1 Prologue

I thought about this every year. Well... at least once a year, New Year's Eve.

The seconds before the end of one year and beginning of another, it's an exciting moment.

I watched and listened to the small fireworks building up the tension in the background as flashbacks fill my mind.

"I wonder what will await me in the future?" I said looking up to the sky.

2020, the start of a new zodiac cycle, the year of the rat, a new chapter in my life.

The countdown begins.

10... 9... 8... 7... 6...

5...

4...

3...

2...

1.

A stream of fireworks set off and shone brightly in the starry night. The city sky filled with smoke trails left behind by the fireworks as the crescent moonlight reflected upon it; a truly mesmerising sight to behold.

Janda tapped my shoulder. "Hey!"

"Hey, bro!" I replied. "When'd you get here? Isn't your accommodation a few blocks away?"

"Hmm... let's just say I missed ya."

"Hoho? Are you sure you're not here for something else?"

"Well... what about sparing me some food?" he laughed.

"I knew it... you're too lazy man!"

I passed him some food as we talked and chattered while eating on the bench in my courtyard.

* * *

"Ha... I wished everything would have been the same," Janda sighed while lying on the grassy bump beside the bench.

I took a bottle of coke and handed it to him. "Man, you're making this too emotional."

"Hmm... I wonder... well anyways," he said while sitting up. "I'm gonna head back now, got someone waiting for me haha," he laughed while scratching the back of his head.

"Wha-? Since when did you..." I muttered. "Ha... never mind. Just get going!"

We fist-bumped and the next moment he was on his way back to his accommodation.

I looked up at the sky again.

"I hope this year will be another great year."

* * *

* * *

*Bzzz* "It's not good, look at the stats, sir."

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1.01% (C19)

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???{1}: "The growth rate... can it not be controlled any further!?"

*Bzzz* "We've tried our best sir. We cannot stop the spread."

???{2}: "We shall make a decision."

???{3}: "You think you have the right to say that after your joint failed mission with ???{5}!?"

???{4}: "You wasted all our investment..."

???{5}: "What do you mean!? We all agreed to do this."

???{7}: "Our precious resources... they are being used for shit like this?"

???{6}: "Hehehe... this is getting interesting..."

???{1} slammed the table and walked out of the room. ???{3}, ???{4}, and ???{7} followed ???{1} out.

???{1} looked back into the room.

"You better be prepared for the consequences."

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Hi! This is the author. As you all might know, the current situation about COVID-19 is going around and some parts of the world do not look too good.

This story is a work of fiction and everything like events that happens in this story will REMAIN here ONLY.

Remember to wear a mask, keep good hygiene and stay safe.

Get yourself comfy while scrolling through the webnovel and I hope you enjoy this.

Happy reading!