noveltune Chapter 270 Disaster Relief
Chapter 270 Disaster Relief
The straight-line distance from Shanghai to Sichuan is less than 2,000 kilometers, but the convoy traveled for two whole days and one night.
It wasn't because the road was long, but because there were too many trucks in the convoy, making it difficult to pick up speed. In addition, the route passed through several provinces, requiring stops at each service area to check supplies and change drivers, resulting in frequent stops and starts and making the journey much slower than expected.
Lu Ran sat in the passenger seat of the first truck, while Tan Yu huddled in the back. With two drivers taking turns driving, they managed to keep up.
"Brother Lu, what's the situation like in the disaster area now?" Tan Yu pressed his face against the car window, looking at the fields and mountains rushing past outside, and suddenly asked.
Lu Ran did not answer immediately.
He recalled the earthquake reports from his previous life—the devastated ruins, the homeless victims, the heart-wrenching cries, and the selfless rescue workers.
"It won't be too good," he finally said, "but it will gradually get better once we go."
Tan Yu remained silent for a moment, then nodded vigorously.
"Yes, things will get better."
The convoy finally arrived at the provincial capital of Sichuan on the evening of the second day.
Before entering the city, Lu Ran saw the sign at the highway exit from afar – [Dedicated Channel for Disaster Relief Supplies].
Several traffic police officers wearing reflective vests were standing by the roadside, directing vehicles to pass in an orderly manner.
Their convoy was so conspicuous, with more than a dozen large trucks lined up in a row, each with a striking red banner hanging on its side; it was impossible not to notice them.
A traffic policeman jogged over and knocked on Lu Ran's car window.
"Sir, are you delivering disaster relief supplies?"
"Yes." Lu Ran took out the passes and related documents he had prepared in advance and handed them over. "They came from Shanghai, with tents, quilts, food, and medicine in fifteen trucks."
The traffic policeman took the document, glanced at it quickly, then looked up at the size of the convoy, and visibly relaxed.
"Thank you for your hard work." He handed the documents back, and solemnly raised his hand in salute. "Go straight ahead, turn right at the second intersection. There's a temporary supply distribution center there. Get there to make arrangements."
"Thanks."
Lu Ran started the car and drove forward as instructed.
Tan Yu leaned over from the back seat: "Brother Lu, I almost cried when that traffic cop saluted just now."
"You're hopeless," Lu Ran said with a laugh, but he couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart.
The distribution center for supplies was located in a large stadium in the suburbs. The area around the stadium was cordoned off, and armed police were on duty.
When the convoy drove in, Lu Ran saw that the stadium lawn was already piled with all kinds of supplies—tents, folding beds, instant noodles, mineral water, cotton clothes and quilts, stacked like small mountains.
Volunteers in red vests moved among the piles of supplies. Some carried boxes, some pushed carts, and some squatted on the ground to count the items. They were so busy that their feet barely touched the ground.
Lu Ran parked the car, jumped out of the driver's seat, and stretched his stiff back.
After sitting in the car for two days and one night, my bones felt like they had been disassembled and put back together, making creaking and cracking noises.
Tan Yu jumped down from the other side and stretched dramatically: "My back feels like it's going to break."
"With your physical condition, you'll need to train hard when you get back." Lu Ran patted him on the shoulder. "Come on, let's go find the person we're in contact with."
The two walked through the pile of supplies and found the temporary office of the distribution center—which was actually just a few military tents put together. A handwritten sign hung at the door with the words "Supplies Dispatch Group" written crookedly on it.
Inside the tent sat several people dressed in various clothes—military uniforms, red vests, and civilian clothes—surrounding a folding table, discussing something while looking at a map and a list.
Lu Ran stood at the door for a while, waiting for them to finish speaking, before knocking on the tent frame: "Excuse me, we're from Shanghai, delivering a batch of supplies."
Everyone inside the tent turned around in unison.
A middle-aged man in his forties stood up. He had a square face, tanned skin, and wore a faded military overcoat with a red Party member badge pinned to his chest.
He strode over, grabbed Lu Ran's hand, and squeezed it with such force that it felt like he could crush bones.
"From Shanghai? How many cars?"
"Fifteen truckloads," Lu Ran said. "Tents, blankets, food, drinking water, medicine, fifty generators, and some lighting equipment. The list is here."
He handed over the list, which the middle-aged man took, glanced at it, and then suddenly looked up.
"Fifteen truckloads? All delivered by your family?"
"It's a joint effort by several companies," Lu Ran explained simply. "It's a collaboration between Tutu Technology, Xingyao Entertainment, Xingguang Entertainment, Xinghua Entertainment, Shenhua Entertainment, and TUTU's user fundraising."
After listening, the middle-aged man patted Lu Ran's shoulder forcefully, his tone very excited.
"Well done, young man." His voice was a little hoarse. "We've been facing a severe shortage of supplies here these past few days, especially tents and blankets. In the resettlement areas in the mountains, the temperature drops below zero at night, and the people are suffering from the cold. Your supplies have arrived just in time."
Lu Ran's heart tightened, but she didn't ask any further questions. She simply said, "Just tell us what arrangements you need. We'll follow your orders. We can also go into the mountains to provide support if needed."
The middle-aged man was clearly taken aback, probably not expecting the young man to say that.
Many companies have delivered supplies in the past few days, but most of them just unloaded the goods and left, and very few people took the initiative to ask "how to make arrangements".
"Aren't you in a hurry to leave?" he asked.
"No rush." Lu Ran shook his head. "We came here to help. But we also know that we are not professional rescuers, and rushing into the disaster area might only cause more trouble. So we would like to hear your plans first, see where manpower is most needed, and we will cooperate as much as possible."
The middle-aged man's gaze changed as he looked at Lu Ran.
If before it was just a simple thank you, now there is a deep respect in his eyes.
It wasn't a polite thank you, but a heartfelt respect.
"Okay." He nodded, pulled Lu Ran to the folding table, and said, "Come on, let me tell you about the current situation."
He pointed to the map on the table, which was covered with markings in red and blue pencils.
"The epicenter is in this area, and the roads to several townships are still not open. Supplies can only be transported in by carrying them on people's backs and shoulders. A lot of supplies have arrived from outside, but there is a shortage of manpower for distribution, especially for transferring them to the counties and cities below. There is a huge gap in this area."
He looked up at Lu Ran: "These large trucks of yours will come in handy. Tomorrow morning, I'll arrange for people to distribute the supplies to the various counties. You can help make a trip and deliver them to the receiving points below. The road conditions aren't great, but large trucks can still manage."
"No problem," Lu Ran readily agreed.
"Also," the middle-aged man paused, "if you want to help after you've delivered the supplies, you can stay at the resettlement site down there. They're short-handed over there for moving things, setting up tents, and distributing supplies—it's all physical work, not dangerous. But there's one condition—"
He looked at Lu Ran and Tan Yu seriously: "Absolutely do not go towards the epicenter. Roads are still being cleared there, aftershocks are constant, and landslides could happen at any time. Even professional rescue teams are in danger going in; you are not professionals, and you would only cause trouble. I have to say this upfront."
Lu Ran nodded: "Understood. We'll follow your instructions."
Tan Yu nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes, we'll follow your instructions, absolutely."
The middle-aged man looked at Tan Yu, then at Lu Ran, and smiled with satisfaction.
"You two young people are quite rare. There have been quite a few companies coming these past few days, but most of them just drop off their things and leave. There aren't many who are willing to stay and help out."
Lu Ran smiled and said, "It's nothing."
Indeed, many people will spontaneously offer their love and care in the face of national crisis, but if they were asked to stay and provide relief, many would not necessarily stay.
Lu Ran wasn't trying to morally blackmail them; after all, it's already quite an achievement to be able to offer your love and care.
After all, there are still many social parasites who will profit from the national crisis at this time.
Lu Ran couldn't make demands of others; he only asked that his own actions be worthy of his own conscience.
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