Chu Yian had already stockpiled two full packs of toilet paper, so this single roll was… honestly useless.
After using the "create something from nothing" ability twice now, she was starting to realize that not every item was going to be a miracle find.
She tossed the roll aside and opened her reinforced inner door to peer through the peephole.
The door across the hall was shut tight.
No idea if Lu Qingyuan was home.
Sigh.
Whatever.
She pulled her gaze back, trying to be rational.
He was just an NPC in a game, after all.
If he didn't remember her, there was no point in forcing things.
Better to focus on staying home, surviving twenty days, and waiting for the cure to be developed.
Suddenly, she remembered the drone she bought.
She took it out and spent a while figuring out how to set it up, following the manual step-by-step. Eventually, the drone lifted off smoothly and flew out through her window.
Right then, someone collapsed down by the building entrance.
People were already gathering around. The collapsed man was being held up by a family member, coughing non-stop and drooling yellow mucus.
A siren wailed, and an ambulance pulled up fast.
A team in full hazmat suits jumped out. Their appearance alone sent a wave of panic through the crowd.
They quickly cleared the bystanders, loaded the patient into the ambulance, and began disinfecting the area where he'd fallen.
"Damn, that's terrifying."
"What's going on? Whose kid is that?"
"He's one of our residents. Was heading to work this morning and just collapsed at the door."
"Didn't the news talk about some infectious disease yesterday?"
"You think he caught it?"
"No clue. But we should all stock up and stay home for a while. Avoid crowds, keep it safe."
Chu Yian, watching all of this unfold through her drone, frowned slightly.
So even her own residential complex had confirmed cases now.
Since it was the first test flight, she used the drone to scout the surrounding streets too.
Traffic still flowed normally. People walked down the sidewalks chatting, laughing with friends or family.
But just outside the community gates, the supermarket was packed—people were coming out with armloads of supplies.
She didn't dare fly the drone straight back inside.
Instead, she grabbed her alcohol spray and gave the drone a thorough disinfection before bringing it back in.
Come to think of it, despite all the supplies she'd gathered, she hadn't stocked up on disinfectant.
She only had two 150ml bottles of medical alcohol, which wouldn't last long.
Her brow furrowed.
Maybe… she should risk going out one more time while the outbreak was still in its early stages.
If more people got infected, medicine and disinfectants would become harder and harder to find.
With that thought, Chu Yian decided to head out again.
Knowing there were already cases in her complex, she took extensive precautions this time.
Mask, long sleeves and pants, goggles, medical gloves—everything but a full hazmat suit.
She'd thought about wearing one, but it would draw too much attention. This outfit was protective but subtle.
Once she confirmed every inch of skin was covered, she headed for the door.
Only to find herself face-to-face with Lu Qingyuan.
Apparently, he was heading out too—but he was completely unaware of the situation outside.
No mask. No gloves. No nothing.
Chu Yian hesitated, then pulled a mask from her bag.
"Here. Put this on."
He looked at her, puzzled.
"There's an outbreak going on," she explained. "Someone from our building collapsed downstairs this morning.
Put on the mask. And you should stock up on food, water, masks, and medicine while you still can."
Even though he no longer recognized her, Chu Yian couldn't help but rattle off everything he needed to know.
"Especially masks, protective suits, and disinfectants. I didn't get enough myself, so I'm heading out to buy more."
Lu Qingyuan didn't respond.
The elevator reached the ground floor. Chu Yian stepped out.
Lu Qingyuan didn't follow.
He rode down to B1—the underground parking garage.
So cold.
Well, whatever.
She'd done her good deed.
Chu Yian shook off the awkward moment and refocused—her real goal was to buy disinfectant.
She picked up the pace, hoping the nearby pharmacy still had some left.
But… she didn't make it out.
The residential complex was on lockdown.
A crowd of people and cars were stuck at the entrance.
"Why won't you let us out? I have work! Who's going to pay for my lost wages?!"
A middle-aged man in a suit shouted furiously at the community staff and local officials blocking the gate.
"There's been a confirmed infection here," one security guard shouted through a megaphone. "This is a high-risk zone now.
Everyone has to isolate for a few days—just two or three, tops."
But the residents weren't having it.
The standoff grew tenser by the minute.
Too many people.
And someone in the crowd started coughing.
Even though Chu Yian had layered herself with protection, she didn't like the risk.
She quickly backed out of the crowd and returned home.
Disinfect. Sterilize. Decontaminate.
She couldn't risk bringing the virus back inside.
Her building faced the entrance gate, so she could see everything from her window.
The crowd only got bigger and louder.
Then the police showed up.
After more than an hour, the situation finally calmed down and the people outside dispersed.
Shortly after, officials from the local district office came around with loudspeakers:
"The community will be under a two-day lockdown. We ask for your cooperation during this period."
Since she couldn't leave now, Chu Yian flopped down on the couch and turned on the TV.
The news was still reporting on the outbreak.
Aside from her residential complex, three other communities, one food market, and an airport had all been sealed off.
Then—the doorbell rang.
Chu Yian peeked through the peephole.
Three people stood outside, all wearing masks and red armbands.
"Hello, we're with the neighborhood committee," a middle-aged woman said.
"Due to the outbreak, we're registering the residents of each building. Please fill out this form."
The form asked for basic information and emergency contact details.
After Chu Yian filled it out and handed it back, the woman took out a WeChat QR code.
"All residents need to join the group chat for emergency updates," she said.
Chu Yian scanned the code and joined the group.
"By the way, auntie," Chu Yian asked, "how serious is this outbreak?"
"Very serious," the woman said with a grim nod.
"Otherwise we wouldn't be isolating everyone.
Sweetie, don't go wandering around these days.
If you develop a cough or a fever, report it in the group immediately.
Several other communities have new cases already."
She sighed heavily.
"Thank goodness my son left for work early this morning.
Otherwise, he'd be stuck here in lockdown with us.
Just thinking about it gives me chills."