Chapter 1155 - 1028: It Has Arrived

Chapter 1155: Chapter 1028: It Has Arrived

As the sun set over West Mountain, a family of five hurriedly finished their tasks.

Joyous laughter from May 1st also resonated through the west wing.

Finally able to rest for a while, their summer vacation was officially beginning.

As for the three brothers, they weren’t really concerned about how much wealth their family possessed. As Ping’an said, no matter how rich, one must study hard; waiting idly for death isn’t an option.

The three brothers squeezed into the back seat whispering to each other, discussing what events to look for to pass the scorching summer.

They hadn’t noticed the serious expression of Zhang Guoqing driving in the front, or the frown on Zhou Jiao’s face.

They didn’t know that this holiday was destined to not be a joyful one, nor did they know what their parents were worried about at this moment.

Like Zhou Jiao, she was pondering whether the rumors spread by the couple in a certain city had fermented? Had their aim been achieved?

Zhang Guoqing was contemplating whether their two-story house was safe, wondering if he should find an excuse for the family to stay elsewhere for a night. But if they left home, how would he receive his friend’s call promptly?

As the car drove into the Big Courtyard, his mind was already planning how to catch his meeting-prone father-in-law, and how to implement his plan smoothly?

July 28th of that year.

A date recorded in history books, a day of mourning for the nation.

At 2 AM, Zhang Guoqing, formally dressed, held his wife’s hand, and the couple sat quietly on the chairs, watching the night sky outside the window, silently waiting for the moment to arrive...

No one knew what Zhang Guoqing was thinking; his face usually adorned with a gentle smile now showed furrowed brows, lips tightly pressed together, but Zhou Jiao could understand, feeling the heaviness in his heart as her hand was squeezed painfully.

The meaning of life felt so heavy...

No matter how many comforting words there were, she couldn’t say them; all she could do was accompany him, while still hoping for a miracle, maybe, maybe history had changed...

Even though she knew how slim the chance was, she couldn’t help but look at the sky, praying for mercy, hoping that even if the moment arrived, her insignificant efforts could save some lives...

No one knew if Heaven would be compassionate.

But it was truly enraged...

The second hand and minute hand on the watch ticked around and around after 3:30 AM, but by 3:41, there was still no movement...

Zhou Jiao was slowly exhaling, and the couple hadn’t had a chance to exchange a smile.

Suddenly the ground began to shake, and the bottle purposely placed on the chair fell to the ground with a "bang," shattering the couple’s last glimmer of hope...

Feeling the tremor even here, it was over, it really came, more terrifying than the devastating earthquake in Ping’an’s previous life, Zhang Guoqing immediately picked up his wife and dashed out of the room...

"Kids, it’s an earthquake, run..."

"Dad, there’s an earthquake, wake up..."

Doors flew open as their sons ran out of their rooms, Zhang Guoqing, in his panic, didn’t notice that the children still had their clothes on.

"Dad, protect Mom, I’ll handle the rest..."

While Ping’an grabbed his two younger brothers and ran down, he shouted alongside Zhou Jiao, "Grandpa, it’s an earthquake..."

The commotion was enough to startle even the ever-alert Zhou Xiaozheng, and it woke Miao Lishan as well.

Thanks to the rigorous training during youth, without waiting for Zhou Xiaozheng to remind her, she grabbed her coat and shouted as she ran, "Quick, protect the children."

Just as she went out, she was dragged along by the Ping’an brothers to the courtyard...

The family stood in the courtyard, still in chaos, as Zhou Xiaozheng’s guards and Aunt Chen arrived on scene, everyone feeling a sense of relief, grateful that it was a small earthquake.

Zhou Xiaozheng worriedly glanced at his daughter, pressed his lips, and swiftly issued orders for everyone to return to their posts at work. He had no illusions; the earthquake zone wasn’t local.

In the middle of speaking, a shrill telephone rang in the deep of night, halting the party ready to run out the door; Zhang Guoqing’s heart lifted with joy and he immediately turned back to run inside...

Xiao Wang and the others showed concern, quickly following, worried about the lack of safety from aftershocks.

Zhou Xiaozheng paused, inserted his hands, following inside, grabbed by Zhou Jiao, "Dad, we heard reports about abnormal signs at Teng Mountain days ago, rumors about earth dragons."

Zhou Xiaozheng touched his daughter’s head and sighed, understanding the recent enigmatic activities, "Don’t worry, Dad’s got this, you take care of the family."

Then he immediately went inside, just in time to hear his son-in-law shouting over the phone.

Once Zhang Guoqing hung up, before he could speak, father-in-law Zhou Xiaozheng commanded, "Get in the car with me right away."

In haste, he saluted, quickly followed them running out from the study, living room, courtyard; in darkness, though he couldn’t see their faces, he could feel their worry.

He took a deep look at them and immediately ran out. How many can be saved, the next period is crucial; the sooner they act, the more people can be saved, while the household could only be entrusted to his wife.

Watching Zhang Guoqing leave, Zhou Jiao inhaled deeply, quickly regained composure, "Ping’an, go to the Cheng Family next door, Liu Yi, you stay with grandma, I’ll get the tent, we’re all staying in the courtyard tonight."

Miao Lishan couldn’t bear to let Ping’an go alone to the Cheng Family, fearing aftershocks, though she didn’t know what Zhou Jiao knew about the lack of impact here, she quickly grabbed Ping’an’s hand, "We’re going together."

Seeing this, Zhou Jiao simply nodded, saying okay, followed by her two young sons to the storage room to retrieve the tent, setting up in the courtyard.

If not for public appearances, she wouldn’t bother, but feared being invited by patrolling soldiers to join others in a safe place later. That’s not what she intended.

She must be home to await Zhang Guoqing’s call initially; such a catastrophic natural disaster, countless supplies couldn’t suffice, yet the medicine she prepared was about to show its worth.

Here, she set up the tent, letting the children rest, but Liu Yi and May 1st couldn’t sleep; they were eagerly chatting with passing friends about the "thrill" just now.

Indeed, it was thrilling!

If they were foolish to suggest their family wasn’t very concerned, everything seemed normal. Didn’t they see even adults were somewhat panic-stricken?

When Zhou Xiaozheng’s car drove out of the Big Courtyard, the atmosphere had already changed; especially with the urgent military horn, all soldiers immediately reported to their units and now only military families were left, how could they not be worried?

No matter where in the country something occurred, soldiers would be dispatched first; among them were their relatives, their pillars. All they could do was gather information, and the Zhou Family became the top choice.

Therefore, as Miao Lishan rushed to the regiment, Zhou Jiao became the sole caretaker for some military families, thankful Old Mrs. Cheng came along, easing her burden.

Soon, the calm military families began restoring order...

The militarized management within the Big Courtyard showed its fullest capability at this moment, in stark contrast to the chaos Zhang Guoqing had witnessed citywide on his way.