What's Keeping the Base Busy

"It doesn't matter if the data is true or false. I want to leave Base Y and go to another base."

"They're too optimistic. So what if we won this time? The pirates will come again. The base could be attacked at any time."

"I agree. Base Y is not safe anymore. We should leave as soon as possible."

Calls to leave could be heard everywhere, and many people were considering leaving.

Upon hearing this, Ignatius issued another statement, essentially saying that anyone who wanted to leave the base could do so, but they wouldn't be allowed to exchange their points for supplies.

This angered some people. In their eyes, they had earned those points through their labor, so why couldn't they exchange them for supplies?

Their protests were futile. That was the base's stance, so those who had considered leaving set aside their thoughts.

Regardless, they decided to use up their points before leaving.

The base also announced that purchasing supplies would be limited. People with fewer points would run out after a few days, while those with thousands of points would have to stay for at least one or two months.

Reluctantly, those with fewer points decided to stay.

That evening, Hurley and Ignatius rarely had time to have dinner together.

Ignatius, too hungry to talk, sat down and started eating. "I haven't eaten all day. I'm starving."

"What's keeping the base so busy?" Hurley asked, puzzled.

Ignatius glanced up at him, then picked up a piece of food. "Rebuilding after the war. It's a huge project. The supplies in the warehouse are flowing out like water, but there's no income coming in."

He was nearly at his wit's end with this situation. If things didn't improve, they might have to form teams to go fishing.

"I heard the base formed a coastal defense force to protect the fishermen. Is that true?" Hurley inquired.

"I'll tell you later," Ignatius replied.Hurley noticed Ignatius had slimmed down considerably and pushed the pork rib soup towards him.

Ignatius, not one to refuse, picked up a rib and started eating. Once he was full, he resumed their conversation.

"After we dealt with those pirates, they probably figured us out and are hesitant to provoke us again. They retreated. While they're somewhat wary of us, we need to seize the opportunity to go fishing. Otherwise, the base will run out of resources sooner or later."

Ignatius found experienced fishermen to lead the fishing expeditions while organizing a coastal defense force to ensure their safety.

Hurley pondered for a moment. "I'll go too."

"Alright. I'll sign you up." Ignatius hesitated for a moment, realizing that his nephew was perfectly capable of handling things on his own, so he readily agreed.

...

Since they were going fishing, they needed to use a fishing boat, which was partly owned by Alice. They had to inform her about their plans.

Alice had been bored at home for the past few days. When she heard about the fishing trip, she immediately said, "Take me with you."

With no internet, no signal, and no entertainment facilities, life had become unbearably dull. They needed something to do. Although they could binge-watch dramas or read novels, it eventually felt numb.

Arnold and Alexander found some work to pass the time, while Blanche and Atticus had recently become addicted to watching dramas, especially period dramas.

Alice was the only one with nothing to do. She had been thinking about going fishing yesterday, and now Hurley showed up.

Hurley's smile deepened upon hearing she wanted to go too. His voice took on a magnetic gentleness. "They're departing at seven tomorrow morning. Let's head over as soon as possible."

"No problem."

At noon, Blanche personally cooked a meal consisting of spicy hotpot, shrimp ball soup, and steamed chicken.Arnold and Alexander didn't come home for lunch, only the four of them were there.

"Auntie, your cooking skills are getting better and better," Hurley sincerely praised.

"Eat more, don't be shy, come over for meals often in the future," Blanche said with a smile.

After lunch, Hurley helped them check the fishing nets again.

"This kid is good, knows how to get along," Atticus said, holding a cup of tea, sitting under the eaves leisurely drinking.

Blanche was also very satisfied and gave Alice a look, indicating her agreement.

Alice: "..."

The next morning.

Alice sat on a rock eating meat buns, watching the fishermen moving things not far away.

When Ignatius brought people over, he immediately spotted her and walked over suspiciously, "Alice, what are you doing here so early in the morning?"

"I made plans with Hurley to go fishing," Alice said, reaching into the nearby luggage bag and discreetly taking out two buns from the space, handing them to Ignatius.

"I've already eaten," Ignatius glanced at the buns in her hand, then a sea breeze blew in, carrying a scent of meat. After struggling for a few seconds, Ignatius took them anyway and asked bluntly, "Are these meat buns?"

Alice: "Yes."

Hurley arrived just in time to see them enjoying the buns.

A minute later, the three of them stood together neatly eating the meat buns.

"Be careful this time when you go out to sea, those pirates returned in defeat, holding a grudge against us. Try not to stray too far," Ignatius reminded them before they boarded the ship.

"We know, we have our weapons with us."

After all the fishermen were in position, the fishing team set off!The sea was calm, with a slight mist in the distance, and it was still early in the day. Hurley was in charge of piloting the boat, while Alice took the opportunity to catch up on some beauty sleep.

The fishing team consisted of eight boats this time, with the Coast Guard boats forming a protective formation on both sides. They sailed through the waves for two hours before reaching the fishing spot.

"This is a good spot for fishing, but there aren't many fish. It's better if we split up," the fishermen thought.

Nobody wanted to make the trip in vain, but splitting up would undoubtedly weaken the protective strength of the Coast Guard, leaving them vulnerable to pirates. At this moment, someone spoke up: "Let's stick together this time. It's not a good idea to separate. Otherwise, one boat might occupy the fishing spot before the others."

"We're on board with that," two fishermen raised their hands on the deck of the fifth boat.

The captain of the Coast Guard nodded. "Alright, let's start with you guys. You set the nets first, and we'll help you catch the fish together. We'll switch boats at the next fishing spot."

This way, it was fair to everyone, and no one objected. While waiting for the fish to bite, the crews of the other boats observed quietly.

Alice felt much better after her nap and decided to occupy herself by experimenting with baking chicken wings. She took out an air fryer, put six chicken wings in it, along with four semi-finished egg tarts.

Hurley noticed and approached, "Do you need any seasoning? I have some here."

Alice chuckled, "No need, I've got everything here. I'll also bake some sweet potatoes later to try. It's my first time."She usually didn't cook unless necessary. Before long, the aroma of the chicken wings filled the boat, even wafting out.

"What's that smell? Who's cooking something?" 

"Uh oh, could there be pirates lurking nearby? We need to be careful."

"It smells even better now. It seems like grilled chicken wings. My wife used to make them."

The Coast Guard also became vigilant. However, the two people in the cabin were oblivious, fully immersed in their culinary delight.

"These taste pretty good," Hurley praised.

Alice raised an eyebrow, feeling elated. "Hurry up and eat. We'll be pulling the nets soon."

Knock knock knock! The cabin door was tapped.

Both turned almost simultaneously to see Captain Finnegan of the Coast Guard standing there.

Alice finished the last bite of her chicken wing, wiped her mouth with a tissue, and quickly walked over to open the door.

"Captain Gilbert, what's up?"

"Are you cooking meat?" Finnegan couldn't help but salivate at the strong aroma of meat as Alice opened the door.

Alice nodded.