doomsday shelter

Chapter 18：Mystery button

Song Yunian said, "Do I seem like an heir to wealth? The money my father lent to Uncle Liang was borrowed as well. They were old comrades, bound by deep trust. When Uncle Liang came to borrow money, my father didn't hesitate to draw from his lifelong savings and even borrowed from relatives and friends. Later, when Uncle Liang went bankrupt, my father followed suit, and my mother, unable to bear the frequent debt collection from relatives, died of illness. My father spent half his life earning money to repay debts, living in extreme poverty while also supporting me through school. Currently, he has repaid most of the debts to relatives and friends, and relationships have slowly been restored. The remaining debts will be cleared after I graduate from college and start earning."

He Yaowu sighed, "I apologize for my outspokenness; it was impolite!"

Zhang Jian said, "I remember now too! When I bought the house, I received a black envelope. I didn't have time to examine it closely as I had to rush back to the city for an emergency surgery. Later, I forgot about it!"

Excitedly, Zhang Meng exclaimed, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry to the basement! I love adventures!"

Returning to Villa Two, the entrance to the basement was at the end of the corridor. Liang Jiajia, Xu Xiaoli, and Yuan Hui, the three children, curiously gathered around. A black wooden door stood tightly closed, with the words "Basement" written on a signboard. There was also a notice on the door: "Customers, please refrain from entering."

The door had no handle, which added to its mysterious aura. Song Yunian attempted to push it forcefully, but it didn't budge. He tried pulling it, but lacking leverage, it remained stubbornly shut. The gap was too narrow for even a fingernail to slip through.

He Yaowu, Zhang Jian, and Zhang Meng joined Song Yunian in pushing and banging on the door, but to no avail. Meanwhile, the three children, oblivious to the adults' efforts, played around, wondering why the adults looked so troubled staring at a door.

Song Yunian suggested, "There must be some sort of mechanism or button to open it! Let's search around!"

The group searched nearby, tapping and feeling the walls, windows, floor, and even the ceiling, but found no hidden buttons or mechanisms.

He Yaowu asked, "Zhang, didn't you have a black envelope? Take it out and see! The instructions must be inside!"

Zhang Jian supported his chin, saying, "The problem is I left it back in the city. It's not with me now!"

He Yaowu then turned to Liang Jiajia, saying, "Sister-in-law, since this was developed by your father, try to recall if he ever mentioned any instructions for opening the door?"

Liang Jiajia looked puzzled, shaking her head, "He never told me anything!"

He Yaowu remarked, "They've kept it so secretive; even family members are unaware! Admirable! It seems we've been overly optimistic!"

While He Yaowu delivered his disheartening analysis, Song Yunian, with his keen observation, noticed a faint shadow behind the yellowed paper of the sign saying "Customers, please refrain from entering." Just when everyone was at a loss, he tore off the paper.

At the sound, everyone turned to look, and they saw a circular black button revealed on the door. They couldn't help but exclaim in amazement. Zhang Meng was the first to rush over and press it, but she furrowed her brows upon turning back, "It won't budge! It's so rigid!"

He Yaowu said, "Let me try!" He clenched his teeth and attempted to press it, but to no avail. Dejectedly, he said, "False alarm; it won't move!" The slight excitement everyone felt turned into worry once more.

Song Yunian approached the black button, carefully examining it, and suggested, "Dr. Zhang, try pressing it with your finger!"

As Zhang Jian's right index finger made contact, they heard a "ding" sound, and the button flashed a red light. The black wooden door swung open outward. Everyone suddenly realized, and He Yaowu exclaimed, "It's a fingerprint recognition system!"

Following Song Yunian's lead, Zhang Meng also observed the black button for a moment and murmured to herself, "It's different from fingerprint recognition on phones!"

Song Yunian remarked, "Using such technology ten years ago was quite advanced!"

Liang Jiajia commented, "No wonder the construction cost was so high; they used the best technology available at the time!"

He Yaowu asked, "Zhang, don't you remember ever registering your fingerprint?"

Zhang Jian replied, "I vaguely recall. Initially, they said the fingerprint lock on the main door needed the owner's fingerprint. Later, when it was converted into a hotel, they replaced the fingerprint lock on the main door. It hasn't been used since then!"

Without waiting for everyone to finish speaking, Zhang Meng was the first to step into the pitch-black room. Song Yunian hastily said, "Wait up, Zhang Meng!"