Chapter 108 - 106: Icebreaker

Dr. Shire excitedly responded to Jiang Si, "We need an icebreaker vehicle!" He hesitated for a moment, then mustered his courage. "Dear Miss Jiang, may I be so bold as to make a request? I’m begging you."

Jiang Si raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

Dr. Shire’s slightly hesitant voice came through the walkie-talkie, "Miss Jiang, I want to find my daughter. I’m old, and I need an icebreaker vehicle to take my luggage and get on the road. Miss Jiang, I’m willing to trade the few supplies I have left for it. Please!"

Jiang Si and her group had more than enough supplies; they had no need for a trade.

But listening to the anguish in Dr. Shire’s voice as he spoke of finding his daughter, she was suddenly reminded of her past life, of Jiang Linhai leading the zombies away to save her and her mother. Without thinking, she replied, "Alright."

There were eight icebreaker vehicles in the ship’s hold. Although they could only seat two people and were small, their snow-shoveling and ice-breaking capabilities were impressive enough to make one overlook their cramped space.

Dr. Shire hadn’t expected Jiang Si to agree so easily. He was so moved he burst into tears. "Thank you, thank you, thank you..."

He had nothing to repay them with. Back in his room, he rummaged through all his belongings and found a peculiar meteorite he still had.

He had accidentally unearthed it on the day he lost contact with the Northern Country.

He had originally planned to take it back to the Northern Country for research. Now, it seemed there was no longer a place for his skills in this world.

’The meteorite was beautiful, at least. Maybe Miss Jiang would like it for her collection. It would have to serve as his thanks.’

He put the meteorite into a box and packed his essential belongings.

’Right now, I can’t tell anyone that I’m getting an icebreaker vehicle.’

’Otherwise, the others will go bother Miss Jiang too.’

’If I anger Miss Jiang, I probably won’t get the vehicle after all.’

’Waiting until we’re ashore and most people have left, then driving away in the icebreaker vehicle, is undoubtedly the best option.’

’But he really wanted a partner.’

’He was getting old, and his limbs weren’t very nimble. If he traveled alone and ran into danger, he might be completely helpless.’

So, after Jiang Si agreed to give him an icebreaker vehicle, he began secretly searching for a suitable candidate to accompany him on his search for his daughter.

’First, they had to be trustworthy. Second, it would be best if they lived in the same city. Finally, they needed to be strong and tough-looking—the kind who could intimidate people.’

Under the skilled operation of the crew, the icebreaker vehicles quickly cleared the snow from the ice surface. They drilled into it, creating fine fissures. The cracks deepened and widened, spreading rapidly like lightning.

Jiang Si recorded a video. If her family still couldn’t learn how to do it, they could rewatch the video to see the procedure.

Once the crew determined the channel was wide enough for the Icebreaker ship to navigate, they waved to Jiang Si and her group, giving them the "OK."

When the icebreaker vehicles returned to Jiang Si’s ship, everyone’s minds started racing with their own schemes.

’If we had an icebreaker vehicle, we could load up more supplies and leave.’

’If we could keep an icebreaker vehicle running with the heat on, it’d be far better than risking hypothermia out in this frozen world.’

’But the icebreaker vehicles are so useful, an essential tool for the main Icebreaker ship. I’m afraid they wouldn’t be willing to trade one, no matter how many supplies we offered.’

’They had considered it for a moment—finding a chance to just drive off in an icebreaker vehicle.’

’But we haven’t loaded our supplies yet, and besides, Jiang Si’s group has weapons.’

’Better to forget it.’

After hesitating repeatedly, Jack and his wife couldn’t resist asking Dr. Shire, "Doctor, could we borrow your walkie-talkie?"

The moment Dr. Shire heard them, he knew what they were thinking.

His gaze fell on the couple, and he shook his head. "No. Miss Jiang told me not to contact her casually. She said she’d kill me."

Jack lowered his head and conferred with Lina. "Then should we go find them directly?"

Lina shook her head. "With so many people around, they’ll never agree to our faces. Maybe we can try after everyone gets off the ship."

Jack’s eyes lit up. "Let’s do that!"

But some people thought that even if they had an icebreaker vehicle, it wouldn’t last more than a few days without a constant supply of fuel to keep the engine running outside.

Most people didn’t dare to risk making enemies or getting shot for an icebreaker vehicle that would only last a few days.

A few of the more impulsive ones, however, waited until Jiang Si and Qin Shen appeared on deck and then shouted with all their might, "Miss Jiang, can I borrow an icebreaker vehicle? I promise, I’ll return it on time! After I find my parents! Please!"

Once he started shouting, others joined in. "Miss Jiang, I want to borrow an icebreaker vehicle too! God will bless you!"

"My child just turned five! He’s at home waiting for me! Please!"

Waves of pleading voices filled the deck.

Dr. Shire’s heart pounded with anxiety, terrified that Jiang Si would get angry.

Jiang Si didn’t get angry, nor did she pay them any mind. After inspecting the deck and confirming there were no dangers, she returned to the cabin with Qin Shen.

The gratitude they had felt for Jiang Si’s earlier mercy instantly turned into intense resentment.

’She has so many icebreaker vehicles, but she won’t even spare one for us.’

’These yellow-skinned monkeys... heartless and inhuman. They deserve to die!’

’If our Icebreaker ship hadn’t been stolen, we wouldn’t have been reduced to this.’

’It’s all their fault!’

But filled with resentment as they were, they only dared to complain in their hearts. When it came to actually confronting Jiang Si for an icebreaker vehicle, they didn’t have the slightest bit of courage.

Mike, however, had a different idea. ’Jiang Si’s Icebreaker ship needs people to help break the ice. Maybe we have a chance to follow behind their ship and work for them.’

’Objectively speaking, Jiang Si and her group have been benevolent enough. If we could follow them, we’d also have the protection of their guns and ammunition, which would keep this ship from being stolen.’

’More importantly, Jiang Si’s group has far more supplies. If we need something, maybe we could borrow a thing or two, or make a fair trade.’

The more Mike thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.

When Jiang Si and Qin Shen returned to the cabin, everyone, having heard the shouting from the yacht, gathered around and asked, "What were they saying?"

Jiang Si suddenly looked up. ’It’s absolutely necessary,’ she thought, ’to teach everyone English.’

’We’re in the Northern Country’s territory now, where most people speak English. If we get separated, they won’t even be able to communicate with anyone.’

Seeing Jiang Si’s grave and silent expression, everyone grew anxious. Jiang Linhai asked hurriedly, "What on earth were they saying? Say something!"

Jiang Si said, "They want our icebreaker vehicles."

Jiang Linhai’s face immediately hardened. "Absolutely not. Those vehicles can break ice. If we want to navigate these waters in the future, we’ll need them. We may have eight, but in this cold, an engine can fail at any moment."

The others also agreed they couldn’t give any away.