The spread of the fungal virus has now reached a stable period. Research has found that the concentration of toxic fungal spores in the smog is not high. These spores have a low survival rate and can only attach to inhalable particulate matter that forms smog. Therefore, in areas with heavier smog, the amount of fungal spores attached is higher. However, as long as proper protection is used to block the inhalable particulates in the smog, it can prevent the spores from entering the human body.
After repeated experiments, it is now confirmed that the existing A-grade protective clothing on the market can effectively block the invasion of fungal spores. High-temperature disinfection or spraying with general disinfectants can almost completely eliminate the activity of residual spores. Protective clothing can also be reused after disinfection. In other words, if it weren't for the pervasive and inexplicable smog, this low-activity virus would not have caused such a severe epidemic. But the global spread of this strange smog has made this low-activity virus the deadliest threat.
Although there is no specific cure for the fungal spores yet, people cannot stay indoors forever due to the pervasive spores. Some special jobs, under government arrangements, have resumed work wearing tight protective clothing. As long as the protective clothing is properly sealed, it can prevent infection, and more people are beginning to go out.
Human adaptability is remarkably strong. After experiencing countless deaths, people have gradually found a balance for survival amidst the deathly smog. Mu Nan looked out from their balcony and saw that the once-empty streets now had increasing numbers of vehicles every day.
There are official soft articles online predicting that in the future, people might have to coexist with the toxic smog. Protective clothing might become the only outerwear available for going outside. Some factories specializing in protective clothing have started receiving large orders. In the past, Mu Nan's social media was filled with various masks and group buys, but now it is more about purchasing and selling protective clothing at high prices.
Before the epidemic, protective clothing was cheap, costing tens to hundreds of dollars, with even biochemical-grade ones costing a few hundred dollars. Now, even the most basic one-piece protective suits have skyrocketed to tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention those with gas masks, which can cost up to hundreds of thousands. Compared to the safety of life, although not everyone can afford this, for some, it is worth the cost.
It was around this time that people began to hoard protective clothing, believing it would be the only hope for going outside. Some forward-thinking individuals, who began hoarding protective clothing when the smog first started and masks were in high demand, now found their stockpile being sold at high prices. Protective clothing that cost less than a hundred dollars to make is now being sold for thousands.
Even though the government has been monitoring and controlling market prices, many people who have been isolated for a long time and facing bankruptcy or debt are desperate to buy protective clothing. Those eager to profit by selling protective clothing have been searching for private buying channels. Despite government efforts, private transactions still cannot be completely stopped.
Mu Nan, surrounded by a sweet aroma, lay on the bed scrolling through his phone. Qin Huai was next to him, pouring the cake batter Mu Nan had prepared into molds. Mu Nan, noticing the high prices others were asking for, remarked, "Brother, how much do you think my ugly protective suits with gas masks can sell for now?"
The biochemical-grade suits, with two gas mask ports and heat-resistant insulation, were expensive even when he bought them for several thousand dollars each. He had purchased four sets for future emergencies. Seeing others offering high prices for such advanced protection, he was tempted to sell a few for profit if Qin Huai hadn't had a large amount of funds left.
Besides those bulky suits, Mu Nan also bought another, thinner type, similar to medical white ones, which were one-piece and cheaper at over three hundred dollars each. He bought twenty of those. Although he knew the smog might suddenly disappear overnight, he had lived through so little of the apocalypse, and who knew if another virus might come. So he prepared extra. Even the thin suits are now being sold for tens of thousands each due to their high reuse rate and protection level. If he could go out, even if it's just to make a little extra by running errands or selling goods, he could recoup the cost quickly.
Qin Huai knew that Mu Nan probably wasn't serious about selling his stockpile of protective clothing. Once sold for money, it might be hard to exchange money or other items for such protective clothing in the future. So he casually replied, "Someone would definitely buy it for two hundred thousand. Even though it's ugly, it provides reassurance. Wearing it on the street, you wouldn't worry about getting infected by the virus."
Mu Nan scrolled through his phone and saw celebrities wearing protective suits out in public. He sighed, "Look at these celebrities, they've started working again. It's not easy." Seeing celebrities' appearances was a rare sight; after the network collapsed due to the earthquake, Mu Nan hadn't seen them again.
Qin Huai smiled and said, "No job is easy. Even though celebrities seem glamorous on the surface, they work harder than most people. Now, each celebrity has their own business, either in the food industry or fashion brands. With the doors closed for months, who knows how much debt they're carrying behind that glamorous facade?"
Seeing online complaints about rent, shopfronts, and even parking fees, Mu Nan remembered that Qin Huai had driven back at the start. Unfortunately, he ran out of fuel on the road. At that time, with the country in lockdown and no place to refuel, he switched to riding a bicycle. Mu Nan quickly set down his phone and sat up, asking, "Brother, where did you park the car?"
Qin Huai replied, "I parked it in a random roadside parking lot in a neighborhood. Why?"
Mu Nan asked, "Do you still need the car? Shouldn't you get it back? What kind of car did you buy? Was it expensive?"
Qin Huai smiled, "Not very expensive, just around a hundred thousand for an SUV. If we drive it back from where it's parked now, with clear roads, it might take over ten hours. We could first go to B City to collect some things. If you want to retrieve the car, we can stop there and then drive back. If you don't want to waste time, we can leave it. The car hasn't been modified, and the chassis isn't very high, so if the kind of earthquake you dreamt about happens, the car would be useless anyway."
Mu Nan said, "Maybe we should go get it back. It's uncertain if we'll find an opportunity to store it in the space later. It's better to have it than not if we need it in the future."
Moreover, spending over a hundred thousand is still a significant amount of money, and it would be a shame to just lose it.
Seeing how Mu Nan was concerned about the money, Qin Huai agreed, "Then let's plan to retrieve it. We could also use the trip to buy more supplies if needed, and spend the money wisely to avoid your heartache."
Mu Nan huffed, thinking about how hard-earned money shouldn't turn into a useless figure in the bank. If it can be spent, it should be spent. He made a note of the matter in his notebook, worried he might forget later: "Do we need to buy more fuel? I bought some diesel and kerosene, but fuel prices are high, and I couldn't buy much. I prepared a diesel generator and a kerosene heater, and also some electric ones. I've prepared as much as I could, but not in abundance. I also bought some solar panels, but I'm unsure if they'll be enough to power the air conditioning if the power goes out."
Unfortunately, they did not live on the top floor or in a small detached house. For a middle-floor apartment, installing solar panels might not be practical. If they had a small detached house in the countryside with a rooftop full of solar panels, power outages wouldn't be a concern. However, three months since his rebirth was too short a time, and they didn't have connections in the village. Even if they moved to the village, acceptance was uncertain. With their preparedness, they might even become targets when things get chaotic.
These supplies were also difficult to purchase and not cheap. Mu Nan had managed to gather quite a bit, which was already impressive. Qin Huai, seeing Mu Nan's detailed notes, smiled and said, "You've done well. I'll handle the rest. I'll prepare as much as possible. I've asked someone to buy more fuel if there's still money left. We can buy more on the way back."
Mu Nan asked curiously, "Brother, who's helping you buy things? If they're buying a lot at once, won't that raise suspicions?"
Since acquiring the space, Mu Nan had been cautious about collecting items, fearing exposure of the secret. Even though he bought things in bulk, with limited funds and items, he was still worried about being noticed for anomalies.
Qin Huai reassured him with a smile, "Don't worry. It's a cash-and-carry transaction. I rented a warehouse for six months. Once it's locked, no one will know what's inside. After the earthquake, it will be even less of a concern."
Mu Nan felt relieved hearing this. His worries were somewhat excessive; Qin Huai was likely even more anxious about the potential exposure of the space and took extra precautions.