Chapter 196 - 194: Moving Rooms

Words : 1672 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

The comprehensive power restrictions have undoubtedly had a huge impact on the shelter. Although the city had already adopted a phased water and electricity supply policy previously, limiting the power supply time, during the supply periods, electricity consumption was still unrestricted. So many people would take this time to charge their available power storage devices to use practically after the electricity supply stopped. Things like emergency lights provided to each household, some electronic devices preserved before the disaster, and small rechargeable household appliances were all things that survivors in the shelter took to charge every day. The electronic devices preserved before the disaster provided one of the few entertainment options in the shelter, while emergency lights became the only lighting for each household once the power was out. After all, the use of open flames such as candles, which might cause fires, is prohibited in the shelters, making emergency lights, which can provide long-term lighting and serve as batteries, extremely useful. However, now that comprehensive power restrictions have started, the use of various electrical devices has been drastically limited, causing considerable panic. "What’s going on? Why would they suddenly stop the power supply just like that? Is there no power even during the supply period?" A survivor, with obvious panic and worry on his face, asked the shelter’s management about the situation. "Yeah, exactly! What’s going on? Doesn’t the city government have an explanation?" Another survivor’s attitude was clearly more intense, but still expressed nervousness and concern. Of course, some people had long been dissatisfied with the shelter’s managers and took the opportunity to vent their emotions: "What exactly are you doing? Do you not care about the lives of us common folks?" Even though it is already the end times, reading still needs to happen, and homework still needs to be done. Every shelter has established teaching points, and daily teaching activities are still in progress. This also raised concerns among parents: "How can there be no electricity? Children have to read and do homework!" Faced with all these problems, the managers of each shelter, with the help of the police, could only use as kind words as possible to explain the current situation and ask everyone to overcome the difficulties. Most people, although uneasy, were willing to believe the city government’s explanation that this was only temporary, and chose to endure the difficulty for now. Of course, there were those who wanted to take the opportunity to disrupt or had ulterior motives, but these people were without exception directly apprehended by the police. What awaited them was not detention or imprisonment, but rather arduous labor. This was the main punishment for criminals after the disaster since there were no prisons to hold them anymore. Instead of keeping them and wasting food, it was better to send them to work. Under such control, no major trouble arose in the shelters, and the survivors quietly accepted the situation, believing the government’s assurance that the crisis was temporary. ... For official shelters, this was just a temporary crisis or difficulty. But for private shelters, the impact varied in severity. Self-sufficient private shelters naturally felt no impact from the crisis, as they do not rely on the city government for electricity or water, relying entirely on themselves. Chen Xin’s shelter is a typical example of this. However, for a shelter like Mo Qingyan’s, which relies on obtaining electricity and tap water from official shelter supply lines, the government’s power restrictions were deadly. Mo Qingyan previously had a good run, entirely relying on gaining power from the official shelter’s supply lines to operate her shelter. But now with the official power restrictions, private shelters like hers clearly became precarious. Without sufficient electricity, heating, lighting, maintaining the greenhouse, and even heating food became difficult for some. Obviously, Mo Qingyan was already in crisis at this time. Although the ground source heat pump system Chen Xin had previously installed ensured heating and basic lighting for her home, the power of her ground source heat pump was limited. The electricity produced after heating and maintaining the aquaponics system left just enough for lighting, incapable of powering other electrical devices. "...So now I’m barely scraping by. If it weren’t for the ground source heat pump you installed, I’d definitely be freezing to death now." Mo Qingyan was explaining her situation to Chen Xin over the radio while also complaining to him. "So, Long Niang, what are you planning to do now? Can your family still hold up?" Listening to Mo Qingyan talk about her family’s issues, Chen Xin showed concern for her situation. Facing Chen Xin’s concern, Mo Qingyan replied helplessly, "It’s not that we can’t hold out. With the ground source heat pump you helped install, heating is not a problem. I also got the aquaponics system running. The ground source heat pump can sustain its operation, so we don’t have to worry about food. The real problem is that without electricity, lighting and heating food become major issues." Before the disaster, using piped gas was still an option, but as the catastrophe unfolded, the gas pipelines that once reached every home were clearly no longer functional. The pre-disaster stored self-heating food was also limited. Now that more than half a year has passed, Mo Qingyan’s reserve of self-heating food is almost exhausted, leaving only canned food that must be heated before eating. Although the ground source heat pump and aquaponics system Chen Xin helped her with could provide a steady supply of vegetables and fish meat for her and her sister, clearly, these things can’t be eaten raw. Perhaps vegetables could be eaten like a salad, chopped up and lightly seasoned, but only having vegetables obviously isn’t enough to fill one’s stomach. Listening to Mo Qingyan describe her situation, Chen Xin hesitated for a moment before suggesting, "How about you move to my place for a while, Long Niang? The issues over at the city government should only be temporary. Things will be better once this period passes." "Move to your place? Where would there be room for me and Xiaoxin at your place?" Mo Qingyan was clearly incredulous at Chen Xin’s suggestion. She had been to his house before, and while his place was well-equipped, it didn’t seem like it could accommodate two more people. "About that, I’ve recently renovated the rooms, added another bedroom, so a few more people could stay. Plus, Alán and Xiao Ding are staying with me now." Chen Xin explained to Mo Qingyan and gestured for Qin Lan to help persuade her. Qin Lan was a bit surprised by Chen Xin’s actions but helped explain, "Qingyan, it’s possible for a couple more people to stay at An Xin’s place. You should move over, it’s no problem." After saying that, Qin Lan gave Chen Xin an annoyed glare. "Let me think about it," Mo Qingyan replied without making an immediate decision and then ended the communication. After Mo Qingyan ended the call, Qin Lan asked Chen Xin, "An Xin, I understand inviting Qingyan and Qingxin to move in, but where are they supposed to stay once they come here?" "They’ll stay in my room, and I’ll sleep on the couch. It’s only temporary, so it won’t be a problem." Chen Xin smiled at Qin Lan, clearly having already planned everything out. He would have Mo Qingyan and Mo Qingxin stay for a few days, letting them use the two beds in his room, while he himself would sleep on the couch in the living room. It was just for a short time, so there wasn’t much to tolerate. However, hearing this, Qin Lan snorted, not in the best of moods, "You always play the good guy! You plan to sleep on the couch and let Qingyan and Qingxin take your bed? Do you think that’s appropriate?" "Uh, well..." Chen Xin scratched his head, unsure why it wasn’t appropriate. Seeing Chen Xin’s attitude, Qin Lan could only roll her eyes at him and said, "I’ll move into your room, freeing up a bed for Qingyan and Qingxin to squeeze in. That way, there won’t be an issue." "Huh? Alán, you’re moving to my room?" Chen Xin was shocked by what Qin Lan said. Although this setting was ideal for him, he still didn’t understand why Qin Lan arranged things this way. "What’s with the surprise? Wouldn’t it only make sense for me and you to share a room?" Qin Lan explained as Chen Xin still seemed confused, "There’s no problem with having Qingyan and Qingxin stay over, but having them use your room while you sleep on the couch? How would Qingyan feel about kicking you out when she’s seeking refuge?" Understanding Qin Lan’s point, Chen Xin realized what she was saying. Although he was close friends with Mo Qingyan, even sleeping in the same bed wouldn’t matter, but indeed, it wasn’t right to let guests use the bed while the host slept on the couch. "You’re right; let’s do it your way, Alán." Chen Xin agreed upon realizing the situation. Seeing Chen Xin agree, Qin Lan nodded and let go of him, heading back into the room to start moving her things. However, as Qin Lan began to pack, Ding Ning, who was resting in the room, asked in surprise, "Lan Jie, what are you doing? You finally couldn’t resist getting back with An Xin?" Qin Lan shook her head at Ding Ning’s suggestion and said, "It’s not that. An Xin proposed Qingyan and Qingxin move over temporarily since there’s a bit of trouble in the city. I’m moving to his room, leaving a bed here for Qingyan and Qingxin. The two sisters can share a bed comfortably." "Oh? I thought Lan Jie realized something and wanted to rekindle things with An Xin!" Ding Ning looked regretful, seemingly feeling that not taking this opportunity for Qin Lan and Chen Xin to reconcile was a waste. To Ding Ning’s disappointment, Qin Lan simply sighed helplessly, "There’s no chance of us getting back together."

Chapter 196 - 194: Moving Rooms

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