City Party Committee family quarters.
Afternoon. Yang Zhaode’s apartment.
Luan Xiaoping sat on the sofa and put her phone down. Yang Zhaode walked out of the kitchen in his apron.
“Xiaoping, who called you?”
“Xiao Bing.”
“Oh, ask him to come over for dinner. It is almost ready.”
“He is at work.”
“What happened? Why are you looking so gloomy?”
“How can I be cheerful when something big is going to happen?”
Luan Xiaoping immediately tells Yang Zhaode about what her son said.
Yang Zhaode frowned. “How come I overlooked the dogs in our estate barking? It is normal for dogs to bark and barking cannot prove anything.”
Luan Xiaoping got mad. “Are you saying my son is lying?!”
Yang Zhaode quickly explains. “No. I don’t mean that. Dogs barking and cats growling do indicate an earthquake is going to happen. But there must be lots of dogs and cats. I think Xiao Bing’s analysis is wrong, and it might be a coincidence.”
Luan Xiaoping retorted. “My son says an earthquake is happening, and it will happen. My son will not joke about such matter!”
“Xiao Ping.” Yang Zhaode felt helpless. He knows Luan Xiaoping well. She trusts her family. “If that’s the case, I will call the Earthquake Administration to conduct another test.”
“They will not find anything.”
“Then what do you want me to do?”
“Get someone to approve and publish my son’s article.”
“This is not a small matter, and it is not as easy as you think.”
Luan Xiaoping looks at him. “Old Yang, are you afraid you have to be held responsible if the earthquake did not happen?”
Yang Zhaode replied. “What are you talking about? I am not scared of anyone, and Xiao Bing is my son. I don’t want him to be in trouble.”
“There will be an earthquake. If you don’t get my son’s article published, you will be putting him in trouble.”
Yang Zhaode is speechless. He poured a glass of water for Luan Xiaoping. “We got to think over this. We must not be rushed.”
“How can I not rush it? My son says the earthquake is happening in the next few days.”
My son… my son…. Yang Zhaode finally knows where he stands in Luan Xiaoping’s heart, and he has no choice. “Xiao Ping, I will tell you the truth. There’s nothing to fear as it’s about time for me to move to the backend at my age. I am not scared of losing my position, but it is different for Xiao Bing. He is still young and a Section Chief at 25 years old. He has a bright future. If the earthquake doesn’t happen after the article is published, his future will be gone. Have you thought about it?”
Luan Xiaoping calmed down.
Yang Zhaode continues talking. “This is for him. We, as parents, are willing to do everything for our children. I hope you and Xiao Bing can calm down and think it through. If you two insist on doing this, I will call to publish his article. I have the authority to do this, and I will take responsibility for it.”
Luan Xiaoping’s eyes turned red, and he held his hand. “Old Yang….”
“Why are you crying?” Yang Zhaode wiped her tears.
Luan Xiaoping is touched. “Thank you.”
“Haha…. Have you made your decision?”
“Yes.” Luan Xiaoping replied. “Call the Publicity Department.”
Yang Zhaode nodded. “Ok.”
Luan Xiaoping calls her son when Yang Zhaode is on the phone in the room.
“Hello, Xiao Bing. It’s settled. Your Uncle Yang agreed to help you.”
Dong Xuebing is astonished. “Really?!” He did not expect Yang Zhaode to agree so fast.
“Yes. He is talking to the Publicity Department and the news agency now.” Luan Xiaoping looks into the room. “Xiao Bing, you must be good to your Uncle Yang in the future. He treats you like his own son.”
“Of course.”
“Old Yang is going to retire, and you must treat him like he is your father.” Luan Xiaoping said.
“Don’t worry. Once Uncle Yang used his connections to publish this article, everything settled. He will be promoted to Bureau Director soon. He might even move up to Ministerial level, and his retirement will be extended.”
“You are exaggerating.”
“He is saving everyone in the City.”
“That means you will be getting the biggest credit as you had written that article.”
“I am not thinking about the credits now. Saving lives is my top priority now. Mum, bring Su Jia and Old Yang’s family back to Beijing tomorrow. Oh, don’t forget Sister Yu and Qianqian. You have their numbers, right? Don’t forget to call your friends and our relatives. Tell them I am treating them to go for a vacation. I will pay for everything. You need to bring them to Beijing and wait there.” Dong Xuebing doesn’t have many friends and relatives, and it’s not a hassle for his mother to help him contact them.
“I can contact them and ask them to go to Beijing. But Old Yang cannot leave, and I….”
“Mum, you are making me worry. You must leave!”
“Alright…. Alright…. I will go to Beijing, and you must be careful.”
“Even an air crash cannot kill me. Do you think I am scared of an earthquake?!”
“Stop boasting.”
Next day.
The latest copy of Fen Zhou Daily is out.
This is the most influential newspaper in Fen Zhou City, and its circulation covers all districts, counties, and villages. All government bodies and state-owned enterprises in Fen Zhou City subscribe to this newspaper.
This is the power of Fen Zhou Daily.
An article on the second page of today’s Fen Zhou Daily created an uproar.
The header states. “Be prepared for an earthquake.”
“Earthquake?!”
“What does this mean?”
“Is an earthquake going to happen? A real earthquake?”
“How is it possible?”
This is a sensitive topic, and it created panic among the residents.
A storm in Fen Zhou City is brewing because of Dong Xuebing’s article.
