doomsday shelter

Chapter 7：His breaking news

Upon awakening the next morning, Song Yunian noticed Liang Jiajia was not by his side. He descended the stairs in search and found her in the kitchen, still clad in the same nightgown from the previous evening.

Seeing Song Yunian, dressed in nothing but red boxer briefs, appear at the kitchen doorway, Liang Jiajia blushed and scolded, "Quickly, wash your face, brush your teeth, and get dressed. Breakfast is ready!"

During breakfast, Song Yunian attempted to watch the news on television but encountered a blue screen indicating no signal. Puzzled, he remarked, "How strange! Everything was fine yesterday, and now this issue arises so quickly! I'll check it out."

Frowning, Liang Jiajia remarked, "Deal with it after breakfast. Can't you survive without television? I worked hard to prepare these meals!"

Reluctantly, Song Yunian sat down to eat, taking out his phone to catch up on the news. However, he found that no websites would load, displaying a "server not found" message regardless of switching between 2G, 3G, 4G, or Wi-Fi. He muttered to himself, "What's going on? The signal was strong yesterday. Why is it suddenly... Could my phone be malfunctioning?"

Offering him a sausage, Liang Jiajia said, "I can't finish this. Here, take it! Darling, please don't use your phone while eating."

With a furrowed brow, Song Yunian said, "Jiajia, pass me your phone. My phone can't connect to the internet. Let me see if yours can!"

Perplexed, Liang Jiajia asked, "What's the matter? You look serious!"

"My phone can't connect to the internet at all. I'm not sure if it's malfunctioning. Let me see if yours works!"

"What's the big deal? We can buy another one later if it's broken," pouted Liang Jiajia.

"Sweetheart, show me your phone. It's too coincidental that both the television and phones malfunctioned," urged Song Yunian.

Impatiently, Liang Jiajia said, "It's in my room. You can get it yourself!"

Song Yunian retrieved Liang Jiajia's pink phone from the guest room, lighting up the screen to find nineteen missed calls. Having been in a relationship with Liang Jiajia for over a month, they already knew each other's screen lock passwords. Unlocking it, he discovered they were all from her mother, Auntie Liu.

Although he had informed Auntie Liu that they wouldn't return yesterday, why did she still make so many calls? Glancing at the call times, there were some in the early hours of the morning and even one just a few minutes ago.

Attempting to use Liang Jiajia's phone to access the internet, Song Yunian found it futile. It must be a problem with the website's servers. Frustrated, he returned to the dining room, handing Liang Jiajia the phone and saying, "Hurry and call your mom!"

"What's wrong with you? My phone also has no connection?" Liang Jiajia asked, bewildered. Song Yunian remained silent, sinking into a chair. She took the phone, dialing her mom's number.

Auntie Liu's voice came through, urgent and tearful, "Jiajia, don't come back with Xiao Ao! Things are chaotic outside. I heard the United States is at war with us, dropping atomic bombs. There's a severe epidemic outside, and the government is advising everyone to stay indoors. There's no television or internet. Quick, listen to the radio." In addition to Auntie Liu's voice, there were numerous noisy, banging, wailing, and screaming sounds in the background!

Panicked, Liang Jiajia exclaimed, "Mom! What's happening? How are you? I'll come back right away to find you!"

Auntie Liu hurriedly said, "Jiajia, don't come back. There are many infected people in the city, and they've gone crazy, breaking into others' homes and attacking people. Take care of yourselves with Xiao Ao. Your dad mentioned that when the villa was built, there's a very safe place in the basement. You... you mustn't come... Ah!... You crazy people... I'll fight you..."

There was a loud "bang" as if Auntie Liu's phone fell to the ground, followed by her screams, along with terrifying howls and biting noises resembling wild beasts. Liang Jiajia was in tears, trembling all over, crying loudly into the phone, "Mom, say something! What's happening to you?"

Quickly taking the phone from her, Song Yunian hung up, not wanting Liang Jiajia to hear those gruesome sounds. He held her close, letting her cry in his warm embrace, soothing her wounded heart with his large hands stroking her back.

After some time, Liang Jiajia's tears ceased, and she lay on the sofa in the hall, staring blankly. Song Yunian put on his headphones, turned on the radio on his phone, and heard the latest news: "Emergency notice! Emergency notice! Urban and rural residents, the epidemic is now out of control. Please reinforce your doors and windows at home and do not go out! Do not go out!"