Chapter 538: Chapter 538: Remember to Take Photos
"Not so good."
The affected area is too large, and the excavation equipment is inadequate, relying purely on manpower and shovels.
The landslide brought down not only mud, but primarily rocks.
Small chunks are manageable if there are enough hands, but large stones are difficult to handle.
Recalling the scene she saw before leaving, her expression turned grave, "This landslide in Santai Village will take no less than seven or eight days to clear."
Wen’s mother tightened her grip, "What about casualties?"
With this question, Qin Jiu also looked over.
Yi Chichi sighed in response, "I’m not clear about the death toll," after all, she had been busy in the medical tent, and all the rescue personnel brought were the injured.
The deceased wouldn’t be brought over.
"There are quite a few injured."
The landslide occurred around midnight, when people were sleeping.
Even those who reacted quickly couldn’t outrun the speed of the mudslide.
As a result, many people were injured.
"There are 5 cases of serious injuries, and because of inadequate medical conditions, they were urgently taken to the hospital for surgery."
She wiped her face, "I have to go again tomorrow."
"To help with the rescue?"
"I won’t be needed for that."
The medical staff is quite sufficient, and even if I go, I wouldn’t be of much help.
"I’ll handle logistics instead; so many people need food and water, and there’s debris and mud to clear. Every extra hand helps."
This was Yi Chichi’s genuine thought.
Ji Jian and the others have their jobs; today they can help with logistics, but they might not have time tomorrow.
After all, production at the factory needs to continue.
Wen’s mother resolutely said, "Tomorrow you stay home, I’ll go."
As she spoke, she glanced at Yi Chichi’s arm and hand, "Your hands are important; don’t do hard labor and roughen them up!"
Otherwise, it would be hard to maintain them.
Qin Jiu nodded in agreement, "Grandma is right, Aunt, you stay at home and take care of little brother tomorrow. I’ll go with Grandma to handle logistics."
Yi Chichi, "... You’re going too?"
"Of course."
He puffed out his chest, "I’ve grown up and I’m strong. Tomorrow, let Grandma and the other ladies cook and boil water, while I help clear the debris."
As for his old aunt, it’s better to forget about it.
It’s better for her to stay home and take care of the baby. Otherwise, after two days of logistics work, she’d come back needing hand care and that whole process gives me a headache just thinking about it.
"Alright then, listen to instructions when you get there, don’t act impulsively, and stay safe."
"Got it."
And so, the conversation ended there.
After exchanging a few more words, Yi Chichi took Wen Yi to sleep.
Yi Chichi left in the early morning when Wen Yi was still asleep and unaware. When he woke up to find his mother missing, the little kid was so shocked he thought she was lost.
Early in the morning, he started calling out for his mother.
But at that time, Yi Chichi was busy in the medical tent and couldn’t be found.
By the time Wen’s mother coaxed him into having breakfast without crying, and he saw her embroidery frame, the child again started asking for his mother.
Thus, their daily routine turned into the child searching for his mom, then bursting into tears when she wasn’t found. The adults would pacify him, giving him momentary relief before the pattern repeated itself.
The result was that both Yi Chichi and Wen Yi ended up exhausted and drowsy. So, when they lay down on the bed, they both quickly fell into a deep sleep.
As the saying goes, when one place is in trouble, all directions come to assist. Though information spread slowly back then, the island wasn’t that big, and the landslide in Santai Village had touched the hearts of everyone on the island.
Therefore, starting the next day, not only did Wen’s mother and the others go to the site, but many people from the neighboring counties also came to help.
They also brought food and water.
Every morning, Yi Chichi would send Wen’s mother and Qin Jiu off, and each night, she’d wait at the gate with Wen Yi to welcome them home.
Yuan Chu and the older kids didn’t have any training, so they joined in to help every day.
Qin Jiu worked alongside them for several days, forging friendships.
As summer vacation was ending and it was time to return to Beijing, Yuan Chu and the others came to see him off.
"Brother, don’t forget us when you get back, remember to write, a telegraph is fine too."
"Sure, I’ll definitely write to you and send you gifts. You must remember to write back. When you miss me, send me a shell to express your longing. I will never forget you in my life."
The teenage boys embraced each other like their fathers would, offering earnest advice that, coupled with farewell words, looked quite comical.
Yi Chichi and Wen’s mother didn’t laugh because they were also preparing for the Beijing trip.
At that moment, they were bidding farewell to Ji Jian and the others.
"When will you be back?"
Ji Jian and the others, who were helping with the luggage, asked.
"Planned for October, but we’ll see."
If something unexpected pops up, coming back a few days early or late is unpredictable.
"Remember to take pictures when you go, especially at Tiananmen. I don’t know what Beijing looks like yet."
Madam Lei advised, her heart full of yearning for Beijing.
Her biggest dream this lifetime was to visit Beijing, see Tiananmen, and Xiangshan’s red leaves.
"Oh, and remember to climb the Great Wall."
Yi Chichi, "..."
Oh no.
The wish to take a photo at Tiananmen could still be fulfilled.
The Great Wall...
With the current transportation situation, getting to the Great Wall from Grandpa’s place is far.
We might set out in the morning and there’s no guarantee we’d reach there by night.
However, "We’ll see when the time comes."
If time allows, they’ll make the trip, otherwise, they won’t.
After all, there are many places worth seeing in Beijing.
"Just make sure to take photos."
"I see now; all you care about are the pictures."
She laughed helplessly, and Ji Jian chuckled, "What else could we do? We can’t go, so we’ll just look at the photos and imagine Beijing."
"Alright, when I get to Beijing, I’ll try to get you photos of Tiananmen, Yuanming Garden, and the Forbidden City."
That could be done.
Just then, a loud whistle of a ship sounded.
Ji Jian and the others immediately became anxious, "Hurry, hurry, you need to board the ship and depart."
"Wait for our return."
Yi Chichi took Wen Yi from Yang Qing’s arms, and Wen’s mother took over the luggage from Ji Jian and the others, while Qin Jiu waved goodbye to his partners.
Ten minutes later, the ferry carried them away from the port.
The sea surface rippled into waves, and seagulls screeched as they flew overhead. Experiencing his first ferry ride, Wen Yi was held by Yi Chichi on the deck, his face flushed with excitement.
"The view is beautiful the second time too."
Qin Jiu, standing nearby, gazed at the boundless sea in admiration.
A middle-aged man, also standing on the deck enjoying the view, overheard his accent and laughed, "Young man, you’re from the north?"
"Yes, and by your accent, you must be from the north too."
The familiar accent brought a sense of warmth, and Qin Jiu eagerly engaged in conversation.
Then, Yi Chichi and the others learned the identity of the middle-aged man.
He was an official from a Northern unit on a business trip to the island, though he didn’t specify his position, and they didn’t ask.
He would have a brief rest in Yangcheng, then go to Jiang City, and from there to Tong City. Only after finishing his business in Tong City would he return to Beijing.
Qin Jiu calculated his itinerary and was full of envy, "Sir, your journey is quite extensive!"
