Just then, a local Deng Province constable came over carrying a brimming bowl of porridge, with a few pickled vegetables on top, no less.
"Here, doctor, you must be hungry. We only have porridge, but please have some!"
"Thank you!"
Yi Shuyuan reached out and took the bowl.
"It's the least we can do. Enjoy!"
The constable smiled, then hurried away. Before leaving, he glanced at Chu Hang, finding him familiar but failing to recognize him.
Yi Shuyuan sat on a small stool, holding the bowl. He scraped through the rather thin porridge with his chopsticks, slurped a mouthful along with a slice of pickled vegetable, and swallowed after a few casual chews-or rather, drank it down.
"To think even a few pickled vegetables are a luxury here. Brother Chu, sit a while if you're not in a hurry."
Sitting on the door plank previously used to hold patients, Chu Hang almost instinctively explained the situation to Yi Shuyuan as a member of the relief effort.
"The roads are still difficult to get through, and there are mudslides in many places. The court has been doing everything it can to gather supplies outside the disaster area, but getting them in is difficult. All we can do is concentrate on saving as many people as possible."
"But I believe things will improve soon!"
"I know."
Yi Shuyuan slurped another mouthful of porridge, then glanced toward his shoulder.
"Want a little?"
"No."
Hui Mian couldn't muster any enthusiasm. Of course he knew these disaster victims, especially the children, needed his food more than he did, but understanding was one thing, and feeling miserable was another.
"Oh! These pickled vegetables are actually delicious!"
At Yi Shuyuan's sudden exclamation, Hui Mian immediately craned his neck toward the bowl.
"Really?"
"Seems you still have some