Chapter 136

“On August 25, the seventh batch of medical supplies from Longxia was delivered to Longnan and Zhongnan.”

“The main items in this batch include: Hugua Masks, Hugua Isolation Suits, medical disinfectant…”

“The Hugua Masks and Isolation Suits are classified as high-tech supplies. Subsequent shipments will be distributed in batches to frontline hospitals across the country.”

…

At 7 p.m. on August 25, Longxia’s supplies made the national news broadcast.

“Hugua Mask?”

“That was fast!”

…

The moment Longxia Broadcast aired, netizens were instantly stirred. On August 18, Longxia had released data on the Hugua Mask, sparking widespread anticipation. Most people had guessed the earliest release would be by the end of September. But now—this was unbelievably fast!

“Longxia speed!”

“Productivity off the charts!”

…

As netizens scrolled through the news, someone asked, “Is the Hugua Mask any good?”

“Just got mine this afternoon,” a healthcare worker replied, posting a video.

The Hugua Mask is made from FarmTech Cotton and includes a coin-sized filtration and detection device. The basic usage steps are: download the Longfeng app, wear the mask, exhale to pair, and once pairing is successful, it’s ready to use.

The Hugua Mask is only usable by the paired individual. Pairing information is recorded by the Longxia Health Bureau, and the Longfeng app monitors the mask’s status.

“This is next-level tech,” netizens marveled.

Before anyone could fully process it, the healthcare worker posted again, this time showing off the Hugua Isolation Suit. Made from the same material as the mask, it offers far better breathability and comfort than standard isolation suits.

“How does it feel to wear?” netizens asked.

“【Thumbs up】!” the healthcare worker replied with a thumbs-up emoji. According to the latest air quality reports, Longnan and Zhongnan are at pollution level three, and industrial cities are at level four. He had tried the Hugua Mask that afternoon—its air purification, breathability, and lightness were all top-notch. Now, everyone in his department had switched to Hugua Masks, and they’d spent the afternoon discussing Hugua Supplies.

“That’s amazing,” netizens said, growing more and more envious. Amid the chatter, some began to question—

“Are these being given out for free?”

“Seven million units were sent to Longnan and Zhongnan. At 5,000 yuan each, that’s 35 billion…”

“There are 20 million healthcare workers nationwide. How much would that cost?”

…

The Hugua Mask is a life-saving device. Now that healthcare workers had them and they didn’t, some people couldn’t help feeling bitter.

“Why only give them to healthcare workers and not us?” a few netizens grumbled.

Some lurkers couldn’t stay silent: “Then go to the frontlines.”

“I’m not a doctor.”

“Hospitals are recruiting volunteers. Want to sign up?” Right now, hospitals across the country were short on volunteers. Volunteers mainly assisted with logistics and were also included in the supply distribution list.

Some netizens wanted to argue, but the word “go” caught in their throats.

They didn’t dare. They were afraid.

“Pathetic,” one lurker scoffed. With cities locked down worldwide, no one expected ordinary citizens to volunteer at hospitals. That wouldn’t be volunteering—it would just create more chaos. Whether or not someone was willing to go was one thing, but stirring up drama online was another.

If the Hugua Virus was a battlefield, then doctors were the frontline soldiers. Prioritizing supplies for them not only protected healthcare workers but also helped contain the virus more effectively. Yet here people were, demanding a share of the supplies before the frontlines were even fully equipped. It was absurd.

The more the lurker thought about it, the angrier they got. Their words turned sharp: “Go to bed and sleep it off!”

“We’re just worried about our safety…” the troublemakers backed down. They knew the government wasn’t wrong, but Hugua H1 could kill within two weeks of infection. Before death, the lungs would look like honeycomb coal. With over fifty deaths nationwide already, they were terrified.

“The masks are in production, but who knows when they’ll hit the market?”

“My kid is three this year, weak immune system. I don’t even dare let him outside.”

“Our whole family’s been staying home for a week now. No idea when this will end…”

…

After venting, the conversation shifted to the Hugua Mask’s release. Since the outbreak of Hugua H1, the global economy had collapsed. Those with government subsidies could manage, but freelancers were living day to day.

It was hard. Incredibly hard.

That was the prevailing mood across the country. People weren’t asking for much—they just hoped the Hugua Mask would hit the market soon so they could go out and work again.

Amid the ongoing chat, someone asked, “If the Hugua Mask does go on sale, what’s a reasonable price in your mind?”

“Maybe 5,000.”

“7,000.”

“Anything under 10,000 is acceptable.”

…

Netizens shared their mental price points. With the global crisis worsening, some purification masks had already been scalped to over 17,000 yuan. Five thousand wasn’t cheap, but for a life-saving mask, it was worth it.

Eventually, the discussion lulled, and netizens drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, as people woke up and took their temperatures, two Hugua-related topics topped the Longbo trending list—

【Hugua Mask Production and Distribution Process】

【Longxia signs Hugua Mask cooperation agreements with 77 countries including Weir, Canpesheng, and Natal. Talks with other nations are ongoing…】

…

Both trending topics were about the Hugua Mask. According to the details, Longxia’s main policies were:

1. By September 15, ensure every citizen receives one Hugua Mask. Distribution order: hospitals, volunteers, residential communities… Masks will be issued based on ID. Additional purchases will cost 5,000 yuan per mask.

2. Longxia has signed production agreements with tech companies like Dongshan and Fengmai. These companies plan to establish Hugua Tech production lines in various countries. Further cooperation details are under negotiation.

Netizens focused on the first point: Hugua Masks distributed by ID.

“Oh my god!”

“Is it free?”

…

People read it three times to be sure. Once they confirmed the Hugua Masks would be distributed free of charge, they were stunned.

Last night, a healthcare worker had posted a video of the mask. Tech professionals had analyzed the materials and compared them to the cost of purification masks, estimating the Hugua Mask’s production cost at no less than 3,000 yuan. With labor and manufacturing added in, 5,000 yuan was already a fair price. Everyone had mentally prepared to pay out of pocket. Now, this was an unexpected gift!

“How much is this going to cost?”

“Fifteen billion people, 5,000 yuan each… someone do the math?”

…

Those who had envied the healthcare workers were speechless. Fifteen billion people, each receiving a life-saving mask… Given the current severity of the virus, this was nothing short of a miracle.

“Never thought they’d give them out for free!”

“Even at cost price, it would’ve been acceptable!”

“But they’re really giving them away…”

…

Netizens turned back to the trending topics. As they read, a warm feeling spread in their hearts. In the face of the Hugua Virus crisis, they could truly feel that Longxia had one goal: to protect the lives of its people, sparing no expense to reduce casualties.

【Dongshan Technology has donated 100,000 boxes of masks to Longnan Hospital, with the delivery scheduled for August 27.】

【Baile Apparel is reconfiguring its production workshops, planning to convert twenty clothing production lines into sterile isolation manufacturing lines.】

【Zhongda Steel has donated 200,000 bottles of mineral water to Longzhong Hospital…】

…

Before people could even react, more and more headlines began trending.

This time, a total of 123 companies stepped up to donate. The recipients were primarily major hospitals and frontline community departments. In addition to material donations, many related enterprises temporarily adjusted their production lines to meet urgent needs.

Netizens watched all this unfold and were reminded of the torrential rains in Longnan three years ago. Back then, companies across the country had rushed to send aid to Longnan. Different circumstances, but the same passionate response.

The Longnan floods.

The Hugua H1 outbreak.

It felt like a beam of light was shining in everyone’s hearts—a light that pierced through the darkness and would not be extinguished.