Chapter 170 Donation
Some of the young soldiers looked at what was happening before them, their faces pale, their lips trembling, and they could barely hold their tools.
Gu Xiao took a deep breath, the air burning his lungs.
He turned around:
"You've all seen this! This is where we're going to be! This isn't a training ground! Every cry for help here could mean a father, a mother, or a child waiting for us!"
He raised his arm, pointing to the endless ruins: "Are you scared? I am too! But we are soldiers! Right now, the people inside can't rely on anyone else, they can only rely on us! The faster we act, the better the chances of survival for those inside! Cheer up! Forget the horror you see, only remember the sounds you hear!"
"Engineer Battalion, divide into companies and areas, prioritizing the search of schools, factories, and residential areas where there are sound sources! Infantry Regiment, assist with evacuation, establish temporary aid stations, and maintain order! Signalman, immediately report the situation back to headquarters!"
He led the way to the nearest pile of rubble from which the child's cries were coming, and began moving bricks and stones with his bare hands: "What are you all standing around for! Get to work!"
For the next few days and nights, Gu Xiao barely slept.
He led his team and saved the lives of tens of thousands of people...
Nan Zhiyi and Xiaoman stayed in a temporary tent on the playground for two days.
Although the logistical support was as thorough as possible, the large number of people and the noise made washing up inconvenient. Coupled with her worries about Gu Xiao, she couldn't sleep at night.
On the afternoon of the third day, after a unified inspection by the logistics department, it was confirmed that the building structure in the family compound was not seriously damaged, only some items had been overturned, and everyone could return home.
Sister Zhang arrived early to help Nan Zhiyi carry the child and things back home.
The swing set and grape trellis in the yard were intact, but the newly planted seedlings were shaken and tilted, showing the power of that disaster.
But the interior was a complete mess.
Books were scattered all over the floor, many dishes in the kitchen were broken, the wardrobe door was shaken open and clothes fell out, and the terrazzo floor was covered with a thick layer of dust.
Sister Zhang sighed repeatedly, "Oh dear... this shaking was so bad... luckily the house is sturdy. Sister-in-law, don't move, let me do it."
Nan Zhiyi responded, picked up Xiaoman, and returned to the bedroom.
The bedroom was equally messy, with bottles and jars scattered all over the dressing table.
Fortunately, the crib stood firmly on the side of the bed, only slightly moved.
After settling Xiaoman in, Nan Zhiyi immediately turned on the radio and tuned it to the official broadcasting station.
In the days that followed, the radio became her only window to the outside world and to find Gu Xiao's whereabouts.
Radio messages are always general yet encouraging:
"The great officers and soldiers of the People's Liberation Army, displaying the revolutionary spirit of fearing neither hardship nor death, traveled day and night to the disaster area..."
"Heroic soldiers, despite the ongoing aftershocks, used their hands and shoulders to dig and carry large numbers of people out of the rubble..."
"The people in the disaster area are in stable condition and are actively engaged in self-rescue under the leadership of the Party and the government..."
"People from all walks of life donated money and supplies to the people in the disaster area, demonstrating the warmth of the socialist family..."
Whenever Nan Zhiyi heard words like "aftershocks continue" or "soldiers are wounded," her heart would clench.
She would immediately look at Xiaoman in her arms, or force herself to do something else to suppress the heavy panic.
She dared not think too deeply about it, and could only tell herself over and over again that Gu Xiao was so capable, he would definitely be alright.
The military compound quickly organized donations of money and supplies.
Nan Zhiyi donated several sets of Gu Xiao's half-new military uniforms, clothes she no longer needed, most of the brand-new towels and soaps in her home, and also donated most of her cash, a very considerable amount among military families.
The family committee member who came to register her donation was quite surprised, "Sister-in-law, you've donated so much money and receipts! Let's do what we can..."
Nan Zhiyi shook her head, "Helping as many people as we can is fine, we'll just have to be frugal..."
Several officers immediately praised her for her sense of righteousness and called her a good comrade.
Sister Zhang helped pack up the donated items, handed them to an officer, and saw them off.
Sometimes, Sister Zhang would also bring some rumors she had heard from her lover or others.
These messages are horrifying, but... they won't be broadcast.
"I heard it was a terrible disaster... so many buildings were flattened, like they'd been run over, the whole town is gone..."
"They said they dug day and night, the soldiers' hands were all worn raw, and they saw so many... Sigh, what a tragedy..."
"Transportation is still difficult; the roads are bad, and goods can't be transported in..."
"Truckloads of wounded soldiers were brought back, many of them children who had lost their parents..."
Whenever Sister Zhang talks about it, her eyes redden and she shakes her head.
The scene pieced together by these vague words is more concrete and more tragic than what was broadcast on the radio.
Nan Zhiyi was terrified, yet she couldn't help but want to hear more, as if that would bring her closer to Gu Xiao's situation.
Newspapers also reported on this.
The photos are black and white, and the text is refined, filled with an inspiring tone of "fighting against nature," "uniting as one," and "hymns to heroes," describing the difficulties of the rescue and the bravery of the soldiers.
Nan Zhiyi read it word by word, trying to find clues about Gu Xiao as a person behind the grand narrative and collective achievements.
She would even carefully examine those blurry photos that captured the busy backs of the soldiers, hoping to find that familiar figure among them.
The days of waiting were long and agonizing.
Every day, she spent her time listening to the radio, reading the newspaper, and silently worrying.
She gradually made her home more and more cozy, adding a two-seater sofa and a small table by the bedroom window.
The solid wood sofa in the living room is also paired with cotton cushions made of light-colored floral cotton fabric.
The first rose in the yard has bloomed.
The spinach in the vegetable garden is also showing new green leaves.
Until one day, a muddy jeep drove back to the compound.
Gu Xiao is back.
He had lost a lot of weight, his cheeks were sunken, he had a stubble beard, his military uniform was torn, and his arms were wrapped in bandages.
Nan Zhiyi rushed over, tears welling up in her eyes, but she couldn't say anything, she just hugged him tightly.
Gu Xiao's voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible: "I'm back."
Later, Nan Zhiyi learned intermittently that he had been awarded a first-class merit, and that the advance team he belonged to had also been awarded a collective first-class merit.
The commendation notice highlighted his courage in making the initial decision, his bravery in going to the front lines, his firm command in the face of danger, and his outstanding contributions to the efficient organization of the rescue.
The heroic team's deeds were also published in the newspapers.
But it was late at night and everyone was asleep.
When Gu Xiao occasionally woke up from a nightmare and held her tightly, Nan Zhiyi would vaguely sense what kind of hellish scene lay behind that honor.
She didn't ask many questions, but simply hugged him tighter and told him, "It's all in the past. Xiaoman and I are still here."
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