In this difficult situation, lighting has become utterly dim. Lights that once shone brightly like daylight now resemble candles in the wind, emitting only a faint, yellowish glow. Corners once clearly visible are now gradually swallowed by darkness, leaving only blurry shadows. People walking through the corridors feel as if they are in a dark maze, taking every step cautiously, fearing stumbling upon the unknown in the darkness. Equipment has also become slow and cumbersome. Once-efficient machines now resemble aged oxen, dragging their tired bodies forward with a languid, labored clatter. Equipment on the production line sluggishly moves, parts no longer moving smoothly, emitting a dull, labored sound. Computer processing speeds have plummeted, and the wait for data to be processed has become incredibly long, leaving people anxious and frustrated. Every aspect of life has been severely restricted. For daily living, the water flow for washing has become thin and intermittent, making showering a luxury, with only a simple wipe to maintain basic cleanliness. For sleeping, the room temperature cannot be adjusted to a comfortable level; it's either freezing cold or unbearably hot. Regarding food, kitchen stoves are weak, significantly increasing cooking times and significantly reducing the taste and quality of meals. Refrigerators provide poor cooling, causing food to spoil quickly, and the variety of ingredients available is shrinking. Entertainment has all but disappeared. Television screens are dim and blurry, and the sound from stereos is hoarse and distorted. Reading is limited to the few dim lights, which strains the eyes. Social activities are also restricted. People no longer have the energy or mood to gather and chat, and more often spend their time alone in dim corners, lost in thought. This life is filled with frustration and oppression, but for survival, everyone endures it silently, struggling to move forward amidst these restrictions.

"Even cooking is a problem. How can we live like this?" These words, filled with frustration and indignation, resonated throughout the crowd, with complaints rising one after another. "That's right! The stove fire is so low. It takes ages to cook rice. How long will it take to eat a hot meal?" A haggard-looking woman, her brow furrowed, hands on her hips, complained loudly. "I used to be able to easily prepare a sumptuous meal, but now even a simple stir-fry is a struggle. The oil won't heat up, and the food doesn't react even after being put in!" An elderly man waved his spatula and stamped his foot in anger. "My children are growing up and need nutrition, but this broken stove makes it impossible to cook properly. They're hungry every day!" A young mother's eyes welled up, her voice tinged with tears. "Not only does it take longer to cook, but the food isn't tasty. Isn't this torture?" An elderly man's beard trembled with anger. "If this keeps going on, are we going to have to live on dry food every day? What kind of life is this?" a young man angrily threw the pot lid to the ground. A variety of complaints intertwined, filling the room, and everyone's face was filled with anxiety and confusion about their future.

Under the shadow of energy scarcity, people are struggling to adapt to this extreme situation. Initially, accustomed to convenience and abundance, people faced this sudden change with resistance and disorientation. Appliances they once could easily turn on are now a distant luxury; nights once brightly lit are now swallowed up early by darkness. But reality is unforgiving, forcing them to bask in their former comforts. Every morning, bright lights no longer wake them; they struggle to open their eyes with the dim natural light from the window. The icy cold water makes their hands tremble as they wash, and the scarce supply of hot water makes even washing a challenge. Public transportation has been significantly reduced, forcing people to walk longer distances to work or to the office, their steps heavy and tiring. At work, equipment is slow and inefficient, requiring them to devote many times more time and energy to complete tasks. Returning home, preparing dinner, they gaze at the dimly lit stove and the scarce ingredients, feeling a wave of frustration. Deprived of electronic entertainment, children could only seek entertainment in dim corners, relying on their imaginations. Elderly people huddled under thin blankets, shivering from the cold. However, time is a relentless force. Gradually, people began to adjust their pace of life. They learned to precisely calculate the usage time of electrical appliances, maximizing the savings of every kilowatt-hour. They learned to utilize natural light to accomplish more activities, cherishing those brief moments of brightness. When cooking, they skillfully combined limited ingredients to create satisfying meals.