The news of the approaching sandstorm immediately put everyone on edge.

Whether it's the inner city, the outer city, or the middle city, all the food was cleared out starting from the day the danger signal was issued.

Many businesses are choosing to stockpile their own food supplies.

I'm not selling it! I'll keep it for myself.

This infuriated the panicked citizens.

You have grain but you won't sell it? That's impossible!

As a result, a very serious riot broke out that very day.

The zero-yuan purchase event broke out in various neighborhoods, and almost 99% of the shops were sold out.

However, these people clearly underestimated the merchants' resistance measures.

They had already sent all the food and consumables to their own storage warehouses.

As for the items in the store, they're mostly appliances and other unimportant things. Go ahead and grab whatever you want, as long as you're comfortable.

The military immediately dispatched troops to the streets to quell the chaos.

The effect was quite noticeable. The next day, the streets were a mess, but no one dared to organize any more zero-dollar purchases.

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is traditionally a time for families to gather and eat glutinous rice balls.

But unfortunately, disaster struck again on this day.

Warning signals from the military region kept echoing over the loudspeaker.

"The military meteorological department reports that the entire Northern Refuge has been hit by a sandstorm, with winds reaching level 7 in most areas and exceeding level 10 in some areas. All residents are advised to take precautions, stay at home, and minimize outdoor activities. In case of any emergency, please contact the military emergency center immediately at [phone number]..."

This sound kept echoing on the radio.

Lu Yuan looked down at the time.

3:30 a.m.

This time of day should theoretically be nighttime, but the dim sunlight outside the window clearly indicates that it is daytime outside.

Shashasha.

Whoosh!

The strong wind whipped up sand that lashed against the windows, making a rustling sound like a sander grinding glass. It also made my ears itch.

It should have been the time for the whole family to sleep, but no one could fall asleep. They were all in the living room, either sitting on the sofa, leaning against the window, or peering through the crack in the door.

No one could sleep.

Even Qi Qi, for the first time ever, suffered from insomnia, shivering in Lu Yuan's arms.

"Dad, what's going on outside?"

"It's nothing, it's just windy outside! There's just a lot of sand!"

"Oh, are we alright?"

"Of course! Of course we'll be fine! We'll always be fine!"

After saying that, Lu Yuan gently stroked Qi Qi's head.

Because of the strong winds, Zhou Tong didn't go to work today. He walked in through the windproof door, his body covered in sand as he entered the room.

"We just received news that this sandstorm will last for at least a month!"

Zhou Tong's voice was filled with helplessness.

Lu Yuan sighed, "Sigh! It's another disaster similar to the one before! A natural disaster, but it's better than an alien disaster. Everyone is alive and well! We'll be alright!"

After speaking, Lu Yuan looked at everyone, who seemed completely unaffected, as if these things posed no problem for them.

"Okay, never mind! I thought you guys would be worried! But I didn't expect... haha, it's good that you guys have this kind of attitude!"

Lu's father and Xiaoshan's father were chatting on the sofa when they heard Lu Yuan speak and answered softly.

"Disasters of this magnitude don't seem to pose any threat to us at all. We've seen plenty of sandstorms in the desert!"

Xiao Shan's father nodded in agreement: "That's right. The land outside is becoming desertified, and sandstorms happen frequently. For us, it seems that apart from a slight decrease in supplies, there's no difference!"

Lu Yuan shook his head helplessly: "Don't be too happy yet. Don't forget, the meteorological department predicts that this sandstorm will last for a month, or even longer! With such a large amount of sand and dust, I estimate that by the time we turn around, the entire area will be submerged!"

After saying that, Lu Yuan looked at the dim yellow sky outside the window again: "Luckily, our farmland was reinforced with iron sheds, otherwise our land might have been in trouble!"

Everyone waited quietly inside the house. Qiqi had fallen asleep sometime earlier, nestled in Lu Yuan's arms, sleeping soundly.

Lu Yuan shushed him, then gently carried Qi Qi back to the bedroom.

Then, as I went downstairs, the announcement came over the loudspeaker again.

"This sandstorm will block sunlight throughout the entire northern region, affecting everyone's breathing. Experts predict that if the sandstorm continues, temperatures may plummet. We urge everyone to prepare for the cold. Experts predict that nighttime temperatures will drop to minus fifty degrees Celsius in three days. We encourage everyone to actively seek ways to stay warm! Our military is procuring cold-weather supplies. Those in need can call the military logistics center to register, and we will distribute various cold-weather supplies accordingly..."

Listening to the broadcast, Lu Yuan felt that people were gradually starting to have defensive measures, unlike at the beginning of the apocalypse when they panicked immediately after the disaster.

It seems that the northern border under military control is relatively stable, and no murders or robberies have been discovered so far.

After who knows how much time had passed, everyone returned to their rooms and began to do nothing again.

After eating, I would just space out until I got sleepy, then wake up and space out again. When I got hungry, I would cook something to eat.

It seems that this is all that can be done for now.

Finally, three days later, Lu Yuan felt that the sandstorm outside had subsided a bit, so he gently pushed open a crack in the window to test it.

"Look, the sandstorm has subsided quite a bit. Let's hurry up and deal with the sand and soil in the greenhouse, otherwise it will be buried underground."

Everyone was already impatient and just wanted to go out and relax.

So, after packing their things, everyone took their tools and went out.

Outside, the sandstorm continued, but it was much less intense than before.

Standing outside, Lu Yuan could clearly feel the sand constantly hitting his body, the rustling sound making him feel itchy all over.

After descending the steps, Lu Yuan realized something was wrong.

"Our steps are half-buried in sand, about half a meter deep!"

Mr. Lu, standing nearby, glanced at the pillar and said, "To be precise, it should be seventy-three centimeters!"