July 6th, early morning.
Zhou Lin woke up from the cold.
Not frozen, but cold.
The room temperature was only about ten degrees, and the power was out.
Electricity supply is incredibly fragile.
A strong wind can cause widespread power outages in a city. The idea that society could maintain electrical supply long after a natural disaster, as some novels suggest, is unrealistic. In the real world, a two-to-three-day flood can disrupt power for a week or even more.
At this moment, ordinary people could barely function outdoors, and the power outage meant a lack of communication. The government and electric companies couldn't organize repair efforts, and the situation would only worsen over time.
Zhou Lin knew that for most people, it was time to bid farewell to the electric age. Over the next three months, solar panels would be ineffective, simple hydroelectric setups were not feasible, and even wind turbines wouldn't function properly. Thermal power was the only option.
In the tool shed, it was pitch dark except for Ai Bing's fearful voice, "Who's there?"
"It's me, the power's out."
Zhou Lin shook his flashlight, seeing Ai Bing wrapped in her sleeping bag like a cocoon.
The boiler was still running. As long as Ai Bing remembered to add coal every eight hours, it wouldn't go out. Compared to the lower two floors, this place was warmer, with a temperature of twenty-three degrees.
Zhou Lin activated the "rr"-marked engine, already prepped with fuel. A few simple steps later, the lights flickered back on.
"I've locked all the windows. Without my permission, don't open them." Ignoring Ai Bing's attempt to expose herself, Zhou Lin issued a warning and went downstairs, finding everyone awake, including Wu Xue, who had stayed over.
Wu Xue had initially been reluctant, but Zhou Li had a strong case. As Zhou Caijun's "attending doctor," Wu Xue needed to see it through.
Holding hands with Zhou Li, Wu Xue felt immense gratitude. If not for Zhou Li insisting she stay, Wu Xue would be suffering from the blackout and cold at home, possibly in a worse situation.
"The apocalypse has officially begun..." Zhou Lin motioned everyone to the dining table. "From now on, our enemies are not just the harsh environment but also the desperate people."
Aside from Wu Xue, Zhou Caijun, Cheng Yali, and Zhou Li remained calm. Cheng Yali had experience with killing, Zhou Caijun was exceptionally wise and composed, and Zhou Li was perhaps the least fearful of the apocalypse.
"Although we have explosion-proof doors and unnecessary doors are welded shut, that doesn't guarantee safety. Li Li has installed surveillance in the hallways, rooftop platform, and tool shed. Any abnormality will trigger an alarm. If anyone hears it, notify everyone immediately." Zhou Lin handed a small communication device to Wu Xue and asked Li Li to teach her how to use it.
Zhou Lin then covered some precautions and assigned tasks.
Cheng Yali continued to manage the household, with Wu Xue offering assistance. Zhou Caijun's primary task was recovery, while Zhou Li maintained and updated all tech products.
Zhou Lin assigned himself two tasks: supervising Ai Bing in the tool shed and exercising.
One thing that pleased Zhou Lin recently was the change in his abilities.
Symbiosis:
[Beginner 578/1000]
Currently Symbiotic Vehicles: Laifu (Large Surface Vehicle)
Available Symbiotic Vehicle Slots: 0
Storage Space: 1/1
Zhou Lin continuously used his abilities within his physical limits, resulting in a surge of experience points. He also noticed changes in his body.
First, he was stronger. Previously, carrying a twenty-kilogram bag of rice would make him sweat profusely. Now, he could lift it easily with one hand, and it took fifty kilograms to tire him.
Second, his stamina improved. He barely felt fatigue while working, likely because he hadn't done any intensive labor or training.
Third, his senses and reflexes were sharper. For instance, in the same room, he could hear everyone's breathing. If it were quiet enough, he might even hear heartbeats.
He estimated his hearing was on par with Blackie's.
His vision and sense of smell also improved.
Though he lacked precise instruments to measure these changes, Zhou Lin was familiar with the phenomenon—he was evolving.
In his past life, Zhou Lin had heard that evolution wasn't an instant process but a long-term one. With consistent training and adequate food and energy, the benefits of evolution would grow.
As for the ceiling of evolution, Zhou Lin didn't know. He only knew many evolved individuals didn't train due to food scarcity, eventually leading to their humiliating deaths when faced with insurmountable danger.
Having started his evolution five years early, Zhou Lin was determined to keep growing stronger. Maybe in this life, he could reach the pinnacle of evolution, if it existed.
Zhou Lin's house spanned several hundred square meters over two floors, with six suites, multiple living rooms, a tea room, and a study. He converted a thirty-square-meter reception room into a temporary gym.
The gym equipment came from the Laifu, used by U.S. soldiers. With his current strength, setting it up wasn't too difficult.
"You all need to exercise too. The environment will only get harsher, and I want each of you to be able to protect yourselves."
Due to Wu Xue's presence, revealing firearms wasn't an option, making cold weapon training necessary.
"We could also use my downstairs apartment," Wu Xue suggested.
"I've thought about it," Zhou Lin replied. "But for now, it's not necessary. Your apartment hasn't been reinforced or modified for extreme cold."
While Zhou Lin had the materials, the modification required tools, which would alert the entire community to their power supply. Though other units likely had power too, who would be renovating in such times without ample energy?
"Let's wait and see what the government does."
Zhou Lin had a reason for this.
A week after the eternal night began, temperatures would briefly rise for about a week.
China's government, leveraging its strong infrastructure capabilities and prior preparations, managed to restore basic power supply to some extent.
Through thermal power and underground wiring, targeted power was provided to densely populated areas.
At that point, they could reconsider modifying Wu Xue's apartment.
While Zhou Lin got busy, Zhou Li sat on the couch playing with her phone.
Wu Xue was surprised. Her phone hadn't received any messages since midnight, so was Zhou Li playing offline?
"Sister Xue, want to get online?" Zhou Li blinked, looking innocent yet mischievous.