Chapter 110: It’s rainy season, the temperature drops sharply, and people’s hearts are warm!
It was drizzling, and the rain splashed on the ground, making tiny water droplets and a rustling sound.
People are coming in and out of the quarantine area.
Most of them were guards changing shifts and staff cleaning up accumulated water, walking hurriedly in the rain.
After several sudden downpours, the rainy season for Xingfu City and Shi Province finally arrived.
According to records from previous years, this rain will last at least from mid-July to early August, for nearly half a month.
When the rain line completely leaves and the weather turns clear again, the fruitful autumn will slowly begin at the end of summer.
At night, after seven o'clock.
The high-mast light in the center of the checkpoint lit up on time.
Like a lighthouse, the warm yellow light penetrates the diffuse fog and casts a hazy halo on the wet ground.
The air was filled with fine mist, blurring the outline of the isolation net.
At first glance, the whole scene seems dreamy, yet exudes a chill unique to after rain.
At this point, although the checkpoint had not been closed, there were basically no people in Quarantine Area B.
As a rule, scavengers would not return at this time and would have to arrive at the checkpoint before dark at six o'clock at the latest.
After all, the danger level in the wilderness increases dramatically at night. Both mutant beasts and infected bodies are more active in the dark. Coupled with the double effect of rain, rushing on the road rashly is tantamount to seeking death.
Only a few people entered Area A and Area D, and they were very sparse.
Most of them were caravans that went out in the morning, or sentinels who were ordered to go out and explore the range of the fog.
There was no more hustle and bustle of the day, and no more gunshots could be heard. The entire checkpoint gradually sank into a quietness unique to rainy nights.
Quarantine Area B.
Check the corners of the area.
Cheng Ye asked Hulu to move a recliner over and lean it against the isolation net.
At first, he kept his eyes wide open, paying attention to Wang Kang's movements, fearing that this kid couldn't handle it.
But after observing for a while, I found that Wang Kang's movements were still a little clumsy, but his logic was clear.
He checked, inquired and guided in a very professional manner, showing the style of a man who had just started his duty.
In addition, the number of people in Area B was decreasing, and after more than ten minutes, there was no one to be seen.
Cheng Ye was completely relieved. He leaned back comfortably on the recliner, closed his eyes and dozed off.
But when he fell asleep, there was still a last ray of dim light hanging in the sky, and raindrops fell like silver threads in the twilight.
When I woke up, it was completely dark all around.
The rain has basically stopped, with only sporadic drops of water falling along the eaves, corners of the walls, and isolation nets.
The warm yellow light was mixed up by the fog, and only the inspection passage could be seen clearly. Outside was a vast expanse of white fog.
"Xiaokang, what time is it?"
"Hey, Brother Cheng, are you awake?" Wang Kang was writing something in his notebook. He turned around quickly when he heard the voice, still holding his pen. "It's only five minutes until nine."
"Why is it so cold?"
Cheng Yewei sat up and stretched his body a few times, then he found that he was covered with a thick coat.
It's the duty jacket for the checkpoint.
Normally no one would wear this thing because the word "check" hanging brightly on the back is really conspicuous.
Cheng Ye subconsciously pulled open a corner of his coat and couldn't help shivering. He felt a burst of coldness instantly penetrate into his neck, giving him goose bumps.
After practicing martial arts, the speed of qi and blood transportation becomes faster, and the martial artist will become more sensitive to changes in the surrounding environment.
In the past, Cheng Ye would feel it vaguely whenever the temperature rose by two or three degrees.
Now he could clearly feel the cold and discomfort, the temperature had dropped by at least ten degrees, or even more.
"The temperature has dropped. The higher-ups issued a notice saying it was due to the fog."
"Really?"
Cheng Ye frowned, sat up, put on his coat, and walked around the venue a few times to warm up his body.
Wait until a warm current rises from the dantian, spreads to the limbs and bones, and drives away the cold.
Then I took out the Defense Communication to check the latest news.
I started sleeping at about 7:15, and it's just past 9 o'clock now. I slept for an hour and a half.
There are a bunch of unread messages on the Defense Communication Platform, including warnings for the public and group messages from checkpoints.
There were also three missed calls.
One is naturally Luo Xiaoxue, the other is an unknown number, and there is also a public account of a checkpoint.
The unknown number is Brother B?
Cheng Ye called back the number, but a message saying he didn't have permission came from the receiver.
"Hmm, looks like I missed Brother B's call while sleeping."
For security reasons, the default mode of the Defense Communication is silent. Unless you unlock it after verifying your identity and then click three times in a row to turn on the sound, there will be no sound even if the sky falls.
Moreover, this reminder will only last for a maximum of eight hours, after which it will automatically return to silence.
However, Cheng Ye was not too worried about missing Liu Bi's call. He thought that as long as he could apply for permission, he would call again in the evening or tomorrow.
"Hey, Sister Luo, I was so sleepy that I dozed off and didn't look at the phone."
"You finally answered!"
Luo Xiaoxue's voice was a little anxious. "Remember to turn on the reminder next time you go to bed. Luckily, I saved Station Master Lei's number and confirmed it with him. Are you going to scare me to death?"
"I was so sleepy that I dozed off. Don't worry, the checkpoint is very safe. What? A suspected source of the virus escaped from the fog hole at the hydropower station?"
There was a piece of breaking news coming from the microphone.
Cheng Ye stood up suddenly, clutching the defense communication, and his voice changed in tone. He subconsciously lowered the volume and asked, "Is Brother B okay?"
"It's okay. The hydropower station is now being guarded by a transcendent. It's also the old man who walked out of the checkpoint."
"Is it Reagan Carr?"
"You know?" Luo Xiaoxue pondered for a moment. "Your brother B called, but you probably didn't answer. This time, the fog has affected a wide area, covering almost half of Shi Province!"
"Half of Shi Province?"
Cheng Ye couldn't help but take a breath.
The area of Shi Province does not follow the old rules of the Earth. The indigenous people of Shi Province in the new era annexed many surrounding territories when they were pioneering, and the total area is as much as 550,000 square kilometers.
Doesn’t half of Shi Province mean it’s almost the same as Guangxi Province?
"Well, based on the information reported from Saskatchewan, it's almost certain that this is a special mobile supernatural curse. The Super Sanctuary City over there has tried various methods to dispel the fog, but to no avail. We can only wait for the fog to dissipate on its own. Brother B doesn't know the specific details, but we should be able to share them with you once they've sorted it out."
Luo Xiaoxue finished her words in one breath, her tone growing more serious. "We're still searching for the suspected source at the hydropower station. While it's highly unlikely they'll leave the industrial zone, you'll need to be extremely vigilant at the checkpoint. The frequency of infections is bound to skyrocket in the next few days!"
"I know, Sister Luo, you have to be careful too. Fog holes appear randomly!"
"Well, it seems the higher-ups are planning to build several centralized shelters in the buffer zone. If I see that the situation is really not right, I'll take Yi Yi to a shelter for a while."
"Alright, let me know if you have any plans, and I'll get someone to help you."
After the information was synchronized, neither of them had the heart to chat anymore. The only sound on the phone was each other's breathing, which was filled with a heavy sense of worry.
"Hang up, contact me if anything happens."
"Um!"
The phone was hung up.
Cheng Ye stood there holding the defense pass, his brows furrowed and his knuckles turning white.
Although he lowered his voice, Wang Kang, who was sitting behind the table, still caught a few words and his face turned pale.
"Brother Cheng, there's another one"
"Shh, there's no such thing. Just pretend you know nothing."
Cheng Ye turned around and shook his head slightly. "Rather than worrying about the ones coming over from the industrial zone, we should worry about the checkpoint opening another fog hole and letting one jump out directly from it. In the current situation, half of Shi Province is covered in it. To put it bluntly, it's a gamble. No matter where you stay, you can't escape."
Even if we pack up and run away right now, it would be impossible for us to escape from this area on foot before the fog dissipates.
As for driving the vehicle away, Cheng Ye suppressed the idea as soon as it came to mind.
The cars in Happiness City are all battery-powered, with a maximum range of one thousand kilometers. They rely entirely on solar energy to run on the wasteland.
But now the place is shrouded in fog, and the efficiency of the solar panels is less than one-tenth of the usual level. If we really drive out into the wilderness, I'm afraid it will be difficult to replenish 200 kilometers of range in a day. By then, we will be trapped in the fog and anything we encounter will be a big danger.
Wang Kang moved his lips but didn't say anything.
Just looking at the thick fog in the distance, muttering: "Gambling on luck"
Once you leave the inner city, the cruel reality will repeatedly break your cognition.
Now think about it, the fact that they can live safely until now is just a gamble of luck.
But, is it really true that human power cannot defeat nature?
What should he and Cheng Ye do if they encounter Muyuan or Chaofan while on duty?
Can I just sit here and wait for death in endless despair and fear?
Leaving Wang Kang sitting at the table in a daze, Cheng Ye called the checkpoint's official number back.
What surprised him a little was that Lei Hu should have known that he bought salted fish from the caravan and was also given a cow. He asked him if he had a place to store it and could arrange for the big golden cup at the checkpoint to be sent back to him.
"I've contacted a bus company I know. Could you please let the Public Works Department know so they can come pick it up?"
"No problem, Inspector Cheng, just tell us your car number and we'll contact the Public Works Department immediately to coordinate."
Just right.
Cheng Ye remembered Master Zhang's license plate number, but didn't know his full name or defense communication number. Having the checkpoint coordinate saved him a lot of trouble.
The call was not hung up, and the operator on the other end arranged everything in less than half a minute.
"As this is a special case, we've already applied for the right to use this bus for the next two weeks. If you don't need it, it will continue to run on its normal route. If you do need it, you can contact the bus driver, Zhang Yong, directly. He will drive over to you immediately."
Zhang Yong?
Cheng Ye silently repeated the name and memorized it in his mind, "Okay, thank you."
"You're welcome."
The operator's voice was sincere. "While the air fog persists, the inspectors on duty are on the front lines fighting for the well-being of Happy City. We will spare no effort to resolve any needs you may have."
Cheng Ye hung up the phone, a little surprised, but soon figured out the source of the privilege.
It was just as the operator said, when the buffer zone was shrouded in fog, those of them who were guarding the front lines would undoubtedly be one of the most dangerous groups in the next half month.
Some privileges are both a comfort and a necessary guarantee.
“It would be great if I could apply for charging permission, but unfortunately there’s no way to solve the problem of why I need to charge.”
Cheng Ye looked up and saw that the lights were blurred in the fog, like a piece of butter soaked in water.
He moved the recliner closer to the light, steadied himself, and opened the defense communication app again, sliding his fingertips across the screen.
Quickly skip over the repeated warning messages, most of which are repetitive weather reports, surrounding environment warnings, and changes in material distribution points. There is nothing new.
It is worth noting that there are three announcements to the public and one internal notice that is only visible to personnel on duty at the checkpoint.
Tips on how fog affects temperature:
Due to the continued influence of fog, the temperature in the area has dropped to 3-15°C. Residents are advised to dress warmly and take appropriate measures to keep warm. Several temporary medical points have been set up in the buffer zone, where residents can obtain antipyretics, cold medicines, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other epidemic prevention medications with valid identification.
【Notice of Checkpoint Operation Hour Adjustment:
Due to the influence of fog, the checkpoint's operating hours will be adjusted to 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily starting tomorrow. Residents are advised to make reasonable travel arrangements and return before 8:00 PM on the same day to avoid being unable to enter due to timeout.
Announcement on the Wilderness 'Fog Hole' Phenomenon:
Exploration has revealed that, due to the influence of fog, a unique phenomenon called "fog holes" randomly appears in wilderness areas. These holes typically take the form of cloud-like spheres 1-3 meters in diameter. When touched by living things, they briefly form passageways that can reach unknown locations thousands to tens of thousands of kilometers away.
To ensure city safety, the Blood Dragon Legion will activate a 24/7 patrol and blockade mechanism, strictly prohibiting any residents from trespassing through the fog cave to unknown areas without permission. A solemn reminder: Crossing the fog cave is entirely at your own risk, and once the fog cave disappears, you will be permanently unable to return to Happiness City. Please exercise due caution.
[Checkpoint upgrade control announcement:
Effective immediately, all checkpoints will increase their inspection intensity to Level 4. Residents found to have traveled through the fog tunnel and back will be subject to quarantine if their data is abnormal.
Characteristic point: A cloud-like mark will appear on the arm of those who pass through the fog cave, and this mark will last for at least 72 hours.
Inspectors are requested to exercise caution as those traveling through fog caves may be carrying a large number of unknown sources of infection.
Currently, checkpoints are setting up temporary isolation rooms along the Happiness Defense Line. All inspection procedures must be strictly followed, and any form of illegal release is strictly prohibited.
“It really has dropped in temperature.”
Cheng Ye exhaled a breath of white air. He still remembered that when he checked the weather at noon, the temperature reported was 21 to 29 degrees.
I didn't expect that the temperature would drop so drastically after just a few hours of sleep.
The minimum temperature dropped by 18 degrees, and the maximum temperature also dropped by 14 degrees.
Fortunately, crops cannot be grown in Xingfu City or even the entire Shi Province, otherwise with this round of temperature drop, the autumn harvest would probably be completely destroyed in the fields.
As for the adjustment of the checkpoint's operating hours and the two subsequent announcements prohibiting residents from going to the fog cave.
This was all within Cheng Ye's expectations.
When facing the fog cave during the day, you can at least barely make out what kind of monster is rushing out of it.
If the inspector really runs into a fog cave in the dark while on duty until 11 o'clock at night, he will be in trouble.
Now it is adjusted to 8 o'clock, just before it gets completely dark.
It can give people who go out enough time to return, and it can also reduce the risks for those on duty. It is a safe compromise.
As for prohibiting residents from going to fog holes, it can only be said that it is more like a reminder of the risks of fog holes.
If the Blood Dragon Legion could really monitor all fog holes around the clock and tightly lock every space rift, there would be no need to issue such an announcement. They could just send troops to garrison directly.
Since there are reminders and even a point out that once the fog cave disappears, one may never be able to return, it means that the coverage of the air fog is too large and the legion's manpower is simply not enough, so it can only be restrained by rules and warnings.
The fog cave is something that has a strange and random appearance.
It may appear at a checkpoint today and drift to somewhere in the inner city tomorrow. No one can predict where it will pop up the next second.
In this situation, there will always be people who take risks.
Gamble your life!
Bet on your luck!
For those scavengers who are not afraid of danger and live on the edge of life and death all year round, as long as one person brings back something rare from the other side of the fog cave.
In less than half a day, the second and third people will take the initiative to find the fog hole and drill in.
This is human nature, and we can't help it.
Unless the top management of Xingfu City is determined to lock all residents in the buffer zone and not allow them to take even a single step out.
But this is impossible. Even when the wave of infection came, the top leaders did not lock down population movement.
It is even more impossible for people to stay at home and not dare to go out just because of fog.
Of course, you have to endure a hard checkpoint.
"But this is convenient. Since passing through the fog cave will leave marks, it won't be difficult to check."
"Also, the Level 4 intensity level saves a lot of trouble. Anyone with abnormal data can be taken into isolation immediately, saving a lot of trouble."
From the beginning when everyone had to be checked to now when we do things according to the rules.
It only took Cheng Ye a week to get familiar with the environment.
It’s not that he has become slack in this job, but special times require special methods.
At this moment when the sky is shrouded in fog, any chance of success could lead to disaster.
Once encountering a source of infection with extremely high latent potential, it is likely to destroy the entire Happy City.
The most correct approach is to isolate risks at the source.
"Xiaokang, I have to go first. I need to move the salted fish and beef back. I also need to go to the Public Works Department to discuss the construction plan of the pedestrian street with Mr. Liu. I guess I won't be done until you finish your shift."
Cheng Ye stood up and put the defense pass into his pocket.
Wang Kang subconsciously turned his head and forced a smile on his face. It was not because he was going to leave, but because he was still worried about the danger brought by the fog cave.
Cheng Ye saw it and slowed down his voice, "Don't worry, even if there really is a maternal infected body coming, Brother Cheng will have a way to make it sit down. At least it can buy us time to escape."
"I believe in Brother Cheng."
Wang Kang nodded woodenly, but his smile was even stiffer than before.
Obviously, he didn't take this sentence to heart.
"Brother Cheng, you should go now. No one in Area B will come tonight. We have to go on duty at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning. You can't afford to not get enough rest."
"Okay, call me if you need anything."
Cheng Ye responded, turned around and walked out of the inspection area.
I have been busy since I got up in the morning until now. Fortunately, I just took a nap on the recliner and regained some energy. Otherwise, even if I had doubled my energy in practicing martial arts, I would not be able to hold on.
When I arrived at the quarantine area, waves of cold air came like a tide, and it really felt like winter was coming.
Cheng Ye subconsciously wrapped his coat tightly and called a few staff members and guards on duty in the public area to help carry the salted fish and beef to the entrance of the checkpoint.
"Dalong, you can come over now. I'll be waiting for you at the checkpoint entrance."
"Okay, we'll be waiting in Master Zhang's car."
The cold wind makes people's hands and feet cold.
By the time the operator finished coordinating, Master Zhang's bus had already headed towards the South Checkpoint.
Within two or three minutes, two dim headlights pierced through the thick fog, and bus number '86' slowly stopped in front of the checkpoint.
The car door opened with a "swish" and Dalong came out with seven young men. Each of them was holding an empty snakeskin bag in his hand. Without saying a word, they rolled up their sleeves and started working.
"Be careful, the mouthparts of these dried salted fish are very sharp, don't get scratched."
Dalong was bending over to pick up a bundle of salted fish. He looked up and grinned, "Don't worry, sir. We've seen a lot of swordfish before when we were with the regiment. We even ate fresh ones."
"Fresh?"
Cheng Ye raised his eyebrows, "Have you been to Hai Province before?"
"That's right." Dalong said this, but his hands were working at a very fast pace. "It was more than ten years ago. At that time, I was in the pioneer corps and helped the team repair the dock. Later, I followed the supply ship on a long journey, and our destination was Hai Province."
"How much is this fresh swordfish worth in Hai Province?"
"Back then, they weren't very valuable. The coastline was full of them. You could just cast your net and catch as many as you wanted. But they were a hassle to prepare. The mouthparts had to be broken before you could cook them. I didn't expect that after returning to Xingfu City, I hadn't seen them again in all those years."
Bringing worthless things to Happiness City, can one ton be sold for 240 points?
Cheng Ye nodded thoughtfully. It seemed that this was another way for Xingfu City to attract caravans.
Using resource premiums to purchase cheap goods from coastal cities can not only enrich food reserves but also make caravans profitable, thus maintaining the chain of cross-regional trade in this chaotic world.
Otherwise, once prices plummet, the caravan will not only not make any money but also lose money on a trip, and there will probably not even be a trace of it next time.
It’s good like this now. You can bring one or two trucks of food as a backup, and you can make some money.
Miscellaneous items like the third car of the Hongshan Caravan are an option after having a guaranteed bottom line. Whether there is a loss or a profit, it will not affect the total income of the caravan too much.
A total of two and a half tons of dried fish.
Because it was thoroughly dried, the grains were firm, and it was packed carefully, all 85 snakeskin bags could hold it all.
Dalong and the two young men climbed onto the roof of the car nimbly. The four people below stood in a row and threw it up at the right angle.
These buses were originally modified from truck chassis and can be transformed into cargo trucks at any time when encountering danger.
Nearly fifty bags of dried fish were spread out on the roof, tied crosswise with thick nylon ropes, and the edges were pressed with anti-slip nets, so they would not shake no matter how bumpy the car was.
The remaining thirty or so bags were stuffed into the back of the carriage, squeezed together with half a Yaksha cow wrapped in waterproof cloth, just filling up the back half of the carriage.
"Master Zhang, I'm so sorry."
Cheng Ye smiled sheepishly, a fishy smell lingering in his nose. "This dried fish smells strong. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to wash the car properly when we get back."
"Inspector Cheng, please don't say that. I, Old Zhang, am so lucky to be able to lend you a hand. Besides, the Public Works Department has already instructed me to be your exclusive driver for the next two weeks. It's just a matter of a word to tell you where to go. My defense contact number is 317550. Remember it and call me anytime."
Zhang Yong waved his hands quickly, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes squeezed into a ball.
From ordinary bus drivers to inspectors and Tianyuan community drivers, other drivers who have been driving cars with them these days are envious to death.
Not to mention that Cheng Ye is not arrogant at all and is even kinder than the small leader of the Public Works Department.
"Okay, then I won't be polite."
Cheng Ye pulled up his address book and saved the number. Everyone got on the bus one after another and squeezed in the front.
You push against me and I push against you, everyone's blood is boiling, and the coldness in the carriage is immediately dissipated a lot.
"Master Zhang, go to the Public Works Department first. I need to discuss the construction of the pedestrian street with Mr. Liu."
"Okay!"
Master Zhang shifted gears and stepped on the accelerator, and the bus slowly drove away from the checkpoint.
The guards on duty at the door couldn't help but lean over, their eyes full of amazement.
They have been here for several years, and everyone knows that the prosecutor has a high status. When it comes to getting things done, many people rush forward to help.
But I have never seen any prosecutor actually do this, most of them are mavericks.
This is the first time I've seen someone like Cheng Ye. Judging from the respectful looks in the eyes of people like Dalong, he is as majestic as the stationmaster!
The car moved forward for a while.
Cheng Ye sat by the window. There was a layer of white mist on the glass. He used his finger to cut away a piece and looked at the receding fog outside.
The tent camp, which was full of life during the day, huddled into gray shadows in the cold fog at night when the cold wind blew, like graves rooted in the wilderness. There were no shouts or smoke, and even the sound of wind blowing through the canvas was dead silent.
After driving a little further, the outline of the shantytown emerged in the fog.
The low adobe houses were crowded together, with a few lights on in the windows, and the whole area was eerily quiet.
No more noise and chaos that cannot be suppressed!
The huge buffer zone became desolate again in just one day. There was an indescribable sense of depression in the air, even more desolate than after the last wave of infection.
“Was winter always like this?”
"It's much colder in the winter than it is now," Dalong immediately responded. "It's because everyone is afraid of encountering fog holes and danger outside. It's not that the weather is too cold. In fact, this temperature is just comfortable for working during the day. It's neither too cold nor too hot, much better than sweating in the summer!"
"Hmm"
Cheng Ye didn't respond, just looked out the window.
It was not until we left the shantytown and entered the edge of the city that he spoke:
"Dalong, go find some pots later and stew the salted fish and beef for us. I'll be in charge tonight and serve meat to everyone so you don't have to make a wasted trip."
"Sir, how can this be so embarrassing!"
Dalong waved his hands quickly, his dark face flushed, "If you have any orders, we will run our legs off to do them, how can we let..."
Before he finished speaking, Cheng Ye looked up at him. There was no majesty in his eyes, but a gentleness that brooked no refusal.
Dalong shut his mouth awkwardly, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up, and he felt sweet in his heart.
Working with Cheng Ye is completely different from following orders in the Corps before.
Everyone could clearly feel that although Cheng Ye was ordering them around, everyone was equal in personality and he did not treat them as tools.
The carriage suddenly became quiet and no one said a word. The young men looked at each other, and there was a glimmer in their eyes.
This little bit of respect, in a wasteland where human life is worthless.
Maybe in the eyes of some people it is worthless, cannot be exchanged for bullets, and cannot fill their stomachs.
But perhaps, it is more precious than anything else!
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