Chapter 179: Expulsion? Or Interference?!

Since Xu Bo had a competition the next morning, the three of them only had one bottle of beer each before parting early to let Xu Bo get some rest.

"Why did the wind pick up so suddenly?" Chen Jianhai and Xu Bo were walking back when a strong gust blew down the street, raising a layer of dust.

"Probably going to rain," Chen Jianhai replied casually.

No sooner had he spoken than he froze. Feng Di's earlier message mentioned a heavy rainstorm on the island that night. Would his construction progress be affected? Chen Jianhai felt a pang of worry but quickly reassured himself. With the system in place, there was nothing to fear!

...

That night, the wind howled, and the storm approached. Every household on the island had already secured their boats and returned home.

Xingkong closed the windows tightly and lay in bed, with cola and chicken feet by his side, carefully selecting a movie on his phone.

"The Ghost Gate."

"The film tells the terrifying story of protagonists exploring an apartment where a murder occurred thirty years ago."

"Hey! The cover and synopsis look pretty good."

Xingkong clicked on it out of curiosity. Late at night, it was the perfect time for a horror movie. When the exorcist entered the apartment alone, the screen suddenly went black, and a strikingly handsome face appeared.

Xingkong smiled indifferently, turned up the volume, and adjusted his freshly permed hair. Based on his years of movie-watching experience, a jump scare was imminent.

"Ding-dong!"

The shrill ringtone of his phone suddenly rang.

"What news did the group send now?"

Xingkong paused the movie and opened the "Loving Family" group chat.

Cike: "Guys, isn't there no seawall on the north side of the island? If the sea level rises, won't it flood the boss's foundation?"

Fatty Lu: "No way! The north side has mountains, the terrain is high, and there has never been a case of seawater flooding it for years."

Troublemaker: "I don't think so. I carefully looked at the boss's site; it's right on the beach below the mountain. There's no barrier in front. If the seawater hits the mountain, it could easily flood the hotel."

Who Broke My Longevity Lamp: "The construction workers probably left early, unaware that the seawater might come ashore. Should we help the boss?"

"Help the boss? How?"

Xingkong looked up just as a huge thunderclap cracked the sky.

The group was silent for a moment.

Extra-Large Chili: "I remember there was a lot of soil left when we built the seawall last time. I saw several bags of soil at the flower shop entrance. We can build a temporary soil dam to block the low-lying areas of the hotel before it rains."

Flower Enjoyer: "That's my flower soil! Damn, you're always thinking about my stuff."

Horse Whisperer: "I remember the soil too. If we're going, we should hurry before it rains. It'll be harder once it starts."

Ghostly Knife: "Damn, I was planning to have a good night's sleep. Now we have to help the boss. Let's go!"

Earth Mother: "Let's go! The boss has done so much for us. I'd feel guilty not helping him."

GERORO: "Right, the boss has helped us a lot. Let's give him a hand."

Unnamed Hero: "Delivery guy, stop pretending to be dead and get your tricycle out to help!"

Han Paopao: "..."

Gradually, more and more people in the group expressed their willingness to help.

"The boss is really troublesome!"

"I haven't even seen a ghost, and now I have to work for the boss."

Xingkong cursed but quickly got out of bed, put on his shoes and raincoat, and rushed outside.

It was 9:52 PM. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and occasional lightning over the sea illuminated the layers of dark clouds in the sky. The air was filled with the smell of wet earth, and the tall trees swayed wildly in the wind, their leaves whipping against each other like lashes. Plastic bags and paper scraps were blown into the air.

"Come help!"

At the island's public warehouse, dozens of people were bent over, desperately loading soil bags onto vehicles. Grandpa in a vest stood in the wind, directing. Many men came out of their homes, joining the effort—residents of all ages from the island.

Xingkong saw the most fervent workers were those who usually cursed the loudest in the group. Big Chili and Flower Enjoyer worked seamlessly together, moving and loading soil bags onto Han Ke's delivery tricycle.

"Damn! The wind is too strong; I can't pedal!" Han Ke cursed, face red with exertion, but no matter how hard he tried, the tricycle barely moved. Walking was faster!

Another gust nearly blew Han Ke and the tricycle backward, but Fatty Lu rushed over, bracing the back of the tricycle with both hands.

"I've never seen a delivery guy use a tricycle! Get an engine or something!"

Big Chili and Flower Enjoyer ran over, and the four of them pushed the tricycle forward with all their might.

Meanwhile, others loaded soil bags onto their vehicles and rushed to the north shore. Though cursing the boss, Han Ke pedaled furiously to deliver the soil bags.

"Boom!"

A bolt of lightning cut through the dark sky, and raindrops began to fall, hitting the windows with a loud crash.

"The rain is coming, everyone hurry!"

Grandpa in a vest jumped off the soil bag pile, ignoring his old bones, and pushed a vehicle.

"Island Chief, step aside! We'll handle this!" Nine Lives Cat shouted at Grandpa in a vest.

"You go back! A young girl like you shouldn't be out here!"

Unfazed, Grandpa in a vest leaned forward, pushing the vehicle with all his might. Beneath his withered skin, his muscles tensed with strength.

"So what if I'm a girl? I'm strong!" Nine Lives Cat gritted her teeth, rain pelting her face so hard she could barely keep her eyes open.

"Don't underestimate me. I lift weights—I'm strong! Let's go!" She shouted, pushing another vehicle towards the north shore.

...

At Langai Hotel, all the guests and employees stayed indoors, nestled in their soft beds. No matter how fierce the storm outside, it didn't affect them as long as the curtains were drawn. The sense of safety in the hotel was overwhelming.

"If this weather continues tomorrow, will Bo's competition still happen?" Chen Jianhai sat on the sofa with only a small ambiance light on, drinking tea in the dim, soft light, watching the stormy sea outside through the floor-to-ceiling windows. He felt a sense of calm and power, as if he could weather any storm.

But in reality, he couldn't see anything. The windows were covered with rain, and the distant view was all mist. Except for the occasional lightning, nothing was visible. Just as Chen Jianhai was about to play some light music to enjoy the atmosphere, a familiar cold voice sounded in his mind:

"Ding!"

"Warning: System construction is under human interference."

"Please choose expulsion or interference!"