novelraw Chapter 96
Chapter 96
Not only did Yu Xi not want to see Bai Yu, but actually, Bai Yu didn’t want to come either.
After the four of them were driven out of the villa area by Yu Xi that day, the one who was the angriest was actually Cheng Yuan. It seemed that her usual subtle provocations had worked too well, and with Yu Xi’s harsh attitude kicking them out, it validated her private “complaints” about Yu Xi in front of him.
Along with it, he selectively overlooked her previously dismissive attitude toward him.
Aside from Cheng Yuan, the other three were not locals. During the long holiday break, the dorms were closed, and they’d originally planned to stay at Yu Xi’s house until the semester started. Now that plan was ruined, and they had to find temporary accommodation.
However, the cost of living in Fan City was high; nice hotels were expensive, and Bai Yu couldn’t get used to ordinary inns. So, in the end, she accepted Cheng Yuan’s offer to stay at his house for the time being.
Cheng Yuan’s family wasn’t exactly wealthy, but his parents had good incomes and owned a spacious apartment in a nice part of the city. Both of them were professors and were away in another city for a seminar.
The apartment was over 200 square meters, with four bedrooms, two living rooms, and an excellent glass observation balcony. It was decorated in a simple and elegant style, not as lavish as Yu Xi’s villa, but it still satisfied Bai Yu.
Cheng Yuan was very into Bai Yu at the time, so in addition to hosting her, he also extended hospitality to her two friends. In truth, she wasn’t close to them at all, and she wouldn’t have minded if Cheng Yuan had refused to let them stay. But since he was willing, she didn’t object.
No one anticipated that a sour rain that night would change everything.
Cheng Yuan’s apartment was in a high-rise building but not on the top floor, and since it had a lot of glass, it suffered some corrosion from the acid rain. However, with doors and windows tightly shut, the rain couldn’t seep in, and most of the acidic fumes were kept out. But Cheng Yuan’s parents weren’t as lucky. The city where they were attending the seminar was hit by a highly acidic, pH-negative super acid rain. Both of them perished in this disaster.
After receiving the news, Cheng Yuan couldn’t handle the blow, and he completely changed.
In Bai Yu’s words, Cheng Yuan had lost his mind.
Now, his mind was consumed with only one thing: staging protests. He was convinced that toxic emissions from those factories had destroyed the planet’s natural balance and killed his parents.
He barely slept, constantly reaching out to classmates and friends to organize events. Even knowing that it was dangerous outside, he repeatedly led people to the industrial areas on the city outskirts, engaging in totally meaningless actions.
In the past, Bai Yu would have left long ago, but given the current situation outside, many buildings had been damaged by the acid rain, and many people were forced out of their homes and into hotels, where even minimally intact accommodations were now priced several times higher.
Her mother had passed away early, and after her father remarried, he barely cared about her. Getting her through college was already more than she could ask for; he remained indifferent even in such a massive crisis and certainly wouldn’t give her any money.
To make things worse, all her valuable possessions (which Yu Xi had bought for her) had been left in the villa by the two housekeepers. She had no money to stay anywhere else.
In Fan City, not only had accommodation prices surged, but food, water, and daily essentials were also in short supply, and many privately-run stores either raised prices or didn’t open at all.
Cheng Yuan’s house was safe, and she could live there without paying for food or lodging. The only issue was that every time he went out to protest, he insisted that she had to go with him.
She tried once to refuse using a mild excuse and a gentle tone, but that time, Cheng Yuan, who had always been kind to her, only looked at her with a gloomy gaze. He didn’t say a word, but his expression alone sent chills down her spine.
In the end, she had no choice but to go with him.
Her two friends were also forced to join for the same reason.
Later, outside the factory area, they ran into two classmates and friends they often hung out with. Bai Yu thought they were also sincerely there to protest, but when the protest ended that day, Cheng Yuan brought them back with them.
That’s when Bai Yu realized that these classmates had originally rented a beachside vacation home with some other friends, intending to have a fun 15-day stay. But after the acid rain hit, the house became dilapidated, and the rent skyrocketed to four times the original rate.
One classmate chose to return to their hometown, securing an expensive ticket, while the other two, due to financial constraints, had no choice but to stay in Fan City.
While they were discussing what to do, they saw Cheng Yuan’s message in the group chat. After some negotiation, they agreed that as long as they joined the protests, Cheng Yuan would provide free food and lodging for as long as needed.
Those friends had been drifting without stable jobs, and their previous housing, of poor quality, had been completely destroyed in the acid rain. Seeing the chance for free food and shelter, they naturally joined in.
However, it didn’t take long before everyone noticed Cheng Yuan’s obsessive and unhealthy behavior. Later, they recalled Bai Yu’s connection with Yu Xi.
In their eyes, Bai Yu was Yu Xi’s closest confidante and even acted as her representative. Every time Yu Xi organized a party, it was Bai Yu who planned and coordinated it.
With such a wealthy friend, why would she stay here?
They speculated that Bai Yu stayed because she was reluctant to leave Cheng Yuan. They tried to persuade her, mentioning that the villa area where Yu Xi lived was in relatively good condition due to high-quality construction materials. They even heard that the residents in that villa area were upgrading their homes with a new, highly effective acid-resistant material, significantly enhancing safety.
But that material was outrageously expensive—
The price per square meter for a villa was already steep, making it unaffordable for most people in Fan City. With current material shortages, even those with money had to wait in line.
But for some reason, that villa area was reportedly the first residential zone in Fan City to buy this material in bulk and carry out renovations.
Now, it might be one of the safest residential areas in Fan City.
Whenever they thought about Yu Xi’s large and secure villa, they grew eager. Free meals and drinks every day without needing to participate in any protests sounded like a dream.
Bai Yu hesitated all night. She didn’t want to go back because she knew Yu Xi was genuinely angry this time.
Yet, she also didn’t want anyone to know that she and Yu Xi had fallen out. Her so-called friends were all opportunistic; if they found out she was no longer of use, they’d likely leave her and go straight to Yu Xi.
Yu Xi, that type of person, could be persuaded with a few sweet words, a little flattery, and a display of vulnerability. If she was pleased, she might even let them all stay.
The thought irritated Bai Yu, but in the end, she joined them, wearing a mask and standing at the back, trying to minimize her presence. If Yu Xi allowed them to stay, she would go in with them, and then try to apologize sincerely; maybe Yu Xi would forgive her.
At the entrance to the upscale villa area stood two massive wrought-iron gates over four meters high, with guard posts and security offices on either side. The setup was as spacious and well-equipped as a regular apartment.
Outside the gates, about a dozen people waited expectantly with their luggage. They couldn’t understand why Yu Xi hadn’t immediately instructed security to let them in and insisted on coming to the gate herself, filling them with curiosity.
“Could she be planning not to let us in? After all, things aren’t the same as before.”
“No way. You guys know Yu Xi—she’s practically the definition of naive and loaded. Just say a few nice things, butter her up, and she’ll definitely let us in…”
“Ah, I’m craving sashimi and lobster! The acid rain affected the water quality, so even farmed fish are inedible. Salmon outside is super expensive now!”
“No price hike can touch Yu Xi; that girl has money. I’m sure her villa has some!”
“I want to eat wagyu…”
“I just want a proper bath. Cheng Yuan’s house doesn’t even have scented bath salts…”
“But… isn’t this a bit much?” one classmate finally said, “Though… I also really want her bird’s nest congee. The housekeeper makes it so delicious!”
Yu Xi, who had just arrived near the gate…
Should she blame herself for having such good hearing? These people truly weren’t simple. After all, having such thick skin couldn’t be easy. They hadn’t even entered the villa gates, yet they were already thinking about her sashimi, wagyu, bird’s nest, and scented bath salts?
Did they think of themselves as guests or as the hosts here?
Originally, Yu Xi had only come to put them in their place for some Star Coins, but now she genuinely felt like doing so.
She strode over to the gate, where the security guard greeted her politely before opening the door. As soon as the crowd outside saw her, their eyes lit up, and they all gathered around, showering her with enthusiasm.
“Yu Xi! It’s been days since we last saw you. How have you been?”
“Wow, Yu Xi, you look stunning today. Is that outfit from the new collection? Only you could wear their designs with such style!”
Yu Xi…
She raised her hand in a “shh” gesture, and once the crowd quieted down, she folded her arms and spoke slowly, “What’s going on? You all suddenly have time to visit me?”
“Yes! We missed you so much. It’s been so long since we hung out together!”
Yu Xi glanced at the person who spoke, and a memory popped up in her mind: “Weren’t you here just a few days ago for my birthday?”
Thinking she wouldn’t remember due to the crowd, a girl who’d spoken grew a bit uneasy…
A man quickly laughed to smooth things over, “What she meant is that a day without seeing you feels like three years! We’ve all missed you so much. Why don’t we go inside and catch up?”
Another woman chimed in, “Yes, let’s not stand by the gate. It must be tiring for you. I even brought you a gift!”
Yu Xi smiled, “With all that luggage, were you planning to stay? What’s the matter—your place is damaged? Hotel prices too high?”
“…Not exactly. It’s just that with the situation outside, you can’t go out and have fun. We thought we’d come keep you company—”
“Enough talking; it’s too noisy.” Yu Xi waved her hand.
The person who’d been about to speak felt a headache coming on from her haughty attitude but forced a smile to say a few more nice words. However, Yu Xi continued, “My villa is spacious, and you can stay if you like. I’d been wanting barbecue for lunch but didn’t feel like cooking. Since you’re all here, you can help out.”
This statement delighted everyone, and they were about to agree when Yu Xi changed her tone once more.
She looked at Bai Yu in the crowd, her smile fading. “I was planning to let you in, but you all might not know—Bai Yu and I have already fallen out. Since you’re her friends, that includes you, so I don’t want to let you in. You can all leave.”
Bai Yu froze, her whole body stiff, while the others turned to her with looks of shock and anger.
They’d assumed they could use her to get closer to Yu Xi, but now they realized she’d ruined it for them. No wonder she hadn’t said a word all day and had been standing at the back with a mask on.
Without another word from Yu Xi, the group immediately began to distance themselves from Bai Yu, claiming they weren’t really her friends, that she’d clung to them uninvited, and that she always looked down on them because of her close relationship with Yu Xi…
Their words ridiculed her, reducing Bai Yu to nothing.
Even though she hadn’t genuinely regarded them as friends, being mocked by everyone like this was still unbearable—especially considering she was the one who had introduced them to Yu Xi in the first place.
She first asked the two classmates if they’d leave with her, but they didn’t respond, instead hiding behind the others.
Coldly glaring at everyone, she said, “Don’t even think about going back to Cheng Yuan’s house!” Then, she turned and walked away.
Although they were a bit annoyed by her warning, they were actually pleased to see her leave so decisively.
Compared to Cheng Yuan’s apartment, only an idiot would choose that over Yu Xi’s villa! Plus, they had to go out every day like fools to protest. Cheng Yuan’s parents might be dead, but their parents weren’t, so what did it have to do with them?
As Bai Yu’s figure faded, they continued mocking her, disassociating themselves, while speaking to Yu Xi in soft, comforting tones.
Most of them were a few years older than Yu Xi and Bai Yu, and used to saying whatever fit the situation, their expressions never betraying them. Yu Xi almost felt like applauding them.
She glanced at the progress bar of her task and gave them a smile. “Did you really think I’d let you into my house? Am I out of my mind? Or are yours out of your mind? Missed me? Afraid I’d be bored, so you came to keep me company? Aren’t you even a little embarrassed saying that? Did you honestly think I’m rich and stupid?”
The progress bar jumped a bit.
“Yu Xi, what are you saying? Don’t joke like that…”
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
Finally, someone realized, “You… you’re messing with us?”
“Yeah.”
“You little—” someone couldn’t hold back, furious, and instinctively stepped forward.
The woman beside him quickly pulled him back, flashing Yu Xi a smile. “Yu Xi, don’t take it to heart. Brother Cheng has a bit of a temper. Let me apologize on his behalf. Look, we’ve been to your villa many times before, and Sister Xuan knows how generous you are. She really considers you a friend, so—”
“Stop dreaming.” Yu Xi glanced at the progress bar and interrupted her impatiently, “No way. The door’s shut. I’m deliberately messing with you. If you know what’s good for you, get lost!”
At this, everyone’s expressions turned cold. Sister Xuan stepped back, signaling Brother Cheng and a few other men, who understood immediately.
Since kindness didn’t work, they wouldn’t hesitate to use force. They planned to seize this girl, force her to let them inside, and then take over the villa, locking her up…
Yu Xi glanced at her progress bar, frustrated with its snail’s pace, when she suddenly noticed a flash in front of her, as someone quickly approached.
Without thinking, she swung her hand, and with a crisp “smack,” the person was sent flying by her slap.
She only realized afterward that she should have held back a little, but it was too late. That slap had at least three times the strength of a normal person’s, and “Brother Cheng” ended up sprawled on the ground, his face swollen like a pig’s head. Two of his teeth were missing, and as he opened his mouth, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
The task progress bar suddenly jumped.
Yu Xi…!!
She understood now—the “face-slapping” for this task was literal, a physical face-slap!
Yu Xi raised her head, fixing her gaze on another man.
The man…
When the security guard, alerted by the noise, rushed outside the gate, he only saw the disheveled group retreating, supporting one another as they left.
Yu Xi, with her hands in her pockets, walked back slowly, her expression calm yet faintly joyful.
“Are you alright, Miss Yu?” the guard asked, holding a taser issued for security, scanning the area cautiously.
“I’m fine, thank you. If anyone else comes looking for me, please remember to notify me, just like this time.” She didn’t want the guard to directly turn people away; who knew, there might be another random task to refresh.
Counting her Star Coins, Yu Xi happily returned home.
That night, the weather forecast for Fan City announced rain, with a possibility of heavy acid rain and gray acid rain.
“Gray acid rain” was a new term, referring to acid rain with a pH close to that of common sulfuric acid, while acid rain with a negative pH was now labeled “black acid rain.”
Of course, the occurrence and regions affected by black acid rain were currently rare.
Everyone understood the implications of gray acid rain—just a few minutes of exposure would cause severe burns. This kind of acid rain would quickly create highly acidic fumes, which, if inhaled, could lead to throat spasms and laryngeal edema. In severe cases, the acidic gas would directly burn the throat and lungs.
Stores, online platforms, and pharmacies… all protective masks and chemical suits were sold out. Wealthier individuals could pay extra to have drones deliver items to their doorstep, while those with less money could only lock their doors and windows tightly and improvise protective masks with goggles and face coverings.
In this world, declining birth rates had led to a decreasing population each year, with machines rising in prominence. Over eighty percent of jobs were now completely replaced by machines.
This meant that everything from airplanes and cars to phone components, electronic products to processed foods, and industries from chemical production to textiles and building materials—eighty percent of it all was manufactured by automated factory machinery.
Currently, there was a shortage of almost everything on the market, especially protective equipment. People were calling for restocking, while some continued to protest daily at the factory zones.
However, given the situation, the factory zones couldn’t possibly stop production. Drones, protective equipment, and the much-desired nano-ceramic alloy were all manufactured in these factories.
The entire situation seemed like an endless cycle.
Around 11 p.m. that night, the dreaded rain finally arrived—a light drizzle. Someone on the spot measured it, and the pH level was in the range of heavy acid rain.
Many people didn’t dare to sleep, fearing that if they drifted off, the heavy acid rain might turn into gray acid rain, corroding their homes and ending their lives.
Of course, death wasn’t the scariest thing; what was worse was being left in a half-dead state.
With severe burns covering their skin, enduring daily pain and infection, lying immobile on a hospital bed, or, with hospitals overflowing, waiting endlessly for surgery or medication…
And finally dying in agony…
Luckily, the pH value of the acid rain that night didn’t reach the level of gray acid rain, and most buildings withstood the assault.
Yu Xi woke up in the middle of the night to measure the pH level. Later, the next day, she checked the news, where the official report confirmed the lowest recorded value.
As she toasted some bread, she scrolled online.
Online, some people were relieved, some were worried, others fearful, and many were desperately searching for places still selling protective gear.
Even acid rain at that pH level would fill the air with acidic gases that, while not immediately causing discomfort, could lead to latent health risks, including chemical bronchitis and pneumonia.
Especially for children, with their sensitive respiratory systems, even a few extra breaths could cause discomfort, leading to constant coughing and crying.
Yu Xi sighed and called a factory from which she’d previously ordered supplies, expressing her intent to place an urgent order for a batch of children’s protective gear, willing to pay five times the original price for speed.
She had previously learned online about an orphanage in Fan City for disabled children, housing around thirty to forty kids. For various reasons, despite the low birthrate, these children had been abandoned and remained without adoption.
Since the orphanage building was constructed with high-quality materials, it hadn’t suffered severe damage from the first acid rain. Given the current chaos and the many people and places in need, no one had prioritized it yet.
This batch of protective gear was ordered for those children.
The person on the other end sounded troubled, explaining that the factory zone had faced continuous protests, with a minor conflict breaking out recently. During the clash, a few individuals had broken through the security barriers and entered the factory grounds.
Since the area was vast and mostly automated, it wasn’t initially apparent that intruders had entered. They’d secretly damaged the factory’s rainproof layer, so when acid rain poured in yesterday, some machines were damaged, and several production lines were down today.
Yu Xi…
Seriously, what kind of brainless people…
However, when the factory rep learned that the gear was intended for the children at the orphanage, he offered to prioritize her order and run it through another functioning production line. Since the quantity wasn’t large, he didn’t require her to pay five times the price—just twice the current market price—and assured her it would be delivered directly to the orphanage by the afternoon, as his way of helping.
After hanging up, Yu Xi was in a good mood. She decided to treat herself, taking a portion of hot and sour soup and beef dumplings from the Star House storage to add to her freshly toasted bread and squeezed orange juice, indulging herself thoroughly.
[…]
“If you have something to say, just say it. Stop hesitating in my head every time.”
[Host, someone is here.]
Yu Xi sensed that the Star House system was purposely trying to change the subject, but indeed, someone had arrived; she’d sensed it long ago.
It was Feng Xu, carrying several large bags, lingering at the edge of her courtyard, hesitant to come in.
Yu Xi leaned against the villa entrance, tapping her phone a few times. “Alright, come in.”
“Damn, you really have the alarm system on! In broad daylight, in a villa area with such good security—who exactly are you trying to guard against?” Feng Xu stepped forward and placed several large bags at her feet.
“Whoever comes, I guard against them.”
“…” He gave her an annoyed look and reluctantly spoke, “About that nano-ceramic alloy thing from before, my parents asked me to come thank you—even though I don’t think there’s much to thank you for. Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I could’ve found out on my own—”
“Goodbye.” Yu Xi turned to leave.
“Damn it!” Feng Xu burst out, irritated. “Can’t you let me finish? These two bags are a little gift from my parents. I know you don’t lack food, so this includes some protective gear.
“This bag has a few pairs of everyday protective shoes. They’re not for wearing during acid rain, but for after the rain stops. Regular shoes wear out easily when stepping on acidic mud or roads, but these are specially made to be waterproof, acid-resistant, and corrosion-proof.
“This bag has a few sets of protective clothing and masks. As you know, it’s been tough to find protective gear lately. There are three sets here, enough for you to use for a while.”
“Thank your parents for me.” She had seen his parents in her “world screen”—wealthy, but principled and respectable people who never earned money dishonestly.
Seeing her accept the gifts, Feng Xu suddenly grinned. “Since you accepted the thank-you gift, it means I’m no longer indebted to you. Now, you still owe me from before, and I’ll come back to settle it with you.”
Yu Xi gave him a sidelong glance. “You mean the time you almost wet yourself?”
Feng Xu’s face turned bright red. “Damn it—Yu Xi! Fine, enjoy your little victory. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’ll soon know all your weaknesses—what you hate and fear most… By the way, someone knew I was coming and asked me to pass along a hello.”
Yu Xi raised her phone. “You have ten seconds. If you’re still here, I’m setting off the alarm.”
Feng Xu…
In the end, Feng Xu sprinted away as she counted down.
In the days that followed, the weather in Fan City remained clear, with no more rain.
She also received a call from Metal Ice’s company, saying that the goods she ordered were ready. This time—
She bought a box containing cans, but in fact, it didn’t take up much space in the Star House storage.
Each box measured half a meter in length, width, and height, and the total volume was less than four cubic meters.
After storing the metal ice from the truck, she drove to a few restaurants and cafes at the foot of the mountain, stopping briefly to pick up some drinks and ready-made food.
While waiting for her coffee at the café, the previously clear sky suddenly became overcast, and a torrential downpour began.
Her car was parked in a spot across the street. Just as she was considering whether to make a dash for it and drive home as quickly as possible, she heard the anguished cries of pedestrians outside, caught off guard by the rain.
Through the café’s glass windows, she saw the faces of a few pedestrians quickly redden and darken, and even their clothes began to corrode.
Yu Xi was horrified.
This was gray acid rain!
Without any warning, it had immediately turned into gray acid rain with a pH less than—
No, no! This wasn’t gray acid rain!
The rapid burning and corrosion rate had already exceeded the effects of regular sulfuric acid. This was acid rain with a negative pH—concentrated sulfuric acid rain!
This was—black acid rain!