Going downstairs.

People in the electronics factory neighborhood were gradually returning home, probably because they received the second wave of reopening news.

Seeing Cheng Ye, who stood out from the usual crowd, everyone instinctively took a detour.

Anyone daring to go out at this juncture was either a ruthless character trying to seize power or someone on a special mission.

Neither of these types was someone ordinary residents could afford to provoke.

"Sir, the curfew will begin in one hour. Two hours later, we must evacuate as well. By then, the Buffer Zone's alert will be taken over by the Blood Dragon Corps. If you do not have a special permit, please return home by nine o'clock."

The guard at the door didn't recognize Cheng Ye and hurriedly approached to remind him.

"Hmm."

Cheng Ye nodded slightly, not showing his badge to question whether Inspector status could ignore the curfew.

The essence of the curfew is a barrier to protect residents, rather than a restriction on human rights.

Once the Blood Dragon Corps takes over, it means the third wave of announcements is about to be released, and chaos will inevitably erupt in the Buffer Zone.

At that time, even if he hasn't figured out the situation, he'd go home immediately, hiding and waiting out the infected outbreak.

Walking along the path by the road, most pedestrians' faces were clouded with a gloomy expression.

After all, those who could live in areas A, B, or C were mostly "old hands" who had struggled in the Buffer Zone for years, and a significant number were survivors from thirteen years ago.

"Sir, please stop. The area ahead has been marked as a restricted zone by the Emergency Health Agency, only exits, no entries allowed."

Two blocks away from the Celestial Essence Mall, a team of armed guards came forward.

"Of course, unless you can provide proof of residence inside."

"Hmm..."

Cheng Ye remained silent, taking out his Inspector badge from his pocket.

The guard captain's expression changed, but after verifying through Defense Communication, he shook his head and advised, "Inspector, forgive my frankness, but this place is a powder keg now, and it's best you don't go inside. They have their own set of operational rules internally, and outsiders meddling might only cause trouble."

"Their own rules?"

"Yes," the captain scratched his head with a troubled expression, "ever since the quarantine area epidemic prevention regulations were abolished over ten years ago, the Buffer Zone has turned into this state, and each large community has its own survival laws."

Before he finished speaking.

From the direction of the Celestial Essence Mall nearby, a sudden burst of dense drumbeats echoed.

It didn't sound like they were afraid of the coming infected outbreak, but rather as if they were celebrating something.

"You see, it's like this." The guard captain said with a bitter smile, "These people are out of their minds, something we normal folks can't understand."

"Can I go inside?"

"You can, but..."

"Then let me go in and have a look."

Cheng Ye's curiosity was thoroughly aroused.

Without the infected outbreak, Happiness City was just like the stagnant Wasteland he remembered, with nothing peculiar about it.

But with the outbreak's arrival, everything here was quickly deviating from his established perception of the Wasteland World.

The world no longer operated by rigid rules but became vivid and real instead.

"Okay."

The guard captain gritted his teeth, "By regulations, we can't enter, but as long as you dial 01110, nearby guards will immediately come to support."

"Thank you."

Cheng Ye nodded, taking his badge and preparing to move forward.

Suddenly, his Defense Communication beeped at his waist. He glanced at it, unexpectedly seeing a message from Qin Feng.

"Come home early?"

He couldn't help but laugh, surprised that this Researcher Qin still remembered him.

Passing through several checkpoints, the gazes of the guards revealed curiosity.

Obviously, no one expected an Inspector to venture into the community at this critical moment.

"Sir, this is the last checkpoint. Once you pass here, at this special time, you'd better... follow their rules."

From a distance, the sign of Celestial Essence Mall was already in sight when another guard approached to remind him.

On ordinary days, the permanent population of Celestial Essence Mall fluctuated at around one to two thousand people.

Many were only registered here and might not actually return each night. Most migrant workers would set up tents near construction sites to save commuting time.

But now, nearly four thousand people were crowded inside, like moths under the mall's lights, flickering and swaying.

"Do I also have to follow their rules?"

"Maybe, since we do." The guard smiled awkwardly, "No Inspector has ever gone in at a time like this, so we don't know if your status is effective."

"You know, there are always some crazy folks who utterly ignore rules at a time like this."

After speaking, he waved to a distance.

Two men in raincoats came over, "Long, Er Long, this is Inspector Cheng, and he wants to inspect your Celestial Essence Mall. Is there a problem?"

"Inspector?"

The two tall, thin middle-aged men exchanged glances, seeing the confusion in each other's eyes.

But they didn't refuse, "No problem, but what does the Inspector wish to do?"

"Just looking around, understanding the situation, I won't interfere with your rules."

"Alright, please follow me."

Long licked his lips, staring at the outlines of two long guns faintly visible under the raincoat, and made a guiding gesture.

Leaving the checkpoint, upon stepping in, Cheng Ye suddenly felt as if he had entered a vacuum of rules.

Strangely, the tension around him suddenly vanished, and without the constraint of his Inspector identity, there emerged a bizarre sense of ease.

"Inspector Cheng, we are very grateful that you've focused your attention on the community at such a time, but the situation inside may be difficult for you to understand all at once..."

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