Chapter 1: The Approaching Typhoon

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“Despite international condemnation, the island authorities have discharged 340,000 tons of sewage. Relevant personnel are currently assessing the hazards…”

“Trace amounts of radiation detected in some seafood… exceeding safety limits…”

Outside the window, the wind howled fiercely, and the night sky hung low. Xu Chen stared absentmindedly at the small TV his dorm roommate had brought in. The news was on, and he felt life was like a mere game; it seemed as if he had already crossed into a parallel universe, yet these troubled times still managed to stir chaos.

“Old Xu, look at this mess. Just the other day, they reported a high incidence of cancer along their coast and protests are ongoing. And now they’re still dumping without pause.”

The speaker was indignant. Xu Chen glanced over and saw it was his informal roommate, Song Tian, who had temporarily moved the TV in.

After switching to the medical major, dorms were fully assigned, so he ended up in a two-person room with someone from a different major. Despite the difference, they got along well, to the point that their friendship was summarized as: “Your stuff is mine, but my stuff remains mine.”

Except for wallets and phones, anything lost would definitely be found on the other’s bed.

“You’re wrong, Little Coward. They’re not even human to begin with. What decent thing could they possibly do?”

Xu Chen spoke bluntly. If he could belittle something, he wouldn’t hesitate to say it.

“But… honestly, this sewage discharge worries me for our coastal and inland areas…”

Song Tian paused for a moment, then reassured him, “Don’t worry. If it’s just this level of nuclear wastewater, the pollution will be limited to the ocean and only affect the coast. As for tritium traveling via water vapor circulation, I asked a senior—its impact is limited.”

Suddenly, the news anchor on TV paused, pressed a finger against the earpiece, and his expression turned serious.

“Little Coward, do you think something’s about to happen?” Xu Chen watched intently, noting every move of the anchor.

Song Tian glanced briefly, then fixed his gaze, no longer moving. “Seems like it. But tell me, with the current situation, what big event could really be coming?”

“Why guess so much? Just keep watching.”

His phone vibrated in his pocket, but Xu Chen only touched it lightly, eyes still glued to the screen.

“Urgent nationwide alert, urgent nationwide alert.”

“The government has decided to initiate a Level 1 emergency response to a major public health incident.”

At the same time, outside the dorm, the air raid sirens began wailing. Xu Chen could clearly sense the entire dorm building growing restless. Other dorm buildings, shrouded in the approaching night, also began lighting up one by one.

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Several of the dorm’s loudest guys could be heard stomping around anxiously.

“What’s happening? Is this an air raid?”

“It’s a nuclear bomb! A nuclear bomb!”

“Whoa~~ whoa~~”

Everyone seemed eager for chaos.

Phones buzzed incessantly, Song Tian’s phone included, never stopping.

“Investigations reveal the island nation concealed the facts and discharged over ten thousand tons of untreated water. The Academy of Sciences and Meteorological Department declare this poses a major threat to our nation’s health.”

“A typhoon is making landfall…”

“Damn it, I knew it. Such savages.”

Song Tian shouted, nearly drowning out the continuous wailing of the air raid siren outside. His voice immediately drew Xu Chen’s attention, and Song Tian glared at him angrily.

“Old Xu, I was wrong earlier. The impact is much bigger now. If it’s untreated water and a typhoon is about to make landfall, then…”

“Tritium will circulate inland through water vapor?” Xu Chen had heard of this and understood the concept somewhat.

“Not only that,” Song Tian pointed to the coastal map on TV. “Strong winds over the sea will generate radioactive aerosols that can blow to every inhabited area along the coast.”

Xu Chen understood why a Level 1 emergency response had been initiated.

If mishandled, the coastal areas would be difficult to save, and even inland regions affected by water vapor would face severe consequences—cancer risks would soar dramatically.

Though a fresh medical student who hadn’t learned much yet, Xu Chen could grasp how enormous and enduring the pressure on the national healthcare system would be. Without intervention, the healthcare system would undoubtedly collapse.

“All residents are to stay home; use sheltered locations and civil defense facilities; obey orders and evacuation notices… Do not go out in the rain; avoid contact with rainwater; do not consume food contaminated by rainwater…”

At this moment, Xu Chen pulled out his phone, flooded with emergency texts from national, provincial, city, and rural authorities. Not just one message, but several in quick succession. He also received urgent calls and answered one—it was another emergency bulletin.

“Our country is taking compulsory measures to halt the island’s continued sewage discharge, to stop this disaster…”

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“This is serious now.” Song Tian muttered, staring at the TV. “Old Xu, you should call your family quickly. I have a feeling it’s going to be hard to contact or return home soon.”

Xu Chen considered this and agreed. In this world, his family had cared for him and were his true kin. Accepting their existence, it was only right to check in and ask about their situation.

Fortunately, since it was sudden, many hadn’t tried contacting others yet, so phone signals weren’t congested. Xu Chen managed to reach home.

“Ah, yes, I’ll listen to Grandpa Yang, don’t worry…”

After hanging up, Xu Chen looked at Song Tian. “Little Coward, why aren’t you calling?”

Song Tian glanced at his phone and smiled, “Nothing to call for. If anything, they’ll call me.”

Xu Chen was dumbfounded. “You want me to call my family, but you won’t call yours?”

“My family situation is complicated…”

Xu Chen understood.

Soon, the school broadcast resumed, repeating the same news from the national broadcast.

As one of the top inland comprehensive universities in this parallel universe, it had a well-established system, including this early warning network, which remained effective even as night fell.

School leaders had also received the notice, convening meetings after work hours. Visionary officials immediately coordinated with campus cafeterias and vendors to ensure uninterrupted supply of provisions.

Not just the school.

The military and government began frequent mobilizations, inspecting grain reserves and water stations nationwide, summoning militias to prepare for support orders. Transportation hubs came under strengthened control. Across the country, military and civilians united, executing countless precise orders. The entire nation operated smoothly under the emergency response plan.

It seemed this disaster was but a small trial; this nation would ultimately overcome it.

Because its journey was rugged and fraught with calamities, marked by both glory and lows, yet its spirit never bowed. Each trial led to rebirth, forging ahead with great strides.

Yet, beyond Xu Chen’s view, strange events unfolded—whether for better or worse, none could say.