The aftershock lasted only a few seconds, much shorter than usual, and the tremors were not strong.
But in just those few seconds, the building in front of her collapsed, and she just stood there watching as someone called out to her, telling her to seek refuge in the plains, away from buildings.
The voices of people, startled by the brief tremor, became a hazy background noise.
Tang Xiaohua felt... as if her heart had collapsed as well.
What the hell, how could this...
Without caring if she was stable on her feet or if there would be another aftershock, she rushed to the collapsed building, scrambled half-way around the rubble, found a hole big enough for half a body, and crawled through it,
"Wen Nian! Wen Nian! Wen Nian!"
Qu Yu managed to steady himself, turned around, and saw Tang Xiaohua already crawling through the hole!
"Tang Xiaohua! It’s dangerous!"
Qu Yu furrowed his brow, his wife was driving him crazy. Just a minute ago, she had been lambasting Mr. President left and right, and the next, she was risking her life diving into the ruins!
"Go rescue them! Hurry, rescue them, the President is in there!"
Qu Yu shouted to the rescue team, his shout drawing the nearby journalists and media as well!
Some were risking the danger to run here, while others, fearful of the next aftershock, stayed in the safe zone.
"There’s a hole here! Hurry up!"
Qu Yu urged, anxiously watching the rescue team from the outside.
His heart had sunk to the bottom; if Mr. President really had an accident here, he would become a major culprit!
Qu Yu clenched his fists; in the morning, when Mr. President suggested going immediately to the earthquake-affected area, he had strongly disagreed.
In the morning, he and Tang Xiaohua had thought the same, assuming that Mr. President wanted to personally visit the disaster zone to prepare for the upcoming election with his condolences and concern.
Qu Yu felt that this was not highly necessary, not only that, but it was also quite dangerous.
Natural disasters cannot be stopped by human effort.
Earthquakes are merciless and wouldn’t spare someone for being the President of G country.
But Wen Nian’s words woke him up,
"Not campaigning, but protecting votes."
Before the presidential elections, natural disasters occurring in the country were not uncommon, varying in severity, but due to the elections, any major events during this period could become a topic for presidential candidates.
"The former President Luo Ling, despite his accumulated achievements during office, failed to win re-election, because that year a devastating flood struck the southwest region, with heavy casualties and poor rescue efforts."
At the time, Qu Yu hadn’t expected Wen Nian to suddenly bring up President Luo Ling’s example.
"Natural disasters can’t be blocked, but the response of the rescue efforts must be in place! Pass the orders down the chain of command. Without ensuring this, someone might interfere, only by timely delivery of relief supplies can the scale of casualties be minimized."
"My presence there shows the utmost importance of this matter and gives certain people no opportunity to take advantage."
Qu Yu hadn’t thought as meticulously as Wen Nian...
—Politics is not a battlefield for the young to win.
This was what a political veteran once told Wen Nian when he first participated in the elections.
Most people agreed with this; those who play politics are meticulous, far-sighted, and when caught in political schemes, one small move affects the whole, engaging in constant deceit and strategizing, where no step can be taken lightly.