193: First snow arrives

The iron door rattled in the wind, making a harsh sound. Shen Xiaochuan pushed it open, and snow rushed onto his face; it was very cold. He squinted as he walked forward, his feet crunching as they sank into the snow. The light was still on in the Industrial Zone's main control room, leaking out from the gaps in the glass.

He pushed the door open and went in. Lolia was hunched over the desk writing something. Three circuit diagrams were spread out, covered in notes; some places had been erased and rewritten so many times the paper was nearly torn.

Shen Xiaochuan didn't speak. He stood at the door, brushed the snow off his body, and gently closed the door. It was warmer inside than outside, but still very cold. The radiator rattled but didn't provide much heat. He walked behind her to look at the diagrams. The lines were connected accurately, the parameters were marked correctly, and there were no errors.

He watched for five minutes. Lolia didn't look up once, her hand still moving, as if afraid of missing something.

"The data stream is stable, the voltage is normal, you've done a very good job," he said.

Lolia looked up abruptly, and her pen fell to the floor. Her eyes were red and bloodshot, and her lips were dry and chapped.

"You... why are you here?" she asked, her voice hoarse.

"I said I would check the circuits," Shen Xiaochuan pulled up a chair and sat down. "If you keep pushing yourself like this, you won't be able to spot any problems even if you stare at it for another two hours."

"But what if..." she pointed at the diagrams, "the junction box is fine now, but the weather is too cold, the metal will shrink, and the connectors might loosen. The insulation on the substation's outer wall is thin, and the temperature difference at night is large, making it easy for frost to form. Over time, it will age, and I'm worried..."

Shen Xiaochuan nodded. "You're right. These things could happen. But we cannot rely on one person working themselves to death to prevent every accident."

"But I can't sleep right now," she lowered her head to pick up her pen. "My head is full of numbers. Every time I close my eyes, I see cables sparking."

"Then rotate shifts," he said. "Tonight, all non-essential personnel are to be relieved of duty. Keep two people on main frequency monitoring, changing every four hours. The same goes for you; hand over your shift immediately."

"But I..."

"No 'buts'," he interrupted. "You are a Technician, not a machine. The longer we hold on, the more we need to save our strength. If you all collapse, who will fix the equipment? Who will turn on the power? I don't need a hero who works to death; I need a Technician who can live until spring."

Lolia didn't speak. She looked at the diagrams, her hand slowly loosening.

A few seconds later, she put the pen into the pen holder and closed her notebook.

"I'll go hand over my shift now," she said.

Shen Xiaochuan stood up. "Go ahead. Go back and sleep. I still need you to track the project progress tomorrow."

She nodded. Her legs were a bit weak when she stood up, and she had to steady herself against the corner of the table. Shen Xiaochuan didn't stop her, watching her leave and her back disappear into the wind and snow.

He checked the main console. All data was normal, and the signal was stable. He opened the Faith Mall interface and noted down a list of Materials in his mind—he would place the order at dawn. He couldn't buy them now. The mall's purchase restrictions had just taken effect, resources were tight, and he couldn't spend recklessly.

He closed the terminal and left the Main Hall.

The road back to the Main Hall was harder to walk. The snow was half a foot deep, and the wind blew horizontally, making it hard to stand. He bent forward and walked, his work clothes sticking to his body, a layer of frost forming on the lining. His exhaled breath froze on his eyebrows, sticking his eyelashes together, and he had to blink hard to open them.

The Main Hall's dining room was lit. He pushed the door open, and heat rushed out to meet him. Lilith was setting the table and turned her head when she heard the noise.

"You're back?" She put down the plates and came up to him. "Your hands are so cold! Sit down quickly."

On the table were two bowls of porridge, a plate of toasted cakes, and a small pot of stew. It was steaming, and the aroma drifted over.

"You're up so early," Shen Xiaochuan pulled out a chair and sat down.

"I woke up at three and slept for a few hours," she said. "I only lay down after you left, but I couldn't sleep."

She served him porridge with gentle movements. The porridge was thick, the rice cooked very soft, with a few drops of oil on top.

Shen Xiaochuan took a sip, and the warmth traveled down his throat.

"It tastes good," he said.

Lilith smiled and served herself a bowl as well.

The two ate in silence. Outside the window, the wind was strong, and the roof creaked under the weight of the snow. Suddenly, there was a rustling sound, like small objects hitting the glass.

Shen Xiaochuan looked up.

Snowflakes stuck to the window, quickly forming frost. In just over ten seconds, the entire window was covered in snow.

"Such heavy snow?" Lilith walked to the window to wipe the glass. "It was fine just a moment ago..."

Before she could finish, the temperature in the room dropped. The sound of the heater diminished, and the heat weakened. Shen Xiaochuan put down his spoon and touched the wall; it was very cold.

He stood up and walked to the window. Outside was a sheet of white; he couldn't see anything. The wind swirled with snow, hitting the glass with a pitter-patter. He exhaled a breath, and the white mist turned to ice as soon as it came out, falling to the ground.

"Cough." His throat itched, and he sneezed.

"Did you catch a cold?" Lilith turned to rummage through a cabinet.

"I'm fine, just cold," he said.

She took out a thick fur coat and walked over to drape it over him. The fur was very dense; as soon as he put it on, the chill was blocked.

"This is the loot you gave me last time. I've been keeping it, and it's just right for today," she said.

Shen Xiaochuan didn't refuse. He buttoned it up and looked out the window.

"This snow won't stop," he said. "It will only get heavier."

"But will everyone... be able to hold on?" Lilith asked in a low voice.

Shen Xiaochuan didn't answer. He stared into the wind and snow, his fingers tapping on the window frame.

Just then, a child's crying came from afar.

"Mom! I'm cold! I don't want to die!"

The voice was sharp, piercing through the wind and snow. Then came the woman's voice, very steady: "Don't be afraid, son. We have the lord. Look, the lights are still on, and the stove is still hot. As long as the power isn't cut, we won't freeze to death."

"But outside is all white! The road is gone!"

"But our house hasn't collapsed, and the walls haven't cracked. The lord won't let the city perish. Believe in your mother, and believe in him."

The child sobbed and slowly quieted down.

Shen Xiaochuan listened without moving.

Lilith walked to his side and said softly, "They believe in you."

"I am not a god," he said. "I also get cold, get tired, and make mistakes."

"But you are doing things," she looked at him. "When others hide, you walk out. When others sleep, you are checking the circuits. You might not be able to save everyone, but you are always trying. That is enough."

Shen Xiaochuan looked at her. There was light in her eyes, not worship, not fear, but trust.

He nodded.

He walked to the broadcast device on the wall. It was the System connected to the whole city, usually used for sending notices and alarms.

He pressed the button, and his voice spread to every corner of Skydome City:

"I am Shen Xiaochuan. The snow will get heavier, and it will get colder. But I promise—as long as I am here, Skydome City will not lose its light."

After speaking, he released the button.

The broadcast device went silent.

He walked back to the window and stood still.

In the wind and snow, the lights in several households were still on. Some shadows were peeking out from behind the glass. Someone pointed toward the Main Hall and said something; the child nodded and tucked back into the blankets.

In front of a small shop, the owner hung out a wooden sign: "Hot soup available, free."

The guard patrolling the street corner patted his shoulder and continued walking forward.

Shen Xiaochuan watched, his hand slowly letting go of the window frame.

"Letting them know that someone is still holding on is enough," he said to Lilith.

Lilith nodded and went to clear the table. The sound of bowls and chopsticks clinking was soft.

Outside, the snow was still falling. The snow on the roof was too thick, and chunks of snow began to fall. The power lines swayed but didn't break. A street lamp flickered, then lit up again.

Shen Xiaochuan stood in front of the window, wrapping his coat tighter. His breathing was steady, his eyes clear.

He knew it would be even harder next. The power might have problems, supplies would decrease, people would get sick, and some might not hold on.

But for now, at least in this moment, there was still light in the city, and there were still people willing to believe.

That was enough.

He didn't move, nor did he give any orders. He just stood there, looking at the city in the wind and snow.

The Main Hall was very quiet. The fire in the stove crackled occasionally. Lilith finished cleaning the bowls and chopsticks and put them back in the cabinet.

She walked over, stood half a step away from him, and didn't speak.

The two looked out the window together.

The snow was falling densely, as if to bury the world.

But the light in the center of the city remained on.