Chapter 16
Chao Youqian leaned against the car window and went to a charity organization to donate food. This might be a kind of compensation mentality since he was unable to tell or convince others that the end of the world was approaching.
Fearing a 7.0 magnitude eruption could cause weather changes, some families with elderly or sensitive individuals stocked up on rice and flour. History shows that the consequences of such an eruption don't become apparent until the following year, and those who stockpile food can only store enough for a month at most, as they still need to maintain access to water and electricity.
Most people continue to lead normal lives, continuing their 996 schedules in smaller urban areas. Government policies are being implemented gradually, primarily to ensure next year's harvest season. Rural residents are preparing for the upcoming harvest season, planning to save extra grain for home this year.
As the virus spread silently at the same time, the attention of all mankind was focused on the 7.0 volcanic eruption. The general mood was still to believe in technology and remain optimistic. Being unprepared would lead to serious consequences, but the atmosphere in society had become somewhat anxious.
A drizzle was falling, and the car windows were covered with tiny water droplets. The anti-fog treated windows were not blocked, and I used the wipers to wipe away the water droplets on the front windshield.
The bad weather and the knowledge of the severity of the virus's spread put an end to the idea of eating out. The groceries they'd ordered from the supermarket arrived half an hour ago and were arranged on the shelf by the door for photos. Items that needed to be refrigerated had special insulated bags, so they weren't in a rush to get home.
I saw many people on the road who thought it was a light rain and didn't use umbrellas. As time went on, the rain got heavier and heavier, and those without umbrellas were soaked. I drove directly into the underground garage of the residential complex and didn't get wet at all.
The four-space private garage was sparsely populated. Besides the charging station and the modified new energy vehicle, there were boxes of disinfectant alcohol and car cleaning cloths. As soon as Chao Youqian got out of the car, he sprayed the entire surface of the car with medical alcohol using a large spray bottle. Lang Xin then wiped it clean with an oversized car cleaning cloth. The car had a dedicated air purifier, so disinfection was unnecessary.
Every time I go out, I still stock up like a squirrel, even if I have a lot of food in stock, I will buy some things. There is a convenience store next to the charity organization, so I stopped in and bought all kinds of snacks, drinks, tissues, etc., and the trunk was filled with them.
The building's central temperature control system and excellent sound insulation blocked out the sound of rain and a slight chill from the outside world. I put the goods I bought from the convenience store into the cart I had used many times, swiped my card and went directly to the 26th floor.
A prompt message from the H City Emergency Management Department and the Meteorological Department popped up on the mobile phone, saying that a strong cold air mass is affecting the area and the temperature is expected to continue to drop with moderate to heavy rain. The average daily temperature will drop to 15 to 20 degrees. Citizens are requested to keep warm and use electricity safely, and pay attention to traffic safety when traveling.
The doorway shelf was filled with pre-ordered fruits and vegetables, and they'd also ordered some semi-finished products. Chao Youqian's cooking skills had always been at the beginner level, making instant noodles. After living here for a while, Lang Xin's cooking skills had improved significantly, but neither of them was the type to enjoy cooking.
This time, I bought a lot of pre-cooked vegetables that can be directly put into the pan to match the automatic cooking machine at home. The small cabinet next to the door is also full of alcohol spray and wet wipes. I spray everything with alcohol spray and wipe it with wet wipes, and then put it into the corresponding storage area according to type.
The news of the cooling temperature quickly became reality. The chilly wind that filtered through the cracks in the corridor windows was bone-chilling. Chao Youqian shuddered and was hurried inside by Lang Xin. The central air conditioning in his home was set to 26 degrees Celsius to keep him warm.
After taking a hot shower and changing into clean clothes, they stocked up on laundry beads and various cleaning supplies in the laundry room cabinets. Whether the weather was good or bad, they would use the dryer to dry their clothes, so the rainy weather would not affect them.
In early July, the average temperature was only in the teens. It was as if the effects of a magnitude 7 volcanic eruption had been brought forward. Every household had more or less stocked up on extra food, and no one wanted to go out every day on cold, rainy days.
After the rain subsided a bit in the afternoon, another large order arrived. Since no one wanted to go out in the rain, couriers all over the city were busy. The courier, carrying two large packages, placed them on the shelf, and water dripped down the edge of his rubber raincoat, pouring down his neck like an icy stream.
Chao Youqian, who saw this scene through the smart doorbell, apologized and gave him a few hundred yuan as a tip, noting it was for his hard work. The courier suddenly looked tired and smiled at the camera to express his gratitude.
I disinfected as usual, but this time I had some experience, so I washed all the vegetables that went into the refrigerator in a fruit and vegetable washing machine, then dried them with kitchen paper and vacuum-packed them for storage.
The three large refrigerators and freezers in the house are all packed to the point of bursting, and this is after they have removed all unnecessary outer packaging and put them into special storage boxes.
Chao Youqian and Lang Xin had become complete shut-ins. The stainless steel doors on both floors, including the fire exit and the elevator, were securely locked, impossible to open except with a high-powered electric saw. The entrance door was made of a higher-grade material, too high to be cut with a heat gun; it required specialized, large tools.
Even without the sun, the batteries in an entire room of their home were fully charged, enough to last for over a month. Furthermore, the water and electricity supply was normal now, and after donating some money recently, they still had tens of millions left, enough to cover the utility bills for hundreds of years.
The rain continued to fall, and the temperature continued to drop. The weather forecast for July predicted a record low for this year. People working outdoors donned thicker clothes again. The cold and damp chill here was overwhelming, like a magical attack from the south.
H City's tourism credentials are its favorable climate, its reputation as a green city, and its reputation as a cultural capital. While it boasts four distinct seasons, the temperature remains generally pleasant. Winter temperatures dip below zero degrees Celsius, with no central heating and few homes equipped with floor heating. Summer highs reach over 30 degrees Celsius, making it a moderately hot city for a mid-sized city.
During the tourist season, when there should be the most tourists, the sudden drop in temperature and continuous rain have led to a sharp drop in the number of tourists. City news has reported on the consequences of this bad weather.
There are fewer people living in Chao Youqian's community. Those who can afford to buy a 500-square-meter house worth tens of millions and renovate it are not short of money. They come here for a short stay just for vacation. Now that the weather is bad, they can fly directly to a sunny place further south for a trip.
There are still two days until the so-called apocalyptic eruption. Apart from the bad weather, nothing major seems to be happening. The volcano in the distance that was predicted to erupt for another week has suddenly been downgraded and extinguished.
Leaning on a lounge chair on the balcony on the 26th floor, making a cup of hot tea and eating cake, the thick double-layer glass that encloses the balcony has an anti-peep film that allows you to see outside from the inside. The raindrops falling from the gray sky have a strange color.
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