Xiao Peng closed the door, keeping out the biting cold from outside and preventing it from getting into the house at all.
Although the time was very short, in just the blink of an eye, the cold air that was let in had already rushed straight into the room, running rampant in this enclosed space.
Only then did everyone truly realize what this unusual cold had brought.
In less than three seconds of opening and closing the door, Xiao Peng had already fully experienced what the outside air was like.
He was the second person besides Shao Jie to personally experience what a harsh winter and severe cold were like.
"It's so cold, so cold-ah-."
Shao Jie was shivering from the cold, his lips trembling, and he couldn't even keep his voice steady.
It seems he was indeed quite cold.
"Quickly, here you go, drink some to warm up." Li Xiao hurriedly brought him a cup of hot water, which had been boiled earlier and kept in her spatial storage to prevent it from cooling down too quickly.
It's still hot when you take it out, like it was just cooked, steaming hot.
Shao Jie couldn't wait any longer and took a sip from the cup.
Even with thick leather gloves on, the temperature was so low that my hands were still freezing and aching, and I could barely hold the cup.
Li Xiao helped him hold the cup and poured some hot water into his mouth.
A warm current flowed into his throat and stomach, warming his somewhat cold internal organs, making him feel as if his whole body had come back to life because of this warmth.
Once he calmed down, Tian Tian asked with concern in her eyes, "How are you? Is it very cold outside?"
Everyone can see it now; it's only been a short time since they went out, and it's already like this. If they had stayed any longer, would they have frozen to death?
I don't even want to think about it anymore. The temperature is already below 20 degrees Celsius and it's still dropping.
Seeing Shao Jie's pale face from the cold, everyone's expression turned grim.
Shao Jie didn't answer Tian Tian's question immediately. He finished his cup of tea and waited until he had adjusted to the room temperature before slowly saying, "It's too cold, really too cold. The temperature is very low, and many places outside are already frozen."
He took a breath and continued, "I looked around and went to the information office to ask around. The situation outside isn't good; someone froze to death last night."
Everyone was silent.
"What news has come out from the information department?" Yu Yanbin asked.
Shao Jie held the cup and sat in front of the fireplace for so long before his hands and feet finally warmed up.
His complexion is much better now. "The base has warned all survivors not to go out and to stay home as much as possible. The base will inform us of any new information, so please don't panic."
Everyone nodded; the base had responded relatively quickly. However, it was unclear whether there were any better measures in place.
As he was thinking this, Shao Jie said, "The information department said that the base is already trying to find a solution and is preparing winter supplies for distribution."
"Oh, the base already collected a lot of warm clothes, but I don't know if it's enough."
Meng Yang glanced at Zheng Yongnian and nodded in agreement. "The number of survivors is not small. I think what the base collected before is probably not enough."
The entire hall fell silent instantly, with only the occasional crackling of the burning firewood in the fireplace.
“Those are matters for the base to worry about, and we can’t interfere with them right now. Let’s talk about something else. Is there any other news?” Yu Yanbin asked calmly, turning to Shao Jie after finishing his last sentence.
Shao Jie was drinking tea when he noticed the focus had shifted to him again, so he put down his cup and said, "There's more. There's been a disturbance at the base. Those who weren't properly prepared started looting other people's things. What I heard last night must have been that."
"Hmm, is there anything else?"
"There are also some rumors that the base is running out of supplies and that the base is in crisis."
Yu Yanbin's eyes narrowed. "Have you found out where it came from?"
Shao Jie shook his head, "I don't know, but this rumor isn't very widespread. I've only heard a few voices. There are also some very mixed rumors, saying that the base might take advantage of the temperature not being too bad to organize teams to go on missions to collect supplies needed for winter."
"There are also some rumors that the base is going to fall into chaos."
Everyone: “…”
Everyone held their own teacup and drank water, as if only hot water could soothe the coldness in their hearts.
“It’s best if everyone stays home unless absolutely necessary. There’s something very true about what I said earlier,” everyone waited for him to continue, but Yu Yanbin remained calm and didn’t look at anyone as he spoke, “The base is about to descend into chaos.”
"Sigh." Meng Yang sighed, resting his head on his hand, and had no objection to this statement.
They sat around the fireplace, their faces illuminated by the flickering firelight, their expressions inscrutable.
“We don’t lack anything, so it’s fine if we don’t go out,” Li Xiao said.
Tian Tian pulled Li Xiao's arm tightly into her embrace and said excitedly, "Xiao Xiao."
Li Xiao found her action quite amusing, "Alright, alright."
"Xiaoxiao, what would I do without you?"
With Tian Tian's words, everyone's faces lit up with grateful smiles.
Li Xiao also understood that space played a huge role in the apocalypse.
Even if it's only a dozen square meters, its function is absolutely essential.
Moreover, the role of someone like Li Xiao is even more immeasurable.
"Let's wait and see. It's only just begun. We can't stay put; it would arouse suspicion."
Meng Yang nodded, "Yes, we're being watched now. Being different makes us easy targets."
Everyone agreed with this statement.
With the general decision made, the focus now remains on monitoring the situation.
They remained inactive, but the situation inside the base was turbulent.
The temperature changes every day, or even more dramatically, every minute and every second.
After two days of development, the temperature has dropped to -34 degrees Celsius, showing no signs of stabilizing and continuing its downward spiral.
Even the thickest down jacket is useless. Wearing thermal underwear, sweaters, wool pants, cotton-padded jackets, cotton-padded pants, down jackets, and down pants doesn't help at all. I still feel like I'm going to freeze to death on the spot.
Li Xiao looked at herself dressed like a bear, finding it difficult to walk, but even with all that clothing, she still felt incredibly cold.
Li Xiao knew this wouldn't do; dressed like this, she wouldn't be able to move at all if anything happened.
She quickly started searching through her online space, remembering that she had bought sunscreen and cold-proof products before.
Look, the situation is too bad right now. If we don't use it now, when will we?
The things Li Xiao bought were all piled up in one place, but there were so many that it took some searching.
I didn't expect the temperature to drop this low. I just found some thick down jackets and thick quilts, but didn't find any special cold-weather gear.
It will take a few more minutes to find it now.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
