No one knew when the accident happened. Fate always delivers its Pandora’s box when people are least prepared, and a massive pandemic quietly made landfall. As ordinary citizens were called upon to stop working and stay home, they had no idea that many departments had long since entered an emergency state. Tests, simulations, and calculations—report after report and result after result were influencing the future fate of humanity.
“The new virus is extremely infectious. The incubation period is three to seven days, and any contact inevitably leads to infection.”
“Once a full-blown infection breaks out, the subject enters a so-called ‘zombie’ state. Cells lose their activity in the ordinary sense, but an as-yet-unidentified energy is stimulated, causing the infected to manifest in a state of the undead—stiff but not dead.”
“The higher the concentration, the faster the infection and the more obvious the symptoms.”
“According to data analysis gathered from major laboratories, among those infected at the same concentration, 60% to 65% will become ‘zombies,’ roughly 20% to 30% will produce antibodies and remain asymptomatic, about 10% will experience an enhancement in a certain physical ability, and 1% to 3% will manifest ‘supernatural abilities.'”
“Because the time frame has been too short, we cannot be certain how these statistics will change under long-term viral infection.”
“According to observations, ‘zombies’ do not bite humans for the purpose of feeding. Anyone who exhibits ‘zombie’ characteristics will no longer be targeted by other ‘zombies.’ This so-called cannibalistic behavior is more like completing a conversion into their own kind.”
“Both thermal and cold weapons can cause damage to ‘zombies.’ Their vulnerability lies in the central nervous system.”
“Through the accumulation of concentration, the earliest volunteers have shown signs of healing and recovery. Pupil reactions have begun to return, and brain waves…”
……
“We are inclined to view this as an event prompting humanity to transform in a certain direction; it cannot be fully characterized as a disaster. Perhaps it is the sprouting of a new civilization. Of course, this is merely our hypothesis. The consequences of being wrong—”
The massive conference room fell into silence.
Every person sitting here was either a figure of significant influence or a leader in their field—decision-makers whose single command could alter the course of history.
At this moment, everyone was suffering.
A sixty to seventy percent mutation rate was too high. No one had the heart to abandon so many citizens. Thinking optimistically, what if the mutated could recover? But thinking pessimistically, if everyone was unfortunately infected and so few produced antibodies, would humanity eventually vanish?
More terrifying than those two “what ifs” was the fact that they simply could not stop the spread of this unknown virus! Furthermore, until now, researchers had yet to determine the composition of the virus, making it impossible to create a targeted vaccine!
Silence, heavy as a mountain, weighed on everyone’s hearts until they could barely breathe. Some who were physically weak even fainted under the immense pressure; people immediately rushed forward to provide silent and swift medical aid.
Leaving was not an option. At a time like this, no one could leave.
Stacks of documents piled up, and monitor screens stood tall. Every person had the earliest document in front of them; some were even frayed at the edges, rubbed raw by restless hands.
At this moment, that document was picked up once again.
A low, slow voice asked, “Has the data for this trial changed?”
Someone immediately answered, “The data has remained very stable. Regardless of how long they have been infected, the subjects all show a very repelled reaction to this type of scent. We tested people of different ages, blood types, body types, and body odors. As long as an appropriate amount was applied, the infected actively avoided them. The more that was applied, the greater the distance the infected maintained.”
The low voice turned to the other side. “And the factories?”
“They are already producing at maximum capacity.”
“Then distribute them.”
Everyone felt an inexplicable sense of relief, yet their hearts remained in their throats. They did not know if this decision was right or wrong. May the ancestors bless the people to pass through this trial safely. Ancestors, you must protect us!
As one tiny unit among countless ordinary families, Feng Qingyue and Shu Hanguang stayed at home with their daughter, Shu Dabao, idling away the time in a state of domestic chaos. If Shu Dabao were currently in kindergarten, it might still have been a scene of maternal love and filial devotion.
But the sky hadn’t fallen, so learning couldn’t stop; the earth hadn’t collapsed, so education couldn’t be interrupted. There was water, electricity, and internet; there was food, drink, and parents. What excuse did she have not to learn?
Feng Qingyue slapped the table. “Write!”
In the outer room, Shu Hanguang, who had been playing deaf on the sofa, jumped up. “Wife, come quick and look! The authorities have issued a notice.”
Feng Qingyue twisted her neck, her roar carrying through the door. “Shut up! If you can’t teach her, then don’t cause trouble!”
“It’s real. Truly.” Shu Hanguang hurriedly pushed the door open, holding up his phone. “A notice has been sent. The phones and TV are all showing the same thing. My god, this scale… it’s over. The sky really is falling.”
Shu Dabao glanced over with a wronged expression. The sky is falling? Does that mean no more studying?
Feng Qingyue frowned and scanned the phone screen in Shu Hanguang’s hand. It was filled with text that seemed to lack context. She pushed past him into the living room. On the television was a familiar official anchor, broadcasting announcements one by one with a grim expression.
“Residents are requested to remain in their homes and stock up on fresh water and food…”
“All departments will ensure twenty-four-hour supply of water, electricity, and gas…”
“Communication networks will not be interrupted…”
“Supplies are about to be distributed; we guarantee that rescue packages will be delivered to every household…”
“Exercise caution when going outside. If you discover anyone acting suspiciously, call immediately…”
……
Feng Qingyue’s heart sank. She turned to ask Shu Hanguang, who was huddled beside her, “Did they say anything about the treatment of the previously infected?”
Shu Hanguang replied, “Exactly, they didn’t say. What happened to all those people who were taken away? Are there any deaths?”
Feng Qingyue thought his choice of words was unpleasant and slapped his arm, an ominous premonition filling her heart. “Video call the family.”
Shu Hanguang held the remote, flipping through the channels. “It’s over, really over. Every channel is the same broadcast. Wife, let’s hurry and buy tickets back to the countryside. At least there’s land back home.”
Feng Qingyue said, “Transportation stopped long ago.”
Shu Dabao ran over. “Does this mean school won’t start?”
She tried hard to keep a straight face, but the corners of her mouth were twitching with secret joy.
Feng Qingyue looked at her, hands on her hips, feeling troubled.
Shu Hanguang glared. “Your mom will teach you.”
Feng Qingyue snapped, “Why won’t you teach her?”
Shu Hanguang said, “I’m stupid.”
Heh, men. Once they reach a certain age, they’ll pin any kind of labels on themselves just to avoid trouble.
Shu Hanguang sat down on the sofa as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “I need to keep an eye on the news. You two go ahead.”
Shu Dabao pouted, and Feng Qingyue let out a cold laugh. “Get out and go buy some things. What if we don’t have enough to eat?”
They had been off work for a while, and the kitchen was already stocked with rice, flour, oil, and grains. If they bought any more, their tiny kitchen wouldn’t be able to hold it.
Shu Hanguang didn’t want to buy anything more at all. He waved his hand with an air of importance. “Oh, let me see, let me see what they want us to prepare.”
Feng Qingyue gave a cold snort and dragged Shu Dabao by the arm back to the bedroom. Shu Dabao looked like she had nothing left to live for; she would rather be at school. At least the teacher wouldn’t be staring only at her.
Feng Qingyue reflected on her attitude, composed her emotions, and began to teach in a gentle voice. This was her own flesh and blood; she couldn’t just give up because of a bit of frustration. They rotated through subjects; anyway, there were online classes, so she didn’t have to teach every single second herself.
After half a day, another loud shout came from the living room. Shu Dabao immediately spun around. “Mom, what’s wrong with Dad?”
Feng Qingyue held back her frustration and said, “Keep studying.” She walked out with a dark face, vowing to kick Shu Hanguang out.
Shu Hanguang’s face had changed color to the point of losing his composure. He pointed at the TV screen and said to her, “Zombie virus! It’s been released!”
What? Feng Qingyue was still scoffing, instinctively disbelieving. Would the authorities play this kind of internet prank on the public? She looked over, and her eyes suddenly widened.