Snowstorm: I’m Super Rich in the Apocalypse
Chapter 289: Darkness Overwhelms the Heart

Chapter 289: Chapter 289: Darkness Overwhelms the Heart

Although Gu Pan had experienced this phase in her previous life and knew such things happened, at that time, people outside the base already had issues in their minds, so some of them went insane, and it wasn’t certain why.

Moreover, they didn’t live with the community, so there was no big data for reference.

This life, having heard from Dr. Feng Zhekai, she understood more clearly that such prolonged darkness could disrupt people’s mental stability.

She asked Dr. Feng Zhekai, "Will this illness improve after the polar night ends?"

Dr. Feng Zhekai shook his head, "It’s uncertain, because it’s not just the polar night. Many people already had mental issues before. To begin with, many were afraid of the dark, blood, even the color red. The darkness of the polar night reminds many of their previous fears outside the base, which can easily trigger mental issues. Mental problems are not like colds or fevers; once you have them, even if they ease temporarily and seem to be better, they can still flare up if stimulated."

Everyone felt distressed when they heard this.

Dr. Feng Zhekai continued, "Everyone should be cautious going out in the future in case you encounter someone mentally unwell who might harm you accidentally."

Lu Ruisheng said, "Shouldn’t those with mental issues be documented so they do not pose a danger?"

Dr. Feng Zhekai replied, "Most of the prisons at the base are empty now, as the crime rate at the base is very low, so the base might convert one area of the prison into a mental hospital."

Gu Pan thought that made sense, "That would be a good resource conservation."

Squad Leader Fang said, "The penal system in the base’s prison is well-designed; serious cases aren’t imprisoned but are expelled from the base forever, and who would want to leave once inside?"

Talking about these matters, everyone generally agreed that the base’s policy was more effective than several years of sentencing.

In the evening, everyone stayed until after ten before returning home, because artificial sunlight, unlike real sunlight, should be experienced as much as possible.

When Lu Jianguo came home that night without having eaten yet, he saw his son and daughter-in-law were already asleep, so he quietly used a flashlight to look for some leftovers in the kitchen.

Upon reaching the kitchen, he found food left for him on the stove.

Just as he began to eat, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng also came downstairs; they hadn’t slept yet, having heard Lu Jianguo return, they came out to check.

Lu Jianguo felt embarrassed, "Was I too loud?"

Gu Pan quickly shook her head, "Not at all, we haven’t slept yet."

Lu Ruisheng went over to help Lu Jianguo blow on the charcoal under the small pot and then set the pot on top to warm it.

While doing this, he asked, "Dad, are more people getting mental problems?"

Lu Jianguo nodded, "You heard about it."

Gu Pan said, "Yes, Dr. Feng mentioned it."

Lu Jianguo sighed, "I didn’t expect so many. Some families don’t report it because they fear their loved ones will be imprisoned, so it’s really hard to handle. We just fear those with mental issues might suddenly hurt someone."

Before they thought imprisoning the mentally ill was a good solution, but hearing Lu Jianguo’s words, they wavered. If it were their loved ones with mental ailments, would they want them locked up in cells?

If the cases were severe with no alternatives, but what about cases that were not so severe? Wouldn’t they hope to keep them at home where family could take care of them more effectively?

Gu Pan asked, "Dad, could we designate a few buildings in the residential area specifically for families with these issues, record those who are ill, restrict them from leaving the building, but allow their normal family members to come and go freely? That way, everyone would worry less and could accept the situation more easily."

Lu Jianguo thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Your idea is good. I’ll discuss it with everyone at the meeting tomorrow. Be careful in the meantime. If there’s nothing important, really try to go out less."

Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng obediently agreed.

The food was ready, so Lu Jianguo ate, and Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng did not disturb him, heading upstairs to sleep instead.

The troubles of the polar night were more numerous than those of the polar day; in the following days, Lu Jianguo worked overtime daily. However, now persuaded by Lu Ruisheng and Gu Pan, he no longer stayed overnight at the office, usually returning home at midnight to rest.

Eating the meals Gu Pan and others cooked, Lu Jianguo’s spirits had improved a lot lately.

Li Shukang, having nothing better to do, often visited Lu Jianguo’s office. Seeing the healthy glow on his face, he would ask about the delicious food Lu Jianguo had been eating recently.

Gu Pan, aware of this, occasionally asked Lu Jianguo to bring some food for him and Chief Qin, as both had been a great help to them; they were grateful.

Over these few days, through Lu Jianguo’s introduction, Chen Shaonan and Duan Shumei also found work. Their skills were rare at the base. Therefore, it wasn’t nepotism, but merely Lu Jianguo taking them to an interview which they passed. Even the research group thanked Lu Jianguo for bringing them onboard.

Chen Lang was not in a hurry to find a job. On the one hand, his body was impaired; on the other, his parents’ salaries were sufficient for their family’s living needs. He wasn’t worried and was now studying physics and chemistry with his parents to ensure his future survival capability.

Lately, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng hardly went out, staying mostly within the vicinity of their home.

However, they made sure to pretend to go to the mall occasionally, buying daily necessities, or queuing up to purchase meat and vegetables on sale days—otherwise, wouldn’t it seem antisocial?

This morning, they had gone to the mall and bought limited quantities of meat. They had not even left the department store when a man, acting like a madman, started hitting people around him with a basin, sending bystanders scattering in all directions, throwing the place into chaos.

Coming from a military background, Lu Ruisheng’s instinct was to protect civilians; thus, when others were hiding, he rushed forward and subdued the man.

Gu Pan also took out a rope to help tie the man up.

The man was young and kept shouting, "Demons, you demons! Don’t think I can’t find you in the dark. I will kill you all, for the good of the people."

Gu Pan looked at Lu Ruisheng, "Is this a mental illness?"

Lu Ruisheng felt the same, "It should be. Let’s take him to the hospital."

Just then, the mall security arrived. "Thank you both for your bravery. I can take him to the hospital."

Saying so, he reached for the mentally disturbed man’s arm.

However, the man was too strong and directly knocked the security guard off balance.

Lu Ruisheng said, "Let us help you take him to the hospital. He’s too violent."

The security guard thanked them continuously, "Thank you both."

Lu Ruisheng helped the security guard hold down the man, walking in front, with Gu Pan following behind to prevent any accidents.

When they reached the hospital, they saw many patients in the emergency room suffering from various conditions related to the polar night.

Feng Zhekai saw them come in without surprise, "You encountered someone having a mental breakdown?"

Lu Ruisheng nodded, "Yeah, in the department store."

Feng Zhekai sighed, "Send him to the psychiatric department. There’s a special department for this situation now," he said, leading them there.