heavens, didn’t I tell you to lead the cattle and sheep to graze at the mountain foot? These lawns, and the edamame, my little ancestors.....

How am I supposed to explain to the Inner and Outer leaders?

Uh... Director Li, you’re here too."

"Weiguo," Li Yu said with a smile.

"Director Li, it’s all my fault for the poor management," Zhou Weiguo said nervously.

"It’s not your fault, I’ll take them to the mountain foot."

"Huh?"

Li Yu led the ox, heading toward the mountain foot.

All the while thinking:

In just a week, the natural disaster will arrive. It’s time to prepare for Satellite City’s return to the base.