“This is… signs of a tropical depression?!” Zhao Hongxing muttered to himself. “Could it be that a severe typhoon is really coming?”
“Did Dr. Gu actually predict it correctly? How impressive is she to know three days in advance?”
But why did these signs only appear now?
Zhao Hongxing hurriedly ran out to report the findings.
Just as he rushed out, he bumped into his older brother, Zhao Weiguo, who had come looking for him.
“Hongxing, where are you running off to in such a hurry?” Zhao Weiguo grabbed him and asked.
“Brother, there are signs of a tropical depression! There are signs of a tropical depression!” Zhao Hongxing couldn’t help but shout.
Zhao Weiguo froze for a moment before his eyes lit up. “I knew Dr. Gu couldn’t be wrong. She was right—she was absolutely right!”
“Quick, let’s go report this to the higher-ups!”
….
Meanwhile, Commander Lu had already discovered that the mastermind behind the rumors was likely Lin Chushi.
Even Lin’s father might have been involved, but there was no concrete evidence yet.
For now, Commander Lu could only suppress the complaints demanding punishment for Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing, while instructing Sheng Zexi to keep a close eye on the weather reports.
If a typhoon did arrive, all the rumors and accusations would collapse on their own.
Of course, as the administrator of Huansha Island, Commander Lu would naturally prefer that no severe typhoon come at all.
After all, a severe typhoon—even with precautions—would inevitably cause significant damage to the island and could lead to casualties.
It would be best if the typhoon didn’t come, ensuring everyone’s safety.
But Commander Lu also knew that neither Sheng Zexi nor Gu Jianing were the type to make baseless claims.
Though he had barely interacted with the young couple, Old Sheng had told him just how outstanding and reliable they were.
Moreover, Old Sheng had asked him to look after them if possible.
If even someone as proud as Old Sheng spoke so highly of them, they must be extraordinary.
And since it was a request from an old friend, Commander Lu naturally took it to heart.
As Sheng Zexi left Commander Lu’s office, he saw the Zhao brothers rushing toward him.
Seeing their urgent expressions, Sheng Zexi had an inkling of what they might say.
Sure enough.
From a distance, Zhao Weiguo spotted Sheng Zexi and quickly approached, gripping his arms excitedly. “Dr. Gu was right! The meteorological team has detected signs of an approaching tropical depression!”
Sheng Zexi’s spirits lifted. “Come with me to see Commander Lu.”
Soon, Commander Lu met with the three of them and learned about the tropical depression detected by Zhao Hongxing’s team.
“Are you sure it’s a tropical depression and not a severe typhoon?” Commander Lu asked Zhao Hongxing.
“Yes, sir, it’s a tropical depression.”
Commander Lu frowned. While tropical depressions and severe typhoons both fall under the category of typhoons, their intensities are vastly different.
Some tropical depressions might not even make landfall, causing minimal impact.
But a severe typhoon was an entirely different matter.
Commander Lu had hoped for direct signs of a severe typhoon, but instead, it was just a tropical depression.
This was awkward.
Should they prepare for a severe typhoon or just a tropical depression?
Was Gu Jianing actually correct, or was she wrong?
Sheng Zexi noticed the commander’s hesitation and recalled the future newspaper he had seen before.
That newspaper had also mentioned that the initial detection was a tropical depression—exactly like the current situation.
Back then, the military leadership on Huansha Island had only taken minimal precautions for a tropical depression.
Yet in the end, a severe typhoon struck.
The resulting loss of lives and property had been catastrophic.
Now, seeing Commander Lu’s uncertainty, Sheng Zexi immediately understood the dilemma.
“Sir,” he said firmly, “even though it’s currently classified as a tropical depression, there’s a real possibility it could intensify into a severe typhoon.”
“We must prepare as if it will be a severe typhoon.”
“If we only defend against a tropical depression and a stronger storm hits, the consequences would be unimaginable.”
Just then, a mocking voice cut in from outside.
“Xiao Sheng, are you so certain about this ‘severe typhoon’ just because your wife said so?”
The speaker was none other than Old Lin, walking in with his son, Lin Chushi, by his side.
“Dr. Gu’s medical skills are impressive, but meteorology?” Old Lin scoffed. “Do you really think she knows better than the entire meteorological department?”
Sheng Zexi wasn’t surprised to see the Lin father-son duo.
At this point, he was certain they were the ones spreading rumors about his wife.
These two had clearly marked him and Ningning as enemies—opposing and questioning everything they did.
But their behavior disgusted Sheng Zexi.
Healthy competition was one thing, but the Lin family’s actions were outright reckless, putting the lives of the islanders at risk.
Selfish. Disgusting.
Facing their provocation head-on, Sheng Zexi responded with unwavering conviction:
“Yes. I guarantee it.”
“Gu Jianing—my wife—is right. A severe typhoon will come.”
Lin Chushi’s eyes gleamed with malice. “Oh? Then why don’t you bet your rank on it? Put your military career on the line with a written pledge?”
Commander Lu frowned, about to intervene—but Sheng Zexi beat him to it.
“Fine. I will.”
Commander Lu sighed inwardly. This kid… too impulsive. Why gamble your future like this?
What he didn’t know was that Sheng Zexi’s confidence came from absolute trust—not just in Gu Jianing, but in the future newspaper he’d seen.
He had witnessed the typhoon’s devastation before it happened.
Just like the drug cartel incident—the newspaper’s predictions had never been wrong.
Meanwhile, Lin Chushi was stunned. He hadn’t expected Sheng Zexi to take the bait so easily.
Hot-headed fool.
Seizing the opportunity, Lin Chushi pressed, “Then let’s make it official. Sign the pledge.”
Old Lin, ever the manipulator, feigned concern. “Chushi, don’t be reckless! A military pledge is not a joke—once signed, there’s no turning back.”
Then, with a sly glance at Commander Lu, he added, “But honestly, sir, isn’t Xiao Sheng overreacting?”
“The meteorological team only detected a tropical depression. Why all this fuss?”
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