The setting sun slanted westward, painting the horizon red. Dusk was near.
From the factories on either side of the road poured a crowd of female workers in light clothing. They chattered away, their weary faces brimming with laughter and joy, utterly unaware that the last glimmer of human civilization was already hanging by a thread.
Chen Shouyi wheeled his bicycle into the garage and walked into the living room.
"Mom, I'm back."
"Why are you so late today?" Mother Chen asked.
"I got held up on the way. Mom, starting tomorrow, I'm going into seclusion to cultivate for a while. I won't be coming back at night." Chen Shouyi thought for a moment before answering. At home, aside from Entering Tranquility to Refine the Self, he couldn't practice the Thirty-Six Forms of Hardening at all. He was wasting a great deal of time.
"Your work comes first. Be careful!" Mother Chen said quickly. To her, going into seclusion to cultivate was always a good thing. The stronger her son became, the safer he would be if he ran into danger. Then, remembering something, she asked, "Has something happened lately?"
"What is it?" Chen Shouyi asked, his expression stiffening.
"They've held two air-raid siren drills around here this week."
"Maybe." Chen Shouyi gave a noncommittal answer. "Just stay alert."
After dinner, Chen Shouyi picked up the newspaper and returned to his room.
After bathing Shell Girl, he took a shower himself in the bathroom. Once he had changed, he began reading.
"According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs' crop survey, a bumper summer grain harvest is all but certain this year. With new crop varieties in use and the domestic situation largely stabilized, grain output is expected to double..."
"The President warmly received the Prime Minister of the