In just one day, the news that they would soon have to evacuate spread like wildfire, leaving everyone on edge.
Fortunately, no chaos broke out.
Hedong was still under partial military control, in a wartime state. Soldiers could be seen everywhere, and the atmosphere was tense. There was little chance of things getting out of hand.
At dinner, Chen Dawei asked about it.
Chen Shouyi said,
"It's nothing much. There are some safety concerns in Hedong, so it's being designated a military exclusion zone. Everyone has to evacuate!"
"Where will we be sent?" Mother Chen sighed. Fortunately, they'd been through this sort of thing many times over the past two years, so she wasn't too alarmed.
It was just that the restaurant had finally begun to take off, and business was booming. Having to leave it behind again was bound to sting a little.
It wasn't about the money. Their family wasn't short of cash these days.
To them, the restaurant was a source of pride. Running a successful place with an excellent reputation felt wonderful, didn't it?
And they'd never find those lovely customers again—the ones who were always so kind and knew just what to say!
"I'm not sure yet. I'll call and ask in a bit!" Chen Shouyi said, swallowing a mouthful of food. He didn't mind where they moved; it was all much the same to him.
After dinner, he called the provincial government. A few words later, he hung up.
"We're going to Zhonghai. We leave the morning after tomorrow."
"Zhonghai? Isn't that far away?" Mother Chen said, then remembered something. "Oh, right. Go visit your aunt. Tell them they can come with us when we leave!"
Chen Shouyi had no objection. He soon arrived at his aunt's home and was welcomed inside like an