Chapter 442: Thanks to You

After giving these instructions, Li Xuewu took a flashlight and said to his father, "Dad, I don't know how many more are injured. You take your medical kit to the north warehouse in the Bai Bai Xiyuan; I'll send everyone over to you!"

"Alright!"

Hearing the crying and shouting in the courtyard, Li Shun gritted his teeth, forced himself to endure the dizziness following the shock, went back inside to grab his medical kit and medicine pouch, and headed out.

By now, Li Xuewu had used his flashlight to check house by house in the Rear Courtyard, and it really was just the Second Master who had been injured.

He saw a few neighbors standing in the courtyard, looking at him in a daze, panic-stricken.

"Scared silly? Go hide in the Bai Bai Xiyuan!"

Li Xuewu shouted. Ignoring those who had run back last night, he took his flashlight and ran toward the Middle Courtyard.

The situation in the Middle and Front Courtyards seemed more severe because those two courtyards had the highest population density, and consequently, the most people who had run back.

Li Xuewu looked toward the source of the crying and shouting; it was Qin Huairu and her mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi.

Qin Huairu was holding the wailing Xiaodang in her arms, and Xiaodang's forehead was bright red with blood.

"What happened?"

"Wuwuwu~"

Seeing Li Xuewu, Qin Huairu's crying grew louder, her eyes filled with pleading and panic.

"I'm asking you a question!"

Li Xuewu shone his flashlight on Xiaodang's forehead.

"We were heading back, the children were anxious and ran ahead, and they got hit by a cabinet. We just pulled her out..."

Qin Huairu was crying too hard to speak, so Qin Jingru, who was standing to the side, explained.

"Stop your damn crying!"

Li Xuewu took Xiaodang, patted her, and coaxed her to stop crying for a moment.

He checked the wound on her forehead; it was indeed quite serious—the bone was visible.

"It's okay, it's okay."

Li Xuewu patted Xiaodang's back, then stood up and handed the child to Qin Huairu, who had stood up with him. "My dad is at the north warehouse in the Bai Bai Xiyuan. Get her over there immediately."

"Mm, mm, mm."

Qin Huairu had been scared witless, but after being scolded by Li Xuewu, she finally found her backbone.

Hearing Li Xuewu mention his father, she remembered that Li Shun was a doctor.

She took her daughter from Li Xuewu's arms and turned to run toward the Bai Bai Xiyuan.

She had been terrified; seeing her daughter like that so suddenly had chilled her to the bone.

The courtyard was pitch black, snowflakes were drifting in the sky, and the wind was howling.

A few flashlights were swinging wildly in the courtyard; people were crying for their parents and shouting, a scene of total chaos.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Seeing that the situation was about to spiral out of control, Li Xuewu drew his pistol, walked to the entrance of the Third Gate, and fired three shots into the sky.

These three shots instantly suppressed the crying and shouting in the courtyard.

Those who had run back from the Bai Bai Xiyuan, those standing in the Front Courtyard in a panic, and those who had been frightened all looked toward the Third Gate.

Those who had run out from the Rear and Middle Courtyards were also stunned by the three shots, standing where they were, staring blankly at Li Xuewu's back.

"Attention, everyone!"

In the darkness, Li Xuewu held his flashlight in his left hand, pointing toward the ground, and raised his pistol with his right hand, shouting: "Everyone with a flashlight, turn them on!"

After Li Xuewu finished shouting, the crowd, startled by the gunfire, looked at each other. Those with flashlights silently turned them on and, following Li Xuewu's lead, pointed them toward the ground.

Now, circles of light appeared on the ground in the Middle, Front, and Outer Courtyards.

"Those standing in the Middle Courtyard, listen up! All flashlights point toward the Third Gate!"

There were only three flashlights in the Middle Courtyard: Seeing Sha Zhu's, the First Master's, and the Jia family's.

But there was no one at Seeing Sha Zhu's place right now, so Banggeng took the flashlight and shone it toward the Third Gate.

One of the two families that had run out from the Rear Courtyard had a flashlight, and they followed Banggeng's lead, shining it toward Li Xuewu.

The light from the flashlights perfectly illuminated Li Xuewu's back. To the people in the Front Courtyard, Li Xuewu looked like a dark savior.

Seeing the light established, Li Xuewu stepped through the Third Gate and stood on the steps.

"Front Courtyard, listen up! All lights point toward the Hanging Flower Gate!"

The Front Courtyard had the most people and was the most chaotic during the earthquake.

Because the earthquake hit just as they were walking home in groups.

With more people came more flashlights. Hearing Li Xuewu's words, three beams of light shone toward the Hanging Flower Gate.

Li Xuewu shouted to the people standing at the entrance of the Hanging Flower Gate: "Outer Courtyard! All flashlights point toward the Bai Bai Xiyuan gate!"

Seeing Sha Zhu happened to be standing in the Outer Courtyard. He squeezed through the crowd to the Hanging Flower Gate, turned on his flashlight, and held it high, pointing it toward the Bai Bai Xiyuan gate.

Others standing at the entrance followed Seeing Sha Zhu's lead, pointing their flashlights toward the Bai Bai Xiyuan.

Seeing the light path established, Li Xuewu used his own flashlight to scan the people in the courtyard.

The faces of those who had been full of complaints just moments ago were now deathly pale with panic.

The men might have been able to maintain some composure, but the faces of the women and children were all streaked with tears and terror.

Some had already been injured on their faces or hands from scrambling on the ground in the chaos.

When disaster strikes, it is hard to demand that everyone be a hero.

Cowardice and avoidance are the most primitive human reactions.

The most vulnerable in the courtyard were actually the elderly and the children.

Once panic sets in, it is those with the least strength who face the danger of being trampled.

"Follow my orders! Everyone between sixteen and thirty, stand by where you are!"

"Everyone else, follow the light indicators: Outer Courtyard first, then Front Courtyard, then Middle Courtyard. Move to the Bai Bai Xiyuan in an orderly fashion!"

After Li Xuewu finished his orders, some were still stunned, unable to react.

"Bang!"

"Hurry up! Those injured, go to the north warehouse in the Bai Bai Xiyuan to find my dad for bandaging! Those uninjured, don't get in the way here!"

Li Xuewu fired another shot impatiently, then roared: "Go to the Bai Bai Xiyuan! The north warehouse is safe now, go there to shelter from the wind and snow!"

Hearing Li Xuewu's shout, the old men, old women, women, and children finally gathered the courage to shuffle toward the Bai Bai Xiyuan.

The children who were still crying didn't dare to cry loudly, sobbing as they were led by their parents toward the Bai Bai Xiyuan.

Li Xuewu used his flashlight to scan the young and able-bodied who had remained.

"Is the First Master here?"

"The First Master took people to the north room in the Bai Bai Xiyuan~"

After Li Xuewu asked this question, someone unknown replied.

Hearing this, Li Xuewu ignored it. Since the First Master wasn't here, he must have heard the arrangements and taken the people in front back.

Since he couldn't find the First Master, there was no point in looking for the Third Master; he was a useless person.

Li Xuewu shouted to Seeing Sha Zhu: "He Yuzhu, follow the crowd to the Bai Bai Xiyuan. Once you reach the warehouse, take a headcount! Report back to me if anyone is missing!"

"Understood!"

Seeing Sha Zhu replied, took his flashlight, and led the crowd toward the Bai Bai Xiyuan.

Li Xuewu scanned the courtyard with his flashlight; the crowd was slowly passing through the Hanging Flower Gate toward the Bai Bai Xiyuan.

The Jia family was now left with only Banggeng, his younger sister Huaihua, and Qin Jingru.

When Qin Huairu carried the child to the Bai Bai Xiyuan, Jia Zhangshi had followed.

Hearing Li Xuewu's evacuation arrangements, Banggeng, because he was holding the flashlight, gathered his courage and called his sister to follow their aunt to the Bai Bai Xiyuan.

When Qin Jingru passed by Li Xuewu, leaning on her stick, she looked at him with eyes full of admiration and longing.

But the feeling was unrequited; Li Xuewu's eyes were entirely focused on saving people, so how could he notice her?

"Wang Laoqi, Liu Guangfu."

Li Xuewu shouted to the two of them, pointing toward Banggeng's direction, and said: "Take Banggeng and the people from the Middle Courtyard. Search house by house in the Middle Courtyard to see if there are any more injured."

"Alright."

"Heard you."

"Got it, Uncle Wu."

With just this one order, the three of them gave three different responses.

Li Xuewu had no time to deal with them. He turned back to look at the Front Courtyard and shouted to Lao Biaoji, who had walked in holding a flashlight: "Biaoji! Take some people and search the Middle Courtyard to see if there are any injured!"

"Received!"

Biaoji had come with the Thirteen Guardians. Earlier, to make room for the elderly in the courtyard, all twenty-some of them had gone to sleep in the north warehouse.

The people in the courtyard might not have believed Li Xuewu's words, but they had to believe them—or rather, they were forced to.

So when the crowd went home, they didn't leave.

They were preparing to tidy up the stoves and extinguish the fires after everyone had left.

But they didn't expect that before everyone had left, the earthquake really came.

Unlike those who stayed in the warehouse and felt incredibly lucky, the Second Master, who was carried in on his son's back following Li Shun, and the wailing Second Mistress, let the people in the courtyard see what it meant to have trouble come from one's own mouth.

Last night, the Second Master had been the loudest, and just now, the Second Mistress had been the most active.

Now, the Second Master was the most severely injured, and the Second Mistress had lost all her arrogance. Seeing her husband's head bleeding, she couldn't even find the right tune to cry in.

Thinking back to what she had said at the entrance, this earthquake really didn't wrong anyone.

If you do bad things and say bad things, you really will face retribution.

When the crowd, guided by Seeing Sha Zhu's light, returned to the warehouse and saw Li Shun suturing and bandaging Xiaodang, everyone's faces burned with shame.

Biaoji, who had been in the warehouse, ran to the East Courtyard because he heard Li Xuewu's gunfire, squeezing through the crowd to enter the main courtyard.

Hearing Li Xuewu's shout, he acted like a bandit, grabbing his flashlight and taking the Thirteen Guardians to start searching from the Third Master's house.

And don't you know, there's no shop that doesn't open; Lao Biaoji had a harvest at the very first house.

It was Yan Jiefang, who had run back with others, now pinned under his family's bunk bed.

When Li Xuewu was leading people to search the Middle Courtyard, he heard the commotion in the Front Courtyard.

When he ran to the Third Gate to look, he saw the Thirteen Guardians carrying Yan Jiefang, who had fainted from pain, like a dead pig.

"What happened?"

Lao Biaoji, following behind, saw Li Xuewu looking over and laughed, shouting: "Wu Ge, it's nothing, just his leg got broken by the bed."

This is what you call "nothing"!!!

The people searching in the courtyard couldn't help but shout when they heard this.

By that logic, if something actually happened, it would have to be a funeral!

"Continue!"

"Received!"

Hearing the order, Lao Biaoji took the remaining people to continue searching.

Li Xuewu led people to search the Middle Courtyard, but found nothing.

Because the First Master lived in the Middle Courtyard, everyone there had to give him some face.

Since he hadn't returned, few people from the Middle Courtyard had returned either.

Only Jia Zhangshi, who had returned to cook, had come back first.

Qin Huairu, who followed, couldn't bear the pestering of Qin Jingru and the children, so she followed back as well.

But they never expected that before they even entered the house, the children who had gone in first would be injured.

Wang Laoqi, Liu Guangfu, and others searching from the other side also found nothing.

Because everyone who could come out had come out with Li Xuewu, and they were all in the Bai Bai Xiyuan warehouse now.

When Li Xuewu led people to the Front Courtyard, Lao Biaoji had also finished searching.

Yan Jiefang was the only unlucky one.

Seeing Sha Zhu ran back to report the "missing" headcount; only Yan Jiefang was missing, and he had been found.

In the initial search for this earthquake, a total of three people were injured.

One was the Second Master, who panicked in the face of the earthquake, fell while running, and then had his head hit by falling roof tiles.

The others, Xiaodang and Yan Jiefang, were in the same situation: furniture in their homes had fallen and hit them.

In summary, it was a lack of experience and reflexive reactions. The earthquake was accidental, but the accidents were inevitable.

Strangely enough, the evil wind that came with the earthquake left as quickly as it had arrived.

The coin-sized snowflakes slowly turned into a fine drizzle.

Even the pitch-black sky slowly turned from black to a cyan color.

Li Xuewu stood under the entrance hall, looked at the twenty-some people around him, cupped his hands, and said: "Everyone, thank you for your hard work."

"It's not hard work!"

"It's what we should do!"

Seeing Li Xuewu speak, everyone responded in a hubbub.

When Li Xuewu was giving orders, they didn't feel much, but now, they all felt as if they had done something remarkable.

Li Xuewu knew what they were thinking, so he said: "After this is over, I'll ask the First Master to report everyone to the neighborhood office so you can get a certificate or something."

"Thank you, Li Chu."

"Thank you, Xuewu!"

Li Xuewu nodded in response to everyone and said to Lao Biaoji: "Write down everyone's names."

"Got it, Wu Ge."

Hearing Li Xuewu's words, everyone thanked Lao Biaoji one by one, showed their faces, and ran to the Bai Bai Xiyuan to check on their families.

Li Xuewu pulled Lao Biaoji aside and asked: "Biaoji, are you tired?"

"Not tired."

Seeing that there were no outsiders, Lao Biaoji smiled and said to Li Xuewu: "Except for the effort of carrying that kid Yan Jiefang, I didn't do much."

"Good, I have another thing to tell you."

Li Xuewu looked at Lao Biaoji seriously and said: "Take our people to support the neighborhood office now."

"What?"

Lao Biaoji didn't understand Li Xuewu's words and was stunned for a moment.

Li Xuewu grabbed Lao Biaoji's shoulder and whispered: "Where is that flag you made for the foundation ceremony at the Red Star training ground?"

Lao Biaoji said blankly: "In the warehouse..."

"Carry it! You must let the neighbors see the heroic, fearless, and dedicated power of our people in this earthquake."

They weren't stupid. Hearing Li Xuewu's words, Lao Biaoji's eyes shone brightly.

He raised his eyebrows and looked at Li Xuewu, saying: "Wu Ge, I want to ride our tricycles out too, to help transport the injured."

"Good idea, use your strength where you can!"

Those tricycles all had iron plates on them; if you do good deeds, you have to leave your name!

Li Xuewu winked at Lao Biaoji and pointed to his clothes to signal him.

Lao Biaoji winked back with a sly smile and took the Thirteen Guardians toward the Bai Bai Xiyuan.

They were going to find Ge Lin, Pa Zile, the Second Master, the First Master, and also Xilin and Diliya.

At this time, the more people sent out, the better. Li Xuewu had already said, use your strength where you can; those women might not have strength, but they could carry the flag.

After they all left, Li Xuewu returned home through the drizzle.

By now, the women in the house had regained their calm.

Seeing Li Xuewu's hair was soaked, Li Xue took the initiative to get a dry towel for her second brother.

"It should be fine now."

Li Xuewu said while wiping his hair and face: "Wait until dawn to go home and cook."

"Got it."

Liu Yin, holding the child who had just been coaxed to sleep, replied to Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu kissed his daughter, who still had teardrops on her eyelashes, then found a raincoat to put on, changed his boots, and headed out.

When he reached the Middle Courtyard, he happened to meet Yi Zhonghai bringing Yan Fugui inside.

The three of them met in the entrance hall of the Third Gate.

"Xuewu, thank heavens!"

Yan Fugui had a tearful face, supported himself with both hands, and bowed to Li Xuewu: "Thanks to you for saving Jiefang."

"Third Master, what are you doing!"

Li Xuewu supported the Third Master and asked: "Yan Jiefang needs to be sent to the hospital, right?"

"He's been sent."

Yan Fugui nodded: "The third son and your Third Mistress went. They said my health wasn't good and didn't let me go."

"That's good."

Li Xuewu nodded and asked the First Master: "Is everyone else in the Bai Bai Xiyuan okay?"

"They're fine. Some have a few scrapes, some twisted an ankle, and some got a bit of snow on them, but there's a stove, so no one is freezing. Your dad is treating them."

Yi Zhonghai also looked at Li Xuewu gratefully: "This time, it really is thanks to you."

"Indeed!"

Yan Fugui stood to the side and added: "With the situation at our place, if it weren't for everyone being in the Bai Bai Xiyuan, we'd all be in the hospital."

He had just gone home to check; that bunk bed was one he had brought back from the school—solid wood, incredibly sturdy!

"That bed was right next to ours; we might have really been crushed underneath it."

"Third Master, don't say that."

Li Xuewu didn't want to accept this gratitude because such gratitude would slowly become strange and even sour over time.

"We're all neighbors; I just did what I had to do."

Li Xuewu looked at the two masters and said: "Arrange for everyone to go home at dawn, and try to be careful today."

"Got it."

Yi Zhonghai replied earnestly and added: "I'll arrange for your Mistress and the others to keep a close watch today."

"That'll do."

Li Xuewu pointed outside and said: "Find a few young men to keep watch. There's no one in the courtyard, so don't let any problems arise."

"Understood."

Yi Zhonghai was moved by Li Xuewu's thoughtfulness; he discussed it with the Third Master and went to the Bai Bai Xiyuan to make arrangements.

Li Xuewu followed the two of them to the Bai Bai Xiyuan to check on the people in the warehouse.

The people here were clearly divided into three groups.

One group had been saved by Li Xuewu's arrangements and naturally looked at him with gratitude.

But because they had said some strange things about Li Xuewu earlier, they felt a bit embarrassed now.

The second group had complained about Li Xuewu and had been forced to return; they were naturally embarrassed and avoided Li Xuewu's gaze.

The third group had stayed in the warehouse all along, including those who had a relatively good relationship with Li Xuewu.

They all took the initiative to greet Li Xuewu.

At this moment, Li Xuewu's prestige in the courtyard reached its peak; no one dared to question his words anymore.

Just as Banggeng had thought earlier, you lay an egg first, or you predict an earthquake first.

But Li Xuewu didn't want this kind of prestige, nor did he want his neighbors to look at him with admiration and gratitude.

I treat you as neighbors, and you treat me as a "Big Brother"?

Li Xuewu understood human hearts and human nature best; this so-called gratitude and admiration had an expiration date.

As this event slowly faded from their memories, perhaps in ten days or half a month, no one would remember Li Xuewu's kindness.

And what Li Xuewu feared was that when something bad happened, they would remember this event again.

Those who were saved wouldn't all be grateful. If Li Xuewu really acted bossy, in the end, it might turn into resentment.

Li Xuewu ignored those who came up to talk, first checking on the Second Master, who was most seriously injured and still unconscious, and then checking on Xiaodang, who had already been bandaged.

He also kindly asked after the several elderly people who had fallen during the earthquake.

When he saw the Deaf Old Mistress, she patted Li Xuewu's arm and smiled.

Li Xuewu smiled back. After visiting the elderly, he looked at the crowd.

"Everyone, be quiet for a moment."

Li Xuewu wore a friendly expression and said very politely to everyone: "Gathering everyone here is, firstly, to count our numbers."

"Secondly, it's to facilitate our rescue efforts at the front."

"Thirdly, it's because this place is safer than our courtyard, giving everyone some security."

Li Xuewu explained the reasons and continued: "It will be dawn in ten or twenty minutes, and everyone can go home to cook."

"There won't be another earthquake, will there!?"

Wang Laoqi's wife looked at Li Xuewu worriedly and asked.

Wang Laoqi bared his teeth at his wife and whispered a lesson: "Why are you interrupting? Let Li Chu finish speaking."

"Haha, I grew up in this courtyard, and everyone knows me. I'm not a god."

"Hahaha~"

Everyone laughed when they heard Li Xuewu's words.

Perhaps it was the conditional relaxation after nervous tension, or perhaps it was obedience to Li Xuewu's prestige, so Li Xuewu's words caused everyone to chuckle.

Li Xuewu spread his hands to show his helplessness.

"I'm neither a god nor a fortune teller, so I really don't know if there will be another earthquake."

Li Xuewu looked at the crowd and comforted them: "But even if there is another earthquake, as long as everyone responds and handles it calmly, there won't be any problems."

"This warehouse will remain open to everyone during the earthquake!"

As he spoke, he looked at those with bandages on their faces or hands and said: "Most of your injuries were caused by improper reactions and panic."

Everyone looked at each other, and thinking back on Li Xuewu's words, it seemed that was indeed the case.

Especially the brothers Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, who looked at their father, who had abandoned them without a word of warning and run away first.

Serves him right!

Li Xuewu continued: "At dawn, everyone won't have any psychological burden or fear."

"Go home and cook in peace, go to work if you have to, go to school if you have to. After all, you can't live your life based on earthquakes."

"Hehehe~"

Hearing Li Xuewu's words, the crowd in the room chuckled again.

Time passed as Li Xuewu vividly popularized earthquake knowledge and explained the key points of earthquake avoidance and escape.

While listening intently to Li Xuewu, the expressions of the people in the warehouse slowly relaxed, and the fear slowly disappeared from their faces.

By now, the sky outside the warehouse was slowly brightening.

Although the sun couldn't be seen yet, the visibility was already quite high.

Li Xuewu opened the main gate and let everyone leave in an orderly fashion, arranged by the First Master.

Just then, Sha Qizhi and Han Jiankun entered the Bai Bai Xiyuan.

Li Xuewu waved at Yu Li, called her over, gave her a few quiet instructions, and then headed out to meet up with Sha Qizhi and the other.

"Section Chief, are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

Li Xuewu patted their arms, took the lead, and asked while walking: "Is everyone at home alright?"

"They're fine."

"Safe and sound."

Their different answers represented different situations.

But getting this answer meant their families were safe.

Li Xuewu exited the main gate, opened the car door, got in, and said to Han Jiankun, who was in the driver's seat: "First to the neighborhood office, then to the branch bureau, and then we'll return to the steel mill."

"You haven't eaten yet."

"We'll eat together at noon."

Li Xuewu waved his hand, signaling Sha Qizhi not to persuade him further; that was the plan.

The work plan the two had discussed yesterday might need to change.

Since an earthquake had occurred, that was the priority.

Whether it was Li Xuewu or any leader in any unit, they were probably all trying to get to their units now.

Because work was the life of cadres; once they confirmed their own lives were safe, they had to ensure their "second life."

But Li Xuewu chose to do the opposite.

Now, the factory leaders were all rushing to the steel mill, wanting to be with the workers at the first opportunity, with those who had stayed behind to work and be on duty last night.

Since he couldn't be a prophet, he couldn't be a latecomer either.

This was to tell the factory cadres and workers that they were there, and they were still in charge.

But Li Xuewu didn't need to go, because not going would have a better effect than going.

Although he wasn't at the steel mill, the training ground, or the branch bureau, his legend was already there.

"Help me call the Security Section's communication squad."

Before the car even left the alley, Li Xuewu gave the order to Sha Qizhi.

"Yes."

The communication squad didn't have the scale or manpower of a military communication squad.

Nor did they have telephone connections; they only had a high-power radio.

Before the training ground had telephone lines, they had always used the radio.

The establishment of the communication squad was an idea Li Xuewu had when he was investigating the Hu Zhengquan case.

When preparing for the Red Star training ground, Li Xuewu realized the problem of communication.

So when purchasing communication equipment for vehicles, he also added the purchase of fixed radios.

Even when handling the Fu Bin case last year, they had used the factory's fixed radio.

And the formal establishment of the communication squad was when the guard team received radio training.

Han Yating was an expert in this area and organized several female comrades in the section to learn it.

After Li Xuewu took over the Security Section, this communication department was completely established.

The foundation was those few female comrades.

Now, the radio in the command vehicle could reach receivers up to twenty-five kilometers away.

It was just right for contacting the Security Section's main station.

The city had a power outage, but the steel mill had power.

Production power was gone, but office power remained.

The Engineering Section was arranged by the Security Section to assemble at the first opportunity, quickly starting the diesel generators and restoring office power.

And the signal from Li Xuewu's command vehicle was captured by Han Yating, who was waiting at the communication squad in the steel mill.

No need to think; if Li Xuewu couldn't make it to the steel mill, he would definitely use the radio at the first opportunity.

Han Yating finished arranging the emergency response work and came to the communication squad, waiting for Li Xuewu's orders.

"Section Chief, contact established."

"Good."

Li Xuewu took the microphone and headset and asked Han Yating at the steel mill: "This is Li Xuewu. Report the current situation of the Security Section."

"Zzz~ zzz~"

There were quite a few people using radios in the city, and Li Xuewu's headset was filled with static.

"Received, Section~ Chief~"

Han Yating's voice was a bit distorted, but still audible.

"No casualties in the Security Section, no casualties in the Security Section. We are currently conducting internal factory inspections and rescue work according to the emergency plan!"

"Received!"

Li Xuewu ordered into the microphone: "All personnel to their posts, actively participate in rescue, and prevent theft, public disorder, rumor-mongering, and other security issues!"

"Received!"

"Main station, contact the Red Star training ground. Order: All steel mill personnel in training at the training ground, led by Wei Tong, return to the factory immediately to participate in emergency response work!"

"Received!"

Han Yating repeated Li Xuewu's order and then cut the connection.

Li Xuewu's car then drove into the neighborhood office courtyard.

Why come to the neighborhood office first?

Because this was his home; his home was in the neighborhood, and his personal career was here too.

Most importantly, his godmother was here.

"Mom, are you alright!"

The command vehicle drove into the neighborhood office courtyard. Before the car even stopped, Li Xuewu pushed open the door and jumped out, greeting his godmother, who was talking to Director Liu in the courtyard.

"Xuewu!"

"Deputy Li Chu."

His godmother's response was grateful and excited; Director Liu's greeting was meaningful.

Li Xuewu looked his godmother over and then smiled.

"Director Wang, I'm glad you're alright!"

"Hehe."

Director Liu also understood Li Xuewu's meaning.

In this courtyard, in front of everyone, this was the first time Li Xuewu had called Director Wang "Mom."

It was also Director Wang's first time actively responding to Li Xuewu's greeting, acknowledging the relationship.

Now everyone in the courtyard knew about their relationship, but they all hid their surprise and curiosity.

Wang Shuhua looked at Li Xuewu with great excitement, and seeing her godson was fine, she smiled.

"Biaoji brought people here. Knowing you were all fine, I sent him to follow the neighborhood workers to investigate and rescue."

"Yes, he told me."

Li Xuewu nodded at Director Liu with a smile and said to his godmother: "They saved one person in the courtyard, and when they told me they wanted to come help you, I let them come."

"They are all good young men!"

Director Liu particularly admired these young men of Li Xuewu's.

"The recycling station was the first and fastest team to come to our neighborhood to support us, and they are all young men, very willing to work hard!"

"I don't deserve Director Liu's praise; this is what we should do."

Li Xuewu smiled and offered a cigarette to Director Liu, who was holding an umbrella, and continued: "We all live in the neighborhood; the neighborhood is our shared home. If something happens at home, if we don't come to help, are we still family?"

Director Liu took the light from Li Xuewu, took a puff, pointed at Li Xuewu, and said: "Mm, Deputy Li Chu's words are inspiring!"

Turning to Director Wang, she said: "If all the units and individuals in our neighborhood were like the recycling station, like Li Wenbiao and these people, brave and active, then what difficulty couldn't be overcome!"

Director Wang nodded at Director Liu's words and affirmed: "Since its establishment last year, the recycling station has always been providing help to the neighborhood."

She pointed out several good deeds led by Lao Biaoji.

"Helping elderly people living alone clear snow, repairing houses, cleaning up neighborhood trash, and actively maintaining neighborhood security and order."

"Director Wang, they just did what they could."

Li Xuewu smiled modestly and said: "It's not worth praising. As long as they can contribute to the peaceful and harmonious environment of our neighborhood, then whatever they pay is what they should."

"Mm, mm, this thinking is correct."

Director Liu pointed at Li Xuewu, then pointed outside the door, and said: "You talk first; I have to take people to the hospital immediately. All injured personnel in our neighborhood must be counted and comforted."

She also pointed at Li Xuewu and said: "Later, tell Li Wenbiao to come find me; I have something to tell him."

"You go ahead."

Li Xuewu smiled and watched Director Liu take people and ride their bikes out the door.

After there were no outsiders around, Li Xuewu asked: "Mom, have you contacted my godfather?"

"It's fine."

Wang Shuhua patted Li Xuewu's arm and said: "The houses in the district are newly built; an earthquake of this level will definitely be fine."

She was comforting herself; the phone wouldn't connect, what else could she do?

Li Xuewu frowned and asked: "Do you want me to go take a look?"

"No need."

Wang Shuhua said very firmly: "Your father is very cautious; if something happened, he would definitely contact me."

She looked at Li Xuewu's face carefully and said: "I know you're thinking of Mom, but now is a busy time. Go to work. Remember, you are a cadre too."

"Yes!"

Li Xuewu saluted his godmother very solemnly.

When his godmother smiled and pulled his arm down, Li Xuewu said: "I'll go home tonight. I brought some local specialties for you and my godfather from this business trip, but I haven't had time to visit you."

"Don't bother."

Wang Shuhua threatened him, then reached out and pushed Li Xuewu's arm, saying: "If you want to come home, don't bring anything, or I'll kick you out!"

"Hehehe~"

Li Xuewu smiled, said goodbye to his godmother, got in the car, and signaled Han Jiankun to go to the branch bureau.

Clouds contain killing intent, obscuring the expeditionary banners,

Sand chases the fishy wind across the battlefield.

Since records began, people have felt fear and sorrow toward this natural phenomenon that cannot be resisted.

The fear is the insignificance of human power and the sense of powerlessness in the face of opposition.

The sorrow is the desolation of seeing devastation everywhere, the sadness of hearing cries that break people's hearts.

As Li Xuewu's car drove toward the branch bureau, he could still see several collapsed houses and fallen walls along the road.

There were even pedestrians with furrowed brows and melancholy expressions.

Today's Four-Nine City seemed to have less liveliness and more melancholy.

When the car entered the branch bureau, he saw Zheng Fuhua already standing in the courtyard waiting for him.

"Director Zheng, are you waiting for me?"

"Hehe, I calculated you'd come early."

Zheng Fuhua smiled slightly, then put away his smile, patted Li Xuewu's shoulder, and said: "The phones aren't working, so I sent them to pass the news to each station one by one."

It turned out Zheng Fuhua had just finished a meeting with the duty staff and hadn't returned to his office yet.

"Is everything alright at home?"

"Everything is fine."

Li Xuewu knew what Zheng Fuhua meant.

"Is everything alright at the bureau?"

"Everything is fine."

Zheng Fuhua checked the time and took Li Xuewu upstairs.

"With your reminder, I checked the duty posts by phone last night, and the duty situation at the stations is normal."

As he spoke, he looked at Li Xuewu and said: "It seems what you said was really accurate."

"Don't tease me!"

Li Xuewu interrupted: "This wasn't what I said; it was what I guessed."

A single word difference makes a big difference in meaning.

"Fine, fine, fine, it was what you guessed."

Zheng Fuhua hadn't slept all night either. He scratched his head and said with a smile: "It's accurate that you guessed it, okay?"

"It was just a random guess, as long as it didn't cause you any trouble."

Li Xuewu said with a smile and followed Zheng Fuhua into the office.

Zheng Fuhua pointed at Li Xuewu and laughed: "Don't be unforgiving. Director Gao doing this is also normal."

"Of course."

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and said: "Then what did Director Gao say about your 'abnormal' behavior last night?"

"What else could he say, hehe."

Zheng Fuhua pointed at the paper bag on the table and said: "Buns brought by the secretary, want one?"

"Oh! Someone buys your breakfast?"

Li Xuewu looked at the paper bag on the table and muttered: "No way, my secretary needs to be replaced."

"If you don't want to eat, put it down."

Zheng Fuhua teased Li Xuewu and explained: "That was steamed by Little Li's family. Knowing I was on duty, she brought it this morning."

After explaining, he pointed at Li Xuewu and said: "You! Too many schemes."

"I learned it all from you."

Li Xuewu smiled and pushed the buns over: "Little Li's kind gesture, how could I mess with it? I have to wait for you to treat me to a restaurant."

"Then you'll have a long wait!"

Zheng Fuhua knew Li Xuewu not eating the buns was ostensibly not touching his breakfast, but in the push and pull, he had given him a message.

This kid's mind was very clear.

"It's fine, as long as you treat me before you retire."

"Oh?!"

Zheng Fuhua squinted at Li Xuewu and laughed: "Then I really have to remember this meal."

"If you trust me, I trust you, hehehe."

Li Xuewu smiled, took out a cigarette, and lit it.

The two seemed to be talking about the buns on the table, but it seemed they weren't.

Zheng Fuhua looked at the cigarettes on the table and didn't want to smoke from the bottom of his heart.

He had smoked an ashtray full while on duty last night; now he felt sick just looking at cigarettes.

Looking at Li Xuewu, who was puffing away, Zheng Fuhua said: "How is the training ground? What did Regiment Commander Qi say?"

"Fifty-fifty."

Li Xuewu flicked the ash into the ashtray and, leaning forward, said to Zheng Fuhua: "You find people for the political classes, Huaqing provides people for the cultural classes, and they provide people for physical training."

"You arranged it quite well." ===== CHAPTER 443 =====