Facing the Shell Girl, who was crying tears of grievance, Chen Shouyi had no choice but to comfort her for a good while. At last, he managed to soothe her.
It wasn't long before Chen Xingyue came home early, too. The school had given everyone a day off.
Because of the upheaval, classes had been suspended and missed so often that none of the major universities in Hedong had given students a summer break this year. Classes were still in session as usual.
The shock from this nuclear blast was enormous. No one could watch a mushroom cloud rise and remain calm and unaffected.
Since nuclear weapons had been developed, and especially since the discovery of the Otherworld, every country's nuclear stockpile had skyrocketed. The shadow of nuclear war had always hung over the entire world.
Ningzhou had already been hit by a nuclear bomb, but it was too far from Hedong to make much of an impression. Only when you saw one with your own eyes could you feel that shuddering terror, as if you were facing the might of heaven and earth.
"Citizens, do not panic. Have faith in the Party and the government... According to the latest test results, the nuclear radiation affecting Hedong is negligible and within safe limits. It will not endanger your health..."
Chen Shouyi pulled open the curtains. Outside, a government worker was shouting at the top of his lungs through a tin loudspeaker.
Soldiers were everywhere outside. The entire safe zone had been placed under martial law.
But by now, it was practically routine.
If a month went by without martial law being imposed, that would be cause for celebration.
Chen Shouyi watched for a while, then drew the curtains shut.
The Shell Girl was having the time of her life playing