As donations climbed, the total raised by various sectors in Hong Kong exceeded HK$470 million. Taiwanese compatriots also contributed generously, donating US$3 million and setting up "love accounts" through major television stations. A disaster relief gala successfully raised over NT$40 million. Macau and Taiwan also generously donated 20 million Macau patacas for disaster relief.
This cross-strait charity effort not only brought warmth and hope to the people in the disaster-stricken areas, but also demonstrated the Chinese people's spirit of unity and overcoming difficulties together. The blood of the Chinese people flows like a river, and the hearts of those who share it surge across thousands of miles; songs of relief for the East China floods resounded through the air. All of this will be forever etched in the scroll of history, becoming our shared memory and pride.
As the rescue work deepened, the pace of reconstruction never ceased. Countless military and civilian volunteers, like Huang Wenbin, silently contributed their sweat and wisdom. Donations and supplies from all walks of life also continued to arrive in the disaster area, bringing warmth and hope to the people there.
Mengyao and the Huang family also contributed their own strength in this process. Although the power of an individual is small, with the will of all, it is enough to overcome all difficulties. At this moment, everyone is closely united, facing this disaster together and working together to overcome the difficulties.
As the floodwaters gradually receded, life in Huanshi gradually returned to normal. The mining area resumed full operation, and business at the Huang family's snack bar began to pick up. When Whistle and Parrot returned to the shop to help out, they discovered that their aunt and aunt had already taken over most of the work.
"Hey, Whistle, Parrot, you're here!"
Huang Nai wiped the grease off her hands and greeted them with a smile.
"You call this one Auntie, and this one you call Little Auntie. They are all here for refuge after my daughter-in-law's hometown suffered a disaster."
After the two men called the others, Whistle scratched his head and said, "Is there anything else you want us to do?"
"Nothing." The aunt took over the conversation, "You two should take a rest. Wenrong and the others are at home. You can watch TV."
The two looked at each other, suddenly at a loss as to what to do.
Meanwhile, Huang's mother was glued to the television, following the news of the reconstruction efforts in the disaster area. However, she couldn't contact her family, and she was anxious and restless every day. Huang Wenrong saw this and was worried, so he called Xu Mengyao to discuss countermeasures.
"Mom is absent-minded every day. This is not a solution." Huang Wenrong said worriedly.
Xu Mengyao nodded thoughtfully: "There are still two weeks before school starts. Why don't we accompany Mom to the provincial capital to look for Grandma and Grandpa?"
Huang Wenrong's eyes lit up: "That's great, I'm worried about Grandpa and the others too."
So the two sisters told Huang's mother about this plan. Huang's mother was so moved that she burst into tears:
"Really? Are you willing to go with me?"
"Of course, Mom, we'll go find them together."
The three of them, mother and daughter, made their decision and immediately began packing without waiting for Huang's father to return. Before leaving, Xu Mengyao went to the snack bar to explain to Huang's grandmother. Seeing Shaozi and the parrot awkwardly standing by the door, she glanced at her aunt and younger sister in the house and said,
"Grandma, we're going to the provincial capital with Mom. I'll leave the house to you and Auntie and Auntie. I'll leave the snack bar to Brother Whistle and Brother Parrot."
Huang Nai Ying said: "Don't worry, we will take good care of the family. You must pay attention to safety!"
After hearing her words, Whistle and the parrot also felt a sense of belonging and nodded repeatedly.
The train slowly pulled out of the platform. Inside the carriage, Huang's mother seemed a little nervous. She kept thinking about the information about her sister's family, but she could only give a few clues.
"Wenjuan, do you think we can find them? I only know that your uncle works in the sawmill, and the rest..." There was a hint of uncertainty in Huang's mother's voice.
Xu Mengyao held Huang's mother's hand and gently comforted her, "Don't worry, Mom. You don't have to worry about not being able to find someone if you have a job. Once we get to the provincial capital, we'll ask around and we'll definitely find him."
After getting off the bus, the mother and daughters followed Xu Mengyao's plan and began their search for the lumber mill. They navigated the bustling crowd, asking anyone who might know where the mill was. Finally, with the guidance of a kind old man, they found the main entrance.
Huang's mother walked to the security room nervously and asked, "Hello, I'm looking for Zhang Mingyuan, he's a worker here."
The security guard looked through the records and shook his head: "You've got the wrong place. We don't have anyone named Zhang Mingyuan here."
When Huang's mother heard this, her eyes turned red with anxiety: "How could there be no one? He must have worked at the lumber mill for twenty years!"
The security guard scratched his head, then slapped his forehead. "Oh, I see. You might have the wrong person. Our lumber mill has only been open for five years, so we don't have many employees who have been there that long. However, I heard there's another old lumber mill in the city, but it's not doing very well, so few people go there anymore."
As he spoke, the security guard enthusiastically took out a piece of paper from the drawer and wrote down the address of the old sawmill.
The three took the address, thanked him repeatedly, and left in a hurry. According to the address, they finally found the old lumber mill.
When the security guard heard their purpose, he nodded and said, "Oh, you're looking for Lao Zhang. He just got off work. It's the family compound in front. I'll write down the address for you."
Night had fallen, and following the guidance of the security guard, the three finally arrived at an old residential area. The tube-shaped buildings were closely connected in rows, and the narrow corridors were filled with miscellaneous items on both sides, making it look extremely crowded.
Huang's mother stood at the door, took a deep breath, and knocked gently. The door slowly opened, and she saw her elder sister whom she had not seen for many years.
Huang's mother shouted in a trembling voice: "Sister, are our parents here with you? I'm here to see them!"
At this time, a sarcastic voice came from inside the house: "What's going on? The poor relatives are here again. Are you going to stop? I can't stop pestering you!"
There was also an old woman sitting in the room with an unhappy look on her face.
Xu Mengyao frowned slightly when she heard this. She looked down at herself, her mother and her elder sister. Indeed, because of the long journey, the three of them had wrinkled clothes, were sweaty, and had messy hair. They really looked a little disheveled.
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