At the military base, in the meteorological department, no one dared to sleep that night—because tomorrow was the day the typhoon was expected to make landfall.
Both Zhao Hongxing and the rest of the meteorological team stayed up late, closely monitoring the tropical depression.
Then, they observed something alarming: what had been just a tropical depression during the day was now intensifying rapidly after nightfall, as if racing against time.
“The rate of intensification is too fast. At this pace, it’ll soon become a typhoon,” Zhao Hongxing muttered, frowning as he studied the recorded data.
There were specific thresholds for a tropical depression to escalate into a typhoon, and then further into a severe typhoon.
As it turned out, Zhao Hongxing’s premonition was correct.
Before long…
“It’s a typhoon now. It’s officially a typhoon.”
Yes, it had strengthened into a typhoon.
Zhao Hongxing wasted no time in reporting the update to his superiors.
Previously, everyone had hoped it would remain just a tropical depression—after all, the destructive power of a severe typhoon was terrifying.
But now that it had escalated into a typhoon, perhaps, just as Dr. Gu Jianing had predicted, it might indeed become a severe typhoon by tomorrow?
At this thought, the expressions of everyone in the room darkened.
There was admiration for Gu Jianing’s almost prophetic foresight, but also deep concern about the potential arrival of a severe typhoon.
That night, very few in the military base got much sleep.
Preparations for the typhoon had been underway since the previous day.
Evacuating the islanders was only the first step.
There was still much more to do—reinforcing buildings, boarding up windows and doors with wooden planks or sandbags, removing objects that could easily be blown away.
If there were livestock, they also had to be relocated to safety.
Additionally, they needed to stock up on drinking water, food, and lighting supplies like candles, matches, and kerosene lamps.
After all, a severe typhoon wouldn’t pass quickly. It could take days before it completely moved away.
The military also had to prepare for rescue operations—gathering ropes, raincoats, rubber boots, machetes, and other essentials.
Though most residents had cooperated with the evacuation, some stubborn individuals, influenced by rumors, had refused to leave their homes.
While the military couldn’t force them to evacuate, they couldn’t simply abandon them either.
Meanwhile, Sheng Zexi wasn’t at the hospital.
He had been called in overnight to assist and was now working alongside his comrades, stacking sandbags along the coastline.
The rows of sandbags formed a defensive barrier.
If a severe typhoon did hit, it would undoubtedly trigger massive waves.
And if those waves crashed ashore, casualties would be inevitable.
So, these sandbags were crucial for blocking the storm surges.
By now, a light rain had begun to fall.
Sheng Zexi’s face was wet with rainwater, but he had no time to wipe it away.
As the wind grew increasingly fierce, his frown deepened, his expression grave.
“This wind doesn’t feel like a tropical depression at all,” one of his comrades murmured.
“Could it really turn into a severe typhoon?”
“Yeah, if it’s a severe typhoon, we’ll have to step up our defenses even more,” others chimed in.
Even as they spoke, their hands never stopped working.
Sheng Zexi shared the same thought.
“I’m afraid it’s no longer just a tropical depression.”
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before their superiors relayed the update—the meteorological department had confirmed that the tropical depression had intensified into a typhoon.
Sheng Zexi wasn’t surprised.
Yet, his frown never eased.
He was worried about Gu Jianing, who was in the hospital awaiting childbirth.
And he was also uneasy about the current situation.
The defensive measures still weren’t fully in place.
If a severe typhoon really hit, the island would likely suffer significant damage.
…
Meanwhile, the Lin father and son had also learned that the tropical depression had strengthened into a typhoon.
In the dead of night, neither of them could sleep.
Old Man Lin’s gaze at Lin Chushi was far from pleased.
“Chushi, do you think this typhoon will escalate into a severe typhoon?” he asked coldly.
Lin Chushi stiffened. “Dad, how could that be? Absolutely impossible!”
“But it’s already no longer a tropical depression—it’s a typhoon now!” Old Man Lin emphasized.
“Yes, it’s a typhoon, but there’s still a huge gap between a typhoon and a severe typhoon. It’s only been a few hours—there’s no way it could intensify that quickly!” Lin Chushi desperately defended himself.
Old Man Lin also thought it was unlikely for a typhoon to escalate into a severe one in just a few hours.
But it wasn’t impossible.
Especially since…
He recalled how, during the incident with the drug cartel, his son had been outmaneuvered by Sheng Zexi.
So…
What would happen this time?
If a severe typhoon really did arrive, then both Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing would be terrifyingly prescient!
Old Man Lin’s sharp eyes bore into Lin Chushi. “You’d better pray it stays just a typhoon. Otherwise…”
Under his father’s piercing stare, Lin Chushi shuddered. “Dad, I understand.”
He knew exactly what was at stake.
This time, both he and his father were personally involved.
And he, in particular, had staked his reputation on it.
If a severe typhoon hit, he would lose—and his career would likely be ruined.
Even his father, who supported him, would face repercussions.
But if it remained just a tropical depression—or even just a typhoon, as long as it didn’t escalate into a severe one—then the ones who would suffer the consequences would be Sheng Zexi, Gu Jianing, and their superior, Commander Lu.
This wasn’t just about a typhoon.
It was a battle of wits between the two factions.
And now, the outcome depended entirely on fate.
…
Elsewhere in the Lin residence, one more person was still awake.
Zhang Qiumei had quietly eavesdropped outside the study, her eyes flickering with unreadable thoughts.
After a long pause, the corners of her lips curled into a strange, eerie smile.
Then, she silently slipped away.
Time passed slowly. Dawn had yet to break.
The howling winds lashed at the island, making the trees sway violently.
Old Man Zhang’s household was one of those that had refused to evacuate.
As he slept, the roaring gale outside grew louder, accompanied by the crashing of debris—until it finally jolted him and his wife awake.
His wife clutched his arm tightly. “Old man… do you think… a severe typhoon is really coming?”
Old Man Zhang’s heart pounded with dread. His words sounded more like self-reassurance than comfort for his wife.
“No, no… they said it was just a tropical depression. How could it be a severe typhoon?”
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