February 28th, 343, 8:00 AM.
Everyone in G City's underground city was gathered in front of their televisions.
On the screen, Tang Guo was detailing the losses suffered by the G City base due to the earthquake caused by the meteoroid impact and the wind disaster from the collapse of the windbreak walls.
"According to incomplete statistics, the earthquake and wind disaster yesterday resulted in over 20,000 deaths!"
"Now, we will observe a moment of silence for 3 minutes…"
As Tang Guo's voice faded from the television, an alarm blared throughout the underground city's broadcast system.
Everyone lowered their heads in silence for the deceased.
Although death had become commonplace since the apocalypse, and people had grown accustomed to the loss of loved ones.
These people had died such a regrettable death.
The underground city was already built and had passed the earthquake tests.
They only needed to survive those 3 minutes to move into the underground city and live a stable life.
But fate had played a cruel joke on them.
At the very moment before they could move into the underground city, their lives were taken away.
Even some severely injured individuals had entered the underground city, only to not make it.
This was truly a cause for lament.
After 3 minutes, Tang Guo continued her speech.
"...The departed can never return. We who are alive must live on, carrying their memories with us!"
"Now, to the 119,582 people within the underground city, congratulations!"
"From this day forward, no matter what disasters occur on the surface, you will not be affected."
"The catastrophe that began in July 341 and lasted for 20 months has ended for you!"
Upon hearing Tang Guo's words, many had tears welling up in their eyes, some wept silently, and a few couldn't hold back and burst into loud sobs.
These were the people who had lost friends and family during the 20 months of catastrophe.
Recalling the past 20 months of their lives felt like living in hell.
"...We will not forget the suffering of the past 20 months. But it is precisely through enduring these hardships that we cherish the hard-won stability of our future lives even more..."
In a small residential pod on the third level of the underground city, Tang Li, Xue Keyue, and Peng Yixuan were also watching the television.
This ceremony of silent remembrance and encouragement was not something Tang Li had come up with, nor was it something Tang Guo and the others had immediately considered.
Tang Li only wanted to survive the apocalypse and was not particularly concerned with managing the underground city.
Tang Guo and the others were busy with disaster relief efforts and lacked the experience in this area, so they didn't think of it right away.
This method of silent remembrance and encouragement was suggested to Tang Li by Xue Keyue.
Xue Keyue, in charge of the medical center, could best feel the somber atmosphere of the previous day. Coupled with her background, even if she hadn't experienced such things herself, she had witnessed them.
Therefore, she had specifically visited Tang Li last night to offer this suggestion.
It wasn't just about silent remembrance and encouragement.
She also proposed a flag-raising ceremony and designating February 28th as City Founding Day.
Tang Li had instructed Tang Guo to carry them out.
Now, it seemed to be working well.
In fact, normally, it would be better to designate March 1st as City Founding Day.
However, on that day, a massive tsunami would strike the coastal areas of Country Z.
G City was far from the sea and would not be affected by the tsunami.
But A City in the eastern region and Haicheng in the southern region would be hit by the tsunami.
Although preparations were made in advance, there would undoubtedly still be losses.
Designating that day as City Founding Day seemed inappropriate, so it was moved up by a day.
Seeing that the atmosphere in the underground city had eased considerably, Tang Li gave Xue Keyue a thumbs-up.
Xue Keyue said modestly, "These are just minor tactics. The grandest gesture comes from Boss Li, who directly announced that everything in the underground city today is available at a 90% discount. That's the best way to inspire people."
Upon hearing this, Tang Li merely raised an eyebrow and nodded, not being modest on behalf of "Boss Li."
Even after moving into the underground city, Tang Li still had no intention of revealing her identity as the "Omnipotent Merchant Boss Li."
The villa pod on the fourth level, both internally and externally, was presented by Tang Li as the residence of "Omnipotent Merchant Boss Li."
As for her identity as "Tang Li," she, along with Tang Guo, Peng Yixuan, Xue Keyue, Lin Xi, Peng Yue, Zhong Heng, Bai Xunyang, and others, lived in the small residential pods on the third level.
The room they were currently in was her publicly known residence.
And her identity remained simply the captain of the "United Vanguard."
However, everyone knew that she and Tang Guo had a close connection with the "Omnipotent Merchant Boss Li" behind the underground city.
Some speculated that Tang Guo was Boss Li's daughter, others his niece, some hinted at an improper relationship, and some even suggested Tang Li was the one… various theories abounded.
But both Tang Li and Tang Guo remained tight-lipped.
If they couldn't even ascertain the identity of "Omnipotent Merchant Boss Li," then the source of his influence and supplies was even more unknown to everyone.
Those who could reside in the underground city were immensely grateful to Boss Li.
Over time, no one bothered to investigate these matters further.