Chapter 30: Second Mate

"Since you know so much, why didn't you seek refuge with the Awakened in your residential complex?" Han Ning asked casually.

"Because... because they aren't human; they're animals! They rely on their abilities to bully the weak and violate women. I'd rather die than be with them," Old Xu quickly replied.

"Benefactor, Old Xu doesn't just know how to cook. He's also a second mate who knows how to pilot a ship. This city is about to be completely submerged by the flood. You should know how important someone who can steer a ship is!" the tall, skinny man beside Old Xu chimed in.

"Oh?" Han Ning paused his steps and turned around. "You really know how to pilot a ship?"

He was a complete novice in the field of navigation and had no idea if a second mate actually knew how to pilot a ship. He wondered if steering a ship was solely a captain's job.

Under Han Ning's intense gaze, Old Xu lowered his head and explained.

"I used to work on large cargo ships. Strictly speaking, modern cargo ships mostly use autopilots. A second mate primarily monitors the instruments, plans the route, and corrects any deviations. We don't need to steer manually.

"However... in our current environment lacking power, large cargo ships definitely won't start. Plus, sailing one requires a full crew. If you want to set sail, your only option is a sailboat."

Old Xu gritted his teeth. "As for sailboats... I know how to sail them."

Someone who knew how to sail...

Han Ning's heart stirred. He thought for a moment before saying, "Wait for me here."

A moment later, with the help of Snow Cake, Han Ning transferred all the usable supplies from the first and second floors of the convenience store to the roof.

The convenience store wasn't large, and there weren't many supplies left inside. Most of the food had been soaking in the floodwaters for too long and was completely inedible.

All that remained was:

More than a dozen relatively intact bags of potato chips and shrimp crackers.

Several large boxes of individually wrapped chocolates and milk candies in foil or plastic film.

Dozens of bottles of various brands of mineral water, carbonated drinks, and sports drinks.

Over twenty cans of fish and fruit.

And finally, the classic staples of a park convenience store: three boxes of cup noodles, four boxes of bagged instant noodles, five sealed bags of starch sausages, four bags of volcanic stone roasted sausages, and two large bags of assorted oden fishballs.

Han Ning's gaze fell on Old Xu once again.

In this world that was about to be completely swallowed by the flood, the value of someone who knew how to pilot a ship far exceeded the snacks and drinks before him. During the life-and-death crisis just moments ago, this man had risked his life to save his companions and discarded his dignity to kneel for his daughter's sake. Such a sense of responsibility was especially precious in an apocalypse. While Han Ning couldn't completely trust him yet, his initial impression of the man wasn't bad.

"Old Xu, you're coming with me. As for these supplies..." Han Ning pointed to a small pile of goods he had separated on the ground. It mainly consisted of a few packs of compressed biscuits, ten bottles of water, some perfectly sealed candies, one box of cup noodles, one box of bagged instant noodles, and a bag of starch sausages. "Divide these among yourselves. Eat sparingly, and it'll be enough to last you guys a few days."

Old Xu and the other three men stared at the pile of life-saving rations, intense desire erupting in their eyes.

"Thank you! Thank you, benefactor!" Old Xu and his companions bowed repeatedly, their voices trembling with excitement. However, a conflicted expression soon appeared on Old Xu's face. "But... my daughter is still at home. I have to go back and get her. I can't just leave her there alone!"

"That's fine." Han Ning nodded, having intended this all along. "Take your share of the supplies and head back to Sunshine Garden first.

"After that, Old Xu, wait for me at the main entrance of your residential complex.

"I'll transport the rest of these supplies back to my place first, then I'll come find you at the entrance of Sunshine Garden."

He was also testing Old Xu's character. If the man took the supplies and ran, it would prove he wasn't trustworthy.

"Don't worry, benefactor! I might not have any great skills, but my word is my bond! Once I pick up my daughter, I will definitely wait for you at the complex entrance. I'll wait there no matter what!"

"Alright." Han Ning said no more, motioning for them to take the sorted supplies.

The men distributed the goods among themselves and supported each other as they stumbled into the murky floodwaters, trudging laboriously toward Sunshine Garden.

Han Ning watched them disappear into the curtain of rain. Once their silhouettes were completely out of sight, he began packing the remaining supplies on the roof.

Using sturdy vines, he securely bundled up the well-sealed bottled water, drinks, canned food, compressed biscuits, and dry snacks, forming several large packages. He then strapped these supplies to Snow Cake's back with the vines.

Looking at the murky water, Han Ning stirred the Spiritual Power within his body and silently chanted in his mind, "Fish Gills Technique."

Instantly, a faint cyan halo rippled across his body, and the skin on his cheeks began to contort.

A peculiar pair of fish gills surfaced on both sides of his face, and transparent membranes grew over his pupils to filter out impurities. Furthermore, dense cyan fish scales sprouted across his skin. Gathering outward at his elbows were Energy-shaped Fish Fins, and Energy-formed webbed toes grew on his feet.

[You are under the effects of the Fish Gills Technique. Consumes 0.5 points of Spiritual Power per minute.]

"So this is the Fish Gills Technique? Interesting," Han Ning remarked, looking down at the changes to his hands and feet. "Snow Cake, let's go."

He leaped into the water. With a gentle sway of his body, he effortlessly glided forward several meters, moving even swifter than he could run on land.

Back in apartment 803, Han Ning unloaded the heavy supplies. Without taking a moment to rest, he immediately began organizing and categorizing everything.

Once finished, he instinctively glanced at the long-stopped wall clock and estimated the time.

"Time to head out," he murmured.

He chugged a few mouthfuls of water and ate a few pieces of chocolate to replenish his strength, then put his raincoat back on.

The rain seemed to have grown heavier than it was in the morning, and the sky had darkened further. Murky floodwaters surged through the city ruins, carrying an increasing amount of floating debris. Some of the lower buildings were already completely submerged.

Sunshine Garden wasn't too far from the residential complex where he lived. Advancing at full speed with the Fish Gills Technique, it took less than ten minutes for a relatively dense residential area to come into view.

The main gates of the complex had long been washed away by the flood, leaving only twisted metal frames half-submerged in the water. As for the original security booth at the entrance, only a slanted concrete roof—mostly underwater—remained exposed above the surface.

Han Ning looked ahead.

On the slick, freezing roof of the security booth, two figures—one large and one small—were huddled together. It was Old Xu and a little girl bundled up tightly from head to toe.

Old Xu held an umbrella in one hand and tightly embraced the little girl with the other. He wore a hiking backpack, and beside him sat a small bundle wrapped in a waterproof tarp, which clearly contained the meager supplies he had been allocated.

The wind and rain were fierce, and the umbrella couldn't completely block the driving rain. Water continuously battered his body, leaving him so cold that his face was pale, his lips were purple, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

When Han Ning and Snow Cake broke through the water's surface near the security booth, Old Xu snapped his head up.

A bright gleam instantly erupted in his exhausted eyes, as if he had finally spotted a lighthouse in an abyss of despair.

Shielding his daughter with his own body to spare her from the rain as much as possible, he waved at the rapidly approaching Han Ning.