On March 13, Qi Si got up early.
He wasn't sure if it was because of the Carnivore instance, but he'd noticed that his appetite had grown considerably. He'd woken up hungry.
Since there wasn't a single thing in his home that didn't contain meat, he had no choice but to change into a white shirt and head out, reluctantly. In less than five minutes, he'd slipped into the bustling morning market.
The smog was still severe, and the echoing din was as headache-inducing as ever. An old radio crackled with static as it rasped out one news report after another:
"The Federation is considering passing the Curfew Act. Between one and four in the morning, no one may go outside without special circumstances."
"The Public Security Bureau has launched a severe crackdown on the Church of the Scales. All its strongholds in Min Province were destroyed recently."
"An investigation has found that reports of 'Eerie Invasion incidents' circulating online are rumors. Those spreading them have been arrested for promoting feudal superstition."
"..."
With his headphones on, Qi Si made his way into the breakfast shop on the street corner, as familiar with the route as ever. The smell of cooking oil and sweat immediately hit him, carried on a wave of heat.
The proprietress stood beside the fryer, her hair tucked under a plastic cap and most of her face hidden by a mask. Only her bloodshot eyes showed as she carefully watched the passing customers. She looked like the sort of person who'd pour out an entire basket of troubles if someone asked how she was doing.
Qi Si had no interest in learning about other people's lives. He walked over and said tersely, "One egg pancake."
"Coming right up!"
The proprietress deftly slapped a sheet of dough