Chapter 55
With the participation of Qin Huai and others, the rescue work here gave the soldiers who had been working non-stop a sigh of relief. Moreover, the rescue difficulty of the cold supply point was indeed much easier than that of the residential area. At that time, in order to accommodate more people who came to cool off, all the counter partitions were cleared. The entire cold supply point was a circular building, and the ceiling was made of light steel. After the earthquake, because of this ceiling, the people inside had a little breathing room and resisted the collapse of the objects above.
There are many survivors inside, and of course many dead people, but there are still people alive. This is why those soldiers cannot stop even if they have to work around the clock.
If there were more people, perhaps the people trapped inside could be rescued quickly, but the problem is that there is a shortage of people everywhere. To organize the people to rescue themselves, they must be willing to come here. But compared to saving their own families and digging their own collapsed houses, how many people can take the initiative to come here to rescue people who have nothing to do with them? Because of this, there are the most rescue soldiers here, because apart from the soldiers, the survivors buried underneath cannot wait for other rescue.
Before Qin Huai and his men arrived, these soldiers had been working for several hours. They started the rescue work when it was not dark yet and the heat was not so scorching. If they could rescue the people inside one minute earlier, they might be able to save one more life. The soldier who was in charge of registration had just been replaced. The weather was too hot, and what they were doing was a very physically demanding task. Even though their physical fitness was much better than that of ordinary people due to long-term training, several of them had collapsed from exhaustion in just two days. But even so, they still couldn't stop. The shoulder straps on their bodies made them take on all the responsibilities even if they didn't care about themselves.
Because there is no crane, we have to dig a gap in the collapsed place ourselves. This gap was dug yesterday, and this is the only way to make sure that there are still survivors inside, and there should be quite a few people. But there is always the risk of another collapse, so the rescue side did not rush in rashly. A batch of food and water were sent down yesterday. No matter what, they should be able to hold out for another day. But if we can't dig this side open tonight, and have to endure another hot day, I don't know how many people inside can hold on.
Mu Nan and others helped them move the broken bricks and stones on top for a while, but soon they could no longer clear them. The captain in charge of the rescue here was also in a dilemma: "We anticipated this situation yesterday. It was this piece of steel roof that protected the people below, but it also blocked the way for rescue."
In the past, as long as a crane could be dispatched, this piece of steel roof could be lifted open, but now, relying solely on manpower, this is simply impossible.
Some soldiers tried to save Gang Ding by working together, but now they had no way to mobilize people and there was a shortage of people everywhere, so the rescue process suddenly came to a standstill.
Qin Huai looked at a piece of steel roof fragment not far away that was almost two-thirds smaller than this one and said, "We can use it to gain leverage, but if we succeed, the people can be saved. If we fail, it may cause a second collapse."
The rescue team leader followed Qin Huai's gaze and asked, "Borrow strength? How?"
Qin Huai said: "We can't push this big one, but if everyone tries hard, maybe we can push the small one. Dig out that piece and tie it with ropes. The height of this ruin is at least six or seven meters from the ground below."
Qin Huai didn't need to say the rest. The captain had also figured it out. He could use the force of the falling small steel roof to pull out the large steel roof. If successful, the people inside could be saved. If the difference in strength between the two was too great and they still couldn't pull it apart, the shock caused by the fall of the small steel roof would most likely cause a secondary collapse. Either they could be saved or they would die, a 50-50 chance.
Finally, the rescue team leader called everyone to an emergency meeting, and in the end, the majority decided to take a gamble. They had no other choice. They couldn't open the steel roof, and the people inside had no way to get out. It was not a problem that could be solved by digging a tunnel in another direction, so instead of waiting to die passively, it was better to take a gamble.
With the direction of action, everyone immediately became alert and once again put all their strength into trying to pull out the small steel top. Listening to the shouts of everyone working together, Mu Nan, who was so tired that he squatted aside to catch his breath, couldn't help but ask Qin Huai: "Brother, what do you think is the possibility of success?"
In his previous life, he had been helping out around the community. He was alone and could only wander around in the environment he was familiar with. He couldn't go too far, so he didn't know whether the people who were buried at the cooling point in his previous life were rescued or all died.
Qin Huai shook his head: "For things like this, we can only rely on God's will. Save your energy and don't get too tired."
Mu Nan said, "I know. Don't be too tired. Your shoulders hurt so much yesterday that you couldn't lift them up."
The two men rested for a while, then put on their gloves again and went forward to help. The small steel roof was not light, and they couldn't understand why it was obviously a light steel structure and was as heavy as a jack. However, compared to the big one that didn't move at all, the small steel roof moved a little, even if it was just a little bit outward. This encouraged many people. As long as they tried harder and persisted a little longer, they might succeed.
I originally thought that no matter what I do, I have to save my energy. The prerequisite for saving others is that I have to be fine myself. However, the infectiousness of the environment is really not something I can control. Seeing others working so hard, I was unconsciously motivated. When I was exhausted, I was replaced to drink some water and relax. After I recovered, I continued to help.
Just when the daylight was about to dispel the darkness, the small steel roof was finally pushed to the edge of the ruins by everyone. All the things that could be tied were used, for fear that the strength would not be enough. However, the binding was not solid and broke in the middle. Everyone was probably even more desperate.
After doing everything they could, at the command of the rescue team leader, everyone pushed together and then dispersed. The small steel roof was shaking on the edge, which made everyone nervous. Fortunately, in the end the small steel roof slid heavily from the edge as expected.
Qin Huai pulled Mu Nan away from the place, fearing that a second collapse would occur and cause them to fall.
Dust and smoke rose up, and a loud rumbling sound exploded in my ears, and the ground under my feet even trembled. Before the smoke dispersed, Mu Nan heard someone shouting happily, saying that it was open.
Everyone hurriedly climbed up the ruins. It was definitely impossible to lift up the entire steel roof. The roof beam of a shopping mall was beyond the ability of only twenty or thirty people. However, through the force of the small steel roof, a gap was opened in the previously motionless steel roof, which was large enough to accommodate at least two or three people to enter and exit.
In order to prevent the people buried below from causing a collapse due to the scramble to get up first (after all, everything is very fragile now, and a slight stomp of the foot may cause another collapse), they simply sent two soldiers down. Fortunately, the steel roof was very solid. After all, it took so much effort to open a gap, it would not collapse so easily. Until all the people who could still move inside were hoisted up with ropes, they were safe and sound.
A total of 108 living people were rescued, whether they were still able to move or were seriously injured and were only breathing their last breath. There were more than 30 corpses among them. Some had their hands or feet broken by objects falling from high altitude. Because they could not stop the bleeding and the temperature was too high during the day, they delayed too long and died. Some tried to escape in a panic when they were hit, and only vomited blood and fell to the ground when they could no longer escape. It was obvious that they had injured their internal organs, and they also died because they did not receive timely medical treatment. There were also some whose bodies were incomplete, and the soldiers who went down took some effort to transport all the bodies up. Fortunately, everyone came up in the end, and the situation like last night where people who went down to rescue people but could not come up did not happen.
The harvest this night can be said to be quite great, with more than a hundred people, so it was not in vain. But I was really tired, I was busy all night without stopping.
It was almost daybreak, but the sun had not yet risen. If I delayed any longer, I would be out of scorch halfway home, and I certainly wouldn't have time to go to the cafeteria. I could only get the cafeteria coupon and hurry home.
The team leader asked them to come back tonight: "You really helped a lot in this rescue. Come back tonight. We don't have the conditions to give you a big reward now, but you can bring back some storable food. The situation may not be very good later. With food in hand, you won't be panicked."
Mu Nan glanced at Jian Chu and saw that they were a little hesitant, so he spoke for them: "Excuse me, if we want to find solar panels, where can we find them now? Or is there anything we can use to exchange them?"
The team leader asked, "Are you here looking for solar panels?"
Mu Nan nodded.
The team leader hesitated for a moment, then said: "Let's talk about it when you come tonight."
This meant there was hope. Mu Nan thanked him, and Jian Chu also thanked him repeatedly. They went back with tired bodies but relaxed hearts. The solar panels worked, and they saved so many people. Looking at those people who were pulled out of the rubble, they were excited and grateful for having survived the disaster. The feeling of being touched by life was really hard to describe in words. If I really had to say it, it was worth it. The hard work and sweat of this night, everything was worth it.
Just halfway through the journey, Mu Nan looked at Jian Chu and said, "Why didn't you ask just now? The captain said he would give us a reward. What a great opportunity."
Jian Chu felt a little embarrassed: "You guys have also contributed a lot. You worked so hard. How can you only help us get solar panels? Food is so precious nowadays."
Mu Nan said, "Let's take a look tonight. Anyway, from what the captain said, they should have some, but I don't know how much they can give us. The roof of the entire mall was covered with solar panels before. Ten dollars for us shouldn't be too much, right?"
Ten yuan to set up, with such a strong sun, plus the ones they already have at home, it should be enough to drive two air conditioners. People who are too close to each other should not have too big a gap in their lives. It's okay if they eat and drink behind closed doors, but if they use air conditioners, the neighbors will have to endure the heat, which is not good for a long time. People can't stand the test of gap the most, but asking him to take out the solar panels he has stored is too generous.
It's better to do it like this, help them close the gap, and do a favor. If Jian Chu and Yu Zibai are grateful, then their temporary cooperation can continue. If the other party is greedy, he can take the things and leave here with Qin Huai at any time. So don't look at Mu Nan's harmless face, as if he is sincere and generous to his friends. In fact, he has a lot of tricks in his heart. Of course, if someone treats him sincerely, then he will definitely not calculate other people's things. Everything is mutual. And he and Qin Huai really helped tonight. If they can replace the solar panels, they don't want food. They are all real contributions. It's normal to plan for something that they need more and is more beneficial to them.
Jian Chu was unaware that Mu Nan, who looked like a little sheep but was actually wagging the tail of a little fox, was sincerely grateful in his heart. He was not afraid of others treating him badly. His living environment since childhood made him accustomed to the malice of others. But when he met someone who was good to him, he would be at a loss. He was obviously grateful in his heart, but he didn't know how to say thank you. He used to be eloquent when he was a part-time salesperson, but he became dumb at this time. In the end, he could only say dryly: "Mu Nan, Qin Huai, thank you!"
Mu Nan smiled and said, "It's nothing. In this kind of disaster, it's fate that people like us who just met each other can get together and help each other."
Only Qin Huai could see the fox tail swinging in front of him. Mu Nan had been a sly person since he was young. He certainly had no bad intentions, but coaxing people into doing things was his normal operation. As long as he wanted, he could clean out the candy in his classmates' pockets at any time and they would even say thank you to him. But Mu Nan seemed to become quieter after he left, and he became a small circle for himself, no longer in contact with the outside world.
Seeing that Mu Nan seemed to have regained some of his former liveliness, Qin Huai's happiness was mixed with a hint of bitterness. How great it would be if there weren't all these disasters.
Climbing stairs was a huge challenge for them. Qin Huai and Yu Zibai had gotten used to it. Although they were tired, they just gritted their teeth and climbed up. But when it came to Mu Nan and Jian Chu's turn, climbing to the 17th floor after exhausting their energy all night was simply a life-threatening task.
While being dragged up by Qin Huai, Mu Nan panted like a broken bellows: "If... it weren't for... the air conditioner... at home... waving at me, I would rather sleep... in the big tent!"
Qin Huai encouraged with a smile: "Come on, it's the 15th floor, just hold on and you'll be home."
Mu Nan was so tired that he felt dizzy and his lungs were about to explode: "I can't do it anymore... I can't do it anymore..."
Jian Chu pushed him from behind: "Men, you can't say no!"
In the end, Mu Nan was dragged back to his front door by the other three people. The air conditioner was naturally not turned off. As soon as they got home, Jian Chu and Mu Nan lay side by side. Qin Huai wet a towel with water and applied it to Mu Nan's forehead: "Don't lie down, sit up."
Mu Nan groaned and didn't want to move, so Qin Huai had to help him up and rub his shoulders and arms. Mu Nan pushed Qin Huai's hand away: "I'll be fine after cooling down." Qin Huai was also tired, so he went home to rest well, so why would he waste energy on giving him a massage.
Qin Huai looked at Jian Chu and Yu Zibai: "Let's sleep here today. It's too hot."
Jian Chu waved his hand: "We just need to cool down and recover." Others gave them convenience, but they couldn't be too casual, even though it was indeed cool and they didn't want to leave.
Mu Nan still felt a little regretful: "I didn't find anything today." You know, many things were found in the early stage. As more and more people looked for them later, naturally there would be fewer and fewer things to be found. Today I was just busy saving people.
Qin Huai: "There's nothing in the cooling point. There are just some building materials and a lot of steel bars."
Yu Zibai said, "We have to come back early tomorrow and go to the medical team to check on Xu Ming's condition. He probably plans to stay with the medical team. If he doesn't come up, then when we go down again, we'll send his self-heating pot down to him."
Jian Chu and Yu Zibai lay in Mu Nan's house for a while. After the burning heat in their bodies subsided, they went home. Before they left, they had connected the electrical wiring board in their house and provided a freezer and an air-conditioning fan. When they got back, they would take a quick shower and put the ice crystals frozen in the freezer into the air-conditioning fan. Although it was not as cool as air conditioning, it was already very enjoyable now when there was no water or electricity. After all, it was more comfortable at home and they could do anything more freely, so it was better to go home.
With no outsiders at home, Qin Huai reached out and pulled Mu Nan up: "Take a shower when you feel cool. After you're done, I'll apply a plaster on you."
Mu Nan still didn't want to move. Today's consumption had drained him out: "Brother, we are still not fully prepared."
Qin Huai: "What's missing?"
Mu Nan: "It's missing a massage chair. It would be great if we could have one right now."
Thinking only of the days ahead with insufficient food and clothing, who would have thought of a massage chair? Seeing Mu Nan looking so tired that he was paralyzed, Qin Huai smiled and said, "Don't want to move? Then I'll help you wash, and then apply the plaster for you, and then I'll help you massage?"
Mu Nan snorted and got up from the ground with difficulty. After resting for a while, the situation did not get better. His hands and feet became heavier. But he still had to take a bath. He couldn't sleep without it. After he finished, he ran a bath for Qin Huai. While Qin Huai was taking a bath, Mu Nan poured himself a bottle of glucose. The sweet taste choked his throat and he quickly drank a few sips of ice water. The intensity of today's consumption was too great. After resting for so long, he still felt dizzy.
After Qin Huai finished washing, probably because the glucose took effect, Mu Nan finally recovered, so he took a tube of glucose and asked Qin Huai: "Do you want to drink some?"
Qin Huai: "Did you drink?"
Mu Nan hummed: "Replenish your energy."
Qin Huai said, "I don't need it. You can keep it. Do you want to sleep for a while or eat first?"
Mu Nan wanted to sleep, but knew that if he continued sleeping, it would be impossible to get up and eat, so he said, "Let's eat first. What shall we eat? Noodles or rice dishes?"
I don't really feel like eating meat. Although they didn't move any corpses today, they saw a lot of incomplete corpses. The images in my mind are still there, and I don't feel like eating anything that reminds me of those images.
Qin Huai said, "Have some pork rib noodles. You're allowed to eat a little spicy food." Afraid that Mu Nan was too tired to have an appetite, he had to make the food less spicy to enhance the flavor.
Mu Nan climbed up with difficulty, sat in front of the small coffee table, took out two bowls of pork ribs noodles from the space, asked Qin Huai, and seeing that he was drinking beer, he took out another can of beer. He didn't want to drink Leco, so he took a cup of mung bean paste with ice chips. He was afraid that one bowl of noodles would not be enough to fill him up, so he took out a box of toasted steamed bread slices from the space, sprinkled cumin on them, and roasted them until they were golden brown. He also took out two eggs. These eggs were from the chickens raised at home. They were cooked and thrown into the space as soon as they were laid. Anyway, maintaining the intake of one egg a day was enough to get the basic nutrition.
Looking at Qin Huai who was holding the chopsticks steadily, and then looking at his own hands which were shaking as he held the chopsticks, Mu Nan: "..."
Qin Huai laughed: "Get out a fork and I'll feed you."
Mu Nan: "Not really, I'll eat slowly by myself."
With strong willpower, Mu Nan finished a bowl of pork ribs rice noodles, but he only ate the noodles. He picked out the few extra pork ribs that the boss generously gave him and put them in other pork ribs rice noodles, to be eaten later when he had an appetite for meat.
He only ate two slices of steamed bread slices, and the rest were eaten by Qin Huai. He was afraid that Qin Huai was not satisfied, so he asked him if he wanted anything else. He had almost finished drawing the recipes before, and he could look through the recipes and order at any time. However, Qin Huai's appetite was just average, and he would finish a box of steamed bread slices just because Mu Nan took it out.
After the two of them had finished their meal, Mu Nan took out a massager, the kind that massages the shoulders and neck. He used to be a painter, and he would sit in front of the computer and paint for a whole day, which would make his shoulders and neck very sore, so he bought a shoulder and neck massager, as well as a head massager and a leg massager. Since he didn't have a massage chair, he also had a bunch of massage aids. He didn't think of this yesterday, but today when he thought of the massage chair, he naturally remembered all these things as well, so he hurriedly took them out from his space. Anyway, he couldn't just lie down and sleep after eating, so while massaging Qin Huai's shoulders and neck, he took the leg massager and rolled it manually.
"Why didn't I prepare a few of these earlier? Just roll them a few times to massage your legs. Then, roll them on your arms to relax them. They're really useful."
Qin Huai: "We can go to the shopping mall in the back. The mall was closed at the time and was going to be converted into a cooling point, but the solar panels were not in place and the construction had not started. I don't know if the things inside have been cleared away. If not, it's worth searching."
Life was already difficult before the earthquake. Almost no shops were open. Even the small privately-owned shops were either simply closed or cleared out for fear of being pried open and stolen. No one knew whether there was anything inside. As a result, after the earthquake, apart from residential buildings, not many people seemed to search the former commercial streets and shops. After all, if nothing was found, it would be a waste of time.
After relaxing their muscles a little, they covered each other with plasters. Fortunately, they bought a lot of plasters, otherwise they would not be able to withstand such consumption every day. However, once the body adapts to this intensity, it should be much better.
After they finished what they needed to do, Mu Nan and Qin Huai turned off the lights and lay down. The room was quiet for a while, and Mu Nan suddenly said, "Brother."
Qin Huai hummed and tilted his head slightly to look at him. Although it was pitch black and he couldn't see anything, he could see the general outline of the person next to him.
Mu Nan said: "We rescued a lot of people today."
Qin Huai chuckled: "Yes, Nan Nan performed very well today."
Mu Nan asked: "We have saved so many people, will good people be rewarded?"
The smile on Qin Huai's face faded a little, but he stretched out his hand to embrace the person next to him, and then whispered: "Yes, good people will definitely be rewarded."
Mu Nan took the initiative to move closer to Qin Huai: "Yeah, I also think that good people will be rewarded." He did not ask for more happiness in the next life, but only asked for no regrets in this life.
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