Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies

Zhang Yi pointed at Zhu Yunque. "You really shouldn't joke with me like this. I believe you've already made plans, haven't you?"

Zhu Yunque gave a light cough.

"Ahem, of course."

She looked up at Zhang Yi with a smile. "Isn't that what you're here for? You're the mighty captain of the investigation team after all. I know your capabilities—a spatial ability user who can carry an enormous amount of supplies."

"I'm sure providing food for just over twenty people would be a trivial matter for you."

Zhang Yi sneered inwardly.

So you get to play the saint while I handle all the messy work?

Thank god you're not my superior, or I'd have died from frustration already.

"Now, now, Miss Zhu, this joke really isn't funny."

"My storage space is only about the size of a small warehouse, packed with all sorts of things. Weapons, ammunition, and fuel supplies for the Golden Edge alone take up over half the capacity."

"As for food, I did bring quite a lot. But as you know, this voyage will take at least four months round trip with no resupply points along the way, and now we've added over a hundred extra mouths to feed."

"Haven't you wondered why I meticulously ration everyone's food, even differentiating portions by status? Precisely because our reserves are running low."

"Plentiful? Far from it."

Zhang Yi shook his head.

"So this time I genuinely can't help you."

"It's not that I don't want to, but my hands are tied!"

Zhu Yunque's eyes widened. "You... are you serious?"

She began feeling anxious.

Because relying on Zhang Yi had been her best solution.

Where else could she possibly find food for those twenty-plus people in this endless frozen ocean?

There were still nearly two months left on the return journey.

Even calculating just half a kilogram of rations per person daily, they'd need six to seven thousand jin!

Zhang Yi said calmly, "I'm not heartless. If possible, I would've saved every last person on Rockflow Island back then!"

"But do you truly have no concept of our daily consumption rates?"

Embarrassment flooded Zhu Yunque's face.

This was her first long-distance mission—what experience could she possibly have?

"Then... what should we do? We can't just let them starve, can we?"

Zhang Yi took two steps back and waved his hands.

"You shouldn't say 'what should we do,' but 'what should I do.'"

"You brought them aboard, so the responsibility falls entirely on you. To avoid any conflict of interest, I won't be involved!"

Zhang Yi raised both hands in surrender before retreating with a smile.

The moment he turned around, that smile twisted into a smirk.

In truth, his Dimensional Space still contained massive stockpiles—enough to supply the entire shelter for two centuries.

But why should he use his own resources to clean up this foolish woman's mess?

Let her deal with the consequences of her own bleeding heart.

Zhu Zheng had made it clear this was meant to be Zhu Yunque's trial anyway.

Without Zhang Yi's intervention, chaos would inevitably erupt in the lower deck.

When that happened, the outcome promised to be quite entertaining indeed.

The thought made Zhang Yi's smirk widen.

Humming a tune, he strolled leisurely toward his quarters.

"Beyond darkness lies light, beyond light lurks shadow. Who gets to define justice or evil..."

Washing his hands of Zhu Yunque's predicament, Zhang Yi couldn't be bothered with her mess.

This left her in a genuine dilemma.

For the first time in her privileged life, the Zhu family heiress found herself troubled by something as basic as food.

But in this vast ocean, where besides Zhang Yi could she possibly obtain supplies?

Yet Zhang Yi had refused point-blank.

She'd taken people aboard without his permission first—she had no moral high ground.

Frowning deeply, Zhu Yunque returned to her room to brainstorm solutions.

There, she recounted everything to her temporary confidante Su Nuanxi.

Upon hearing this, Su Nuanxi immediately flared up. "That Zhang fellow is utterly unreasonable! He's deliberately making things difficult for you! As a Zhu family heiress, how could you possibly trouble yourself with menial matters like food and sanitation?"

"Clearly he doesn't know his place."

"You've been too lenient with him. With your uncle's connections—"

Zhu Yunque cut her off.

"Enough! I'm not the type to throw my weight around."

She couldn't bring herself to admit she had no authority over Zhang Yi.

Coming from an official's family, face still mattered.

"But without his approval, where can I possibly get enough food for those twenty-plus people in the lower deck?"

Su Nuanxi counted on her fingers. "And that's not all! Beyond food, daily necessities will run short too."

"Sanitary pads, brown sugar, medicine, toilet paper, fresh water... none of it will last."

The mounting problems gave Zhu Yunque a headache. She sighed heavily.

Suddenly, Su Nuanxi had a flash of inspiration.

"I've got it! A brilliant idea!"

Zhu Yunque immediately looked at her. "What is it?"

Grinning, Su Nuanxi revealed her plan without further ado.

"Zhang may be difficult, but surely the other crew members wouldn't dare refuse you?"

"Hmph! Those sailors eat like kings every day—so much waste when they throw leftovers overboard!"

"Why not have them conserve part of their rations? If everyone donated just one-third of their portions, it would easily feed the lower deck!"

Zhu Yunque's eyes darted thoughtfully. This did seem feasible.

Zhang Yi had always been generous with his crew.

Their rations were exceptionally lavish—not only abundant, but each portion equaled a day and a half for ordinary people.

This created a stark contrast with the middle and lower decks, where leftovers had to be discarded daily.

A gleam of triumph appeared in Zhu Yunque's eyes.

She decided to approach Old Tian tomorrow with this request.

Given her status, surely they'd comply for face's sake.

While the quantities wouldn't be enormous, it could sustain those twenty-plus people temporarily.

At least it would resolve the most pressing issue.

"Zhang Yi, just watch me handle this ship's problems."

Zhu Yunque snorted lightly, temporarily setting aside her worries.

Suddenly, a baby's wails pierced the air again.

Su Nuanxi exclaimed, "Oh no, he wet himself again!"

As the two women scrambled to change the diaper, neither noticed the infant's severely chafed bottom.

Author's Note