Earthquake! (Part Two)

Morning.

The time of the earthquake drew closer.

A call came through to Dong Xuebin's phone.

It was Wang Yuling, sounding frantic. "Director! It's me, Xiao Wang!"

Dong Xuebin asked, "How's the evacuation going? Have the people at all dozen-plus locations been moved out?"

"Not... not yet," Wang Yuling said. "We've run into a problem here."

Dong Xuebin's face darkened. "Why isn't it done? How long has it been? Carry them out on stretchers if you have to—

"just get them out!"

"Almost everyone at the other locations has been evacuated, but... Director Zhou and I are in an alley of single-story houses.

"It's the last place on your drill plan. The houses are old and falling apart.

"If an earthquake hits, they won't survive. But many residents refuse to leave. We've

"been trying to persuade them for over half an hour, and they're still sitting inside. They won't listen

"to us!"

"Wait there. I'm coming!"

Dong Xuebin had expected this. Evacuating residents was never going to go

smoothly. Some people were bound to refuse.

In the car, Dong Xuebin kept checking his watch. They were running out of time!

The earthquake was almost here!

Huai'an East District.

An alley lined with single-story houses.

The moment Dong Xuebin's car entered, he heard people arguing.

An elderly man angrily pointed at the Street Office staff. "Why should

"we leave when nothing's wrong? An earthquake? They debunked that on TV! Who are you trying to fool?"

Zhou Yanru said patiently, "Sir, our office has received an evacuation notice. This is

"for everyone's safety. Please cooperate with us."

Wang Yuling added, "That's right, Old Cheng. Please hurry."

Old Cheng snorted. "Leave if you want! We're staying!"

Several residents behind him chimed in. "Exactly! They just want us gone! Then

"they can demolish our