No! They actually knew, after all, since ancient times, hunters spared the mother beasts during hunting, and fishermen wouldn’t go out to sea during the fish spawning season.

Although they didn’t understand the various rules and regulations that appeared in written form, they did know from the experience handed down from their ancestors that random deforestation had negative effects.

But when they went through the mini ice age, they weren’t even sure they could survive, who would care about what impact their actions at that time would have in the future.

After all, most people, under normal circumstances, would subconsciously choose the option that was to their advantage.

The same goes for now, even though some have spoken out about the harmful effects of indiscriminate emissions, most people are aware that what is being said is correct, but their final choice is still to do the opposite.

It’s like in the past China, they knew that some things, although very beneficial at the time, would definitely be harmful to them in the long run.

But what could they do about it when most of the people in their homes were close to starving to death? Forget about eating well, the idea at that time was to get to eat as soon as possible.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have sold their country’s prized possessions to others, although they sold it for what they believed to be a high price. But unlike other things, that thing, known as the nation’s prized possession, meant that just by having it, even if never used, could directly deter their enemies.

The situation now, although different from back then, presents them with a problem that is not much different.

They have been able to deal with household waste perfectly and harmlessly, and the energy and resources that need to be spent on it are not too high.

If this technology had been invented before the natural disasters, there’s no doubt it would have been a revolutionary invention.

But now, faced with the gradually diminishing supplies in the base, most people know that direct discharge into the sea will cause various problems.

However, there’s no helping it, none of those present would use up the now scarce materials for the sake of future generations.

So the outcome of this matter was obvious, and with the Officials’ deliberate guidance, no one paid attention to it in the end.

Just as Zachary was still getting to know the functions of those apps on the tablet, he suddenly twisted his body involuntarily and subconsciously delivered an elbow strike while stepping back in a bow stance.

Just as his elbow was about to strike the person who had attacked him, Zachary came to his senses and discovered that the person behind him was a bewildered Madeline.

Seeing Madeline still with her hand extended, looking like she wanted to play a prank by tapping someone from behind, Zachary was momentarily speechless.

Realizing it was his friend, Zachary instinctively lessened the force, but even then, if it had been an ordinary person, at the very least a few ribs would have been broken. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

But Madeline was a Martial Artist, albeit one who had relied on potions to improve, but no matter what, her Cultivation Level had risen, and Zachary’s strike at most would leave some bruises on the affected area and not cause too much harm.

Madeline, struck by the elbow, immediately took several steps back and then rubbed the place where she had been hit with a pained expression, instinctively pulling open her collar to take a look, and upon seeing a purplish bruise,

complained to Zachary somewhat discontentedly, "Was just trying to play a joke on you, did you really need to hit so hard? Look at the bruise you gave me."

Hearing Madeline’s complaint, Zachary retorted irritably, "Where? Let’s see, take it off and show me where I hurt you, maybe I should rub it for you."

Upon hearing Zachary’s skepticism, Madeline instinctively wanted to lift up her clothes to show Zachary the injured area.

But just as she caught the hem of her shirt, she suddenly realized that if she were going to show Zachary her wound, she would need to take off her top.

Actually, if they were at the Hospital or in a medical room, him taking off his clothes to check a wound would be perfectly normal, but right now, they were in the bustling Inner Harbor.

Even though Zachary had found a relatively secluded spot to check the App on his tablet to avoid being disturbed,

this was still the Inner Harbor, with no completely deserted areas. Others might not notice their normal conversation here, unless they were caught on camera.

But if Madeline really got fooled by Zachary into taking off her top and becoming half-naked, it wouldn’t take five minutes before they’d be surrounded by a crowd, subsequently becoming the center of attention, and finally turning into the subject of various rumors.

Without even thinking, in those rumors, Zachary at most would be a dispensable side character, but a shirtless Madeline would unquestionably be the undisputed protagonist.

Thinking of those messages that wouldn’t take a day to spread to every corner of the base, Madeline shivered suddenly. Although she wanted to be famous, she definitely didn’t want to be known for this reason.

Having realized this, Madeline immediately let go of the hem of her shirt she was gripping and, appearing to exert some force, punched Zachary on the shoulder, saying, "Long time no see, and the first thing you do is try to set me up."

This time, Zachary didn’t dodge Madeline’s punch. Madeline was just putting on a show, and even though she used some force, it was much lighter than Zachary’s earlier hit on her.

After all, Zachary’s earlier move was a subconscious counterattack, whereas now, her attack was just friendly banter between friends.

"Haven’t seen you around the base for a long time. Uncle and Aunt said you took them here and then left. Planning to stay for a few days this time?"

"Work is never done, but although I haven’t finished it all, I can’t just keep going at it relentlessly without a break. I’ve got to sneak in some relaxation amidst the busyness."

Hearing Zachary say this, Madeline immediately gave a thumbs up and said admiringly, "Being able to describe slacking off on the job with such a straight face, I really gotta hand it to you."

"Never mind my choice of words, just tell me if I’m right or wrong. And don’t tell me you’ve never slacked off at work?"

At Zachary’s retort, Madeline revealed the proud expression that only the dandies in movies possess, and said arrogantly, "Sorry, but I’ve never worked for anyone. I’ve always been the boss."

Hearing this, Zachary shot back, "Then please, Miss Taylor, how are you doing now?"

Zachary thought this question would be a blow to Madeline, considering he had brought the Taylor family here and when they arrived, although not completely destitute, they had brought rather little with them.

But Zachary could never have expected that upon hearing the question, Madeline would respond with a bitter face, saying, "Oh, you have no idea how miserable I am now.

When I first got here, to get a place of my own, I not only emptied my savings for a down payment, I also took on a huge mortgage. I don’t even know if I’ll live long enough to pay it off."

Hearing Madeline play the sympathy card, Zachary suddenly wanted to give her something to help out, not enough to pay off the mortgage directly, but at least to alleviate some pressure.

As Zachary was considering what to give her, he habitually asked offhandedly, "Where’s your new house?"

Hearing the question, Madeline responded again with a face full of bitterness, "Since our families are close, and there happened to be a vacant house next to yours, I just went ahead and paid the down payment."

"This way our families can continue to be neighbors, which makes it convenient to see each other if there’s anything we need to discuss."

Learning that Madeline had bought the house next to his own, Zachary was so annoyed he wanted to punch her again.