CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 45: PANIC BUYING

I hope nothing major happens!

Chen Shouyi crumpled the newspaper into a ball and casually tossed it into the trash can.

The next stop, he immediately hurried to the bank.

Before reaching the entrance, he saw that the entire bank lobby was already jam-packed with people.

Seeing this scene, Chen Shouyi felt a bit relieved.

Because things hadn’t reached the worst-case scenario yet.

Since the bank was still open, it implied that the bank was equipped with an independent power system, and only the mobile network was down; at least fiber access could still function normally.

Chen Shouyi noticed that the ATM machines were not operational.

He guessed it might be to slow down people’s cash withdrawals.

It could be due to insufficient cash reserves, or to delay public panic buying.

As he walked into the bank lobby, he found it crowded with people, even more chaotic than train stations during the Spring Festival.

But upon reflection, it made sense.

With the rise of mobile payments, fewer people use cash; many rarely have opportunities to use cash, and they don’t carry much cash on them.

Now that mobile networks are down, these people are the most anxious.

He quickly took a number and queued up.

The cash in his hand wasn’t much, about three to four hundred yuan.

In such a situation, having more cash on hand is prudent.

Plus, he’s unsure if the invasive field from another world will worsen, and if there’s a total power and internet outage, this money might become inaccessible.

As time went on, the number of people in the bank lobby not only didn’t decrease, but seemed to be increasing.

It wasn’t long before the bank security, with hoarse voices, reminded the public that each person could withdraw a maximum of ten thousand.

The crowd erupted in noise, and some began to argue fiercely.

"Why can I only withdraw ten thousand? It’s my money, can’t I get it out?"

"What can ten thousand do? Who knows how long the power will be out, and what if the bank runs out of cash?"

...

Fortunately, although emotions were high, it had only been a short time since the power outage, and the situation hadn’t escalated into chaos.

Most people still retained their rationality, aided by the soldiers and police patrolling the streets nearby.

In the end, under the calming efforts of security, although many were reluctant, tensions gradually subsided, and no serious incidents occurred.

Chen Shouyi didn’t mind much.

He got his money easily, and doesn’t place as much importance on money as adults do.

If it were before, even ten thousand would be a fortune.

Besides, he still has the gold from the small island.

In turbulent times, gold retains value much more than cash.

...

He queued the entire morning until it was finally his turn.

After withdrawing the cash, Chen Shouyi headed straight to the nearby supermarket.

In fact, most people who withdrew money had the same destination.

Even though newspapers urged people not to panic buy, avoiding it entirely was impossible without purchase limits.

Driven by inherent crisis awareness, people tend to believe unfavorable news, compounded by mass panic, making panic buying unavoidable.

When Chen Shouyi arrived at the supermarket, it was already crowded, with everyone frantically purchasing like there was no tomorrow.

Including Chen Shouyi.

His cart was full, mostly with drinking water, various sealed packaged foods, and durable compressed biscuits.

Originally, he wanted to find candles, but couldn’t find any, likely already snatched up.

He ended up taking a bottle of cooking oil.

If the power outage continued into the evening, perhaps creating an oil lamp would be a good idea.

His phone’s battery was low, so he turned it off.

The remaining charge would be crucial when needed.

Chen Shouyi wasn’t worried about home; his mother was always cautious, and every time there was a panic buying event, she was involved.

...

Carrying large bags, when he returned to the hotel, he didn’t find the front desk attendant, presumably also gone shopping.

He placed the items in his room and sighed with relief.

Remembering the near-stampede scene in the supermarket, Chen Shouyi felt a lingering fear.

This is crazy.

If it were just a power outage, it wouldn’t trigger such panic buying.

But the invasive field from another world made chemical reactions sluggish, evident in countless details.

For example, home gas flames weakened, cars easily stalled and accelerated slowly, even smokers felt the smoke lacked potency; these unsettling phenomena were naturally not exclusive to Chen Shouyi’s observations.

...

He let out the Shell Lady and first gave her some honey water.

Then he gnawed on a few compressed biscuits and a package of braised pig’s knuckles, finishing lunch.

Time was already two-thirty in the afternoon.

He didn’t plan to go out again today.

Now, with military and police everywhere, if he went to the spatial passage at the abandoned building, he would likely be questioned.

For safety reasons, staying in the room was best.

"Is Prepared back yet?" asked the Shell Lady, her nose pinched as she drank the honey water, licking her lips hopefully.

She had obviously become addicted to cartoons, unable to extricate herself.

"Not yet," Chen Shouyi replied.

Upon hearing the giant’s harsh news, the Shell Lady was extremely upset; she sighed, her expression downcast.

But she was quiet, not shouting like yesterday.

Seeing her pitiful appearance, Chen Shouyi almost couldn’t resist giving her a glass bead for comfort.

Fortunately, he remained determined and unmoved.

Both remained silent, exchanging no words.

After a while, Chen Shouyi boredly opened the panel, glancing at the "Basic Self-Healing" title, relieved to see it was no more transparent than yesterday.

Finally, he glanced at the knowledge section, ready to close it, when suddenly information flashed through his mind, his expression caught in surprise.

The Book of Knowledge reminded him that the Thirty-six Body Refinement Exercises and Meditative Self-Training could be re-optimized.

Chen Shouyi felt a surge of excitement.

He had waited a long time for this.

He only then realized the Energy Accumulation had reached 3.04.

Is each optimization two points more, or triple the previous amount?

He pondered but decided to let it go.

These details were inconsequential; the priority was deciding which to optimize first.

The Thirty-six Body Refinement enhances physical attributes, naturally crucial!

While Meditative Self-Training strengthens body control and increases perception, equally indispensable.

He thought it over and ultimately decided to optimize the Thirty-six Body Refinement first.

Although Meditative Self-Training is important, its current effect is still quite noticeable and sufficient.

The Thirty-six Body Refinement had slowed in progress since his body’s transformation.

Of course, compared to others, his progress speed was still remarkable, but much like going from driving a Ferrari daily to a Passat, the contrast was unsettlingly unbearable.

He glanced at the Shell Lady, seeing her still sighing.

He laid back on the bed, closed his eyes.

Then he immediately selected "Thirty-six Body Refinement" for optimization.

The familiar dream returned, he rehearsed the Thirty-six Body Refinement repeatedly amidst the gray fog, his movements subtly adjusting with each practice.

As time passed, the changes in the Thirty-six Body Refinement grew larger, eventually becoming unrecognizable.

During the final practice, his mind became serene, thoughtless and undisturbed, appearing awake yet in a meditative state.

In a trance, a mysterious aura seemed to arrive!

PS: Seeking recommendations, seeking collections