Chapter 114
Liu Tuan had said before that the supply of civilian electricity would be restored in the entire Bac Ninh city soon.
But the various disasters that followed made these words empty talk.
Not to mention household electricity, even the street lights that used to light up every two nights have long been out of power. Now it is pitch black everywhere at night, and it is no exaggeration to say that you can't see your hand in front of you.
Because the snow kept falling, no one blamed the government for this. Everyone knows that even the government has a hard time.
But no one expected that the government had been taking action, and the sudden lighting of the street lights was proof of this.
Don’t think that this small street lamp is insignificant. When the whole nation is in decadence, it is light and a symbol of hope.
At least it proves that everyone has not been abandoned and there is always light ahead.
Because the heating was working well, the whole family slept comfortably that night.
Chen Cong did not wake up all night until he was startled by a sudden whistle outside in the morning and sat up straight away.
"woke up?"
"What's going on?"
Seeing her husband standing at the window looking out, Shen Cong stroked her pounding heart and asked.
"Assembly post. I saw some soldiers standing downstairs. There must be some notice to be issued. You go to sleep first, I'll go downstairs and take a look." Gu Kai said as he started to change his clothes.
"Let me go with you. I'm getting anxious waiting at home." Chen Cong said as he got out of bed.
Gu Kai did not stop him.
The couple put on their clothes and went downstairs, then saw that their father and sister had also gotten up and were standing at the door putting on their coats.
"Why are there so many people? I'll just go and take a look, you all go to sleep." Father Shen looked at them helplessly and said.
"You're already up, why are you still sleeping? Let's go take a look together." Chen Cong yawned, walked to the shoe cabinet, sat down and changed his shoes.
The family of four walked out of the house while talking, and as soon as they went out, they saw Liu Xiaofeng walking towards the door.
He was blasting Shi Chen inside: "Go back to bed! Why are you up so early? I'll tell you if there's anything I can tell you when I get back."
Hearing him say almost the same thing as himself, Father Shen laughed.
Several people went downstairs together.
It was just six o'clock, the sky was not yet fully bright, and the stairwell was pitch black.
Gu Kai and Shen's father each held a flashlight and walked at both ends of the team to light the way for everyone.
There were only five of them in the stairwell at the beginning.
But after walking up a few floors, I felt a light flashing below, and then I could hear people talking in the corridor.
It can be seen that they were all summoned by the sound of the whistle.
By the time they got downstairs, there were already quite a few people gathered outside.
In the past, when there was something to be announced in the community, the people who came would stand in the small square in the middle and everyone would gather under the steps.
Now, because the square was too slippery, the soldiers who came stood at the entrance of Building No. 2, so that the people coming behind could not see or hear what that person said.
There was a buzzing sound in the crowd, and everyone was talking.
The snow had not stopped yet, and there was no one in the yard to sweep the snow, so the snow was almost above the knees.
Standing in the snow, everyone was shivering with cold.
The exhaled white air instantly condensed into ice flowers that hung on people's eyebrows and beards, looking white.
Even for a family like the Shen family, who had plenty of clothes and were all dressed warmly, they would still feel frozen to the bone after standing outside for just a few minutes on a morning like this.
Not to mention those who don’t have enough clothes to wear. One can imagine how they feel at this moment.
There were some people in the courtyard who didn't have winter clothes at home. Even their quilts were taken out. They were all standing in the sheltered place inside the building, but they were still shivering from the cold.
Because everyone felt the same way, no one laughed at anyone else.
The soldier who blew the whistle also knew how everyone felt. He didn't let anyone wait any longer. Seeing that some people had come down, he called everyone over to gather.
At this time, a soldier walked out of the crowd and began to whistle again towards the four buildings along the outer circle of the square.
Continue to invite everyone to go downstairs.
The soldier who stayed behind found a square stool from somewhere. He stood on the stool and used a loud speaker to tell everyone the purpose of their visit.
It turned out that after a few days of emergency reconstruction, the temporary gathering points built during the previous flood were open to everyone again.
This time, there is no mandatory requirement to migrate, but rather everyone can sign up voluntarily.
Those who are willing to go can sign up now, and then the little warriors will escort them to the gathering point.
If your family has effective cold-proof measures and you don't want to go to the gathering point, that's fine. The government will subsidize fuel per household.
The first batch of subsidized fuel was 30 kilograms of coke per household, which was also distributed on a household basis, with each household receiving one portion.
Now the fuel has been delivered to the outside of the community, and you can just go and queue up with your ID.
As soon as these words were spoken, cheers broke out in the crowd.
Many people jumped up with joy, and some even cried with excitement on the spot.
This has solved so many people’s urgent needs!
People quickly dispersed and lined up as required.
Some people went to the gathering point for refuge, while others went to get fuel.
Because many people had to go home to pack their things, there were relatively few people seeking shelter at this time, and those who stayed were basically filling out information.
Although there are few people, it is also the most lively place. Once the news spreads, the four buildings that were originally quiet become extremely lively.
Lights began to flash on every floor, accompanied by shouts and laughter.
It can be seen that everyone is busy and feels the joy from the bottom of their hearts.
The soldiers who came to pick up the people had made sufficient preparations before arriving.
Especially for those who signed up to go to the gathering point, they would be immediately handed a blanket as soon as they walked over.
No matter how much or how little the person is wearing, handing over this blanket will really make people feel warm from the bottom of their hearts.
Not only that, because some families now have no winter clothes at all, they also made preparations for this.
If the person registering says that there are family members upstairs who cannot come downstairs because they have no clothes to wear, then a little soldier will immediately go upstairs with him to distribute the prepared cold-resistant items.
It can be said that everyone's problems have been thought of in advance.
In addition to those who signed up to go to the gathering point, there were also many people going to collect fuel.
After all, it is quite troublesome to go to the gathering point. As long as the family can survive and hold on for a while, no one wants to go through the trouble.
There were many people from the Shen family, including Liu Xiaofeng, so everyone decided to go together and get the fuel back.
The truck containing the fuel is outside the community.
Because of the heavy snow, we had to use a donkey to pull the cart.
The vehicle in front was a military jeep. The wheels of the vehicle were large, so it could barely move even in the snow.
The jeep towed a small truck bed, which was filled with sacks of coke that had been weighed in advance.
There were not many people following the car. Apart from the driver, there was only one young soldier. Faced with the increasingly long queue, he was overwhelmed.
Fortunately, there were people in the community who helped.
Although there were many people queuing, the distribution speed was not slow, and everyone received their own fuel in a short while.
Because he has been working in the working group, Gu Kai has some impression of the surrounding troops, especially the higher-level cadres, whose faces are at least familiar to him.
But seeing that the cadre who had just spoken had a title of two bars and two stars, he actually didn't recognize him at all, which made him a little curious.
So when he went to collect the coke, he specifically asked the young soldier, and only then did he find out that they actually came from Qingzhou.
It turned out that due to the sudden disaster, the troops had been reorganized and were no longer defending one place.
All are deployed uniformly and go wherever they are needed.
Bac Ninh City has a large permanent population and a large disaster-stricken area, so many nearby troops were dispatched here to provide support.
Not only from Qingzhou, but also from Jiangbei, there are troops coming here.
The military cap on the little soldier's head was covered with a thick layer of snow, and even the original color could not be seen.
He was only about twenty years old, but his face looked weathered.
There were two red spots on his cheeks caused by the cold, and they were cracked.
His lips were frozen to a pale blue color.
But the young man is in very good spirits.
While distributing supplies to everyone, he also said various encouraging words.
He repeatedly comforted everyone, saying that the difficulties were temporary, that with the country and the troops there, these disasters would soon pass.
Almost everyone who came to collect supplies was older than him, and many were as old as his father or grandfather.
Seeing the young man’s cheerful state, listening to his comforting words, and then looking at the frostbite on his face... everyone felt a little uncomfortable and felt very distressed.
But at the same time, I was infected by his optimistic spirit, as if I really felt that this kind of weather was just like this and there was nothing to be afraid of.
After receiving the things, Gu Kai and Liu Xiaofeng each carried a bag of charcoal and walked in front, with Shen's father and Shen Xi helping them.
Chen Cong took two steps back and reached his hand into his down jacket.
Using her down jacket as a cover, she took out a small bottle of frostbite cream and several hot packs from the space.
She put the things into a paper bag, thought for a moment before taking it out, and put some corn and sweet potatoes that she had roasted last night into it.
Because the food was put into the space immediately after being baked, it is still hot.
Even through the paper bag, Chen Cong could smell the sweetness of sweet potatoes and the burnt aroma of corn.
She turned around and walked back to the front of the team, then quietly put the money into the little soldier's military coat pocket from behind.
The young soldier was bending over to distribute supplies to others. For convenience, the buttons under his military coat were not fastened and the hem was open.
In addition, the weather was cold and the human body's reaction was a bit slow, so Chen Cong's movements did not attract his attention at all.
But such an action naturally could not be hidden from the neighbors standing in line right in front.
Seeing what Chen Cong did, everyone smiled knowingly.
Some people even gave her a thumbs up secretly.
In order to prevent her behavior from being discovered, some people even deliberately talked to the young man to cover for her.
It was not until Chen Cong put the things away and walked a long way away that the young soldier discovered that there was something extra in his pocket.
When he tried to look for the person again, he couldn't find him anywhere.
-
That afternoon, the army came again and began recruiting cleaners in the community.
The wages are also paid according to the full labor force, and you can ask for food or points.
In addition, the government will provide those who are admitted with hats, gloves, scarves and other supplies to keep warm.
As soon as this news came out, people signed up enthusiastically.
After a large number of people participated in the cleaning work, the results soon became apparent.
Even though it was still snowing heavily, slowly, more roads began to appear on the streets.
Even though the roads are narrow, they are covered with a layer of snow from time to time.
But with pedestrians, people can go out and no longer be trapped in their homes and suffer.
Soon, the corridor became lively and the sound of doors opening and closing could often be heard.
Looking down from the balcony, there were gradually more pedestrians on the road, and everyone started to work hard for a living again.
The city has regained its vitality.
-
Wei Yan returned home one afternoon a few days later. He was supported by Xiao Liang.
It was said that he was helped back, but in fact, it was Xiao Liang who almost carried the building on his back.
So much so that after getting home, Xiao Liang was so tired that he could hardly speak, let alone talk to him.
Wei Yan, who was carried back, was in a miserable state.
He was still wearing his military uniform and holding his military coat in his hand.
But he was only wearing a pair of hospital gown pants underneath.
The pants were single and the legs were torn open to make it easier to apply medicine. How could one endure such weather?
Because it was so cold, he even wrapped a blanket over his hospital gown.
This kind of attire, coupled with the disheveled look when being carried back by Xiao Liang, completely confused everyone.
Even after both of them entered the house, the family members were still confused and didn't know what had happened for a moment.
In the end, it was Xiao Liang who spoke first.
He panted heavily and told everyone, "Wei Tuan got frostbite a few days ago. His calves and feet can't move much now. The doctor told him to go home and recuperate, so I sent him back."
When they heard that Wei Yan had frostbite, the expressions of the family members changed and everyone immediately gathered around.
This is her nephew's husband, and Cheng Ru has always treated Wei Yan like her own son.
Knowing that he was injured again and it was so serious, the old lady squatted down immediately.
Regardless of whether he was willing or not, they went up and stripped off the blanket he was wrapped in, and then lifted up his trouser legs.
Then, looking at the torn skin and flesh, the old lady gasped, covered her mouth and burst into tears.
Looking at Wei Yan like this, the old lady felt angry and distressed.
I want to scold him, but it doesn't hurt me enough. If I don't scold him, I will feel tormented.
Finally, she couldn't stand it anymore, so she cried and slapped him on the back several times with her fists.
Wei Yan naturally knew that he had made the old lady very angry.
Even if he was beaten, he didn't dare to hide, let alone try to persuade others.
He could only admit defeat, crying out in pain, and repeatedly explaining to his family that he was fine and that his feet were just frozen, not lame.
But this explanation made Cheng Ru cry uncontrollably, and finally made Chen Xi cry too.
Wei Yan was injured while clearing snow in the north city, and the skin and flesh below his calves were frozen.
Because of the redistribution of troops, the members of their working group were also called back to the city and then sent to be responsible for the maintenance of the northern city highway.
This is also the reason why Chen Cong and the others found their way back to the community but still couldn't find Wei Yan.
Although new troops have been sent to Bac Ninh, with such severe snow and wind, no matter how many people come, they will not be enough.
Even though Wei Yan is now a deputy regimental cadre and has been seriously injured, he still has to take the lead in working at times like this.
Not only do you have to work, but you also have to be the first to do all the dirty and tiring work.
When working in heavy snow, the most terrifying thing is not the tiredness or the cold, but frostbite.
After your hands and feet are frozen to the point of losing feeling, you often don't even feel the frostbite.
That's what Wei Yan is like.
It was when he was taken off the job to rest after a busy day that he discovered his calves and both feet were frostbitten.
He was immediately sent to the hospital by his comrades, and was diagnosed with second-degree frostbite by the doctor.
Although his condition was diagnosed as second-degree frostbite, it was actually very close to third degree, and the degree of freezing was almost reaching the dermis.
After rewarming, large blisters began to appear on the calves and feet, and even blood blisters appeared in some places.
The doctor said that if the condition got any more serious, both feet would likely become disabled.
Frostbite is very painful, and the pain of skin and flesh festering is simply unbearable.
Even a steely man like Wei Yan, who had endured many injuries, was in so much pain at first that he broke out in cold sweats and couldn't help groaning and shouting.
At that time, Xiao Liang, who got the news and came to take care of the family, wanted to inform his family, but was stopped by Wei Yan.
He threatened and intimidated Xiao Liang not to reveal the news, for he was afraid that his family would see his miserable appearance and feel uncomfortable.
According to Wei Yan, he wanted to recover from his injuries in the hospital and then quietly return to the army. He wanted to keep this matter secret from his family.
If I really can't hide it, I'll wait until I recover.
But man proposes, God disposes.
Recently, there have been too many patients visiting the hospital for frostbite, and patients like him who are out of danger and in the recovery period were "driven out".
There was no choice but to let Xiao Liang take him home.
It is said that he has entered the recovery period, but in fact Wei Yan's condition is the most terrible at this time.
The blisters or blood blisters at the beginning have gradually broken and turned into ulcers.
At this time, fluid was still oozing out of the ulcer surfaces, and a circle of small scabs had formed around them.
Moreover, the skin around the wound also changed color, turning blue and purple, and even a large area of skin on the instep turned black.
Not to mention that the women in the family were about to cry when they saw this, Jiashu and Gu Kai both had red eyes, and Father Shen was even more distressed, and the hand on his shoulder was shaking.
I can't speak.
Seeing his whole family like this, Wei Yan felt like he had lost all hope in life.
This was really something he didn't want to see at all, and it was also the situation he feared the most.
If the doctor hadn't repeatedly warned him that the ulcer would not heal easily if it was wrapped, Wei Yan would never have shown his wound to everyone.
But now - all his worst fears had come true.
Although Cheng Ru hit him a few times, she felt so heartbroken.
She kept muttering "What a sin!" "What a sin!" and then ran into the kitchen to make something hot for the two children.
But she felt so upset that her hands were shaking so much that she couldn't even pick up the pot. She stood in the kitchen and walked around for several circles, but she had no idea what to make for the two people.
Seeing his mother like this, Shen Cong, who was still relatively calm, had no choice but to go over and help.
While the two of them were cooking in the kitchen, a few people outside were making a fuss about arranging accommodation.
Given Wei Yan’s condition, we definitely cannot let him live upstairs. That would be too inconvenient.
Mr. Shen meant to let his wife go and live with his eldest daughter and two children, and he and Wei Yan would live in the same room.
But Wei Yan refused to do so and insisted that a small bed be set up for him in the living room, saying that he could just sleep in the living room.
Would Old Man Shen be willing?
He felt so sorry for his nephew's husband that he didn't know what to do and just wanted to give him all the best.
But Wei Yan felt the same way. He knew that he had already made his entire family uncomfortable and was even more unwilling to cause trouble to others.
So the old man and the young boy started arguing over a bed.
Old man Shen was so angry that he almost hit someone!
In the end, it was Old Man Gu who made the final decision and asked Gu Kai and Jiashu to go upstairs and bring down a bed and place it for him at the location where the balcony and the living room were connected.
Shen Cong had moved all the furniture in the community back then, so the Shen family would never lack a bed, and even if it was a single bed, it was comfortable and not just for show.
In addition, when the house was renovated, double-layer thermal insulation glass was made on the balcony, and insulation layers were installed on all the walls of the house.
In the words of the old man, "It's okay to live in the living room. It's closer to the radiator and warmer. It's just that I can't sleep in in the morning. Wei Yan doesn't sleep in anyway, so this is no big deal for him."
With the old man's words, the bed problem was quickly solved.
With the help of Shen Cong, Shen's mother quickly served the two people a dish of stewed eggs with brown sugar and red dates, which was good for replenishing blood and qi.
Because her mood was fluctuating so much, the old lady put brown sugar and red dates into the soup by handfuls, just thinking about putting more and not caring about anything else.
The soup was so sticky that it was almost able to be drawn into strings.
Chen Cong's eyelids twitched as he watched from the side. He was deeply worried about the two people outside. He just felt that his mother was taking care of Wei Yan during the confinement period!
Can’t I drink this sugary water during confinement?
It’s almost like eating brown sugar dry.
——But she didn’t dare to say it.
At this moment, the old lady has the word "violent" written all over her body. Who dares to provoke her?
When Wei Yan and Xiao Liang took the bowls, they looked at each other, their eyes filled with fear, but no one dared to say a word. They all picked up the bowls and started eating.
As a result, after taking a bite, their faces...were twisted to the point of being tied into a knot.
Xiao Liang stood up with the bowl and went to the kitchen. Chen Cong quietly followed him and handed him a glass of warm water.
And Wei Yan - couldn't move, and had nowhere to hide.
I could only finish the whole bowl of sugar water mouthful by mouthful under the old lady's watchful eye.
Looking at his distorted face, Shen Xi, who had just been wiping tears, was amused.
The author has something to say:
I have to tell you that this book is almost finished after the severe cold phase. The remaining chapters will basically be finished this week.
I will write a few chapters of the extra story later, but not too many. If you have anything you want to read, you can leave a message in the comment section. I will refer to it and try my best to satisfy you.
Thank you all for your continued encouragement and support. This is the first book about natural disasters written by Yousu, and it was really difficult to write.
If it weren't for your company, I wouldn't be able to hold on until now. Thank you so much.
The next book I will write is about the end of the world, and it will be called "Reborn to the Day When the Natural Disaster Strikes"
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