Chapter 213: Giant Octopus
They had only secured permission to stay on the ship. Not yet being familiar with Jiang Linhai and the others, Zhang Aihua didn’t dare to ask too many questions.
It was warm and safe on the ship, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Song Yufang asked Zhang Aihua, "What are we going to do for food?"
Now that they were on board, they couldn’t just shamelessly beg Jiang Si’s group for food.
Even if the ship was well-stocked, with so many new people, the owners wouldn’t just feed them for free.
They would have to contribute something.
His family had managed to bring about a month’s worth of supplies, but the others had fled in such a hurry that they’d brought nothing. Now, they were starting to go hungry.
But they didn’t dare ask Jiang Linhai’s group for food, afraid they would be seen as a nuisance.
Zhang Aihua worried that the others would drag his family down with them, causing them all to be disliked. After some thought, he said, "I’ll see if I can use my vines to break the ice and fish. If I can catch fish, then we’ll have food to eat."
Zhang Yiwen added, "Food is one thing, but how do we pay for other daily necessities? Cooking needs fuel and water, and we need water for the toilets, too."
Hearing his child say that, Zhang Aihua suddenly regretted bringing so many people onto the ship.
Zhang Aihua sighed. "It’s definitely tricky. Our only option is to ask where they’re headed. If the ship can dock somewhere, even briefly, we could gather some wood and other materials."
The problem was, they had no right to ask where the ship was even going.
If they did, they might just get kicked off.
After a moment of thought, Song Yufang voiced her suspicion. "They took us in so suddenly... could they be like those other people? Do you think they want to... eat us?"
Zhang Aihua froze. ’Could it be that there’s no food on this ship?’
He quickly shook his head. "We can fish by breaking through the ice. It’ll be fine."
Song Yufang was still uneasy. "We should still be careful. Stay vigilant."
"Yes, of course."
Zhang Aihua found Jiang Linhai and asked cautiously, "Excuse me, where are we headed?"
Jiang Linhai gazed into the distance. "North."
Zhang Aihua was good with people, but faced with the sadness in Jiang Linhai’s eyes, he was at a loss for how to continue the conversation for a long moment.
Brother Qiu and Lao Er stood behind him, looking like they wanted to speak but holding back. Gritting his teeth, Zhang Aihua finally said, "Uncle Jiang, if I catch some fish, could we trade that for use of the kitchen facilities?"
To be prepared for any contingency, Jiang Si had stockpiled the Icebreaker with vast amounts of fuel and supplies. Even with fifty-plus extra people, they could easily be provided for.
They also had a greenhouse for growing their own food, making them self-sufficient.
They had even modified the main deck, converting more than half of its space to grow large, snow-hardy radishes.
They could also fish by breaking the ice. The Icebreaker’s supplies were more than ample.
Jiang Ancheng had allowed them on board because, during their previous time as neighbors, Zhang Aihua’s group had honored their agreement, never crossing the established boundaries and quietly living their own lives.
Besides, they had more than enough power to keep Zhang Aihua and his people in check.
Bo Xi’s insects, hidden throughout the Icebreaker, could monitor their every move, allowing for the timely prediction and resolution of any potential threats.
Thanks to Jiang Si and Qin Shen’s intensive training, every member of their crew could draw their weapon and eliminate an opponent in under a second.
The troop of monkeys was also very obedient, adding to their combat strength.
The ship was also equipped with surveillance cameras.
Jiang Linhai looked at him and said, "You can use the kitchen. When we reach a safe place, you’ll have to disembark."
"We can’t support this many people. Letting you on board was already an act of utmost kindness."
Jiang Linhai laid his cards on the table, watching him quietly, scrutinizing him.
Even though Zhang Aihua knew they couldn’t possibly stay forever, hearing Jiang Linhai’s clearly drawn boundaries, he couldn’t help but ask, "Can’t I join you?"
Jiang Linhai shook his head. "Look at those behind you. Could you really bring yourself to leave them? You have the ability to protect them. That is their good fortune."
Zhang Aihua glanced back at Brother Qiu and Lao Er. To be honest, he’d initially hoped to join Jiang Linhai’s group to protect his own family, but he realized he couldn’t just abandon the people who followed him.
Zhang Aihua could only say, "Thank you. Is there anything we can do to help?"
Jiang Linhai shook his head. "We don’t like a lot of noise. Just eat and sleep at regular times and don’t wander around freely." He then added, "If you need something, you can ask. We’ll help where we can. But if you make unreasonable trouble, you’ll be asked to leave the ship."
Jiang Linhai was more reasonable than he’d expected. The conditions weren’t harsh, and they didn’t even have to work.
Zhang Aihua said gratefully, "Thank you. Thank you, really."