I started by watching videos, and I chose 10,000 combat power.

Luo Fei teleported back to his own yard.

In the kitchen, the clanging of spatulas against iron pots filled the air, mingling with the aroma of cooking oil and scallions, which drifted into the yard.

Luo Weidong sat on the living room sofa with the TV on and the volume turned up high. A war movie was playing, and the sounds of gunfire and artillery were pouring out of the speakers, as if a small battle was taking place in the living room.

He leaned back on the sofa, holding a cup of tea in his hand, his eyes fixed on the screen, completely absorbed.

The kitchen door was wide open, and Li Xiulan poked her head out, still holding an greasy spatula in her hand. She shouted towards the living room, "Old Luo! Turn the volume down! It's deafening!"

Her voice was louder than the gunfire on the television. Luo Weidong hunched his neck slightly, picked up the remote, and pressed the volume button for two seconds. The television sound changed from a roar to a soft hum.

He put down the remote control, picked up his teacup and took a sip, his gaze still fixed on the screen.

Luo Fei sat down on the sofa, the cushions sinking slightly under his weight.

Luo Weidong didn't turn his head; his gaze remained fixed on the screen, but his voice was lower than before: "You're back. Have you eaten?"

Luo Fei replied, "Not yet."

Luo Weidong nodded and said nothing more.

Luo Yumei came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of food, her apron damp with water. She placed the food on the table, glanced at Luo Fei, and said, "You're back? Go wash your hands, dinner's ready in a minute."

Li Xiulan came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of soup and said to Luo Fei, "Your dad is hard of hearing. The TV is so loud, anyone who doesn't know the situation would think we're having a war."

Luo Weidong didn't dare to reply, but his lips twitched slightly.

Footsteps sounded at the courtyard gate; Luo Ying and Zhao Lin had returned. Zhao Lin ran ahead, pushing open the door and creating a gust of wind. The door hit the magnet on the wall with a soft "click." She held Xiao Bai in her arms; the white cat was curled up in a ball.

Luo Ying followed behind her, carrying two bottles of drinks she had bought from the village store; the bottles were still covered in water droplets.

Zhao Lin ran to the dining table and sat down next to Luo Fei. Xiao Bai jumped down from her arms and squatted at the foot of the table.

Luo Ying placed the drinks on the table and sat down on the other side. Li Xiulan untied her apron and draped it over the back of her chair. She sat down, served rice to everyone, and then put a piece of meat on a plate on the corner of the table for Xiaobai. The white cat lowered its head and began to eat.

Halfway through lunch, the TV sound suddenly changed.

The gunfire in the war film suddenly stopped, and the scene switched from a smoke-filled battlefield to a light blue studio.

A host dressed in a dark suit sat behind a table with a script spread out in front of him. His expression was more solemn than usual, and his tone was slower.

Luo Weidong paused for a moment, put down his bowl, stood up, walked to the coffee table, picked up the remote control, and turned up the volume.

Li Xiulan also put down her chopsticks and turned slightly towards the television.

Luo Yumei's hand, holding the bowl, remained suspended in mid-air, not lowered.

Luo Ying and Zhao Lin exchanged a glance, then fell silent and turned their attention to the television screen.

The host's voice came through the television, clear and articulate, unhurried: "We now have an emergency news briefing. Following an emergency meeting of the Blue Star United Government, it has been decided that, given the imminent arrival of the alien fleet on Blue Star, in order to ensure the safety of all Blue Star citizens, effective immediately upon the issuance of this announcement, all businesses, organizations, and schools will be closed except for essential personnel."

"No organization may force employees to stay at their posts for any reason. High-speed rail and highways will be toll-free from now until October 1, but only tickets purchased from the place of household registration are valid."

"Starting October 1st, all public transportation, intercity transportation, and ocean shipping will be suspended. Except for essential circumstances, all citizens are urged to minimize travel and return home to their nearest residence to reunite with their families."

"Further arrangements will be announced separately. This announcement is simultaneously released in all countries and regions of Blue Star."

The host turned a page of the script and added, "The Blue Star United Government calls on all citizens to remain calm, not to believe or spread rumors, and to cooperate with the local government in making follow-up arrangements."

He put down the manuscript, looked at the camera, and paused for a moment.

The television resumed its normal programming, returning to the intense battlefield, with explosions and gunfire echoing throughout the house.

Luo Weidong stood in front of the television, the remote control still in his hand, not putting it down.

He glanced at it for a moment, turned down the volume, turned around and walked back to the dining table, sat down in the chair, neither picking up any food nor speaking.

Li Xiulan glanced at him, but didn't ask any further questions. She picked up a piece of braised pork, put it in her mouth, chewed it twice, and swallowed it.

Luo Ying put down her chopsticks, picked up her phone from the table, and swiped it a couple of times.

She paused for two seconds, not turning her phone over to show anyone, but simply placing it on the table with the screen facing down.

Zhao Lin also picked up her phone, unlocked the screen, and opened a social media app. The entire homepage was filled with the same message.

Screenshots of announcements from the Blue Star United Government, news feeds, and discussions from netizens across the country kept refreshing.

She didn't scroll down too much; after looking at it for a few seconds, she flipped her phone over and placed it on the table, then picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of rice.

The internet is buzzing.

The trending topics are all directly related to the announcement.

"The alien fleet is about to arrive."

"Emergency Announcement from the Blue Star United Government"

Transportation will be suspended starting October 1st.

"Everyone needs to go home."

"Except for special positions"

"High-speed rail is free"

"School is on holiday."

Each one is followed by a red "Explosive" character.

The comments section was refreshing at a rapid pace, like a waterfall, making it impossible to read them carefully.

"Received, won't cause any trouble."

"I'm already packing my bags, getting ready to go back to my hometown."

"I'm currently on a business trip out of town, and I hope I can buy a ticket in time."

"I couldn't get a plane ticket, and the high-speed train was full, so I had to drive back."

"I never imagined I'd witness a global shutdown like Blue Star in my lifetime."

"No matter what, let's go home first."

"Don't be afraid, General Luo Fei is here."

"I need to have a meal with my family before the aliens arrive."

This last sentence appeared repeatedly in the comments section, flooding the screen like a tide.

Suddenly, the loudspeaker in Liuxi Village blared.

Luo Youfu's voice came through the loudspeaker, carrying the distinctive hissing sound of an old-fashioned megaphone: "Attention, villagers! Attention, villagers! You all saw the announcement on TV, right? I won't repeat it."

"Everyone, don't panic, don't rush, just continue with your normal activities. Try to stay home as much as possible these next few days; you have enough rice, flour, and oil at home. If you have any problems, contact the village committee. My phone is on 24/7. I'll repeat myself: don't panic, don't rush, just continue with your normal activities."

The loudspeaker was turned off, the hissing stopped, and the yard became quiet again.

Li Xiulan sat at the dining table, still holding chopsticks in her hand.

She picked up a piece of braised pork and put it into Luo Weidong's bowl, her movements as natural as ever: "Finish your meal first. Even if the sky falls, you have to fill your stomach first."