Feng Qingyue calmly explained, "This is to prevent rumors."
Rumors can arise even without cause. If anyone were allowed to speak freely during such times, even without accidents, many unfortunate incidents could be provoked. She had witnessed situations where disasters led to looting by crowds. If public sentiment spiraled out of control, who knew what insane actions people might take.
Feng Qingyang added, "Some things can’t even be discussed in private chats anymore. I tried typing a few book titles, but none of them went through."
They were undoubtedly related to the Apocalypse.
Feng Qingyang also enjoyed reading online novels.
Feng Qingyue couldn’t help but warn him, "Don’t go imitating things recklessly. Have you seen the news? It’s clearly not like the stuff in novels. The authorities are prohibiting killing—no killing, no killing, no killing. Understand? This means there’s still hope. It might even mean a vaccine is close to being developed. The Infected are still human. Killing them means paying with your life!"
Feng Qingyang responded with a rapid-fire string of "I know, I know, I know."
She also reminded him to reinforce doors and windows, secure any areas on the walls where someone could climb in, keep an eye on the children, and so on.
Feng Qingyang was even more worried about Feng Qingyue’s family of three. After all, he and their parents lived in a standalone rural house with ample space and double-layered protection for doors and windows. In contrast, Feng Qingyue’s residential building, relying on good security and property management, didn’t even have a proper iron security door.
Feng Qingyue simply said she’d have one installed tomorrow.
After listening in, Shu Hanguang, despite the late hour, went to advise his younger sister, Shu Xin. His brother-in-law was a man, so his wife had warned him not to act impulsively. As for Shu Hanguang, he needed to remind his sister to be extra cautious of others, avoid going out unnecessarily, and if she must, let the men handle it.
He didn’t name names, but which man could possibly go out?
Feng Qingyue shot him a look, thinking he really didn’t treat other people’s sons as sons.
Shu Hanguang argued righteously, "I’m not letting either of you two go out either."
Feng Qingyue replied, "Yes, yes, you’re absolutely right."
Unable to stay up any longer, the three went to sleep, with Shu Dabao clinging tightly to Feng Qingyue. Shu Hanguang set an early alarm—he needed to wake up early to go shopping.
The next day, when Feng Qingyue woke up, Shu Hanguang was already gone. She checked that the water, electricity, and gas were all functioning, then took out her phone. In the homeowners’ group, the property management was urging everyone to fill out the new day’s information, strictly emphasizing that falsification was prohibited as it would affect subsequent work arrangements.
Feng Qingyue filled out the form truthfully. Did people really think falsifying information wouldn’t be detected? Big data—what couldn’t it analyze based on travel, consumption, and medical records?
Sure enough, a red-flagged notification popped up in the mini-program, reporting instances of households falsely reporting family members to claim extra emergency kits. Those caught were severely criticized. It stated that supplies were allocated to each citizen, and false reporting would deprive those truly in need. Everyone was urged to be honest and trustworthy. It also hinted that fraudulent behavior would have consequences in the future.
"They’re reacting quickly. Surveillance is tightening," Feng Qingyue murmured to herself, switching between different apps and mini-programs.
Everything was now under full control. Posting was restricted, violent content had disappeared, and much speculative material was gone. However, some dramas and novels remained, with cartoons being the most preserved.
Thank goodness for their mercy, leaving behind a handy tool to pacify children.
Shu Dabao woke up late and said, "Today is Saturday, no school."
Feng Qingyue: "…" What a happy little princess living in her own world.
Academic classes might be optional, but self-defense lessons were mandatory!
Feng Qingyue browsed online and was delighted to find small tutorials on self-defense techniques. She decided to learn them, and learn them thoroughly!
Oh, there were also survival skills courses—she absolutely had to learn those!
Shu Dabao was exposed to this new world and watched with great interest.
Feng Qingyue checked the power bank and pulled clothes out of the wardrobe to wash. She didn’t know if, like in the novels, water and electricity might be cut off one day, so she had to take everything out to sun and wash them.
If the weather were to change drastically again… The thought frightened her, so she quickly opened a weather app and checked the 40-day forecast, praying that the heavens wouldn’t suddenly turn hostile.
During this time, Shu Hanguang called to ask for the measurements of the doors and windows at home. Feng Qingyue slapped her forehead, silently cursing both herself and her husband for being foolish, and hurried to take the measurements. Shu Dabao eagerly helped out. As long as it wasn’t studying, she was enthusiastic about anything.
When Shu Hanguang returned, a brand-new phone was inserted with a SIM card.
Feng Qingyue was so overjoyed she rushed over and gave him a kiss.
Shu Hanguang was quite proud: "The service center opened, but only halfway. Several security guards were at the entrance asking questions, checking IDs, and prioritizing those without phone numbers. Luckily, I had the foresight to bring Dabao’s ID. Those of us who went in early were all there to get phones for kids. The process was quick, and the staff didn’t waste a single word." They didn’t even try to upsell any plans.
This meant the authorities had opened a green channel.
It also indicated the severity of the situation.
After saying this, Shu Hanguang rushed out and returned carrying a large bag of hardware materials and tools. He then asked Feng Qingyue to go downstairs with him, and together they carried up a security door and security window bars.
Feng Qingyue was quite satisfied, but Shu Hanguang grumbled: "Luckily, I know the owner. I had to beg and plead for a long time, and even paid extra to get these."
He held up a hand to show the amount. Feng Qingyue took a sharp breath but pretended to stay calm: "Safety first. Spending money to buy peace is worth it."
But inwardly, she was cursing—was earning money easy for them?
Looking at the security door again, it wasn’t even a full-coverage one. And the so-called security window bars were just stainless steel frames, not particularly dense.
"When will the installer come?"
Shu Hanguang rolled his eyes, full of resentment: "We’ll install it ourselves. I bought a full set of tools. The owner gave us a backdoor deal—take it or leave it."
Feng Qingyue took another sharp breath: "Let’s look for a tutorial video. Hopefully, there’s still one available."
Shu Hanguang said, "There are some more things I bought in the car. Go get them."
Feng Qingyue nodded, and Shu Dabao wanted to go too. As the two went downstairs, they heard clanging and buzzing sounds. Looking up, they saw that some quick-acting households were already installing security window bars.
The two didn’t rush back upstairs. Instead, they took a walk around the neighborhood. A crowd had gathered at the property management office, all there to inquire about updates or exchange information. The mother and daughter also went over to listen. The conversations they overheard were tense, filled with complaints, or discussions about prices. Several people were talking about installing security measures and being ripped off by unscrupulous merchants.
Feng Qingyue held Shu Dabao’s hand and squeezed in to ask the property management when supplies would be distributed—anything would do. At least they could infer something from what was being distributed. The property management’s response was consistent: "Wait for instructions from above."
Shu Dabao saw the parents of her classmates and asked about them. They were all at home, not allowed out by their parents.
Shu Dabao felt a bit disappointed.
After retrieving the items and returning home, Shu Hanguang immediately said he needed to go out again to buy more materials. He hurried out, and Feng Qingyue locked the door securely.
The phone rang again, a video call from home—everything was safe. After chatting for a while, another video call came in, this time from her in-laws. Feng Qingyue answered, pulling Shu Dabao over so both sides could reassure each other of their safety and exchange reminders.
The elderly kept asking when they could return, but Feng Qingyue could only say they were waiting in line and would set off immediately as soon as arrangements were made.
The elderly then said it was still safer back in their hometown, with plenty to eat and drink.
Feng Qingyue nodded repeatedly. After hanging up, she immediately called Shu Hanguang, asking him to buy some vegetable seeds and, while he was at it, some fertilizer.
Shu Hanguang agreed.
The content on TV and phones grew—suggestions and advocacy, rules and guidelines, along with some recent cases as warnings, cautioning those with restless minds not to seek their own doom.
The roads on the map remained congested, and Shu Hanguang’s queuing status still showed no results.
That day, the couple managed, albeit clumsily, to install the security doors and windows. They prioritized safety over aesthetics, and though Shu Hanguang’s crash-course skills were rough, Feng Qingyue gave her full approval and praise after shaking them with all her might.
Finding humor in hardship, she said, "You’ve gained another skill to make a living."
That night, the sounds of clanging, banging, and buzzing echoed intermittently throughout the neighborhood. No one complained, and no one could—speaking out was forbidden.