Jing Shu pressed her forehead with a trace of helplessness at Jing An's bold claim. The Earth's Dark Days would not end. This was already the apocalypse. For at least the next ten years, humanity would be enduring wave after wave of natural disasters and man-made calamities. Did that mean her Third Aunt and Cousin Wu You'ai would be living with them indefinitely?
Once bitten by a snake, she now feared even the sight of a rope. Jing An and Su Lanzhi already had the duty of caring for Grandpa Jing and Grandma Jing. In this life, Jing Shu did not want her grandparents to pass away early again. But in her past life, when her biological aunt joined hands with outsiders to harm them, Jing Shu learned to remain vigilant against everyone else. She feared raising another ungrateful white-eyed wolf.
Just as Jing Shu was thinking of a reason to refuse, Wu You'ai spoke up first.
"I still need to work with my professor on a research project for the next half-month. I'm competing for a recommendation opportunity. You all go without me."
Wu You'ai was long accustomed to living alone. For a homebody like her, none of Jing An's so-called problems were problems. She could go a whole month without cooking, washing dishes, bathing, or using the air conditioner, as long as her spiritual needs were satisfied.
This housebound girl who lived in the world of anime was, unbelievably, a straight-A graduate student.
Jing Shu narrowed her eyes, finally remembering the reason. Third Aunt had divorced because her ex-husband's family favored sons over daughters. Since she could no longer bear children, she left decisively. Back when Wu You'ai was in school, Third Aunt had wanted to change her surname to Jing, making her Jing You'ai. Unfortunately, Wu You'ai refused with all her might.
That tiny girl had declared, "I want to keep the surname Wu. I have Wu family blood, and that can never be hidden. I will study hard and become a scientist, the greatest person, and when the Wu family regrets it and begs me, only then will I change my name. If I don't make something of myself, I will never change it!"
So Wu You'ai both worked hard and drowned herself in the second-dimensional world, envying the protagonists who could defy fate and overturn the heavens.
"I'll stay here with You'ai. You two go," Third Aunt Jing Lai said. With such conditions, she could not leave her daughter behind.
"Then let's wait until You'ai finishes this busy period. If the Earth's Dark Days still haven't ended by then, we'll stay at your place for a while. Right now, with mother and daughter together, how could we feel at ease leaving?" Grandma Jing chuckled while grabbing Jing Shu's arm. Her eyes curved into delighted crescents. "You've put on weight."
Jing Shu's face darkened instantly at that.
They had come in such a hurry that they brought nothing along. Jing An agreed to bring some fresh fruit and vegetables in a few days before leaving again. Jing Shu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Still, Jing Shu knew this was not a long-term solution. Old people valued settling down in their own homes. They disliked staying at a daughter's one day and a son's the next. Even if the apocalypse stretched on, and Jing Shu persuaded her grandparents to live in a villa, the elderly would not feel comfortable. But letting them return to the countryside was something she could not accept either.
Unexpectedly, just a few days later, this problem found a perfect solution on its own.
The sunlight had already disappeared for nearly two months. The thirty-some days promised in the news had long since passed, yet the sun showed no sign of reappearing.
The black beetle incident had caused waves for half a month but had now all but faded. With people slowly adapting to the scorching heat, water shortages, and a world where the pressure of bacterial infection had eased, they began talking about new fears instead. Each day brought news of another death. Anxiety grew heavier.
Everyone wondered when the Earth's Dark Days would end. At the same time, they wanted to hoard more food.
Because no one knew when the light would return, the national science channel released its latest statement: The Earth's Dark Days Are Saving Us!
"According to reports, the impact of the stellar collision shifted Earth's orbit, disrupting the four seasons and drawing Earth closer to the sun. That's why the temperature soared."
"We must be thankful for the vast quantities of dust lingering in the atmosphere after the collision. These particles are blocking the sunlight. Without this, Earth's temperatures would be even higher, and our living conditions would be harsher. Now, Earth is slowly returning to its orbit. Citizens, please remain calm and wait for recovery."
Jing An and Su Lanzhi both wore an expression of "so that's how it is."
Jing Shu could not resist rolling her eyes. "Keep blowing smoke. Every month you come up with a new excuse. Impressive."
Even though the central government tried every possible way to reassure the public, issuing new mandates and even creating additional posts, the situation grew more complex.
The first was the Consolation and Counseling Specialist, responsible for visiting every community, gathering public sentiment, soothing those in despair, and monitoring to prevent unrest.
The second was the Crop Cultivation Specialist, responsible for collecting and developing new methods of growing vegetables in the darkness.
The third was the Civil Security Force, tasked with manning supermarkets, hospitals, and bus stations alongside armed police, keeping order while handing out stipends. Typically, ten civilian guards were assigned to two armed officers. Before long, only those with strong connections or ability could land such roles.
Do not underestimate these positions. In the apocalypse, they became the most desirable within the system. They guaranteed at least one proper meal a day. Later, jobs like serving food in communal cafeterias, distributing supplies, keeping records, or handing out water were all considered good.
Jing Shu intended for Jing An to secure either the first or second post early. If he waited until the situation stabilized next year, it would be too late to get in.
Meanwhile, the large supermarkets shortened their opening hours to just 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. With no sign of the sun's return, the number of people queueing grew larger each day. Some began lining up as early as 5 p.m. for the chance to shop. This trend only grew worse.
Jing Shu remembered that in less than three months, people would be lining up for days and nights, all for a single hour when the supermarket opened. Those who missed their turn simply stayed in line until the next day.
Snacks, side products, vegetables, grains, oils, anything edible fell into the category of goods being snatched up. Some even spent exorbitant sums buying grain from the countryside.
As prices skyrocketed, cars—already nearly worthless scrap metal—plummeted further in price. Everyone's wallets were drained by two months of constant buying, transportation fees, hospital bills, and food costs.
So what could people do?
Sell their cars!
Sell their houses!
But as the death toll kept climbing, demand for these two assets collapsed. Housing prices, already declining because of oversupply, plunged to rock bottom. Those with three or four properties panicked. Cars and houses could not be sold, and without cash, they could not buy grain from private sellers. What could they do? Slash prices. Keep slashing.
Thus, the housing market neared collapse.
One post appeared: "For sale: Building 25, first floor, 123 square meters, fully furnished. Only 200,000 yuan, cash only, no loans."
Then came a voice message from Wang Cuihua: "You must be crazy for money. At 1,600 yuan per square meter, no one will buy out here in the wilderness. Even in the city, prices have dropped to 2,000 per square meter."
When that message popped up in the group chat, Jing Shu was overjoyed. Just days ago, she had been fretting over where Third Aunt should live and how Grandma Jing could feel settled. And now someone was selling at a bargain!
Besides, this community would later become Wu City's new development zone. Many would fight to get in, but few could. At this moment, buying at a low price was a huge bargain.