Interstellar to 80s: A Scientist's Farming Mission

The somber scene didn’t last long. The water level by Stone Mountain had risen by at least three meters.

Sun Dazhuang picked up a bullhorn and shouted again.

”Look at this water level! The fact that our village evacuated without any casualties is what we should be most happy about. A few tears are enough. Every family, count your rations and drinking water. Take care of the children so they don’t get sick. That’s what’s most important right now.”

”Kids, go into the small caves. Light a fire to keep them warm. Get them into some dry clothes. And everyone, check on yourselves. See if anyone has a fever.”

After Sun Dazhuang assigned tasks, the villagers’ sorrow lessened as they refocused on the present.

The flash flood wouldn’t be over in a day.

Their homes were destroyed. The entire town must be a vast expanse of water now. They had nowhere to go and would have to live here for who knows how many days, until those green uniforms appeared.

This was probably the one thought all the villagers shared.

”Everyone, conserve your food and water. We’re not moving around much, so don’t eat too much. You don’t want to get fat and cause trouble for the soldiers when they come.”

Sun Dazhuang’s lighthearted joke made everyone laugh.

”Isn’t that the truth! Hey, from the Wang Family, this is a great chance for you to lose some weight! You don’t want to be unable to walk and make a soldier carry you. Thing is, they might not be able to lift you!”

”HAHAHAHA!”

A wave of laughter spread, chasing away much of the gloom.

An Ning sat down.

”Mom, aren’t you scared?”

”Of course I’m scared! Who wouldn’t be? But we’ve come this far, so what good would being scared do? Besides, the soldiers will definitely come.”

This was the first time An Ning had directly witnessed the people’s deep, heartfelt trust in those green uniforms.

She calmed herself and began to think about what she could do.

’With this much water, swimming out is definitely unrealistic. The best solution would be a boat.’

’I have one, but it’s not enough.’

An Ning closed her eyes, and a message was transmitted to the interstellar network.

Inflatable compression boats. The more, the better.

After several improvements to her spiritual power, both sides could communicate in real-time. In other words, the messages were sent and received instantaneously.

Upon receiving the message, the interstellar side immediately took action.

In less than an hour, the transfer of the inflatable compression boats began.

However, the transfer speed wasn’t very fast. It would take at least five hours, maybe more.

An Ning looked at the villagers, who were settled and relatively at peace for the time being. ’Five hours. I can wait.’

The heavy rain continued to fall. The dense raindrops showed no mercy or sympathy as the water level rose relentlessly.

Fortunately, Stone Mountain was on high ground, and the place where the villagers had stopped was even higher. If even this place were to be submerged, it wouldn’t just be a flood anymore—it would be the end of the world.

”BZZZT—”

An Ning’s phone rang.

It was Director Zhao.

”Hello.”

”I’m fine. I evacuated to the high ground with the other villagers. We got out early. We have food and water, so don’t worry. I also have a boat. Rest assured, I’ll be okay.”

”Don’t prioritize me. Base it on the actual disaster situation.”

An Ning rejected Director Zhao’s plan to rescue her first, but he didn’t exactly agree to her request.

Just as she hung up, a call from Jiang Xia came in.

”Hello.”

”Is it raining over there?”

Jiang Xia’s voice was frantic.

”Don’t worry. We evacuated to Stone Mountain ahead of time. Grandpa Jiang, Master Tang, and Da Huang all made it out safely.”

After reassuring him, An Ning told Jiang Xia she had a boat and would be fine.

On the other end, Jiang Xia was genuinely relieved to hear she had a boat.

”Mhm, I’ll be careful. Don’t you try to come back. You can’t fly in this heavy rain, and you wouldn’t be able to get in anyway. I’d just end up worrying about you.”

Jiang Xia agreed. He really couldn’t fly back.

Not wanting An Ning to waste her phone’s battery, Jiang Xia hung up decisively.

After that, many of the villagers started looking at An Ning, or rather, at the phone in her hand.

They all had children working elsewhere. Right now, the landlines at home and in the village were down, and so were their personal cell phones due to the lack of signal. They wanted to let their children know they were safe.

An Ning understood.

”Village Chief, have everyone line up to make a call, but tell them to keep it short.”

”No, An Ning! Your phone is our only way to contact the outside world. If the battery dies, we’ll lose our only chance!”

The chief’s words calmed the anxious villagers.

”Yes, yes, the chief’s right. Let’s not make any calls.”

”Save it, save it. Use it when it’s really important.”

An Ning wanted to say that she had several phones and could also recharge them, but that clearly wasn’t a good explanation to give.

”How about this? Everyone give me their phone numbers, and I’ll send out a group text message to let everyone know you’re safe. That will save battery and still get the message out.”

This idea received everyone’s approval.

An Ning collected the phone numbers. Luckily, the children working elsewhere all had cell phones and could receive text messages.

She lowered her head to compose the message. After she finished, she read it aloud to everyone.

”Hello everyone, this is An Ning from Shili Gou. Due to heavy rains and flash floods, this is the only phone with a signal. I’m sending a group message to let you know everyone is safe. The entire village was safely evacuated before the flood. We have food and water. Please do not call unless it is a life-or-death emergency to conserve battery. —An Ning and all the villagers.”

”Good, good, good!”

”Just like that. It’s great.”

With the villagers’ approval, she pressed the send button.

The same message was delivered, one after another, to people on the outside who were watching the news and frantically trying to call.

That one text message relieved so much anxiety and panic.

Having let their families know they were safe, a crease in the villagers’ worried hearts was smoothed out.

Everyone truly began to settle down.

The flash flood had descended. All they could do now was wait to rebuild their homes.

As night fell, the children were huddled together by the adults. The relative warmth allowed them to gradually fall asleep.

The men of the village split into several groups, taking turns patrolling the platform and monitoring the water level.

An Ning’s family, Uncle An’s family, Grandpa Jiang, Master Tang, and the pack of dogs were all gathered in a large circle.

Within their group, the women and children were under a large wooden shelter, shielding them from some of the rain, while the men stood outside in raincoats or traditional straw capes.

The rain seemed to have lessened a bit, though it might have been an illusion. It was still falling.

Nights of heavy rain are exceptionally cold.

An Ning had been staring into space until she felt a vibration within her spiritual power.

’The inflatable compression boats have arrived.’

After a quick inspection, An Ning looked at the falling raindrops. She would wait for the rain to stop.

Perhaps their prayers had truly worked, because around six o’clock the next morning, the rain stopped.

The villagers took off their raincoats and straw capes, holding their palms up to the sky and cheering joyfully.

”The rain stopped!”

”The rain stopped!”

The moment she saw the rain had stopped, An Ning stood up.

”I’m going to go out and take a look. I have a boat and life jackets, so don’t worry.”

No one could stop An Ning’s decision.

Uncle An had no choice but to have a few of his sons who were strong swimmers go with An Ning.

An Ning didn’t refuse.

After telling Village Chief Sun Dazhuang, An Ning set out with two of her cousins.

She didn’t take more people because she wanted to leave some space for those in need.