October 6th, sunny, outdoor temperature 40 degrees Celsius.

The previously unimaginable high temperatures have now become the lowest temperatures in recent days.

Many people went out that day, hoping that the drop in temperature meant the weather was about to return to normal. Even those who weren't so optimistic took the opportunity to go out shopping.

After being locked up for so many days, even the landlords' grain reserves are gone!

With temperatures remaining high and rainfall drastically reduced, those who used to constantly predict the end of the world online have stopped making such pronouncements.

Shouting "the end of the world" in a safe environment is a form of mockery and catharsis.

When the apocalypse becomes a reality, the fear of death takes over, and people begin to willingly deceive themselves.

Despite the government's efforts to control public opinion, block information, and implement various measures to stabilize public sentiment, in an era dominated by social media, it's impossible to shut down all the accounts.

Various rumors are spreading like wildfire—

Several thousand people died from the heat in a certain city.

A power outage in a certain city forced residents to gather at subway stations like homeless people.

Southern coastal cities organized citizens to migrate north en masse.

...

Those who are highly vigilant have already begun frantically stockpiling goods, while those who are a step behind can only rely on luck to find bargains.

Foods that don't spoil easily, such as canned goods, instant noodles, and dehydrated vegetables, have long been sold out, and the shelves are always empty. Often, as soon as a new batch is produced, it's snapped up by insiders with distribution channels before any restocking can be made.

People who can't buy emergency food are in a state of panic and start sweeping the surrounding shelves for psychological comfort.

Sales of daily necessities such as pots, pans, and cleaning products also skyrocketed. Towards the end, people were grabbing almost anything that was available in the supermarket.

Some young people ridicule those who queue up at supermarket entrances every day, thinking they are foolish and outdated for not choosing the more advanced and convenient online shopping with home delivery.

After waiting and waiting, when logistics stopped, goods became scarce, and the payment was refunded, they were dumbfounded.

They have no recourse other than complaining to major e-commerce platforms online.

Young people don't have the habit of hoarding like older people, especially those who are used to ordering takeout. Their refrigerators and shelves are usually empty, and they can only live on relief food in a sorry state.

There are many people like this in Xia Ning's residential area.

Not to mention distant examples, the Jiang Yuan and Wang Wei families next door never had the habit of hoarding goods.

If it weren't for their good luck in managing to buy some necessities, and the fact that they weren't arrogant and followed Zhang Changheng and Xia Ning after the power outage, always collecting supplies together, their lives wouldn't have been too difficult.

Some young people just can't do it.

I completely ignored the repeated warnings about high temperatures broadcast on the radio.

He found queuing boring and insisted on playing with his phone, but people around him advised him to put it away.

Even though there were tents set up in the queuing area and some heatstroke prevention measures were taken, the temperature was still no joke.

The young man not only ignored the instructions but also complained that the people in front of and behind him were meddling in his business, so he put on his headphones and started playing games in silence.

So, as soon as Xia Ning went downstairs that day, she heard the sound of an ambulance approaching from afar.

Xia Ning randomly asked a bystander for details; apparently, the young man's phone and earphones exploded together.

Xia Ning listened with admiration: "Doesn't he feel the phone case getting too hot to handle?"

The onlookers shrugged: "It's just rebellion. There are always those who think they're the only ones who are sober when everyone else is drunk."

Xia Ning gave a thumbs up: "Seeing through everything perfectly."

She took a closer look.

Wow!

Good heavens!

The vehicle that was taking people away wasn't an ambulance, but an electric tricycle playing ambulance sound effects!

Xia Ning knew the tricycle well; it was her good companion when she first arrived.

The two paramedics responsible for carrying the injured explained, unfazed by the shocked looks on the faces of those around them, "Ambulances are severely overloaded. They are not usually dispatched unless it is a life-threatening emergency."

Someone pointed at the young man on the stretcher, his face covered in blood, and asked, "He's in this state, isn't it urgent?"

The paramedics took a look and said, "It shouldn't be a brain injury, but the eardrum is damaged."

The implication is that at worst, he might lose his hearing; if he doesn't die, that's a minor issue.

The crowd smacked their lips, infected by the paramedics' calm demeanor, and suddenly realized that while it looked scary, it wasn't really that bad.

The paramedics skillfully placed the stretcher onto the tricycle and said to the onlookers, "There's a first aid knowledge lecture in your neighborhood tomorrow, remember to attend. If you don't need to go to the hospital, don't go; if you don't need to call an ambulance, don't call one."

"Okay, okay!"

The crowd made their assurances as they watched the ambulance tricycle drive away.

In the past, we only heard the sound of ambulances but never saw them. Now we see them every day and they're all familiar vehicles. So when a different one suddenly comes along, it feels quite novel.

*

The farce ended at just past 7 a.m.

Under the high temperature, the hours of sunshine seemed to lengthen, and the heat waves on the ground distorted space.

Xia Ning takes a walk outside every morning and evening, partly to adjust to the temperature and partly to exchange information with the surrounding residents.

My younger sister, on the other hand, always stayed at home.

The surrounding veterinary clinics are all closed now, so if a dog gets heatstroke or becomes ill, it will be difficult to get timely and effective treatment.

Moreover, with food rationing these days, people aren't even eating well, so letting out a shiny, sleek dog would be too conspicuous.

Today too.

Xia Ning wore a specially made cooling vest, carried her small backpack for sun protection, put on a sun hat, and carried an empty bucket to get water.

Before going out, Xia Ning sprayed sunscreen spray all over her exposed skin.

This is a sunscreen spray specially selected by Xia Ning for island use. It has a very high SPF, but it has an alcohol smell when sprayed on.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!