Reality Programming Association

Chapter 48: Chapter 21: Torrential Rainstorm Red Alert

An LCD screen hanging in the cafeteria hall was showing a special weather report.

Usually, at this time, it would be showing entertainment variety shows or sports highlights, but today it was uncharacteristically serious.

Large swaths of the map on the screen were covered in deep red, and the meteorological station announcer’s voice was formal and clear:

”...The Central Meteorological Administration has upgraded to a red alert for torrential rain. Starting from 5:00 PM on November 12th, most areas in Northern, Northeastern, Eastern, Central, and Southern China are expected to experience heavy to torrential rain, with severe convective weather such as thunderstorms and strong winds in some regions...”

Yu Xian looked up, glancing from the weather report to the window outside.

”...Rainfall within the next 24 hours is projected to break historical records. Local governments have already activated flood control and emergency response measures. The public is also reminded to take preventative measures and avoid non-essential travel...”

The sky was indeed much gloomier than usual. It was only just past noon, but the campus streetlights were already on.

His phone wouldn’t stop vibrating in his pocket. It wasn’t just him; students eating all around him were pulling out their phones.

Class group chats, grade-level group chats, club group chats—messages were blowing up, one after another.

The notices for Yang Yiyi’s School of Life Sciences and his School of Physics were more or less the same, with one central message:

Due to the extreme weather, per an emergency notice from the university, all classes on November 12th and 13th are temporarily canceled.

A table of boys not far away erupted in cheers, as if they had won the lottery.

Students at the surrounding tables couldn’t hide the excitement in their voices either:

”Holy shit, classes are canceled!”

”A gift from the heavens!”

”Stop talking! Let’s eat up and hit the supermarket. If we’re late, even the instant noodles will be gone!”

The previously somewhat dreary cafeteria instantly buzzed with activity.

To these university students, terms like ”red alert” and ”historical records” seemed to have nothing to do with them.

The tangible benefit right in front of them—a sudden day-and-a-half break—was enough to make them as excited as if it were the New Year’s holiday.

Yu Xian, Shi Zuozhou, and Yang Yiyi were at the cafeteria entrance. The bad mood from the earlier collider news seemed to have been somewhat washed away by the storm.

”Brother Yi, Old Yu, I’m gonna head back to the dorms first. I have to go stock up on snacks, otherwise it’d be a waste of these two days off.”

Shi Zuozhou’s steps were so light that he didn’t seem like the same person who had just been worrying about the state of the scientific community.

Yang Yiyi also opened her umbrella and headed back to the lab. She said she wanted to back up her data to prevent any losses from power outages during the storm.

Yu Xian planned to buy some frozen food before heading back to his cousin’s place. The water pooling on the road was already over his ankles.

His cousin definitely wouldn’t get a day off. They had to be ready for disaster relief and emergency response at a moment’s notice. On days with torrential rain, not only would they not get a break, but they’d probably be assigned extra shifts.

The South Gate area was packed with people. Supermarkets big and small were crammed with students, like hamsters hauling food back to their burrows.

Potato chips, soda, self-heating hot pots, and large jugs of mineral water were the most sought-after items.

Long lines formed at the checkout counters. Everyone was carrying bags of all sizes, and everyone wore a strange sense of excitement on their faces.

Even though a torrential downpour was about to unleash itself overhead, one that could potentially cause devastating floods.

But in the world of university students, this felt more like an impending rave. It had the same feeling as stocking up on supplies for the New Year’s holiday.

’As long as the windows are shut tight, the snacks are laid out, the phone and power bank are fully charged, and a few movies and novels are downloaded, what’s a raging flood outside but extra ambiance for binge-watching shows and playing games?’

Not knowing how many days the storm would last, Yu Xian grabbed a few bags of frozen dumplings and some dried noodles. After a moment’s thought, he also bought a jar of chili sauce and a few salted duck eggs.

He watched the guy in front of him in line, who was hugging a case of beer, and was utterly stunned.

...

It was almost two in the afternoon by the time he got back to his cousin’s place.

Outside the residential complex, a deep construction pit was filled with muddy water. The blue corrugated metal fence rattled in the wind.

The apartment was quiet. He put the food in the fridge and sent his cousin a message:

”Hey, the news is calling for a superstorm. Are you coming back tonight? If it gets too late, it might be better to just sleep at the station. The roads won’t be safe.”

After a while, Yu Zhengze finally replied:

”Not coming back. The whole force is on standby for flood control and rescue. Officers have to be on the front lines to command and participate.”

Just as he was about to reply, his cousin sent another message:

”Make sure you lock the doors and windows. Don’t go anywhere. Do you have enough food?”

”Enough. I just bought dumplings and noodles.”

”Okay. Stay safe.”

The conversation ended.

Yu Xian tossed his phone onto the sofa, walked over to the balcony, and shut the windows tight.

The wind was strong, and the window seams in the old residential building still leaked a little.

He got a rag and wedged it into the sliding track of the window frame, then placed a basin on the floor to catch any water.

He looked out at the blackish-gray sky. The clouds in the distance roiled, looking as if they could crush the city at any moment.

’The whole force on standby... It seems this storm is even more serious than I thought.’

The phone on the sofa vibrated again. He thought it might be his cousin with more instructions, but when he picked it up, he saw it was the seller of the TDI invitation code.

The message radiated an unconcealable excitement.

”Bro, I finally got it! It wasn’t easy, the exchange rate has been climbing like crazy lately!”

Below that was a link to a transaction platform, along with a few grinning emojis.

”Let’s use the platform. I’ll send the code as soon as you pay. If you have any problems later, I guarantee I’ll walk you through it.”

Looking at the payment screen: 5,100 yuan. Please enter your payment password.

Yu Xian’s finger hovered over the numeric keypad, but he never pressed the last digit.