Apocalyptic Hoarding Diary

The half-hour rest period passed in the blink of an eye. The whistle blew, and everyone dragged their tired bodies to their feet, regrouped, and silently walked along the twisted and broken road.

Along the way, they kept encountering survivors converging from other directions.

Some people were wrapped in blood-stained sheets, some carried unconscious elderly people on their backs, and children were held tightly to the chests of adults with empty eyes. The original group of more than eighty people had grown into several hundred people like a snowball rolling downhill.

The oppressive silence was broken by a gradually rising whisper: "The stairs were shaking like a jump rope, I jumped from the second-floor window..."

A middle-aged man wearing glasses muttered, "I was watering the flowers on the balcony when I was thrown directly onto the awning of the building across the street."

A woman holding a baby nearby whispered, "My building collapsed like a pancake."

Suppressed sobs suddenly broke out from the crowd.

An elderly woman with white hair slumped to the ground, her fingers digging into the pavement. "My daughter is still in the Sunshine Community... She said she was coming to my house for dinner today..."

Her tearful outburst was like a key, instantly unlocking the grief that everyone had been trying to suppress. People's eyes were red, some bowed their heads to wipe away tears, and some stared silently at the ruins of Jinshi for a long time.

Just as everyone was grieving, the earth began to tremble again. "Everyone down! Protect your heads!" The shouts of several soldiers pierced through the chaos.

The young soldier at the front ran while gesturing, "Get down!"

Another, slightly older soldier pulled the stunned old woman down and shielded her with his own body.

People hurriedly crawled on the ground, huddled together, their backs trembling in the tremor.

This time, no one screamed, only suppressed breathing and the soldiers' resolute reassurances: "Hold on! Maintain cover!"

Coughing, groaning, and suppressed sobs began to emanate from the crowd of people who had collapsed.

"Keep low to the ground! Don't get up yet! Watch out for aftershocks!" The older soldier, whose rank insignia on his shoulders indicated he was a squad leader, was the first to raise his head, warily surveying his surroundings. His voice was hoarse yet extremely penetrating.

About fifteen minutes later, the heart-pounding tremors finally disappeared completely from the ground.

"Everyone, get up! Let's hurry and get going! Aftershocks could come at any time!" The squad leader's voice was completely hoarse as he struggled to his feet.

Along with several other soldiers, they quickly counted the number of people and helped the wounded to their feet. "Those who can still walk, please help those around you! We must get to the designated assembly point immediately!"

The team began to move again with difficulty, this time with an added sense of urgency amidst their exhaustion and fear.

The soldiers looked out for each other, constantly shouting reminders to watch their step, and the people moved forward in silence.

All that could be heard were heavy breathing, chaotic footsteps, and the occasional groans of pain from the wounded on the stretcher.

The sky quickly darkened, the temperature began to drop, and a cold wind carried dust and the smell of blood as the team groped their way forward on the almost completely dark and unrecognizable road.

The only source of light was the soldiers' few flashlights, whose batteries were about to run out. The faint beams of light struggled to sweep across the ruins, guiding the way.

Just when they were about to be overwhelmed by despair and exhaustion, the soldier leading the way suddenly shouted excitedly, "We see it! It's Qingshui Manor! We've arrived!"

Everyone perked up and strained to look up.

In a mountain valley, the outlines of several relatively intact antique-style buildings can be vaguely seen. The area seems to be quite open, and the original parking lot and square have already gathered a lot of people.

The faint glow of the campfires and emergency lights, though dim, acted like beacons in the darkness, dispelling the last vestiges of chill in people's hearts.

"Hurry up! We're here!" the soldiers encouraged, practically dragging the survivor into the territory of Qingshui Manor.

Upon entering the temporary camp, a complex mix of emotions—a sense of relief and relief after surviving a disaster—instantly filled the air.

Some people collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

Some people hurriedly weaved through the crowd, calling out the names of their lost relatives.

Many others looked around blankly at this temporary safe haven, their faces filled with exhaustion and relief.

Several rescue workers and administrators quickly approached. "This way! Take the seriously injured to the east side of the roof; the medical point is set up there!"

"Those with minor injuries and their families, please proceed to the center of the square to collect drinking water and blankets!"

"Everyone, don't panic, follow instructions! We're safe for now!"

The soldiers did not rest immediately. The squad leader quickly handed over the situation to the camp leader, reporting on the journey and casualties.

Young soldier Xiao Liu and others immediately joined the camp, helping to set up temporary tents, distribute supplies, and maintain order.

The night passed peacefully.

The next morning, an extremely piercing electrical buzzing sound suddenly broke the silence.

Immediately afterwards, a cold, emotionless, synthesized female voice, transmitted clearly through the newly installed loudspeakers, resounded throughout every corner of the camp.

"Attention all citizens, this is the first order from the Provisional Management Committee of Jin City."

Xu Xiaoyan immediately looked up at the loudspeaker and announced, "It has been decided that, effective today, the existing monetary system is immediately abolished. All paper money and coins will cease circulation and will no longer have any transaction function!"

The voice from the loudspeaker continued to announce without interruption:

"Now we are implementing a 'labor points system' where all able-bodied citizens can earn points by obeying the government's unified work arrangements. The more you work, the more you earn, and you can exchange your points for daily necessities and food at designated redemption points."

The voice paused slightly, seemingly to allow this more "benevolent" policy to resonate with the public:

"In addition, to protect the survival rights of vulnerable groups, senior citizens aged 65 and above and children under the age of 14 can go to the canteen every day to receive basic meals free of charge. That concludes the announcement. Please abide by the regulations and participate in production and construction in an orderly manner."

The cold electronic sound abruptly stopped, leaving only a long, hissing busy tone in the air.

The deathly silence lasted for about ten seconds, then it completely erupted into chaos!

"It's void! The money's useless! Hahaha! Heaven has eyes!" A man roared with ecstasy. He was clearly penniless, and this news was a relief to him.

But this ecstasy was only sporadic; more often, it erupted in desperate cries and furious curses: "My money! All the money I've saved my whole life! It's all worthless paper now!!"

An elderly woman collapsed to the ground, her trembling hands clutching a handful of crisp new hundred-yuan bills, her cries heart-wrenching: "Why! Why do you?! That's my hard-earned money!"

A middle-aged man was waving his fist in the direction of the government troops, his face contorted in pain.

People reacted in various ways; some went crazy and pulled the money out of their wallets and tore it to shreds, with scraps of paper falling like snowflakes.

Some people, unwilling to give up, tried to stuff bundles of cash into the hands of passing soldiers, but were ruthlessly pushed away.