Chapter 172: Journalist Interview

Chapter 172: Journalist Interview

"What are you doing causing trouble at a time like this? Get them out of here; don’t hold up our team’s work."

The leader of the temporary shelter quickly had the quarreling mother-in-law and daughter-in-law removed, and the child's body was properly handled.

Holding the child’s body in her arms all the time, it’s no wonder something happened.

The recent incident left Ye Xiaoxiao and Zhang Xinyun visibly shaken.

"That freaked me out. Who carries a child’s body around like that?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Good thing you didn’t give her any medicine without checking the situation first."

If we’d given her medicine without checking, it would’ve been hard to explain.

The leader apologized to Ye Xiaoxiao and the others.

"I’m really sorry, and I promise this won’t happen again."

Chu Yunxiao asked: "You two alright?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "We’re fine."

Chu Yunxiao: "Glad to hear it. I’ll get back to work over there."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded.

Though still shaken, Zhang Xinyun quickly returned to her duties.

What had happened earlier today was just a minor incident.

Over the past three days, not only were victims injured, but more military personnel were also falling ill or getting hurt.

Even with minor injuries, they stay on the front lines, but being soaked all day is miserable.

Since Ye Xiaoxiao and the others arrived, the rain has been on and off, leaving even those in safe areas feeling damp—let alone the troops on the front lines.

More and more people are coming for medical supplies.

By the fifth day, the rain had finally stopped and wasn’t expected to return.

Except for the low-lying areas still flooded, most people can go home.

But this is just the start. Homes are soaked, the ground’s caked in mud, and rebuilding will be a huge task.

Ye Xiaoxiao and the others were originally supposed to head back to school.

But local leaders urged them to stay longer, so Sun Zhengyao decided to keep the children here a few more days to help, waiting to leave with the incoming military relief team.

The day after the rain stopped, reporters arrived to cover the disaster and interview survivors.

Ye Xiaoxiao was busy organizing the tent, mostly used medical supplies that needed to be collected and disposed of properly.

The tent flap opened, and someone stepped inside.

She turned, and with a click, the camera’s flash went off.

Ye Xiaoxiao, wearing a mask, was momentarily blinded by the flash.

When she finally saw clearly who it was, she was momentarily at a loss for words.

Xu Jianwen was also surprised to see Ye Xiaoxiao here.

Although she was wearing a mask, he recognized her at a glance.

"What are you doing here?"

Ye Xiaoxiao had hoped he wouldn't recognize her, but Xu Jianwen spoke to her in a familiar tone.

Ye Xiaoxiao didn't remove her mask and spoke to him from a few steps away, "I'm a volunteer from our school, here to help in the disaster area."

If Xu Jianwen had previously harbored any reservations about Ye Xiaoxiao's past actions, he now completely overturned his previous impression of her.

The girl before him was completely different from the 'Hao Xiaoxiao' he remembered.

The old Xiao Xiao would never have participated in such activities.

Caught off guard by the sudden encounter, Xu Jianwen was at a loss for words.

"Are you available for an interview now?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I don't think I need to. The teachers are here; they can speak for us."

Ye Xiaoxiao mainly didn't want to be around Xu Jianwen.

Xu Jianwen insisted, "All volunteers who have come to support have the right to be interviewed."

At that moment, Zhang Xinyun also walked in.

"Ye Xiaoxiao, Teacher Sun is calling you."

"Coming."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded to Xu Jianwen and left the tent.

Zhang Xinyun: "What did that reporter just talk to you about?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "He's an acquaintance of mine. We just talked for a bit."

Zhang Xinyun: "Ye Xiaoxiao, you can even bump into acquaintances in Ning'an County."

Ye Xiaoxiao smiled, "That reporter is also a student from Jinghua University, probably here on an internship."

Zhang Xinyun widened her eyes slightly, "So it's an acquaintance. No wonder he came straight to us. He must want to promote our school."

The reporters who came for the interview were all interns from Jinghua University working at the local newspaper.

With such a connection, even Sun Zhengyao, who usually dislikes superficial formalities, agreed to the interview.

Finally, Xu Jianwen suggested they all take a group photo together.

Only during the photo did Ye Xiaoxiao take off her mask, and she put it back on immediately after.

Xu Jianwen and his colleagues' internships would end in June, and they could return to school with a certificate stamped by their internship unit.

Before leaving, Xu Jianwen hesitated several times but eventually came over to talk to Ye Xiaoxiao.

"You'll be leaving soon too, right?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I will be leaving in another two or three days."

Xu Jianwen had a lot to say, but when it came to speaking, he didn't know where to begin.

"Take care, see you back in Beijing."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded with a calm expression.

Xu Jianwen left with his colleagues.

On the way, his colleague asked, "What's going on? Did you and that young girl get along well?"

Xu Jianwen: "Don't talk nonsense and spread rumors about her. We just had a casual conversation."

Colleague: "Look at you, getting so worked up. We're all students from Jinghua University. If you like her, go for it when we get back. The girl came all this way to volunteer, which shows she's a good-hearted person."

"But aren't you quite close with our colleague Xiao Hao at the newspaper? Wouldn't this be like having a foot in both camps?"

Xu Jianwen didn't want to continue, "I'm not involved with anyone. You'd better focus on writing the article. This news report is crucial for both the newspaper and the school."

The colleague quickly flattered, "That's why we need your help. You're the talented one; who can match your writing skills?"

The next day, the Ning'an County Daily published the news about the volunteer disaster relief efforts.

The newspaper sold very well, being an important source of information for ordinary people.

The newspaper not only circulated in Ning'an County but was also distributed nationwide.

At this time, in Sheng County, not far from Ning'an County,

Lu Hanchuan was also holding a copy of the Ning'an County Daily and immediately recognized Ye Xiaoxiao in the group photo.

The photo wasn't very clear, but he could spot his girlfriend at a glance.

Before leaving, due to a power outage and no restored communication, he hadn't informed her that he was going out to perform disaster relief tasks.

And now, he received such a big surprise.

He had been in Sheng County for ten days now.

The volunteer team was only a day or two behind the military personnel.

Which means Xiao Xiao had been in Ning'an County for at least seven days.

Lu Hanchuan himself was involved in frontline disaster relief, and no matter how hard it was, he didn't mind, as it was his duty as a military personnel.

But Xiao Xiao, he really couldn't imagine her suffering.

He couldn't bear it.

Lu Hanchuan put the newspaper away, and even though he was extremely worried, he had to focus on his work first.

The only thing worth being happy about was that the disaster relief work in Sheng County was completed, and the team was preparing to withdraw.