Chapter 83

Rescue vehicles continued to scour the area for survivors, bringing them to the makeshift shelters in school halls that had been hastily repaired. Inside, the sick were separated from the healthy to prevent further outbreaks. But as more people arrived, space quickly ran out, forcing the authorities to construct additional shelters with whatever materials they had, offering incentives for people to help with the rescue efforts.

The rescue work involved building additional shelters rather than accompanying the soldiers to rescue people, so there was no need to interact with the sick. However, not many people participated, mainly because they lacked thick clothing. Even if they wanted to help, they simply weren't equipped to handle the cold.

Jian Chu and the others went to help because they had warm clothes. Wearing extra layers meant they wouldn't freeze as much, and with the increased points being offered, it was a good opportunity to earn more. If this cold snap passed quickly, it wouldn't be a big deal. But if it turned into another long-term freeze like the summer heat had been—lasting a whole year—they would have to earn enough points now to stock up on food and hunker down for the winter.

Wu Zheng and his brother also went. Not wanting to leave Niu Niu alone at home, they entrusted him to Qin Huai, who had no intention of letting Mu Nan go out to work.

Mu Nan stroked Niu Niu's head as he sat by the window, watching the bundled-up group leave. He sighed, "It's just you and me now."

Niu Niu barked, "Woof!"

Mu Nan chuckled, "We're the same, both of us are the ones being kept indoors."

Niu Niu responded with another bark, a bit quieter this time.

Niu Niu was relatively clean, but Mu Nan still gave him a wipe-down, especially focusing on his paws. It seemed Wu Zheng and his brother had been taking good care of him. Mu Nan checked him carefully for fleas or bugs, and after giving him a light cleaning and spraying him with flea repellent, he let him inside. The room had been heated for two days, and the temperature was finally comfortable, though the air conditioning was still on. Without it, the room would be too chilly, requiring heavy sweaters. Wearing too many clothes was uncomfortable, so the air conditioning stayed on, keeping the place cozy enough that only light fleece loungewear was necessary.

As soon as Niu Niu came in, he obediently lay on the rug beside the sofa. Mu Nan placed a bowl of water next to him in case he got thirsty and even offered him some homemade jerky. But whether he held it near him mouth or put it in her bowl, Niu Niu refused to eat.

After trying to play with him for a while and seeing that Niu Niu was lethargic and uninterested, much less lively than when he was with his owners, Mu Nan's enthusiasm for playing with him quickly waned. He left him alone and went to water his plants outside. However, as soon as he moved, Niu Niu got up to follow him. Mu Nan clicked his tongue. "When I want to play, you ignore me. But when I don't, you follow me everywhere. What's your deal?"

Niu Niu gave him an innocent look and sat down when he stopped moving. The moment Mu Nan moved again, Niu Niu got up to follow him once more. Although Mu Nan had never raised a dog, he found his behavior amusing, so he began to tease him by moving and stopping repeatedly. Eventually, either out of frustration or realizing that Mu Nan wasn't going anywhere, Niu Niu simply lay down near the door, keeping his eyes on him but not following.

Mu Nan carefully watered each of his plants. The tiny green sprouts were delicate and fresh, making the room feel more alive. As long as the heating continued, his tomatoes and peppers would thrive.

When Qin Huai returned to work, he didn't walk with the group of programmers he used to. Unsure if they were still going, he decided to head to the office by himself. Despite wearing protective goggles, a mask, and a heavy hat, by the time he arrived, his mask and hat were covered in frost.

For someone who had grown up in the south and spent time abroad in warmer climates, this was his first time experiencing such extreme cold firsthand. The office building didn't have floor heating; although the air conditioning was on, it barely made a difference. Upon entering, the room felt warmer, but after sitting for a while, the chill began to seep in again. Fortunately, Qin Huai had dressed warmly, wearing a down jacket underneath a full set of arctic gear. After removing the outer layer, the down jacket was just enough for indoor comfort.

Originally, there were about ten recruits from the public who were hired to help with reconstruction. After basic assessments, only seven remained. Of those, six lived in nearby apartment buildings and had previously walked to work together. Today, only three showed up, with the whereabouts of the others unknown.

One of the three, Zhou Chuanghong, greeted Qin Huai, "We thought you weren't coming either. We looked for you at the corner but didn't see you."

Qin Huai, who had just poured himself a cup of hot water and sat down, smiled and said, "I wasn't sure if you all were coming, so I left on my own. What about the other three?"

Zhou Chuanghong, a northerner, had just graduated around the time of the severe smog years ago. Judging by his skills, he had likely been hired by a company before even receiving his diploma. However, a series of disasters had trapped him here, unable to return home. Not knowing how his family was doing but with no way to leave, he had joined the government's reconstruction efforts, hoping to survive. Perhaps because he was fresh out of school, he had been friendly and had even invited Qin Huai to walk with them before.

In response to Qin Huai's question, Zhou Chuanghong shrugged, "They couldn't buy any clothes, so they couldn't come." He glanced at Qin Huai's clothes enviously and asked, "Did you get that from the supply store? How many points did it cost?"

Nowadays, many people referred to the exchange centers as "supply stores," a term reminiscent of the communal supply systems of the 80s and 90s, which had faded from everyday life as living standards improved. Now, with the return of ration-like exchange systems, the term had come back into use.

Qin Huai replied, "No, I found it while scavenging the ruins." The supply centers didn't seem to stock extreme cold-weather gear like this, so it was more believable to say he had scavenged it, as no one could really know what he had found.

Zhou Chuanghong looked even more envious. He had found a lot of warm clothing while scavenging too, but back then, with the heat being unbearable, everyone had prioritized food and furniture. Now he deeply regretted not grabbing the clothes when he had the chance.

The other two who had come with Zhou, Shu Bin and Zhang Qi, were standing in front of the air conditioner, thawing out. Hearing that Qin Huai had found the clothes while scavenging, they couldn't help but ask, "Do you have any extra? We could trade points for them."

Winter supplies at the exchange points are now incredibly scarce, and even visibly old items are no longer shunned. Being able to find something to wear is already a challenge. Compared to freezing to death, wearing someone else's old clothes is hardly a big deal. Some people who don't need to go out have even wrapped themselves in their old sun-blocking curtains. Recently, as the indoor heating has kicked in, staying indoors without proper winter clothes isn't a big issue. But not everyone can stay home—someone has to go out and earn food. The three who used to walk with them didn't come this time because they couldn't find warm enough clothes and shoes to leave the house. Otherwise, who would give up such a good job opportunity?

Qin Huai sighed, "If I had known this would happen, I would have grabbed more of the stuff I found back then. Now, I could probably sell it for a decent amount. But at the time, I thought it was too hot and heavy, so I only took one or two sets just in case. At least they came in handy, but there's barely enough for myself."

The others sighed too. No one could have predicted such a sudden cold snap. They, too, had found thermal underwear while scavenging but figured they'd never need it in their lifetime. With limited space on their bikes and the need to carry more crucial items like curtains, they discarded the clothes. So, they believed Qin Huai's story and couldn't help but envy him for his foresight in bringing a couple of items home, while they had to spend all their hard-earned points on clothing.

Still, they were fortunate. When the temperature dropped, they realized something was wrong and rushed to the exchange point before the snow fell. They immediately spent all their points on clothes, pants, and shoes. Luckily, they managed to get enough to venture outdoors and continue earning points. If they had been trapped at home, they wouldn't have known what to do.

After chatting for a while and warming up enough to feel their fingers again, they got to work. Previously, tasks had been divided among the larger group, but now that three people were missing, their workload had increased. Still, no one complained. Having work was better than having nothing to do; the real fear was being idle.

Outside, they were building more heated shelters, and due to the shortage of labor, the points offered were higher, and the working hours longer. Every day, when Qin Huai returned home, his neighbors were still out. Since the weather had gotten colder and the sun less harsh, work hours had changed. Qin Huai had to leave at 8 AM, while Jian Chu and the others left even earlier, around 7 AM, to rush construction. Every morning before leaving, Wu Zheng and his brother would drop Niu Niu off at Qin Huai's house. Qin Huai would take the dog upstairs, freshen up, and head to work. By then, Mu Nan was still half-asleep in bed. Wu Zheng and his brother would return around 9 or 10 at night to pick up Niu Niu, and they would chat briefly to exchange updates.

After a few days, Niu Niu seemed to understand that his stay at Mu Nan's house was temporary and that he would return home each night. He became more lively, no longer sulking as he had at the start. By now, he readily ate whatever Mu Nan gave him.

When the first snow fell, it turned into a continuous blizzard that hardly ever stopped. When it was too hot, people could endure it by avoiding direct sunlight. But the deadly cold was far worse, especially without any warning. Still dressed in summer clothes and unable to find warmth, many people fell asleep in the hallucinations caused by hypothermia, never to wake up again.

The government sent out a special vehicle just to transport bodies. Most of the people living in this area were still healthy, and since they had worked so hard to rebuild a clean place to live, they couldn't allow the bodies to pile up. Every day, the corpse-transport vehicle made trips back and forth, loading the bodies and taking them to a designated area for burning. Meanwhile, other vehicles continuously rescued survivors from the city. The sick were sent to schools, while those without symptoms were placed in shelters. Everyone had their temperature taken daily, and anyone with a fever was immediately removed. Those who remained received clothing, but it wasn't free. Their points were recorded, and they would have to repay the debt through labor.

For many people, having the government leading the disaster relief efforts was already a blessing. At least things hadn't deteriorated to the point where no one cared whether you lived or died. However, some people were still causing trouble, demanding free food, drink, and housing, expecting the government to take care of them like royalty. The authorities had no patience for such behavior. Anyone who caused trouble was thrown out of the heated shelters, left to face the elements. If they froze to death, so be it.

It wasn't that the natural disasters had crushed people's spirits. It was that everyone was racing against time to provide rescue and build more shelters. They wished everyone would pitch in to help rather than cause disruptions. The authorities had no time to deal with unreasonable demands. This harsh, "shock and awe" approach was also a message to everyone the old days were gone. The mindset of serving the people as it had been before was no longer realistic. In the face of natural disasters, if you don't fight for your own survival, who can you rely on to save you?

As Qin Huai put it, the government had adopted a semi-militarized approach. You could choose your own way of life—it was your freedom. But if you wanted to rely on the government, you had to follow orders and not cause trouble.

Mu Nan thought this was the right approach. The soldiers had exhausted themselves physically and mentally trying to save people and rebuild. While civilians only had to focus on surviving, the soldiers were fighting to save others. If anyone refused to cooperate or caused problems, who had the energy to deal with them? It was better to be decisive: either follow the rules and stay, or leave if you didn't want to comply.

These issues didn't concern Mu Nan much. Regardless of how good or bad the situation was, he would always be the obedient one.

While the wind and snow raged outside, life for Mu Nan and Qin Huai returned to a temporary calm.

Qin Huai was a quick learner. He had built his fortune from scratch by developing his own software. If it hadn't been for the disaster, that software would have generated wealth for him for years to come. Even with the disaster, the resources he had accumulated early on had allowed him to prepare well. Capable people, no matter the circumstances, might not live better than others, but they always managed to seize opportunities when they arose.

While others were still working on the repairs assigned by the authorities, Qin Huai had already developed a communication software adapted to the current devices and situation. He even introduced new modules tailored to the environment, including instant messaging, material exchange, rescue assistance, and disaster sheltering. He also opened an entertainment section, uploading limited online resources like movies and games, though the selection was small for now but could be expanded in the future. To keep things simple and efficient, each app was standalone, making future updates and operations easier.

However, it was clear he couldn't complete all of this alone. Qin Huai submitted a proposal and even provided a basic framework. All that was needed was for others to gradually fill in the content.

Captain Xia was in charge of their region, and since communication was crucial for accessing external information, maintaining contact with other provinces, and relaying messages to and from the central government, restoring communication was a top priority. This meant that the officer overseeing communications was of high rank—Captain Xia was even a superior to Shi Yuanfei. Now, due to his work on repairing and rebuilding the communication system, Qin Huai was directly reporting to Captain Xia.

Looking at the proposal Qin Huai submitted, Captain Xia asked, "How long will it take to complete the repairs and reconstruction you've outlined?"

Qin Huai replied, "One month. It's not difficult it's just a matter of modifying existing software, so there's no need for original development, which saves time. The only thing that will take time is building the information stations and connecting the ports."

Captain Xia nodded, "The engineering team will speed up the repairs. In the meantime, civilian communications will be your responsibility. If you need any help, feel free to ask."

With his proposal approved, Qin Huai reallocated the tasks. They couldn't touch military communications, which wasn't their area, so they focused on their strengths, mainly establishing the local area network. Qin Huai's motivation wasn't just professional—he wanted to stay in touch with Mu Nan throughout the day. After all, being out all day without a way to contact Mu Nan, especially if he had to work late, would leave Mu Nan at home anxious and worried.

Qin Huai's promotion was obvious to everyone, and his abilities were widely recognized. Even though he couldn't access military communications, sometimes the information engineers would come to him for advice when they hit a roadblock. Even if Qin Huai couldn't directly solve their problems, he could offer practical ideas based on his experience. He was generous with his knowledge, never withholding information, even after being promoted to team leader. His approachable nature, combined with his good looks and straightforward demeanor, made him well-liked. Given how few people were left after the disaster, and with survival as their primary focus, there was no energy for internal conflict, so everyone got along well.

With more responsibilities, Qin Huai became busier. Though it was no longer dangerous to be outside during the day, if he returned late, the roads were still unsafe. Beyond the threat of robbers, wandering animals were dangerous too. Despite the workload, the team tried to ensure everyone returned home before dark. However, the ever-decreasing temperatures and heavy snowfalls had delayed plans for work buses, so everyone had to ride their bicycles to and from work.

Every day, when Qin Huai came home, ice would flake off his clothes, and Mu Nan would feel a pang of worry as he wiped his hands and face with a warm towel. Several times, he almost told Qin Huai to stop going to work but held back.

Qin Huai, knowing what Mu Nan wanted to say, tapped his cold fingers on Mu Nan's nose and teased, "Your mouth is sticking out like you're holding an oil can. How old are you now?"

Mu Nan threw the towel at him and walked upstairs. Qin Huai followed, "In less than half a month, we'll have the internet back up. Then, even when I'm at work, we can stay in touch from home."

Mu Nan replied, "I'm not going to contact you."

Qin Huai chuckled, "Things are pretty great right now. How many people can make a living doing what they love? I'm not just earning a living, I'm supporting you too. And about the weather—you've stuck so many heat patches on me that, even though it's icy outside, I'm warm underneath my clothes. It's not cold at all."

Mu Nan glanced at him, "Do you really enjoy doing this? I've gotten pretty good at growing vegetables. If I plant a few more pots on the second floor, and considering how many we already have upstairs and downstairs, we'll be fine. In this climate, it's either going to be freezing or scorching, so even if they build indoor farms, food will always be scarce. We'll have no problem living off what we grow. I can stay home and tend to the garden instead of dealing with the weather outside

Qin Huai said, "It's expensive domestically because of transportation costs. Alpacas are just everyday meat overseas, but I'm afraid we won't have any in the future. In such cold weather, many people have frozen to death, and I'm afraid many animals too. Whether it's severe cold or scorching heat, neither is suitable for survival or reproduction. I just wonder if animals can adapt to the current environment. If they can't, there will probably be more extinctions."

Mu Nan reminded, "Anyway, be careful on your way to and from work. I'm just worried that in such cold weather, the animals that don't hibernate won't have food and might target humans."

After they were full, the house was warm, likely because the government knew that some people didn't have supplies for the winter. The floor heating was strong, and they had already turned off the air conditioning. In fact, it was a bit too hot. So, after resting for a while after dinner, Mu Nan started eating a popsicle. Qin Huai was sorting clothes. The summer clothes they had washed every day were now drying indoors and would be dry soon due to the heat.

Lying on the sofa, Mu Nan sighed, "Back when I was in school, winter was freezing. In high school, I lived in the dorms. One of my classmates from the northeast, speaking in a thick northeastern accent, complained that the south was too cold. He said he couldn't warm up his bed all night, unlike back in his hometown, where they would eat ice cream and watch the snow in the dead of winter."

As Qin Huai folded clothes, he asked, "Were your high school classmates easy to get along with?"

Mu Nan wiggled his toes and said, "Not bad. There wasn't anyone too difficult to get along with. The girls had their little cliques, and the boys were just goofy. Every day, they played basketball, copied homework, and complained about night study sessions. They were too busy having fun to be hard to get along with."

Qin Huai asked, "No bullying or anything like that?"

Mu Nan took a bite of his popsicle and said, "I don't think so. Everyone was busy with homework and copying assignments. Who had time to bully anyone? Were the classes not hard enough, or the homework not enough? Anyway, I never bullied anyone, and no one ever bullied me."

After saying this, Mu Nan turned to Qin Huai and asked, "What about you? There are a lot of people overseas who look down on Asians and bully those with yellow skin."

Qin Huai smiled, "If they look down on you, just give them a good beating, and they'll avoid you. There aren't that many people with that mindless superiority complex. Most people are pretty easy to get along with."

They chatted for a while, and suddenly there was more noise outside. The wind had been howling all along, but suddenly it picked up even more. Mu Nan pulled back the curtains and looked outside. Even though it was pitch black, he could still see large snowflakes falling. He wondered how thick the snow would be by the time they woke up tomorrow.