March 17th marked the seventh day of the world's unusually high temperatures.
This was also the first day that the Washington state government advised its residents to collectively seek refuge in air-raid shelters.
At five o'clock in the morning, Gou Fugui and Xie Tianlang had finished washing up, put on loose white long-sleeved shirts and trousers, and were sitting in the living room eating breakfast.
Breakfast was Xie Tianlang's special hot and sour cold noodles. The sauce was sweet and sour with a hint of spiciness and saltiness, the noodles were specially chilled in ice water, and it was served with crisp and sweet werewolf-brand pickled radishes. The rich young master ate two big bowls and his stomach was so full that he really believed that this werewolf who didn't look like a cook at all could cook.
“Very good, from now on you will be in charge of cooking at home. You will be the stay-at-home husband, and I will earn money to support the family.”
Xie Tianlang smiled as he watched his rich and round son eat with great satisfaction. He raised his eyebrows and leaned closer, saying, "Young Master, I'm very good at washing clothes, cooking, and warming the bed. I'm equally at home in the living room and the kitchen. Why don't you consider promoting my farmhand?"
For example, a young mistress or something.
He's willing to be the milkman for love!
Then the farmhand received a critical look from the young master that said, "You're dreaming."
Xie Changgong sighed dramatically.
While Xie Tianlang was clearing away the dishes, Gou Fugui picked up his phone and quickly glanced at the chat group that had been buzzing with messages since the beginning.
Although it's only 5 a.m., most of the residents of Jinyu Community, and indeed most people in Changshi, have already woken up and started doing their work. After all, from nearly 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the weather is unbearably hot. People can't change the weather, so they can only adjust their routines according to the temperature.
Are all the people in Building 2 who are going to the air-raid shelter ready? We can go downstairs now! The temperature outside is 28 degrees Celsius, and there's no sun, so now is the most comfortable time to walk. It will be very hot when the sun comes out any later!
Furthermore, although our Jinyu residential area is close to the air-raid shelter and we don't need to act at dawn, it's still better to get to the shelter as early as possible!
Alright, alright, we started preparing at 3 AM, and everything is packed. We're ready to go anytime.
【We're all ready now. Everyone can come downstairs and meet at the main entrance! Those who decide to drive, please get your cars ready in advance. For those who plan to walk, the property management will send a small truck to help us deliver our items.】
However, I personally suggest walking if you don't have much stuff. It only takes about 20 minutes on foot. Driving there would likely mean you won't be able to get back. It's up to you to decide!
【Oh, we have a lot of stuff at home and haven't finished tidying up yet. Please wait five more minutes! Just five minutes! We have elderly people and children at home, so please be understanding.】
The way you're saying that makes it sound like we don't have elderly people or children in our family. We all agreed to go together, so let's stick to the rules and time. If you wait five minutes, I'll wait five minutes, then we might as well just wait until sunrise before we leave.
Just as an argument was about to break out, the property management company intervened.
Top-notch Property Management: [Don't worry, everyone. The air-raid shelter in the central square is very close to our Jinyu residential area. If you've forgotten anything, just come back to get it when it's cooler in the evening or early morning. Also, if our property management staff has time, we'll help residents with other tasks.]
[Yes, it only takes fifteen minutes to run from the central square to our community. The house is here, we can't move, so everyone shouldn't be so anxious.]
Aunt Song from Building 1: [That's true, but whether it's tense or not depends on the situation. Although we live close by, the city has several million people in total. Even just the permanent residents in the central area number in the hundreds of thousands. How many underground air-raid shelters can the city possibly have? There's no way they can hold that many people.]
If you don't go early to secure a spot while it's close by, are you going to wait until there's nowhere to stay and have to beg for accommodation later?
[Aunt Song is right! Everyone should hurry up and get moving. There are already quite a few people in our neighborhood and surrounding areas alone, so the sooner the better!]
It's okay if you haven't prepared everything; just go to that spot and reserve a place! You can go home to get your things later!
As if realizing that not everyone could enter the air-raid shelter, the people in the residents' group stopped talking nonsense and agreed to meet at the entrance of the community.
Just then, Gou Fugui's phone beeped with a private chat notification. He left the main group chat and saw a series of messages from Song Sanchuan.
Song Sanchuan: [Young Master Fugui, are you and the eldest brother awake? Can you sleep? I can't. The air conditioning on the train is off for safety and energy conservation... Ugh, the whole train carriage is like a giant steamer! And can you imagine? The air blowing in from the windows is warm! And it's only 5 a.m.]
Song Sanchuan: [My clothes have gone from wet to dry several times already.]
Song Sanchuan: [Thirsty, hungry, and hot. (Crying uncontrollably.jpg)]
Song Sanchuan: [But we've already arrived in Ping City. We'll meet up in two more stops!! Thankfully, the train didn't have any problems or delays on the way. We should arrive at the station on time around 7:40, and I can wait for you at the exit before 8:00!]
Song Sanchuan: [So, you rich tycoon! Young master! You absolutely must bring plenty of food and water when you come to pick up your hired hand, Song Changgong! He's incredibly skilled and will greatly improve your quality of life!]
Gou Fugui couldn't help but laugh when he saw Song Sanchuan's last message. He raised his eyebrows and replied: 【Wait for me! (High-class and aloof.jpg)】
One sentence successfully soothed Song Changgong's hungry and hot heart.
At this moment, Xie Tianlang came out with a backpack. His backpack contained four bottles of water, two packs of instant noodles, and some useful tools. Although Gou Fugui had a large bag with all their belongings, no one could guarantee that they would always be together, so it was always better to be prepared.
"Are all the residents of the community getting ready to gather?"
Gou Fugui nodded: "Let's go to the underground air-raid shelter together first, and then we can go to the train station. Anyway, it's only a 40-minute walk from the central square to the train station. In the morning, we can ride an electric bike. I have an electric bike in my pocket, and it will only take 20 minutes to get to the train station."
"Song Sanchuan just sent me a message. His train has passed Ping City. He should arrive at Chang City Railway Station at 7:40 sharp."
Xie Tianlang nodded. "Then let's meet at the entrance of the community." After he finished speaking, he walked to the door, picked up the folding umbrella that he had spent an hour modifying and covered with a thick layer of blackout burlap, and handed it to the wealthy beauty.
"Although it's much heavier than those folding parasols, the burlap is more heat-insulating and safer. Under the same conditions, it won't overheat or even spontaneously combust when exposed to high temperatures. You can put one in your pocket, and I'll carry one with me too, just in case."
Gou Fugui had no idea when this man had made these two umbrellas. Last night, he was wondering why this man had suddenly asked him for thick, coarse linen. Now, he was once again experiencing this man's meticulousness and keenness, which were completely at odds with his appearance.
Tsk, just like no matter whether he becomes a sea otter or a honey badger, this guy can still show a suspicious look.
"It would be a shame if you weren't a Casanova with a mind like that."
Xie Tianlang immediately smiled: "Then does Young Master think I can be promoted to Young Mistress?"
The wealthy young master rolled his eyes at the ambitious farmhand, opened the door, and walked out.
When the two of them arrived at the entrance of the Goldfish Residential Area, a large crowd had already gathered there. Some of the quicker ones had already driven away, while the remaining one or two hundred people, who had decided to walk, were in family units, carrying large and small bags in their hands and on their backs.
Xie Tianlang, carrying only a bag, and the wealthy young master, who carried no bag and was dressed in very loose and cool clothes, walked into the crowd and immediately stood out.
"Hey, Fugui, you two young people, why didn't you bring anything? Do you expect the shelter to provide you with hotel-like services? At the very least, you should bring a change of clothes and toiletries. Don't think you can buy things just because you have money. Even if you have money, you can't necessarily buy things these days!"
The one who spoke was the elderly woman from the Song family, who rented one of Gou Fugui's thirty houses. She was also the one who said seven days ago that she would urge her son to pay the rent, but has not done so yet.
This woman in her sixties was carrying a large backpack and had another item hanging around her neck, yet she had more energy than many young people.
Moreover, the old woman's gaze towards Gou Fugui now carried a strange hint of smugness, as if the long-exploited farmhand had finally gotten his revenge. She patted the large bag slung across her chest:
"This is a bag of dried meat and vegetables that I made myself! In this day and age, I wouldn't trade it for a million dollars!"
The rich young master twitched his lips, then silently rolled his eyes at the sky.
It's like he'd spend a million on dried vegetables and meat. If that old lady knew how much food, drink, and supplies were in his big bag, she'd probably be green with envy.
He is a good young man who respects and cares for the elderly, and does not participate in pointless comparisons.
At this time, the property management and the eighteen security guards in the community were ready. The property manager asked the residents in the community to divide into six teams according to their building numbers and start to lead the teams out in order.
Gou Fugui, being from Villa C, was in the first group at the very front. This group had the most security guards but the fewest homeowners.
He encountered Lu Xuesi in the group, but he couldn't see Lu Xuesi's wife and children. There was only a healthy old man by his side.
Seeing Gou Fugui's puzzled look, Lu Xuesi spoke up directly: "We still don't know what the underground air-raid shelter looks like. The baby is still too young. If there are too many people in the shelter and the air is not circulating, she and the child's mother may be more likely to get sick."
"So my father and I went to the shelter first to check it out, and then we picked up the mother and daughter after it was deemed safe."
"Moreover, and most importantly, the temperature at home is still okay, and I have enough oil stored up... I still want to thank you all."
Gou Fugui shook his head at Lu Xuesi's repeated thanks: "Brother Lu, you're too kind. You're so thoughtful. We were planning to go take a look first, since we live on the ground floor and are surrounded by a garden with trees. It's relatively cool there, so there's no need to rush."
Lu Xuesi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
He was a little uneasy when he made the decision, but he felt much more at ease when he learned that his two neighbors didn't intend to leave completely either.
This is probably because the two brothers look reliable.
The group left the residential compound in a large procession, placing their heavier luggage on the moving trucks provided by the property management. It was already 5:30 in the morning, and the golden sun was beginning to peek over the horizon.
It was just a sliver of light, but the instant it touched the earth, the temperature of the entire world seemed to rise several degrees.
Gou Fugui subconsciously raised his wrist to check the temperature, confirming that it wasn't his imagination; it was just that the temperature in the world had risen by 2 degrees the moment the sun appeared.
It is 5:30 a.m., the temperature is 32 degrees Celsius, and there is no wind or rain.
The group moved at a moderate pace, and the dozen or so security guards leading the group were all excellent veterans, so they naturally knew what speed was best to lead everyone to the shelter.
With them leading the way, Gou Fugui and Xie Tianlang didn't need to worry. Young Master Fugui subconsciously turned his head to look around, only to realize that he hadn't left the house for just a week, and the outside world seemed to have changed completely—
The pedestrian street, which I had imagined to be bustling, was deserted, and all the shops were closed.
Even breakfast shops that should have opened at 5:30 were not open at all, and many of the shops' once bright and shiny signs looked much paler and more dilapidated than before.
That must be the result of excessive exposure to sunlight accelerating decay and discoloration.
There were even charred burn marks around one of the shops. Gou Fugui thought of the news he had seen in the owners' group about a fire caused by a curtain spontaneously combusting, and he felt inexplicably anxious and depressed, and his whole body felt hot.
However, they were already walking quickly in temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius, so it would be strange if they weren't hot.
After walking for fifteen minutes, when many people in the group were sweating profusely, the community security guard leading the group told everyone to rest for five minutes in the shade of the shopping mall building and replenish their fluids.
"Hang in there, everyone, it'll be another fifteen minutes! We'll be able to rest soon."
Gou Fugui took out two bottles of ice water from his spatial storage while pretending to take something out of Xie Tianlang's backpack.
After handing it to Xie Tianlang, he glanced around unintentionally and noticed a clear difference between the sunlit road and the road with shade.
The asphalt road surface exposed to direct sunlight begins to darken in color, and appears even softer compared to roads shaded by shadows.
It wasn't anything special, but Gou Fugui noticed it subconsciously and couldn't help but compare it.
After a five-minute break to replenish fluids, Gou Fugui continued walking with the group. They walked along a path shaded by tall buildings and finally reached the widest road in front of the central square. The moment his foot touched the ground, Gou Fugui stopped.
He looked down at his feet, and a teenager in the line next to him exclaimed, saying what he had been thinking: "Mom, look! The road's gotten softer? And it's even a bit sticky underfoot, what's going on?"
It wasn't just this one teenager who noticed this; the obvious change was felt by everyone walking on the road.
At this moment, the experienced veteran security guard spoke up with a slight smile: "Because most of our roads are made of asphalt mixed with concrete and small stones."
"Asphalt will gradually melt when it encounters high temperatures, just like ice melts when it encounters high temperatures. The melting point of asphalt is around 80 degrees Celsius. Although our current temperature is not 80 degrees Celsius, the hot weather will still soften the asphalt. Fortunately, it is not noon now. At most, the road underfoot will feel a little soft and sticky, but it won't stick to your shoes and make it impossible to walk."
The children in the neighborhood exclaimed in amazement upon hearing the security guard's explanation, and some adults also looked enlightened.
"If the ground temperature exceeds 80 degrees Celsius by noon, reaching the ignition point of the asphalt, will the road catch fire?!" The young boy couldn't help but ask again, and the rich young master strained his ears to listen.
The experienced security guard smiled and shook his head: "Even if the midday sun raises the ground temperature above 80 degrees Celsius, reaching the ignition point of asphalt, it won't burn. This is because the road surface is mixed with other flame-retardant materials such as lime, cement, and gravel."
At that time, the asphalt surface becomes very soft and sticky, and you might accidentally lose your shoes. So, children, please remember not to run around outside at midday. Now, after 10 a.m., there's a risk of heatstroke and sunburn everywhere during the day.
The children nodded repeatedly, and some of the more timid ones quickened their pace and crossed the road to the central square paved with stone slabs on the other side.
Reaching the central square meant they were almost at the underground air-raid shelter. As Gou Fugui left the asphalt road, he lifted his foot and looked down at the sole of his shoe.
Xie Tianlang gave him a questioning look, and Gou Fugui pursed his lips: "I should have bought a few pairs of wooden clogs online before. Luckily, I brought a lot of shoes with me."
I always felt that the road surface was hot and sticky under my feet.
Xie Tianlang laughed: "I'll make you a pair of wooden clogs later. I'll have them custom-made to your feet."
The wealthy young master looked at his family's farmhand and said, "You seem to know a thing or two about everything?"
The all-knowing Xie Changgong nodded: "When you're out there trying to make a living, you need to have some skills to rely on."
He also had the outstanding achievement of disguising himself as a wood carving master and infiltrating a group of antique dealers to take them all down. At that time, his skills were so good and his eyesight was so sharp that he almost got voted to be the big boss of the group.
The wealthy young master was speechless.
At this moment, they finally arrived at the underground air-raid shelter in the central square, which was actually the entrance to the underground shopping mall.
It's already 6:05 a.m., and in this early morning when the day should only be filled with elderly people doing their morning exercises, the square is already packed with thousands of people.
They were all nearby residents who had come from the surrounding area and were preparing to enter the underground shelter.
At the entrance to the underground shelter, government workers were using loudspeakers to repeat the procedures required to enter the shelter.
Please work as a family unit! Bring your ID card and line up at the entrance to register!
[Do not crowd or argue! Follow the order. Anyone who breaks the queue, cuts in line, or causes disturbance will not be admitted to the central underground shelter!]
Once you enter the underground shelter, the accommodations are assigned in order, and you cannot change them without special reasons. If you are not satisfied, you can leave directly.
In these extraordinary times, everyone should cooperate and prioritize avoiding disaster and survival!
Gou Fugui blinked as he listened to the repeatedly playing demand. These were extraordinary times; he really shouldn't be so picky.
However, just as he, Xie Tianlang, Lu Xuesi, and the other residents of the community were queuing in order, a group of about seven or eight people casually walked past them, dutifully proceeding to the entrance of the underground passage registration area, and then—
Gou Fugui and the other people in line watched as these seven or eight people were respectfully ushered in simply by showing their ID cards, without even being asked the most basic questions.
The wealthy young master, who had recently enjoyed many special treatments: "..."
Oh, this.
Completely unconcerned about such a minor figure, Xie Langren had already taken out an umbrella from his backpack, ready to shield his young master from the sun.
Lu Xuesi and his father were used to such privileges, and their expressions remained unchanged.
But there were people in the team who couldn't stand it at all.
Aunt Song, who was at the back of the line, shouted as soon as the group went in, "Hey, what's going on with you guys! The loudspeaker was shouting that you can't cut in line and have to follow the rules, so why don't those seven or eight people who just went in have to follow the rules?!"
"They're obviously adding people to the queue, and you staff aren't doing anything about it?! You're slapping yourselves in the face like this, aren't you ashamed? Where's your manager? I want to talk to him!"
Aunt Song's shouting quickly attracted the attention of a staff member with a megaphone. After hearing what Aunt Song said, the staff member first showed a slightly unnatural expression, which then turned into a deliberate arrogance and anger:
“Those are people we've already registered! They just went out and came back! Don't talk nonsense here, you old woman!”
Aunt Song was clearly unconvinced by this answer and was even more furious than the staff: "Do you think I'm blind? Didn't you see they were carrying big bags and small bags?! They even bring luggage when they go out for a stroll!"
"Your staff member isn't being honest! Does that kid in charge have some special status? Is he your boss's brother-in-law or his own son?! He's just trying to curry favor with the boss and get special privileges!"
As the old woman's words became increasingly absurd, the staff member's face darkened: "If you continue like this, you're openly causing trouble. Believe me, if you say another word, we'll make you leave immediately! There aren't many temporary beds in the central security zone to begin with, and we can easily fill them up if you're missing one!"
"If you can't stand it, just go to the military air-raid shelter on the east side of the city! It's only an hour and a half drive there now!"
When Aunt Song heard that the staff member not only refused to admit his mistake but also threatened her, she was so angry that she was about to shout, but she was quickly held back by her son and daughter-in-law.
Her son didn't want to use harsh words to persuade his mother, but Song Dama's daughter-in-law gritted her teeth and said with a dark face, "Mom, stop talking! If Dongdong doesn't get into the shelter because of you, and he gets heatstroke, gets sick, or goes hungry, will you take care of him?!"
They say it's only a drive and a half from here to that underground shelter, but how are we supposed to drive in this awful weather? If we wait another day, will we even be able to find a spot?!
"Mom, stop messing around! Otherwise, I'll take Dongdong and go queue up myself!"
Her daughter-in-law's words made Old Mrs. Song even angrier, her face turning purple, as if she couldn't breathe. But in the end, she held back, for the sake of her beloved grandson.
When Aunt Song stopped talking, the others in her group felt relieved. At this time, the common people couldn't fight against the officials.
Everyone is scrambling to get into the underground shelter; if they can't get in, it's a matter of life and death!
Gou Fugui thought the matter was over. However, he soon realized he had underestimated the staff member's vengeful nature—
After queuing for half an hour and finally registering to enter the underground shelter in the central area, they were led to the smallest and least ventilated residential area, which was the closest to the toilet and the outermost edge of the underground shelter.
Everyone else has a separate small shop space for each family, but the small shops they are allocated not only have even less space for accommodation, but they are also required to squeeze two families together.
Gou Fugui, Xie Tianlang, Lu Xuesi, and his father, a total of four people, lived in a small shop partition, which was barely enough room. But Song Dama's family of four, plus another family of three, a total of seven people, were crammed into the shop next to the toilet. There was hardly any room to turn around.
Even a fool would know that this was revenge against Aunt Song for deliberately making a scene.
This retaliation may even have affected everyone else in their neighborhood who were also queuing up.
Aunt Song's daughter-in-law was so angry that her eyes turned red, and she hugged her son, crying and making veiled accusations. Everyone else was also very dissatisfied with Aunt Song. If it weren't for Aunt Song's extremely unpleasant expression, as if she might really explode at any moment, probably everyone living in the Jinyu residential area would have said something to her.
The wealthy young master was naturally dissatisfied with the accommodation and arrangements, but he felt that this dissatisfaction should not be directed at Aunt Song, but at the person in charge of the shelter.
He didn't know who was in charge of the shelter or what their profession was, but seeing that seven people could openly cut in line and not follow the rules to enter the shelter, and that there were staff members behind him who could retaliate against him, he didn't think that the underground shelter in the central square was a good place.
Clearly, Lu Xuesi also had such concerns.
"...Let the baby, his mother, and my parents-in-law stay in the villa for now."
Although food can only be obtained here with an ID card, the order has not completely collapsed yet, and the shelter will definitely post some jobs. He should be able to exchange money or labor for food to support his children and wife.
But if it's just him and his father... his father will have to suffer.
Thinking this, Lu Xuesi subconsciously looked at Gou Fugui and Xie Tianlang: "Brother Fugui, are you going to stay here?"
The wealthy young master shook his head firmly: "No, this place doesn't feel right."
"But since we've already lined up and gotten our accommodations, we can't completely give up on this place. My farmhand and I, cough, my brother, one of us will probably come here every night."
Lu Xuesi's eyes lit up upon hearing this: "So you mean you only plan to reserve one bed?"
Gou Fugui roughly guessed what he wanted to do and nodded.
"You should be able to get another one of your parents-in-law to come, but you might have to send something to make it happen."
Lu Xuesi smiled awkwardly upon hearing this. It was only then that the refined and energetic old man who had been beside him spoke up, touching the jade thumb ring on his hand: "It's actually easier to operate here."
Looking at the dignified old man, Gou Fugui suddenly realized that the villa next door was probably the old man's accumulated wealth—compared to his son, the old man was more like a seasoned businessman.
Then he doesn't need to think about it anymore.
"Then you guys put your things here and get ready. My brother and I are going to pick up my younger brother, the one who can fix machines. We'll talk again after we get him."
Lu Xuesi and the old man nodded at the same time: "Don't worry, we'll clean and disinfect this place first, and then I'll drive over and bring the bunk beds from home."
"I happen to have bunk beds at home, which will save more space. We can do it together then."
After Gou Fugui finished speaking, he and Xie Tianlang left the underground shelter in the central area. They took another exit, the western one, which was closer to the train station.
Although there is some uncertainty about the arrangements and leadership of the underground shelter, it must be said that the underground area is indeed much cooler than the ground.
Gou Fugui measured the temperature and found that while the outside temperature had reached 35 degrees Celsius, the temperature in the underground air-raid shelter in the central square was only 28 degrees Celsius.
Moreover, this was only the temperature on the first basement level. In his memory, the shopping mall in this underground air-raid shelter had two levels, and the temperature on the lower level should be about 3 degrees lower.
If the temperature on the first floor of the underground shelter can be guaranteed not to exceed 40 degrees Celsius at noon, then this place can truly be called a "safe zone under the scorching sun".
But will things really go that smoothly?
Will the temperature continue to rise?
With this slight worry in mind, Gou Fugui and Xie Tianlang left the underground shelter in the central area. They then found a shady, deserted corner, took out two electric bikes from their pockets, and quickly headed towards the train station.
It was 7:03 a.m., the temperature was 34 degrees Celsius, and there was no wind or rain.
At 7:28, Gou Fugui and Xie Tianlang arrived at the train station. There weren't many people at the train station; most were people who had come from other places to reunite with their families.
At 7:35, Gou Fugui and Xie Tianlang waited at the exit. The station sign already indicated that Song Sanchuan's train was about to arrive.
At this moment, Gou Fugui suddenly felt that the air around him had become even hotter, just like... the heat he felt when he and Xie Tianlang returned from that old, dilapidated neighborhood.
Gou Fugui's heart skipped a beat.
He instinctively grabbed Xie Tianlang's arm.
Xie Tianlang clearly sensed something as well, and looked towards the exit with pursed lips.
The vehicle arrived on time at 7:40.
At 7:55, Song Sanchuan called, "Fugui, have you arrived at the door yet? I've already picked up all my equipment and am heading towards the door! I'll be there by eight!"
Gou Fugui's heart pounded faster and faster as he gritted his teeth and said into the phone, "Hurry up! Don't go through areas exposed to direct sunlight, understand?! We can do without the equipment at a crucial moment, but absolutely do not let them get exposed to the sun!!"
Song Sanchuan paused for a moment when he heard the phone call, but unconsciously sped up his pace.
He soon came out of the platform and saw the exit ahead. Pushing a cart loaded with several machines, he immediately spotted Xie Tianlang and Gou Fugui waiting at the door.
Just as he was grinning and waving, the time clock at the train station went off.
The time is exactly 8:00 AM.
In that instant, the blazing sun, now fully risen, seemed to suddenly swell to a whole size in the sky! The originally warm air, due to this drastic temperature change, abruptly transformed into a raging wind carrying extreme heat from the air to the land.
This fierce, burning wind swept across the land, bringing with it silent wails and unseen terror—
Bang!
Something suddenly exploded in the station behind Song Sanchuan. Before he could even turn around, the shockwave propelled him forward.
The road surface, exposed to the scorching sun and whipped by the wind, became twisted and soft at this moment, and a pungent smell slowly rose from the ground.
"Oh my god, what happened?! I saw that train that had just arrived at the station behind us suddenly explode!!"
"The temperature is skyrocketing! Oh my god, how did it suddenly get so hot! Someone help me, my dad is having a heart attack!!"
"Mommy! Waaaaa, Mommy, come save me!! My shoes are stuck and I can't move! The sun is so hot, Mommy, my face hurts so much, waaaaaah, Mommy!"
The cries of children in pain rang out from the crowd, but a more piercing roar from men drowned out almost all the other sounds.
In this environment where the air seemed to be distorted by the high temperature, Gou Fugui looked in the direction of the sound and saw a middle-aged man unable to move because his shoes were stuck to the ground. Then, due to the excessive force of his step, he uncontrollably fell forward onto the ground, and then—
His entire body, from his palms to his chest, from his abdomen to his knees, almost every part that touched the asphalt road, was stuck to the ground, unable to move.
The extremely high temperature of the ground, enough to melt asphalt, directly burned the man's hands, which were pressed against it, causing them to bleed profusely.
8:00 AM, March 17th.
The temperature soared to 68 degrees Celsius.
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