Jealousy Arises

Hurley shrugged. "We acted together, and I got the information I wanted as well. The supplies were obtained through your risk-taking, so they rightfully belong to you."Even if he took them, he had nowhere to store them.

"I already have plenty of supplies now; enough to last a lifetime. Sometimes I wonder what I should do with all these supplies in the future."Not all supplies could be stored for a long time. The beef, lamb, and pork in her spatial storage would disappear along with the space itself if taken out. It was an unknown variable.As for the next generation, Alice hadn't even considered that question. So, in a situation where she didn't lack supplies herself, she was willing to share some with Hurley.

Hurley rarely saw her pondering such deep questions, so he smiled. "Since you say so, I'll accept them. But I'll leave them with you for now. I'll take them once I finish what's in my own storage."He had decided to stick with her for life!

Alice agreed, then took out a bag of snacks from her spatial storage. What's the point of having them if not to eat?

"Come, let's eat and chat."

Ignatius came to check on them and was speechless when he saw them sitting on the stairs happily eating.

Hurley calmly greeted him, "Salt-baked chicken drumsticks, want some?"

Ignatius: "...Sure."

The three of them sat neatly on the stairs eating. Ignatius took a sip of his drink, then picked up a salt-baked duck wing. "Not bad, the taste is just like before."

"If you like it, have some more," Alice said after eating and drinking to her fill, sitting leisurely beside them.

"Base Commander, how's the situation at the mountain refuge?" 

Ignatius swallowed what was in his mouth and took another sip of water before replying, "The typhoon has weakened over the past couple of days, and the makeshift shelters at the refuge have been repaired. They're currently still usable and inhabitable."

"By the way, I came down today to inform you that the supplies at the mountain are running low. Could you send some up this afternoon, especially grains?"

Many people had no supplies to sustain their lives. The base had no choice but to open the warehouses and provide free food to them; otherwise, chaos would ensue.

The base's supplies were limited, so they could only make a large pot of congee and provide two bowls per day. 

"If this continues, the base will run out of resources sooner or later," Ignatius sighed. They couldn't fish for supplies, and the crops couldn't be grown. It was driving people to a dead end.

Alice could only express sympathy for the situation.

Ignatius didn't expect them to be able to help; as long as they could manage the remaining supplies, he would be grateful.

Finally, after Ignatius left with a full stomach, he took a small bag of pastries with him.

Alice: "..."

Shortly after Ignatius left, the two of them went to count the supplies and ended up moving fifty bags of hundred-pound rice.

"Let's also take some dried vegetables," Alice said as she brought out a sack of dried vegetables.

As for meat, Ignatius hadn't specified, but Hurley still took thirty pounds of cured meat.

With over a dozen people carrying the supplies down from the twelfth floor, they could only use small carts to transport them up the mountain.

Alice continued to stand guard while Hurley went to deliver the supplies.

Not long after, Horatio returned.He sniffed the air forcefully. "It smells so good. Ms. Alice, did you smell it?"

"...Yes, I did," Alice replied.

Horatio muttered to himself, "It smells like meat. Who's eating?"

In her mind, Alice quietly answered, "I am."

"I have a lollipop here for you," Horatio walked towards her, pulling out a lollipop with a bit of dirt on the wrapper."The inside is clean; I couldn't bear to eat it," Horatio explained hastily when he saw her staring at the speck of dirt on the wrapper.

Alice looked at him puzzled. A stranger suddenly offering her something to eat either had an ulterior motive or another agenda.

"No need, I'm not short of sugar," Alice softly declined.

Seeing Horatio's disbelief, she reached into her pocket and actually pulled out a handful of soda candies from her spatial storage, giving him several. "Take these and try them."

Horatio nodded his thanks but felt rejected by Alice's refusal. It was understandable; she didn't seem to be lacking food. Otherwise, her clothes wouldn't be so clean, and her complexion so healthy. He wasn't up to her standards; best not to entertain such thoughts.

Alice was unaware of Horatio's overthinking. She stood there, resting with her eyes closed. Of course, she wasn't asleep; even with her eyes closed, her hearing was sharp, and she could sense anyone approaching.

Meanwhile, Hurley and Crawford delivered the goods to the mountain. When the people inside the house saw them, they rushed out like starving wolves.

"The supplies are here, hurry and grab them!" 

A crowd rushed over, eyes fixed on the supplies. 

Especially the sacks of rice, which could fill their bellies.

Crawford and the others immediately formed a circle, shielding the food from the crowd. "Step back! The food is for all of you, don't snatch."

But no one listened to Crawford. Their faces twisted with hunger as they reached out, some scratching and punching each other to get to the supplies.

Crawford dodged backward continuously, barely able to hold on.

Then, suddenly, a gunshot rang out.

The scene fell silent in an instant."Have you had enough?" 

The crowd turned to look where the voice came from and saw Hurley holding a gun, firing another shot.

Now, no one dared to move, but they also didn't step back, still fixated on the supplies on the cart.

Hearing the commotion, Ignatius came down and was furious at the scene. "Everyone, go back inside. I've said the base will distribute supplies and food for free. If this continues, nobody will get anything, believe me."

"Are these supplies really for us? Or are they going to be hoarded by the management?" 

Ignatius looked at the speaker, his face darkening. "Am I someone without integrity? Have I ever gone back on my word? Besides, take a look at all these supplies. Can we even finish them ourselves?"

His words made the crowd take a few steps back, but they still didn't dare to go far, their eyes fixed intently.

Feeling exasperated, Ignatius continued, "Since you don't believe me, we'll take out the pot and cook right in front of you. Once it's done, we'll distribute it to you."

The onlookers seemed satisfied with this, slowly making way as they followed behind.

It was still drizzling lightly, but thankfully they had set up a shelter under which they could cook.

Ignatius had already planned to make porridge for them, and the large iron pot was ready.

"Don't just stand there; if you want porridge, go find firewood," Ignatius ordered when he saw the large group standing idle.

Initially reluctant, people's hunger got the better of them when they saw the cured meat and dried vegetables. 

"I'll go find firewood now."

"No sneaking food, okay?"

"Wait for me to come back."

With someone taking the lead, others followed suit, eager to help.