CHAPTER 178: 172 WORLDLY AFFAIRS, EXCEPT FOR LIFE AND DEATH

"I’m fine." Chen Ying waved her hand weakly. "I just wanted to know how you and Yanyan are doing. By the way, where’s Yanyan?"

"He’s over there; it’s not suitable for him to come here." Tian Sangsang changed the subject and held her hand. "Let’s wait; someone will come to rescue us. Or I’ll find a way to go out and find help."

"It’s no use." Chen Ying, who had never experienced an earthquake, suddenly started crying in despair: "This house didn’t seem that big before, but once it collapses, people can’t get out at all. Sangsang, are you scared? I almost died of fear. Why? Why did the earthquake happen?"

Chen Ying’s face was ashen and silent. She felt awful, especially her feet, which were almost numb. There was a rock blocking her chest, making her breathing labored.

"Don’t be like this." Tian Sangsang’s eyes sparkled with hope as she encouraged her: "In a few days, when the country realizes we’ve had an earthquake here, they’ll send rescue teams to save us. Our country won’t abandon its people. We have to hold on, hold on until they come."

Chen Ying sighed mournfully. "How do you know so much? Are you sure they won’t just leave us to die?"

"It’s true."

"But..." Chen Ying’s voice carried a sob. "Wouldn’t it take several days? With so many days without food or water, can we make it? I can only hold out for a day or two. It’s pitch black and so dusty here—who knows if there’ll be another quake within those days? It’s terrifying."

"We can make it. Just think of your brother, think of your parents, and you’ll have the strength." Tian Sangsang pulled out a rosy apple from behind her, speaking softly: "I happened to have access to a few things in the room. Take this apple; eat it when you’re hungry. Later, I’ll find you some water—I can manage that. Look at you; Yanyan isn’t even crying and whining like you."

Chen Ying choked with emotion, looked at the apple in her hand, and shook her head. "I can hold on. Earlier, I was just trying to scare you a little. I haven’t experienced an earthquake before—had to cry a bit, you know? Give the apple to Yanyan, save it—who knows how many days we have to endure."

Tian Sangsang placed the apple in her hand and smiled. "I’ve got more—an entire basketful. Trust me, this one’s for you. If you need more, come ask me again. I’m going to check on Yanyan now—call me if anything happens."

"Sangsang."

Suddenly, her clothes were tugged. Chen Ying’s faint voice floated out: "What’s really wrong with Yanyan? Tell me the truth."

"He’s fine." Tian Sangsang turned her face away, her cheeks streaked with tears. "I’m really leaving now. Remember, if anything happens, call for me. Yingzi, stay strong too!"

Cher Ying’s condition wasn’t much different from Meng Shuyan’s.

Buried in the rubble, unable to distinguish day from night, Tian Sangsang held the sleeping Meng Shuyan in her arms. She had no idea how much time had passed or what was happening outside. Meng Shuyan had woken briefly at some point but lacked energy. Tian Sangsang gave him some glucose from her hidden stash. He regained a bit of vitality but quickly fell back into a deep slumber. Periodically, Tian Sangsang picked up pieces of rubble to tap, hoping to send signals to the outside.

Elsewhere, the entire village had been leveled to the ground. As the earthquake struck midday, most people were at home, leading to widespread entrapment. Among those outside the ruins were Chen Ming, Tian Tian, Zhou Zheng, and a sparse handful of others.

After the earthquake, there had been a few aftershocks. When the aftershocks ceased, a heavy silence fell.

Chen Ming organized the other few men to attempt a rescue. They stood exhausted before the collapsed houses, breathless and worn out.

"It’s no use; we can’t keep going. If we do, the buildings might collapse again," Chen Ming said.

The others nodded fearfully in agreement—they couldn’t risk further movement. Despite their tremendous efforts, every attempt seemed to trigger more collapses.

"What should we do? What can we do?" Tian Tian, her dress now filthy, asked amidst sobs. She couldn’t bother with appearances, consumed by fear. "Why don’t we all go to the township and take shelter? We can’t stay here! We can head to town—find the police and bring them here!" She’d never fulfilled her dreams in this lifetime—she couldn’t die in this cursed place.

Chen Ming looked at her in disappointment. All she thought about was herself and running to town, never once mentioning her family.

Zhou Zheng sat slumped on the ground, gazing at the desolation around him, suddenly laughing coolly. "Fine then," he said. "Fine—let’s all die in the earthquake together and start over. I’ve had enough of this godforsaken place."

Perhaps consumed by hopelessness, Zhou Zheng began speaking recklessly.

The other villagers stared at him angrily. They were honest farmers, not daring enough to curse at an educated man, but now their ire had reached its peak.

One of the villagers spat on the ground, scolding, "You bastard—if you want to die, we’re not dying with you."

Zhou Zheng cursed back, jumping up as if ready to fight. Chen Ming promptly kicked him in the leg, sending him to the ground in pain. "Stop arguing. Those who want to head to town can go to town."

Glancing into the distance at the wreckage all around, he shook his head. "But the township..."

The township must have also been hit by the earthquake. Such a powerful quake had surely reached the township too. Yingzi, Yanyan—and Tian Sangsang. Surely Tian Sangsang could hold on? She’s always been the one to bring a sense of security.

Would they make it, Chen Ming wondered?

Tian Sangsang looked at Meng Shuyan’s increasingly pale face in her arms, feeling utterly helpless.

"Mommy... Daddy... where are they..." he murmured weakly as he opened his eyes.

Tian Sangsang cupped his little face, soothing him gently. "They’re coming soon, Yanyan. Hang in there, okay? Do you feel unwell anywhere?"

Meng Shuyan wanted to say he felt unwell all over—floating and scared—but he shook his head lightly. He didn’t want his mother to worry.

"Is there anyone out there? Please save us—save my son, save Yingzi..." she shouted hoarsely.

"Is anyone there? Please hurry..." Tian Sangsang’s voice grew raspy from shouting, her breathing gradually strained. It’s at the brink of death that certain thoughts become vividly clear. At this moment, she had one piercing thought—to live. She had to live. Nothing is more important than survival. What did past heartbreak matter? What did all the grievances she once fretted over matter? Ultimately, in the grand scheme, apart from life and death, everything else is trivial. To have someone extend a helping hand in this moment—nothing could be more precious.

Sangren County experienced a major earthquake, approximately magnitude 7.2.

Two or three days later, rescue teams nationwide hurried toward East Sea Province. Countless medical professionals, emergency supplies, and essential resources were being dispatched to the disaster zone in an unending stream. The military was heavily involved. However, ahead of the nationwide rescue efforts, the local military forces from East Sea Province arrived first.

At this moment, military vehicles streamed into the disaster-stricken area, their soldiers carrying enormous responsibilities.