Qi Taiguo led Cheng Su and the others to an open space where many people were already sitting or squatting, waiting.
This was a small county town, blanketed in darkness. The electricity had been cut off, and it was unknown how many casualties there were. Looking far into the distance, many houses had already collapsed.
Some were crying loudly, some groaned in pain, and others were screaming for help.
Cheng Su clung to Qi Taiguo’s arm in fear, pressed tightly against him, feeling her heart pounding chaotically.
Next to them was a mother and daughter—the very two Qi Taiguo had turned back to save. Cheng Su recognized them; they were the innkeeper and her daughter from the hotel.
The innkeeper moaned in pain. Qi Taiguo asked her, and she clasped her abdomen, uncertain if she had been struck by something. The little girl, possibly having been protected during the ordeal, seemed unharmed but was crying out in fear.
Cheng Su glanced at her watch subconsciously; it was already 7 p.m. The sky had turned completely dark. Without electricity or light, it was impossible to make out the situation following the earthquake.
"What do we do?" Cheng Su asked, shivering as she leaned against Qi Taiguo.
It had rained not long ago, and her clothes were soaked through. It wasn’t even April yet, and the late spring chill was especially harmful. She trembled with cold.
Qi Taiguo embraced her, saying in a low voice, "We don’t know if there will be aftershocks; it’s not safe to seek shelter indoors."
No sooner had he spoken than the ground, as if in response to his words, began to shake again.
Cheng Su screamed in fright, clutching his waist tightly.
Qi Taiguo pulled her down to squat, also bringing the little girl close to protect her, waiting for the aftershock to pass.
This aftershock was much lighter than the initial quake, but aftershocks could still cause harm. Buildings that had not collapsed earlier might fall now, and there was no telling if there would be any casualties.
The aftershock was over quickly. Qi Taiguo sat down, holding Cheng Su, and said, "We have to wait."
It was dark already, and without lights, it was impossible to predict when the next aftershock might occur. They could only wait in the open space. Otherwise, moving to other places might mean not being able to take cover in time if another aftershock hit.
Cheng Su nodded in agreement, gripping his clothes, resting her head in the crook of his shoulder, drawing warmth from his body. It felt like a reprieve after a close encounter with disaster.
Qi Taiguo shared this sensation. He was thankful he had quietly followed her; otherwise, might he have lost her?
Thinking back to the scene from just a moment ago, Qi Taiguo felt a wave of dread and subconsciously tightened his hold around her waist, as if only by doing so could he truly feel her presence.
"How did you get here?" Cheng Su, feeling more settled, asked.
When he appeared, she still couldn’t believe it wasn’t a dream, suspecting that everything happening now might be just that. However, the pain in her feet reminded her that it was all real.
An actual earthquake had occurred, and he was indeed by her side.
"You said you had a business trip, and I couldn’t persuade you not to go, so I took leave to accompany you. I was afraid you’d be upset if you knew, so I didn’t tell you. I’m glad I did," Qi Taiguo explained.
Cheng Su’s heart tightened. "I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so willful," she said.
If it weren’t for her insistence on coming, they wouldn’t have faced such a disaster.
"Whether it’s a disaster or misfortune, it can’t be avoided if it’s fated. Everything is Tianyi’s will. Don’t speak like that," Qi Taiguo said, kissing her gently. "The most important thing is, we are together."
Cheng Su’s throat felt tight, and she nodded, embracing him tighter.
"Mommy, what’s wrong? Are you okay, Mommy?" the little girl suddenly cried out.