Chapter 316: Chapter 316

The challenge lay in adding a physical thruster. When necessary, the Bone Dragon could abruptly expand and contract to generate sufficient thrust, propelling a person several meters. This was mainly for use when trapped in a predicament. Such devices are precautions against unexpected problems, especially since I’ll be away from home for several months. I have to make comprehensive plans and consider what my family should do in case of an earthquake, as well as establish preventive measures, like ensuring everyone always has a locator and an emergency rescue device. I’ve also considered many methods, such as using jetpacks to quickly evacuate the scene, but one can’t exactly take a few rocket launchers to work or wherever. Alternatively, using hydrogen balloons to lift a person could work, but this would require dozens of kilograms of hydrogen balloons, so I discarded this idea too. However, this method is suitable for me when I’m alone, so I can prepare some for myself.

Prior to the apocalypse, traditional earthquake measures were basically useless—such as taking refuge in a bathroom during an earthquake at home because it’s less likely to collapse, and definitely not jumping out of buildings—then waiting for rescue and so on.

But after the apocalypse, one shouldn’t wait for rescue. Once a building collapses, one is essentially buried. There were no resources or personnel to perform rescues; many people were just digging through corpses for clothes.

So when an earthquake strikes, one must find a bedsheet or rope to quickly jump from the building—there’s a slight chance of survival.

If external protection is indeed inevitable, Jing Shu, just to be extra safe, had even made drawings. She planned to create some protective gadgets with Mr. Jing after a real major earthquake occurred, believing that he would definitely exert great effort then.

Beyond external protection, there was also a little trick for predicting earthquakes.

Although current technology could not predict the arrival of an earthquake, the earthquakes this year were accompanied by thunder and lightning. It’s a common misconception that earthquakes are preceded by thunder, but this is not necessarily the case.

To be precise, thunder and lightning are meteorological phenomena, while earthquakes are geological phenomena.

This year, each earthquake was heralded by a booming sound that pained the eardrums; each boom felt as if a giant hammer was striking your heart fiercely, coupled with the frightening flashes of lightning outside.

This is not actually thunder and lightning, but rather seismic luminescence and seismic noise, also known as earthquake lights and earthquake sounds.

To put it simply, if you see your surroundings suddenly become as bright as daylight, don’t hesitate; run as fast as you can. About three to four seconds later, a deafening, explosion-like sound will begin to ring out. Chapters fırst released on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝕟𝕖𝕥

The louder the sound and the more dazzling the light, the more severe the shaking of the ground indicates proximity to the epicenter. So the closer you are to an open space when you start running, the better. You need to run as if your life depends on it because, within just two minutes, a terrifying earthquake will begin. The epicenter will start fracturing, capriciously devouring the surrounding land. The area may then completely shift or become severely compressed, forming terrifyingly large fissures.

People still have time to run to open spaces, but most don’t react quickly enough and are engulfed by the earthquake.

Jing Shu decided she must teach her family this method. After experiencing a few more earthquakes, they’d gain experience and could completely judge the size and source of the earthquake based on the sound and lightning. Jing Shu’s own experience came from being shaken hundreds of times, even to the point of discerning whether an earthquake was severe enough to warrant running. It might not be entirely accurate, but it was often close to the mark. Of course, Jing Shu didn’t dare to take chances; no matter the quake, staying away from the epicenter on broad, open land was currently the safest method—oh, and not ruling out the possibility of falling into a chasm while running.

By the way, Jing Shu also specifically took out various noise-canceling earplugs, earmuffs, and protective films prepared before the apocalypse. While they couldn’t block out all outside noise, they could insulate more than half of it and effectively protect the ears. More importantly, they allowed for a good night’s sleep, as no one could sleep through thunderous noises that erupted throughout the night, sounding like explosions beside your ear.

If startled by such thunder, one could easily develop a heart condition.

In my previous life, conditions were poor; I used cloth cut from clothes to stuff my ears. However, living in constant thunderous conditions turned me practically half-deaf, to the point where I couldn’t make out conversations unless spoken loudly.

Three years after the apocalypse, the scene often went :

"What? What did you say?"

"What’s for lunch today at the cafeteria?"

"Oh, I’m not eating."

"Did you say we’re having Mushroom today?"

"Yes, I’ve already eaten."

Such nonsensical exchanges... so protecting one’s ears was very necessary.

That year, Jing Shu’s biggest gain was filling up most of Jingshu’s space with cooked food supplies, and most of these supplies had clear provenance, which made them easy to take out later on.

At the same time, Grandma Jing had bred enough silkworms to make another set of clothes, and Jingshu’s space was stocked with a stash of silk for just-in-case situations. After the big earthquake, it would no longer be suitable for breeding silkworms, but Grandma Jing and Zijin could make clothes then.

The tobacco planted by Jing Shu yielded two successful harvests, and with Mr. Jing’s help, they were made into cigars. However, despite the stock in Jingshu’s space, the supply was fairly limited and quickly sold out. At auction, they fetched the high price of 500 per cigar, almost rivaling the Blood Mushroom. Jing Shu planned to plant another batch.

The harvested cotton was processed into ginned cotton. Zijin said she wanted to weave some cloth to combine with it to make things. Unfortunately, these tasks were tough on the eyes, and since they were semi-manual, progress was very slow.

Everyday supplies don’t need extra preparation. The main concern is what I should bring to the United States, and how. The secret of my space must not be exposed. With someone like Yang Yang, who observes every tiny detail with such unnerving intensity, I can’t risk playing clever tricks by continuously pulling things out of my pockets as if performing magic. So, whatever I bring is what I’ll use. Of course, I also need to have a backup plan. Weapons, food, and life-saving items are essential.

Jing Shu gave the bulletproof vest to Zijin, who altered it into a thick Northeast-style cotton coat. It took Zijin three days to finish sewing, after which she looked at Jing Shu with a strange expression and said, "This cotton coat weighs more than twenty pounds; wearing it feels like being encased in iron. With such heavy rain outside, if it absorbs any water... Boss, I’m suddenly reminded of the story where the donkey carries a sponge across the river."

Jing Shu said, "...Enough, I know you’re great at taking digs at people. I have my uses for it."

Wearing the over-twenty-pound bulletproof cotton coat, Jing Shu felt an unparalleled sense of security. She was determined to wear it at all times—eating, sleeping, no matter what. Of course, the bulletproof helmet was also essential. Jing Shu had modified it herself into a United States-style cowboy hat. These items would become indispensable.

Jing Shu’s significant strength was a notable advantage, so she decided to make good use of it. The next day, she had Mr. Jing make steel shin guards and wrist guards, which she sewed together with her clothes and trousers to form a ’leather steel’ combo that suited her body perfectly. The weight was just right; Jing Shu didn’t feel it to be heavy at all.

Finally, for emergencies, I’ll wear the battle suit Yang Yang gave me. On normal days, I’ll wear this current outfit for double protection, prioritizing my safety above all else.