Chapter 19 Chapter 19
In this technological age, many things rely on electricity, and power outages have a significant impact on people's lives. Not to mention the inability to use appliances like televisions, washing machines, and water heaters, the most devastating issue is the inability to use mobile phones. Statistics show that 70% of people in modern society are addicted to their phones. Especially now, with floods and epidemics keeping people indoors, those accustomed to the vibrant lights and nightlife outside, and now forced to return to the monotony of primitive times, can drive them mad.
If you want to know where the business is the best in Sheshui Village recently, it is undoubtedly the mahjong parlor. Even the epidemic can't stop these bored people.
The entire Baishe Village was shrouded in darkness, and the people had reverted to their most primitive way of life, working from sunrise to sunset. Only Bai He's home was brightly lit, but because of the tall, thick wall surrounding it, and because he didn't interact much with the villagers and no one visited him, no one in the village except the Bai family noticed.
Bai He had so many generators in his possession, but he had never considered sharing one with his grandparents. It wasn't that he was reluctant, but rather that his grandparents were honest, kind, and never hesitated to borrow something from a neighbor. If their family had electricity and a neighbor wanted to use it, Grandpa Bai and Uncle Bai would never refuse.
If the power outage were only a short-term issue, it would be fine, but it's just the beginning. Once the issue is addressed, it's difficult to shirk responsibility. The world is full of selfish, ungrateful people who can't stand seeing others doing well. Bai He has always been unafraid to speculate on people's hearts with the utmost malice. Human nature is inherently evil, and circumstances can only magnify our darker sides. In the future, he doesn't want anyone to disturb their lives too much; he even hopes the entire village will leave their family alone.
Bai He planned to wait until his family understood the cruelty of reality and knew how to protect themselves before handing the things over to them.
After the road was cleared, there were many more people in the village, including students who were brought back and people who were forced to stop working. Their return injected new vitality into the village.
With so many new people pouring in, Uncle Bai, the village secretary, was a bit worried. The horror of the epidemic had already been fully revealed, and who knew if they were carrying the virus? If they were, well, they hadn't been wiped out in one fell swoop, but now they were being attacked again.
The necessary awareness was essential, especially after the state had previously made an example of a group of irresponsible leaders. Village officials were wary of any complacency and held an emergency meeting, deciding to quarantine all returning residents in the village primary school.
After twenty-five days of heavy rain, it finally stopped. When Bai He opened the door that morning and saw the sky finally quiet, he breathed a sigh of relief. Although the sun hadn't risen yet and the sky was still gloomy and looked like it might rain any moment, at least it gave him time to breathe.
Bad weather has a profound psychological impact. Even someone like Bai He, who has battled illness for over a decade, can't help but feel down and depressed. In such weather, Bai He takes an extra pill. Sometimes he feels like his body is being worn down by all the medication before the apocalypse even begins.
Heidou had been locked up at home by Baihe these days because of the rain, and he was feeling suffocated. When he saw the rain stop, he changed his usual calmness, took out his leash, squatted straight in front of Baihe with his ears erect, and looked at him expectantly.
Who could possibly resist such a handsome and thoughtful request? Bai He prepared himself and Hei Dou for the pandemic and took him out for a run. Although Bai He had been exercising at home, he felt like he was going moldy from being surrounded by moisture.
Like Bai He, many people wanted to stretch their legs. Stuck at home on a rainy day, the villagers mostly just slept. Even the most lazy of sleepers got plenty of shut-eye. When the rain stopped at dawn, they all rushed out.
There were many people walking on the village road. Bai He was relatively conspicuous. First, he was one of the few young people in the village, and second, he was leading a large dog that was half the height of a man when standing up.
Many rural families keep farm dogs as guard dogs. These loyal and easy-to-maintain dogs are often kept free-range, making their appearance distinct from more carefully cared-for dogs like the Black Doo. A Black Doo, on the other hand, is clearly well-trained at first glance. Its eyes are alert and fierce, and its swift, powerful run evokes a majestic beauty. When running with its owner, it maintains a steady distance. Unlike some large dogs, which initially serve as walkers but then become used as walkers, these well-trained large dogs hold a special appeal for men.
Someone tried to approach, but as they got closer, Baihe and Heidou's running speed increased. He called out to them from behind, but the man and the dog seemed to hear him and didn't respond. Soon, only their backs could be seen.
The man rubbed his head in confusion, then asked the person next to him, "Who is this? I've never seen him before."
"Bai Tiancheng's son, he doesn't live in Gaolin City and doesn't go out when he comes back. It's no wonder you don't recognize him."
"It's him!" The man revealed a look of pity and emotion. "What a pity for them!"
The people around him nodded in agreement. "Who said it wasn't? This is fate! It's really determined by God."
Bai He's father, Bai Tiancheng, was a daring and hardworking man. He went out to work after graduating from junior high school. He worked in many industries and suffered a lot of losses. Finally, he became a contractor and bought a house in Yun City to settle down. His life seemed to be getting better and better, but in the end he lost his life.
There is no need to talk about Bai He. He has been smart since he was a child and everyone praises him. The teachers all said that he had a potential to be admitted to Tsinghua University or Wuhan University. The Bai family wanted to produce a person who would bring honor to the family. Who would have thought that he would get that kind of disease.
The two sighed deeply as they reminisced about the Bai family's past glory. Finally, they lamented that although they had no talent and their family was poor, at least their family was healthy and alive. It was clear that God favored them, such honest people.
An aunt next to her curled her lips when she heard this.
The rain had stopped, but the roads were still flooded, especially in the countryside, where many muddy roads were completely swollen and would form a pit wherever you stepped. A man and his dog ran around the village, their clothes in tatters.
But with an electric water heater and washing machine at home, there is no need to worry. For someone like Bai He who doesn't like doing housework, the washing machine and vacuum cleaner have really greatly improved his sense of happiness in life.
Heidou is a very clean dog, having been bathed since childhood. Baihe led him to the bathroom and he was very cooperative. So, even though he weighed 70 or 80 kilograms, Baihe was able to wash him quickly. Afterward, Baihe used a hair dryer to dry Heidou's fur. In this weather, he could get sick without proper protection.
Just after I finished washing myself and the dog, Bai He's uncle came to borrow a power bank to charge his phone. The rain stopped, and Uncle Bai decided to go out and look for his daughter.
"Uncle, let me go! You are a village cadre and it is not convenient for you to leave now. Besides, you still need to take care of the family."
Uncle Bai looked troubled and embarrased. As a village official, he couldn't leave, but the situation outside was unclear, and he was worried about his nephew going out alone. He couldn't let his nephew take risks just because he was worried about his daughter.
Seeing Uncle Bai's concerns, Bai He said, "Although the signal is down, there are police and soldiers outside so nothing will happen. Besides..." Bai He raised an eyebrow and said without question, "As a young man, I am more familiar with various high-tech methods than you. I will definitely be able to find the person faster than you."
Bai He wasn't actually worried about Bai Yu's safety. Although the country was devastated, the Xia Kingdom's police and soldiers were trustworthy. Besides, Bai Yu wasn't stupid. She wouldn't run around in such heavy rain. She'd find a place to stay. Following her return route, they should be able to run into her.
After convincing Uncle Bai and promising him that he would return home even if he didn't find Bai Yu today, Bai He started the car, but just a few meters away from the door, his car was stopped on the road.
"You want to go out? Take me with you." The man knocked on the car window and said rudely.
He has fashionable purple curly hair, wears a silver down jacket, and has a string of sparkling earrings on both ears. He has a handsome face and looks like a fashionable and cool boy when he doesn't speak, but his temperament is completely ruined when he opens his mouth.
"Bai and I know it's you in there. We are old friends, so don't be so unkind. Give me a ride. You helped me this time, and you can ask me for help next time if you need anything." The boy jumped to his feet, his cheeks flushed and his body shivered in the cold wind. He was talking about negotiation, but his actions were quite shameless, holding the door handle tightly.
"Zhang Yan, you can't go back to Sanyu at this time." Bai He lowered the car window and looked at the suitcase in his hand.
"Even if I can't go back, I don't want to stay here. I'm going to go crazy if I stay here any longer." Zhang Yan cursed, like a dynamite barrel filled with gunpowder, with a strong smell of fire.
"You can tell." Bai He leaned back in the seat and lazily observed his face for three seconds, then nodded in agreement.
Zhang Yan was stunned. He had never expected Bai He's approval. Bai He had been living like a god for the past few years, unconcerned with worldly affairs and completely uninterested in anything. When he chatted with him, he was always the only one performing a solo act.
Zhang Yan pulled the car door and moved closer to Bai He, wanting to see the true thoughts in his eyes, but unexpectedly her whole body fell backwards. It turned out that the car door was open. Zhang Yan almost fell to the ground because of her unstable center of gravity.
He looked at the puddle on the ground with lingering fear, then jumped up and yelled at Bai He, "Fuck you, how could you do that? You opened the car door without telling me, I almost fell down. You~"
The curse words that were about to come out of his mouth were swallowed back under the gaze of Bai and Leng Ning.
Bai He stared at Zhang Yan and spoke word by word, no longer as casual as before. "I don't care what you say outside, but be careful with your mouth in front of me."
There was a lot of noise outside, and there was ice between the two of them.
After a while, Zhang Yan responded listlessly, like a deflated balloon.
"good!"
Zhang Yan lowered his head, gripping the suitcase. His fingertips were white and bony, his face was twisted, and his teeth were gritting. He spoke in a voice only he could hear. "If you hadn't done me a favor, I would have beaten you to death long ago."
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