area51novel Chapter 21 Hope Worth Fighting For
Chapter 21 Hope Worth Fighting For
The snow fell heavier and heavier, and the wind grew colder and colder.
As dusk fell, the streetlights in the square were turned on.
In the wind and snow, buses and military trucks marked with "Emergency Evacuation" signs arrived in an orderly manner, and then drove away smoothly, fully loaded with people, heading to underground shelters that could withstand the severe cold and provide centralized heating and electricity.
"Auntie, please go first."
"Little kid, watch your head!"
"Let me get this for you."
Li Xiaming saw the last resident off to his car, watching the door slowly close, shutting out the wind and snow, before slowly starting the engine.
He stood there, watching the lights of the convoy disappear into the distance, and exhaled a long puff of white breath.
"You must be exhausted after working for several hours."
Lu Yi came up behind Li Xiaming and patted him on the shoulder with a smile.
Li Xiaming looked down at his fingers, which were numb from the cold due to the snow and mud stains, and said:
"I am indeed a bit tired, but when I think back on what I have done, I feel that it is very meaningful, and suddenly I don't feel tired anymore."
Lu Yi nodded.
"We launched Project Candle Dragon to build underground shelters and protect all our compatriots and comrades. This is all for the sake of this meaningful cause, to live up to the trust our compatriots have placed in us."
Li Xiaming nodded heavily.
He witnessed the apocalypse, and now he is witnessing something stronger than the apocalypse, something more resilient than disaster.
The silent protection of the nation and the most genuine kindness among ordinary people, the brilliance that shines forth, is the deepest and most moving power of this civilization in the face of disaster.
The wind and snow continued to howl before him, but Li Xiaming knew that some things could never be frozen by this glacier.
……
……
The next day, Li Xiaming came again as a volunteer to help evacuate the residents.
After all, large-scale population relocation is a sophisticated and massive systemic project, especially for a large city like Anhai.
Even though the government has mobilized all available buses, military trucks, and special transport vehicles in the city.
However, it is still unrealistic to complete the evacuation of a million people in a single day under such harsh conditions of sub-zero temperatures and icy roads.
However, no matter how troublesome it may be, the University of Tokyo government will not abandon any citizen. Everyone will be sent to the underground shelter after registration.
Their ID card data will also be synchronized to the central system in real time to ensure that every person who enters the University of Tokyo shelter system can be traced.
This will also provide a basis for the distribution of supplies, medical care, and even production, work, and education to the public.
This time, Li Xiaming once again joined the support team for the relocation of residents as a volunteer.
With the experience from the previous day, he was more efficient today. He not only quickly completed the work in his assigned area, but also had time to guide the new young volunteers in assisting with the evacuation of residents.
Busy from dawn until sunset
Li Xiaming, following Lu Yi's assigned area, finally completed the task.
The intense command work and the low temperatures after a continuous day left them physically exhausted.
None of them had eaten lunch, and they were all quite hungry.
Therefore, everyone decided to go to the nearby Anhai City Third Underground Shelter for rest.
This was Li Xiaming's first time entering the underground shelter built by the state for the people.
The entrance here is heavily guarded, and a huge ramp extends downwards.
As you drive inside, you can feel the temperature rise significantly. Although it's still a bit chilly, it feels much warmer than the freezing cold outside.
The group got out of the car and jogged into one of the large canteens in the underground shelter.
The area here far exceeded Li Xiaming's imagination; it was several times larger than the largest school cafeteria he had ever seen during his student days.
This place occupies a huge, reinforced underground space with a high ceiling, and bright LED lights illuminate it as if it were daytime.
It was lunchtime, and the cafeteria was bustling with activity. As far as the eye could see, the long lines of people waiting to pick up their food resembled a winding river.
Li Xiaming and several other volunteers who came off duty together wore striking bright yellow volunteer vests, while Lu Yi and other soldiers wore military uniforms.
He stood out among the crowd of people in the cafeteria, all dressed in dark or plain winter clothes.
They had just entered the cafeteria and hadn't even had a chance to line up when they were noticed.
"Look! It's those young comrades in yellow vests, and our People's Liberation Army soldiers!"
Someone shouted excitedly, and the people in the queue all turned their heads, their eyes falling on Li Xiaming and his group.
"Oh, it really is them! Young comrades, you've worked so hard!"
"This young man helped me carry my luggage downstairs yesterday, thank you so much, young man!"
"Come over here, you've been waiting for quite a while, haven't you? Let's eat first, let's eat first!"
"Yes, yes, let them go first! They've had a long day, they need a hot meal more than we do!"
The voices of the people came from all directions, not loud, but sincere and warm.
The crowd spontaneously and kindly parted to the sides, clearing a small space at the very front of the long queue.
Several women standing closest to the food window even smiled and waved at them.
"Come on, come over here! No need to queue, let's eat something hot right away!"
Li Xiaming and his companions were momentarily at a loss, and quickly waved their hands: "No need, no need, we're not in a hurry, everyone can take their time queuing..."
"What do you mean no rush! Let's listen to everyone!"
A kind-looking middle-aged woman waved her hand and said:
"You've been out in the cold wind all day, running around for everyone, so don't be so polite now."
Eat quickly, get some rest, replenish your energy, and you can help more comrades!
Upon hearing this, Lu Yi patted Li Xiaming on the shoulder and said:
"You can't refuse the crowd's hospitality, so don't hesitate, let's go."
Li Xiaming and several other young volunteers had no choice but to walk somewhat embarrassedly to the food serving window under the kind, smiling gazes of the crowd.
Behind the window were several cooks wearing white aprons, masks, and hats. As soon as they saw them coming, they immediately served them food.
"You've worked hard, young comrades!"
"Here you go, today we have braised pork belly with potatoes, cabbage, and glass noodles. I'll add extra meat for you!"
A large spoonful of braised pork and potato chunks, glistening with rich sauce and looking incredibly tempting, is firmly placed into the serving dish, the portion being significantly larger than the standard serving size.
The cook next to me, who was in charge of serving the food, also filled a box with rice without hesitation, and even pressed it down slightly on top.
Despite the large quantity, no one felt dissatisfied; everyone felt that Li Xiaming and his group deserved it.
"Is that enough? If not, have another spoonful!"
The cafeteria worker asked heartily.
"That's enough, thank you, Master!"
Li Xiaming quickly thanked them, feeling the plate was so heavy that he couldn't even lift it with one hand.
Holding this "extraordinary" dinner, steaming hot, Li Xiaming and Lu Yi found an empty seat and sat down.
Lu Yi handed him a bowl of instant soup with egg drop soup floating on top and said:
"Eat quickly!"
"Now that I'm warm and have energy, I need to go and move on to more comrades."
"Um!"
Li Xiaming nodded and began to shovel rice into his mouth, feeling a sense of mission growing in his heart.
Even though the wind and snow on the surface are still fierce, here, in the underground shelters filled with people.
There is still an undying hope here, which is worth fighting for and protecting.