Hailstorm Strikes
Ten minutes until nightfall.
Su Chen quickly finished his dinner and carefully started making clothes for Er Bao. The little one only had a single cotton jacket, which was starting to look a bit dirty.
He made two large pink cotton jackets, which fit Er Bao perfectly.
Oh, right, he couldn't forget about Jun Ma either. Su Chen got back to work and made two white cotton jackets for the horse.
With that, all three members of the little family would be well-protected against the winter cold.
Su Chen turned on the TV and tuned into his favorite show, Cotton Baby.
Opening a bag of chips, he lay back on the sofa, enjoying a simple yet satisfying moment of happiness.
Just a few days ago, he had still been a university student, bogged down with morning and evening self-study sessions and an overwhelming workload.
Back then, he never dared to dream of such a peaceful life.
Everyone said that university was easier than high school, but that was a lie. Even after graduation, work would be just as demanding.
A life of ease like this probably wouldn't come until one's forties or fifties.
Now he finally understood why so many elderly people longed to return to the countryside.
In a big city, people worked hard just to survive. In a small town, life was about truly living.
If given the choice, Su Chen would undoubtedly pick the latter.
And he figured most people would make the same choice.
Drowsiness crept in as he lounged on the sofa, and soon, he drifted into a light sleep.
Suddenly, a fierce storm raged outside. Cold wind and raindrops seeped into the RV, chilling the air inside.
Su Chen shivered under his blanket, snapping awake in an instant.
"What the—?! Why is it so cold?"
"Oh… I forgot to close the window."
Thinking it was just rain, Su Chen shut the window. But to his shock, large hailstones pounded against the RV's windows.
"Hail?! Are you kidding me?"
Er Bao, already timid by nature, curled up inside its little nest in fear.
Jun Ma, on the other hand, remained unbothered, watching Er Bao scramble around in panic. Unable to hold back, the horse let out a snort of laughter.
Something didn't feel right.
Hail was falling, and the temperature had plummeted. It was nothing like the past few days.
"Wait… Could this freezing weather mean monsters are coming?"
"If that happens, we're in big trouble."
For the first time, Su Chen felt a real sense of crisis.
This kind of cold could easily kill a person.
Tonight's temperature will drop drastically, plummeting below freezing. Stay warm inside your RV. This will be the deadliest night yet! The death toll will be the highest of any night so far.
From tonight onward, wild beasts will begin hibernating. If you can survive this long night, you will have a clear path ahead.
Critical Alert: A hailstorm is incoming. The impact will be severe. Stay inside your RV and do not go out.
"So… the beasts are going into hibernation? Does that mean the night will be free of monster attacks?"
But that didn't make the cold any easier to endure.
Even in his thick cotton jacket, Su Chen shivered. He quickly shut all the windows and curled up inside the RV.
Er Bao stomped its little feet in the corner, trying to keep warm, while Jun Ma lay restlessly in its usual spot, unable to fall asleep.
Su Chen pulled his blanket over himself, hoping to get some rest. But the cold air had already seeped in, making even the blanket feel icy. He trembled uncontrollably.
This reminded him of the very first night he had spent here.
Even with their warm cotton jackets, Er Bao and Jun Ma struggled against the bitter cold. Their breaths came out in visible puffs of mist.
Outside, the hail battered the RV's windows, sounding like stones being hurled against the glass.
World Chat Channel:
The chat was more active than ever.
Countless lonely survivors used the channel to pass the time, seeking comfort in conversation.
This was the most terrifying night they had faced yet—not because of monster attacks, but because the cold itself was a relentless predator.
Freezing to death was a truly horrifying fate.
Some people didn't even have a proper coat, only thin outerwear to protect them.
For them, there was only one outcome—death.
They desperately wished for a way to survive, willing to sacrifice anything for just one chance.
["Someone, please help me! I'm freezing to death. My hands and feet are ice-cold."
"At least there are no monsters tonight… but this weather is unbearable. My body just won't adjust to it."
"Luckily, I had the foresight to boil some hot water earlier. Drinking it now is keeping me alive."
"Can someone take me in for the night? I'm an international superstar—Cai something—I promise I'll make it worth your while!"
"Can anyone talk to me? I'm huddled in my RV, shivering. Don't call me weak—I've already cried several times… sob sob."
"Oh my god, it's actually hailing! I thought it was just snow, so I ran outside to build a snowman… The second I opened the door, my face got cut by hailstones."
"Are you serious? Is it really that bad?"
"I'm so cold… and starving."
"How do you all even have the energy to chat?"
"Because we're scared, duh. It helps pass the time."
"I don't think I'll make it. If I don't send any messages tomorrow, please tell a girl named Zhang Li… that I like her."
"Dude, are you seriously making a dramatic death confession?"
"Looks like this is the end for me… I survived this long, but I guess my time's up."]
Just then, Su Chen's private messages lit up.
Jiang Susu sent several voice messages.
["Su Chen, thank you for making us those cotton jackets. Without them, my sister and I wouldn't have made it through this hailstorm."
"I know you'll be fine in this weather, but I just wanted to tell you… your jackets helped me more than you can imagine."
"Even though they're really warm, I never expected winter to be this brutal. If… if I don't make it, please don't forget me."]
Wu Luxi sent a few texts as well.
["Boss, boss! It's freezing tonight. My RV is way too cold. Can I come over to your place for the night?"
"Don't get the wrong idea! I just think your place is probably warmer than mine."
"I swear, I feel like I'm about to freeze to death."]
Su Chen raised an eyebrow. Both girls messaged him at the same time?
That was rare.
But he had no interest in replying. He simply closed the chat.
Even he was struggling against the cold. He quickly gathered some firewood and started a fire inside the RV to keep warm.
As the flames crackled to life, a sense of comfort finally settled in his chest.
Er Bao and Jun Ma, seeing the fire, eagerly rushed to Su Chen's side.
The three of them huddled around the table, warming themselves by the fire.
Just like that, the night didn't seem quite as cold anymore.
Ding-dong! Ding—!
A loud knocking rattled the RV door.
Su Chen, who had been basking in the warmth, instantly tensed up.
"What the hell was that?"
Could it be… another beast?
___
NEW FANFIC IS OUT- DRAGON BALL: MULTIVERSE TRAVEL
T/N: guys comment and tell me about this fanfic, by commenting you guys are keeping this fanfic alive. If not then I will start thinking that this novel is dead and there no point in continuing this fanfic.