The television screen flickered to life, revealing figures with stiff gaits and unnaturally tilted heads—what else could they be but zombies? The background was a familiar location that no one would dare use for pranks. Feng Qingyue froze, and the two of them stared dumbfounded at the screen, just like countless others who were watching in similar disbelief.
The anchor’s voice remained calm and measured, as if reporting the most ordinary news.
"…The above are the symptoms exhibited by the Infected… Use the items in the emergency kit as instructed to keep the Infected at bay… Whether staying home or going out, ensure your safety… Call… immediately…"
Feng Qingyue was stunned: "Is this the Apocalypse?"
Shu Hanguang said, "No way, I need to check zombie movies."
After a flurry of frantic searching: "It’s over, all the platforms have changed, and the apps have been taken over."
Feng Qingyue glanced over as Shu Hanguang switched between different platforms, all broadcasting the exact same content as the television. She immediately took out her phone and opened WeChat, about to click on a video when a video call window popped up. She answered, and her elderly parents’ worried faces appeared.
"How are things over there?"
Feng Qingyue turned her phone around, capturing Shu Hanguang and Shu Dabao, who had wandered into view. The family of three appeared neatly together, and the elderly couple visibly relaxed.
Beside her, Shu Hanguang’s phone rang. He answered, quickly scanned the room, and stepped away to report to his family.
Feng Qingyue rubbed her forehead and sat down. Shu Dabao obediently leaned against her, calling out to her grandparents, and immediately began tattling.
The child was still unaware that the world had ended, dragging out her tone as she complained about her mother. The elderly couple patiently listened to her grievances, even managing to laugh, and inevitably ended by urging her to study hard.
Feng Qingyue impatiently patted Shu Dabao’s bottom, telling her to go back and study, while she exchanged reassurances with her parents. Store water, stock up on food, prepare candles, matches, and flashlights. Her parents, with their wealth of survival experience, reminded her of even more things. Feng Qingyue calculated that she would need to go out for another round of shopping.
While still on the call, her younger brother’s family appeared on the screen, carrying bags and bundles as they entered. Her sister-in-law, Jiang Yan, placed grocery bags in the kitchen, while her brother, Feng Qingyang, set things down at the doorway before turning back to bring in another box.
Clearly, they had moved in.
Feng Qingyue felt a wave of relief. Being too far from home, with transportation halted, she couldn’t return to either her in-laws’ or her parents’ home. Knowing that her brother’s family had moved in with her parents eased her worries considerably.
Her nephew, Feng Zixuan, rushed over, throwing himself into Father Feng’s arms and leaning toward the phone: "Auntie, where’s my sister?"
Feng Qingyue smiled gently: "She’s doing her homework."
Shu Dabao came running out of her room, took the phone, and started chatting with her cousin. Feng Qingyue rolled her eyes—homework was never enough to keep her occupied.
Shu Hanguang had already gone to the bedroom. Feng Qingyue went over and overheard him exchanging reassurances with his family as well.
When Shu Dabao returned the phone, Feng Qingyue exchanged more reassurances with Feng Qingyang.
Feng Qingyang said, "Maybe you should come back."
Feng Qingyue thought to herself, if they really went back, whose home would they even return to?
She replied, "We’ll see. The news says to avoid going out if possible. Transportation is shut down, so driving is the only way back. The roads will be crowded and prone to traffic jams, and if another virus outbreak happens—"
Feng Qingyang scratched his head: "Alright, be careful, and call if anything happens."
Feng Qingyue ended the video call. No matter what, being able to contact her family was a good thing—it meant everything was still under control.
She opened a web page, where a variety of news articles appeared normal on the surface, but the timestamps revealed a clear lag. Moreover, users could no longer post or upload anything, while official entries were growing in number. Among the videos, aside from the previously existing ones, all new uploads were official propaganda.
This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing—it meant the internet was also under control.
Shu Hanguang ended the video call and rushed out of the bedroom. "I need to go buy supplies—whatever I can get my hands on."
Feng Qingyue nodded. "I’ll go with you."
Shu Dabao chimed in, "Me too—"
"You stay home," the two said in unison.
Shu Dabao returned to the bedroom with a stern expression.
Shu Hanguang said, "You stay home. I’ll go alone. With my build, I can push through the crowds."
Feng Qingyue disagreed. "Don’t act recklessly. I’ll message you on WeChat about what to buy."
Shu Hanguang waved her off. "What does any of that matter now?"
He changed his shoes, went out, and locked the door.
Feng Qingyue felt uneasy. If everyone acted recklessly… She sat on the sofa, clutching her phone, staring blankly at the news playing on repeat.
An hour passed. The news hadn’t changed, and Shu Hanguang hadn’t returned. Feng Qingyue turned off the TV and paced around the room.
Two hours later, her phone screen was flooded with notifications. Feng Qingyue checked the bedroom—good, Shu Dabao was watching his tablet.
How fortunate—cartoons were still available.
Another hour passed, and even Shu Dabao sensed something was wrong. He came out and asked, "Where’s Dad?"
Feng Qingyue replied vaguely, "He went to find something good to eat."
It wasn’t until dusk that Shu Hanguang returned—empty-handed and looking grim.
"All the small supermarkets and shops are closed. Even the big malls are shut."
Feng Qingyue’s expression changed.
Shu Hanguang said, "There were notices posted, saying supplies will be provided on a scheduled basis from now on."
Feng Qingyue thought of something and immediately opened WeChat. Shu Hanguang added, "The property management is also sending notices. The residents’ group requires daily check-ins."
Feng Qingyue had previously left the group, but now, several official accounts were sending messages demanding daily cooperation in submitting information.
Shu Hanguang added her back to the residents’ group. "Starting today, every household must check in, report how many people are at home, take their temperatures, and note any abnormalities. If—"
He didn’t finish the sentence, but Feng Qingyue nodded. "If a household suddenly stops checking in, it means everyone inside is… Wait, can Infected even use phones?"
Shu Hanguang suddenly exclaimed, "All our money is in our phones!"
Feng Qingyue replied, "…The banks are probably closed too, right?"
Then it dawned on her. "If you’re Infected, you probably don’t need money anyway, right?"
Shu Hanguang retorted, "How are you supposed to get treatment without money?"
Shu Dabao asked, "Dad, are you going to die?"
Shu Hanguang: "…"
Feng Qingyue: "…"
The family of three huddled obediently at home as an uneasy atmosphere grew. Feng Qingyue didn’t force Shu Dabao to do his homework, and Shu Dabao didn’t dare watch his tablet anymore. Phone notifications kept chiming—from different departments, the government, the property management, and the school—all demanding household information.
Feng Qingyue filled out the forms one by one, while Shu Hanguang grew impatient. "What’s the point of filling these out?"
Feng Qingyue glanced at him. "There’s a section for reporting relatives. It says if family members are in other cities, they can apply to return home. Railways and highways will open emergency routes."
Shu Hanguang opened his mouth but hesitated. "Then we—"
Perfect—the classic dilemma of whether to spend the holidays at the husband’s family home or the wife’s had arrived.
This issue wasn't a problem for Feng Qingyue. In conventional thinking, men are bound to their families—their parents' home is always their home. But women are different. Feng Qingyue had long known that she herself was her own home; what she sought were worldly ties and spiritual independence.
So she said, "I'm fine with either."
Shu Hanguang felt pained. "You're fine with either"—was this forcing him to take a stand?
Shu Dabao looked from one to the other and said loudly, "I want to stay in my own home."
Feng Qingyue calmly replied, "Go back to your home. It's time for you, as the son, to step up. Your sister can't easily return."
Shu Hanguang opened his mouth: "She said she would go back."
Feng Qingyue sneered, "What about the child? What about her husband? Do they agree?"
Shu Hanguang had nothing to say.
Feng Qingyue added, "Go back to your home. It'll be more convenient to travel from your place to mine."
Shu Hanguang repeatedly glanced at her expression, then lowered his head and pulled out his phone to fill out the forms on the app.
Feng Qingyue got up and went to the kitchen to check on the food, thinking to herself, "Men are really troublesome."