On the fifth day after the earthquake, the entire nation was still immersed in the atmosphere of earthquake resistance and disaster relief.
The situation in the Dongheng Disaster Area dominated almost all the mainstream domestic news.
"This earthquake disaster had a high magnitude and depth, and it affected a wide area. The property loss to the people is hard to estimate, but at the same time, the post-earthquake rescue efforts were the most timely and powerful ever!"
"Mr. President’s personal visit to the disaster area on the second day to understand the situation and even participate in the rescue operations inspired the citizens, who showed unprecedented enthusiasm for disaster resistance!"
"The government’s material relief was timely, and the military’s rescue teams raced against time!"
"Although it was already the fifth day after the earthquake, no one gave up hope; the search and rescue personnel and medical staff at the frontline of earthquake resistance worked day and night..."
The news broadcasts were uplifting.
Wen Nian turned off the TV.
He had just finished a meeting that morning and then held a press conference, where elections and the earthquake became two inseparable and crucial keywords.
After handling everything smoothly, it was already one o’clock in the afternoon.
In the President’s Office of the administrative building, the kitchen had delivered food to the President’s Office, where Tang Xiaohua sat opposite Wen Nian, having lunch with him.
She had also been standing all morning, accompanying Wen Nian.
Despite wanting to stubbornly protest sharing a meal with him, her intense hunger prevailed.
She ate a lot; since joining the military, her appetite had grown significantly, nearly matching Wen Nian’s.
Wen Nian saw her silently burying her head in her food and was pleased but dared not speak for fear of disturbing her "compromise."
"Where is Secretary Qu?"
Tang Xiaohua asked casually.
She hadn’t seen him for the last two days.
"On a business trip."
After Wen Nian replied, Tang Xiaohua did not initiate any more conversation.
After a while, the desk phone rang, breaking the silence between them.
"Mr. President, Ms. Bai Qiantan is waiting outside."
The secretary reported to Wen Nian.
Wen Nian looked up and saw Tang Xiaohua, who showed no reaction and continued to eat her meal, scraping up the last two bites from her bowl before standing up to clear her dishes.
Just as he finished talking, a "beep" sound came from the other end, and Bai Qiantan had already pushed the door open.
"Wen Nian! I’ve come to have lunch with you—"
Tang Xiaohua had already stood up, standing at the edge of the table.
Bai Qiantan glanced over and saw the two sets of bowls and chopsticks on the table; she paused momentarily with no particular emotion and then closed the door while saying with a smile,
"So someone is keeping you company for lunch."
Bai Qiantan walked over with her lunch in hand. "I remember you... Tang Xiaohua, right?"
Tang Xiaohua nodded slightly.
Bai Qiantan hurriedly said,
"Don’t be nervous, and don’t worry; it’s good that you are accompanying Mr. President for lunch. I always worry that Mr. President is so busy with state affairs all day that he wouldn’t have any entertainment or personal life, turning him into a wooden person."
"Mr. President, I’ll step out now."
Tang Xiaohua moved past Bai Qiantan and spoke to Wen Nian.
Tang Xiaohua glanced at Bai Qiantan but said nothing further and left.
The door was closed again.
Bai Qiantan turned to face Wen Nian, who sat silent in his chair looking at her. She gently folded her hands, resting them on her delicate chin and laughed softly,
"What Tang Xiaohua... She is clearly Song Lili."
Wen Nian remained expressionless.
Seeing that her desired reaction was not elicited from Wen Nian’s face, Bai Qiantan was a little disappointed, but...
She opened her lunchbox while saying,
"I just remembered... Song Lili... Three years ago I heard a rumor that Mr. President was already married, and his spouse... was the Song Family’s eldest daughter, Song Lili."