Chapter 135

Liu Wensheng examined the Hugua Mask thoroughly three times before turning to Sun Yiping. “Has the production volume been finalized?”

“Seven hundred thousand units. Nationwide production lines are expected to start after October,” Sun Yiping replied after a quick calculation.

Liu Wensheng frowned. “No way to start earlier?”

“The Hugua Mask has high biotech requirements. October is the earliest possible.”

Today was August 18. Given the transmission speed of Hugua H1, every day of delay in Hugua Mask production meant greater risk for the population. After a moment of thought, Liu Wensheng turned to Qin Yun. “Do we still have the Building Upgrade Card?”

“We do.”

Qin Yun opened the System Inventory.

Host Name: Qin Yun.

System Inventory: Wheat Seeds x100, Sweet Potato Seeds x100, Intermediate Irrigation Machine x100… Advanced Upgrade Card x1.

…

Advanced Upgrade Card: Can upgrade any building area upon use. (Rare Grade)

…

Ever since the Farm was upgraded, it had gained access to a monthly exclusive lottery. The results were highly random. Since the feature was introduced, the Farm had only drawn one Intermediate AI; the rest were low-tier prizes like walnut seeds and citrus seeds. Just when hopes for the exclusive feature were dwindling, on the first of this month, the Farm drew an Advanced Upgrade Card.

Due to the card’s value, the Farm had been carefully researching how best to use it.

After reviewing the card’s attributes, Liu Wensheng immediately reported it to the Longxia Team.

Three hours later, after thorough analysis, the team decided to use this high-value upgrade on the [Technology Factory].

“My apologies,” Liu Wensheng said to Sun Yiping. Previously, they had planned to use the Advanced Upgrade Card on the Virtual Technology Laboratory. But now, it was being requisitioned for urgent use.

Sun Yiping responded without hesitation, “For the people!” With the crisis at hand, the Technology Group knew how to prioritize.

At 6 p.m., the group arrived at the Technology Factory.

“Let’s begin,” Liu Wensheng said directly.

Qin Yun tapped on the Advanced Upgrade Card.

“Advanced Upgrade Card. Apply to building: Technology Factory. Confirm?”

“Confirm.”

…

The moment Qin Yun clicked, the ground trembled beneath their feet.

“Good thing we’ve got plenty of space,” Sun Yiping said, trying to lighten the mood. Since the Farm Buildings had been upgraded, they had always ensured enough surrounding space when using building cards. The area around the Technology Factory was all open land, perfect for expansion.

Twenty seconds later, the Technology Factory expanded from its original fifty mu to three hundred mu.

The group went inside. The factory’s equipment had been fully upgraded, with both its appearance and functionality exuding quality. According to the factory’s specs, as long as materials were sufficient, Hugua Mask production could jump from 500,000 units to five million.

With time tight and tasks heavy, and assuming ample raw materials, the Hugua Mask was expected to hit the market next week.

“Time…” Liu Wensheng sighed. Every day brought new confirmed cases. All Longxia could do was race against the clock.

At 7 p.m., Hugua Mask made national headlines on the evening news.

“It can block the virus! When will it be available?”

“My area’s a hotspot. Haven’t dared to go out these past few days. I really need a mask!”

“Thank you, Longxia Academy of Sciences!”

“I’ve been feeling depressed lately. Finally, some good news.”

…

By 7:10, countless netizens were sharing and discussing the news on Longbo. Ever since Hugua H1 was exposed on August 5, the entire country had been shrouded in tension. The virus had spread rapidly, leading to nationwide lockdowns and mass testing.

Hugua H1 was even more aggressive than the Harma Storm. Now, with the Hugua Mask entering production, it was like a ray of light piercing the darkness, igniting hope across the nation.

As discussions about the mask increased, some netizens raised an important question: “How much will the Hugua Mask cost?”

Currently, the Purification Mask was a limited-edition item across the country.

Priced at 1,699 yuan, the Purification Mask had an 85% virus-blocking rate. The Hugua Mask was an upgraded version. If the Purification Mask could significantly reduce the chance of infection, the Hugua Mask not only prevented infection but could also provide early warnings in the initial stages of exposure, increasing survival chances.

“Probably over five thousand.”

“I’d sell everything I own to buy one!”

“This is a lifesaver!”

…

Speculation about the price ran wild.

At 8:20, Hugua Mask made international headlines.

“The miracle efficiency of Longxia.”

The moment the news broke, international netizens could only express one thing: envy. Just half a month ago, Hugua quarantines had seemed like a joke. Now, in just two weeks, the world finally understood Longxia’s foresight.

According to the Shuilan Alliance’s report, as of the afternoon of August 18, there were 532,000 confirmed Hugua cases worldwide, with 97,000 deaths. Hugua H1 was highly contagious and deadly, and countries around the world were scrambling to respond. In contrast, while Longxia had confirmed cases as well, it had the fewest infections and the lowest death toll globally.

If time could be turned back two weeks, everyone would have taken Hugua H1 seriously, instead of passively enduring it as they were now…

After the discussion, international netizens turned their attention to the Hugua Mask—

“Located in Ireland, looking to buy Hugua Mask at a high price!”

“Triple the price for Hugua Mask!”

“Offering five times the price!”

…

Offers kept climbing higher and higher.

With the previous rush for Purification Masks still fresh in their minds, people were desperate for survival gear like this.

“On the night of August 18, the Prime Minister of Guqia called the Longxia Government.”

“At 9 p.m. on August 18, the Natal Government expressed a desire for a friendly visit to Longxia…”

“August 18…”

…

While international netizens drooled over the Hugua Mask, governments around the world were also taking action. The moment they saw the news, they called Longxia with a simple goal: to collaborate on Hugua Mask production and distribution.

On August 18, the Hugua Mask was without a doubt the global spotlight.

…

“Your hospital called. Are you going to work tomorrow?”

“No way!”

While the world was abuzz with discussions about the Hugua Mask, in Longhua Community of Changping City, Chen Yuanyuan lay restlessly under her covers, still feeling deeply wronged by what had happened in the early hours of the morning.

At 1 a.m., she had returned home from her shift at the hospital, only to be stopped at the entrance by the community property management. Their reason was simple: she was considered a high-risk individual.

No matter how she thought about it, Chen Yuanyuan couldn’t understand. Yes, she worked in the Respiratory Department, but she had never come into contact with H1 patients. The hospital was disinfected around the clock, and she underwent Hugua Testing twice a day. She wasn’t even classified as a secondary contact, so how did she end up being labeled high-risk?

From the property management’s perspective, she could understand their concerns. But that didn’t stop the grievance from welling up inside her.

At 2 a.m., her parents came downstairs to pick her up. The property manager couldn’t produce any official policy, so only then was she allowed to go home with her parents.

She had cried so hard that her voice was hoarse by morning. She called the hospital and took the day off. She spent the entire day at home, locked in an internal struggle over whether or not to quit her job.

At 9:50 p.m., her mother knocked on the door with a bowl of egg soup. “I made some porridge for you. Want to get up and have a little?”

“I’m not hungry.” Chen Yuanyuan rolled over twice in bed, then got up, dressed, and opened the door.

Her parents were watching TV in the living room. Seeing her, they asked, “Heading out?”

“Just getting some air.”

Chen Yuanyuan took a mask and went downstairs.

Longhua Community was a newly built complex completed in 3025. When she reached the ground floor, she saw two lines of residents in the community square, all waiting for their Hugua Testing.

She walked from the south end of the community to the east, then arrived at the East Plaza. The plaza spanned ten acres and used to be bustling with fitness enthusiasts. Now, aside from two young men playing ball, it was eerily quiet.

She found a bench and sat down, gazing at the nearby residential buildings. Longhua Community had thirty buildings. In the past, the lively nightlife meant many windows stayed dark. Now, rows of lights were on, but the atmosphere felt even colder than before.

Chen Yuanyuan sat there from ten until eleven. At 11:30, she headed home with her phone in hand. As she passed the small square, it was still crowded, many parents holding their children while waiting for testing.

Just as she reached the building entrance, a voice called out, “Nurse Chen!”

She squinted and saw it was the same property manager from that morning.

“I meant to come to your place this afternoon to arrange testing, but I got tied up… wait here a moment,” he said, then quickly ran back to the property office.

Chen Yuanyuan waited downstairs.

Five minutes later, the man returned carrying a fruit basket. “This is an apology gift. I’m really sorry about what happened earlier.”

Inside the basket were oranges and dragon fruit. Given current fruit prices, it was worth at least three hundred yuan.

Chen Yuanyuan glanced at it. “I don’t want it.”

“I truly apologize for what happened…” the man said again, bowing slightly.

He was forty-three years old and the Property Manager of the community. Stopping Chen Yuanyuan that morning had been selfish, and he hadn’t considered things from her perspective. The incident had caused quite a stir, and by morning, the hashtag #BanMedicalStaffFromEnteringTheCommunity had become a hot topic among residents.

“The hospital is cleaner than our homes. Everyone wears masks, dresses properly, and avoids unnecessary trips to the supermarket. What, are the medical staff going to eat you?” Some residents expressed concern, but others openly criticized the decision in the community group chat.

It was like soldiers returning from the front lines being denied a sip of hot water by the villagers. It made no sense at all.

People knew, in their hearts, what was right and what was wrong. Medical workers were special fighters in a special battle. With the Hugua Virus spreading, there was no reason to let these warriors suffer.

More and more residents voiced their support. The property management had already pinned an official apology in the community group chat. The Property Manager had planned to apologize in person that afternoon, but got delayed due to testing arrangements.

After explaining everything, he once again said, “I’m really sorry.”

Chen Yuanyuan looked at him. “Not afraid of me anymore?”

The Property Manager thought for a moment. “I looked into the hospital protocols this afternoon…”

He had carefully reviewed the procedures. Nurses like Chen Yuanyuan in the Respiratory Department had to follow strict entry protocols: test strips, temperature checks, changing into isolation gear. Even their interactions with patients followed set regulations. If any patient was confirmed positive, the nurses and doctors who had contact would be immediately quarantined. These measures were in place to protect both medical staff and the general public.

After finishing, he scratched his head. “To be honest, I’m still a little scared.”

He was scared, no doubt. But putting himself in her shoes, if he was this afraid, how much more pressure must Chen Yuanyuan be under as a frontline nurse?

“Thank you for your hard work,” he said, holding the fruit basket.

This time, his words weren’t driven by pressure from residents or his job. They came from the heart.

Chen Yuanyuan didn’t respond, nor did she take the fruit basket.

At 11:50, she returned home.

Her parents had finished watching TV and were now watching a local folk dance show. Her mother looked up and said, “Your dad and I talked. If you don’t want to keep working, then don’t.”

They had originally encouraged her to be a nurse because it was a stable job. But now, thinking it over, safety mattered more than stability.

“Okay.”

Chen Yuanyuan gave a soft reply and went back to her room to rest.

She didn’t want to go to work right now, but it wasn’t that she never wanted to work again.

The next morning, her mother went downstairs to take out the trash and found the fruit basket at the door. A label on it read: For Ms. Chen Yuanyuan, Unit 3, Building 17, Apartment 1002.

She brought it inside. “Someone sent you a fruit basket.”

Chen Yuanyuan stepped outside and saw it was from the Property Manager.

She was still upset and wasn’t about to let a fruit basket sway her.

Over the next two days, Chen Yuanyuan stayed home and didn’t go out. The hospital called twice, and she called in sick both times, saying she had a cold.

She slept, zoned out, scrolled through her social feed…

She had seriously considered quitting. She was a nurse, not a doctor, and if she resigned, she wouldn’t have too many regrets. But every day, as she browsed the hospital’s social media, watching her colleagues busy at work, she found she couldn’t bring herself to say the words.

On August 25, after five days of rest, she picked up her backpack and went back to work.

“Done resting?” As soon as she arrived, the head of the Respiratory Department gave her a stern talking-to.

Chen Yuanyuan listened quietly.

She had expected this.

After the lecture, the department head sighed. “Thank you for your hard work.”

She understood the conflict Chen Yuanyuan had been grappling with. Since the Hugua H1 outbreak, seven nurses had already resigned. Medical workers were human too. They had families to care for, and the hospital respected their choices.

“Go get changed and ready for your shift,” the department head said.

Chen Yuanyuan followed protocol, disinfected herself, and changed into her uniform.

Hospital work was exhausting and tedious. As Chen Yuanyuan stared at the stark white walls, she suddenly felt as if she were living in another world, like she’d been pulled out of time.

At one in the afternoon, she finally wrapped up her tasks and was about to switch shifts and grab a bite to eat when the head nurse came over and said, “Everyone who’s not currently on duty, pause what you’re doing. Meeting in the conference room.”

Chen Yuanyuan followed in confusion.

Half an hour later, two cardboard boxes were brought in by logistics staff.

“These are Hugua Masks distributed by the state. Each person gets one. If you lose it, there’s no replacement,” the head nurse announced directly.

Chen Yuanyuan lined up with the others to collect hers.

Three minutes later, the boxes were opened.

The Hugua Mask came in a mask-filter-detector configuration. Sleek and high-tech, it weighed only 25 grams, lighter and thinner than a regular mask.

According to the product manual, the Hugua Mask was made with a specialized Tech Cotton. When not in use, it had to be stored in a dedicated case. Inside, it contained a replaceable cotton core, and the system would automatically monitor when it needed changing. This was a high-tech piece of protective gear.

“Isn’t this the one that was on the news recently?”

“I saw a tech breakdown on it. It can block the Hugua Virus, even if it mutates!”

As the Hugua Masks were unpacked, the atmosphere in the conference room grew increasingly animated. No one had expected that the very first batch of Hugua Masks in the country would be distributed to hospitals.

“This is the Hugua Isolation Suit developed by the Academy of Sciences. It has a 100% isolation rate…” Before anyone could fully react, the logistics staff brought in two more boxes. The Hugua Isolation Suit was designed based on the Constant Temperature Series research, created under tight deadlines and rushed into production before any official announcement.

Everyone lined up again to receive their suits. Afterward, the head nurse continued, “Make sure to check in with your team leader later. This month’s medical staff subsidy has been issued.”

“There’s a subsidy?”

“That was fast!”

No one had seen this coming. It was a completely unexpected surprise.

Chen Yuanyuan looked down at the Hugua Mask and Hugua Isolation Suit in her hands. A mix of emotions welled up inside her—both grievance and joy.

She felt wronged because her work truly was exhausting. But she was happy too, because all her hard work and sacrifices hadn’t been in vain. Longxia hadn’t forgotten about them.