“Take a look.”
Sheng Zexi hadn’t expected Ningning to produce another future newspaper.
What could possibly be reported in this future newspaper that had her so worried?
Filled with doubt, Sheng Zexi quickly took the newspaper and read it.
By the time he finished, his heart had sunk.
A Category 13 typhoon—such severe casualties and property damage.
No wonder Ningning was so concerned.
Sheng Zexi knew they couldn’t ignore this. They had to take precautions.
But…
The timing of this typhoon couldn’t be worse.
Ningning was due to give birth in just a few days.
In such harsh conditions…
“Brother Xi, what should we do?” Gu Jianing asked.
“We can’t let this newspaper leak out,” Sheng Zexi said. Of course, even if they showed it to the higher-ups, there was no guarantee they’d believe it.
He couldn’t expose Ningning.
“The only thing we can do now is issue an early warning.”
They had to inform the military district leaders in advance that a devastating typhoon was coming—one with catastrophic force.
They needed to evacuate residents from high-risk areas on the island within three days to minimize casualties and property damage as much as possible.
That was the only solution.
But…
“Will the leaders believe us?” Gu Jianing asked.
Sheng Zexi fell silent. That was exactly what worried him.
Currently, typhoon detection technology wasn’t advanced enough to predict storms more than a day or two in advance.
Moreover, due to technological limitations, tracking the typhoon’s path, wind speed, and other variables was extremely difficult.
Without accurate monitoring, disaster prevention became nearly impossible.
Just as the future newspaper had stated, this was a Category 13 super typhoon, yet the military meteorological team had only detected it as a tropical depression.
As a result, preparations were inadequate, leading to massive casualties and property losses.
Now, the challenge was convincing the leaders that this was indeed a super typhoon—and that it would make landfall in three days.
If they could make the leaders believe that, everything else would fall into place.
The military district would undoubtedly take the highest-level precautions.
“As for how to make them believe…” Sheng Zexi murmured, thinking it over. “Ningning, I’m afraid you’ll have to step forward for this.”
Gu Jianing was puzzled. “Me?”
“Yes. Remember when we first arrived on Huansha Island, and you predicted the weather?”
Gu Jianing recalled.
Back then, she had checked the weather forecast, which predicted a storm at sea, so she chose to rest at the inn and wait until the next day to go to the island.
But Zhao Weiguo and the others hadn’t believed her.
They insisted on setting out immediately—only to be caught in the storm halfway and forced to turn back.
After that incident, Zhao Weiguo and the others no longer underestimated Gu Jianing’s ability to predict the weather.
“This time, we can tell Zhao Weiguo that it’s your prediction.”
“Given what happened last time, I think he’ll believe us.”
The reason for approaching Zhao Weiguo was that his brother, Zhao Hongxing, worked in the military meteorological department.
If Zhao Weiguo delivered the warning, Zhao Hongxing might take it more seriously.
“Once they spread the word, we can then report it to the leaders.”
“That way, they’ll be more likely to believe us.”
“Besides, this time we can go straight to Commander Lu.”
After their last encounter, Sheng Zexi still held a very favorable impression of Commander Lu.
Moreover, Commander Lu currently held the highest authority in the military district, overseeing the entire Huansha Island.
So, as long as Commander Lu believed them, everything would fall into place.
Gu Jianing nodded. “That’s the only way.”
“Alright, tomorrow we’ll…” The couple huddled together, carefully discussing how to proceed.
After a long deliberation, they finally settled on a plan.
“Alright, it’s decided then. Ningning, don’t overthink it too much.”
“At least now that we know, there’s still a chance to change things.”
“No matter what, it won’t turn out as bad as the future newspaper says.”
“You’re right.” With Sheng Zexi’s reassurances and arrangements, Gu Jianing’s anxious heart finally settled after a day of worry.
“But I still wonder how things will turn out…” Gu Jianing murmured.
Sheng Zexi took her hand. “Ningning, as long as we do our best with what we know, that’s enough.”
“If we give it our all and still can’t change the outcome, then at least we’ll have no regrets.”
Gu Jianing: Alright.
“What worries me more right now is you.” Sheng Zexi gently stroked her hair, then placed a hand on her rounded belly.
“Your due date is just a few days away—right when the typhoon is set to hit.”
“Even though I’ve taken leave, I’m afraid the military might still need extra hands. If that happens, I’ll have to go help.”
“And then I won’t be able to stay by your side, or Xingxing and Yueyue’s.”
That was his biggest concern.
If he wasn’t there, the household would only have Ningning—who could go into labor at any moment—and their two young children.
Even though Amber was there…
Amber was smart, but she was still just a dog.
If something happened, no one would understand her warnings.
And with only one Amber but three people to look after—Ningning, Xingxing, and Yueyue—it was a problem.
For a moment, Sheng Zexi regretted letting Hongying and Leiting become military dogs.
If they were still here, he wouldn’t be so worried.
Or if Grandma or his mother-in-law were around, he’d feel more at ease.
But now…
“Maybe I should hire someone to take care of you,” Sheng Zexi suggested.
Back in the Northwest Military District, they had neighbors and friends like Zhang Shuwan who could help. But here on Huansha Island, there was no one.
Hiring someone was the only option.
Gu Jianing hesitated, but she knew Sheng Zexi’s concerns were valid.
If the typhoon hit, Sheng Zexi was called away, and she went into labor all at once—things could get messy.
“Alright, go ahead and find someone.”
“Also, once the higher-ups believe us about the typhoon, I’ll check into the hospital early.”
“If I’m already there when the time comes, even if you’re not around, it won’t be as chaotic,” Gu Jianing suggested.
“Good, let’s do that!”
Meanwhile, Xingxing and Yueyue had been anxiously watching the door ever since their parents went into the room.
When their parents finally came out and they saw their mother looking much calmer, the two little ones let out a sigh of relief.
Only then did Gu Jianing realize that, because of her distress, the children hadn’t eaten dinner yet—they’d been waiting for her.
Guilt washed over her.
She pulled them into a hug, one on each side. “Mommy’s sorry for making you worry.”
“But I’m fine now. Let’s eat together, okay?”
A storm is coming…
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