In the United States, the Eden and Ark Projects, led by Missy Poland and supported by the top echelons of American billionaires, were progressing smoothly.
Thanks to the foundations laid during World War II and years of tireless efforts, the U.S. had established one Eden, three Arks, eight super shelters, and twenty-three large shelters, along with numerous civilian shelters, just before the eternal night fell.
These shelters could not accommodate the entire population of two hundred million, let alone the undocumented immigrants. But Missy Poland hadn't considered those people in her plans.
Regardless, the Eden and Ark shelters were indeed capable of protecting America's most important elites and resource-rich billionaires. For some reason, only those informed knew Eden's location, and even the current president and his staff were not granted entry.
Inside Ark One, the elderly President Biden trembled, unable to process the continuous hours of reports from various departments. Outwardly, he appeared to be listening, but in his mind, he was thinking about going "home" to eat his wife's dinner.
"I understand. Proceed as discussed, and each department will receive specific instructions and tasks. You just need to execute them." These weren't his words but came from a tiny earpiece.
The secretary announced the end of the president's workday, and everyone could leave.
After the doors closed, the secretary patted Biden's shoulder. "Well done. Now you can go home for dinner. Don't worry. As long as you follow the instructions, your family will be fine."
Biden nodded, then, with the help of what was nominally a bodyguard but more of a caretaker, he sat in an electric wheelchair and left through another door.
Ark One, also known as the Washington Ark, could house over three hundred thousand people and used nuclear power as its energy source. From low ground structures to resource centers two hundred meters underground, it had seven sections.
Energy Zone, Resource Zone, Circulation Zone, Production Zone, Control Zone, Residential Zone, and Military Zone.
With high-power communication equipment, the Washington Ark could exchange data with most American satellites in space, ensuring communication and network connectivity.
Arks Two and Three were similar in scale and situation to the Washington Ark, each housing thirty thousand people under normal circumstances and accommodating one million in emergencies, located on the east and west sides of the U.S.
The eight super shelters were slightly smaller than the Arks but, without dedicated military zones, could house more people—typically forty thousand, and one hundred twenty thousand in emergencies.
Large shelters could accommodate twenty thousand people under normal circumstances and fifty thousand in emergencies.
In other words, excluding Eden, the Arks and super and large shelters could house close to eight hundred thousand people normally, and two million four hundred thousand in emergencies.
This number may seem large, but it was only a tenth of the U.S. population.
As the eternal night had just begun, and temperatures hadn't reached their lowest, resourceful Americans were still striving to save themselves.
Compared to the U.S., China's government faced much greater challenges.
China's top ten cities combined had a population equal to that of the U.S. To protect such a vast number of affected people, the Chinese government fully opened its defense system.
Civil defense fortifications, underground tunnels, and the entire subway system became the best shelters against the cold. With local government and military cooperation, they managed, controlled, and guided people into shelters, allocated areas, and assigned tasks...
Though they couldn't ensure sufficient shelters for all cities or aid for everyone, the Chinese government had done its utmost to protect its citizens, achieving remarkable results.
Meanwhile, they expanded more underground spaces, repaired modern industrial systems, developed new energy sources, and built underground grain farms.
Large stocks of grain were utilized, ensuring that even if no crops were harvested for the next two years, people wouldn't starve. However, eating enough and eating well were different matters. Staple foods and essential fruits, vegetables, and micronutrients were distinct needs.
Furthermore, a new communication system was accelerated under national guidance, with a series of satellite launch plans being prepared at a launch center. Unlike the current mobile communication system, the new system wouldn't rely on ground base stations. Though slower and with less bandwidth, it was more resistant to external interference.
This satellite communication system was what allowed Zhou Li to still access the internet. For text content, special software enabled nearly instant sending and receiving.
Zhou Li had adapted satellite communication equipment from the Laifu, allowing an ordinary phone to connect to American satellites and access the exclusive satellite network.
"Zhou... Lin."
Outside the gym converted from the reception room, Wu Xue watched the sweating figure inside, her eyes slightly glazed. It wasn't any strange thought; as a clinical doctor, Wu Xue had a certain level of professional curiosity.
"What's up?" Zhou Lin asked, pausing his training.
"Oh, Li Li said she needs your permission to give me access. I want... I want to try contacting my parents." Wu Xue, speaking, scanned Zhou Lin up and down, oblivious to his discomfort.
What's she up to now? What needs my permission?
"Okay, I'll talk to her after I finish. Anything else?"
Seeing Wu Xue hadn't left, Zhou Lin asked.
"Yes, how long did it take you to train to this level?" Wu Xue stepped closer, feeling the heat radiating from Zhou Lin, making her slightly dizzy.
"I don't remember."
Zhou Lin shrugged and turned away, avoiding eye contact. Training? Without his body's evolution, he might only be a few pounds away from being a "fat couch potato"! But the effects of evolution were evident—no flab remained, and his muscles seemed in their prime.
Beyond appearance, Zhou Lin appreciated the strength growth. In the apocalypse, looks couldn't sustain you, but strength could extend your life.
"Can I collect some data?"
Seeing Zhou Lin resume training, Wu Xue asked on impulse.
"Sure... but do you have equipment?"
"I have some at home. I'll go get it!"
While Wu Xue went downstairs for the equipment, Zhou Lin rushed to the living room. "What's your idea?"
"Bro, you're smart but act dumb. Don't you get it? If this woman owes you too much, even if she doesn't like you, she'll accept you out of gratitude. Don't you like her?"