Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s

In 2006, during the summer, at night.

The news broadcast that was supposed to end suddenly got extended.

The news anchor on the TV interrupted with a message, with a sorrowful tone: ”We have just received news that a strong earthquake of magnitude 8.2 on the Richter scale occurred around 2 PM today in Linjiang City. The earthquake’s depth was 36.1 kilometers, with the epicenter located in Jinchuan County, affecting most areas of Linjiang City severely...”

An Hao, who had just finished dinner and was cleaning up the dishes, was so startled by the news that she dropped the dishes with a crash, shattering them all over the floor.

”Mom, what happened?” Ning Chenguang, who had just finished showering, walked out of the bathroom without having time to put on his military T-shirt. Droplets of water rolled down his handsome and clear face, sliding down to his well-developed chest muscles.

”An earthquake! Guangguang, there was an earthquake in Linjiang! Your brother is in Linjiang!” An Hao said, her face pale.

Last month, Ning Chenguang had just turned eighteen and enlisted in the army. He was assigned to Jinchuan County in Linjiang, and now Jinchuan County was one of the severely affected areas. How could she, as a mother, not be worried?

”Mom, don’t worry. Brother will be fine! He is a soldier!” Ning Chenguang comforted An Hao.

”But, he just enlisted!”

”Even though he just enlisted, his skills are almost comparable to those of seasoned soldiers! He has the quickest reactions!” Ning Chenguang was very confident that Ning Chenyang’s abilities would keep him safe.

”No, no! I must call your father and ask him.” For matters concerning the army, An Hao could only ask Qin Jian.

Currently, Qin Jian had become the group army’s commander and was busier than ever managing countless affairs daily.

When An Hao called, he didn’t pick up the phone.

”What to do? What should we do? Your father isn’t answering the phone!” An Hao was anxious like an ant on a hot pan. Over the years, she had become an expert at the affiliated hospital, a top cardiac surgeon. Her professional skills were top-notch across the province and even nationwide. On the operating table, she was extremely calm. Even when a patient’s life was hanging by a thread, she didn’t panic, and her exquisite skills could save their lives.

However, facing her own 18-year-old son, An Hao, as a mother, couldn’t calm down despite all the self-assurance she tried to give herself.

”Dad is now a military district leader, he must be very busy! Mom, don’t worry...”

Before Ning Chenguang could finish speaking, the home phone rang urgently. An Hao immediately answered it, and Ning Chenyang’s breathless voice came through: ”Mom, it’s me, Chenyang. You must have seen the news; there was an earthquake here! But I’m fine, just letting you know I’m safe, so don’t worry! I now have to go with the troops to the disaster area for rescue and disaster relief! I’ll call you again to report my safety once I’m back!”

”Wait! Where are you going?” An Hao quickly asked.

”He Family Manor in Jinchuan County!” Ning Chenyang said and was about to hang up the phone, ”Mom, I can’t say more! All the lines here are down; only this phone is temporarily working. Many warriors are waiting to report their safety, and we’re about to depart to the disaster area! Goodbye!”

The phone call ended.

An Hao’s mind calmed a bit.

”Where did my brother say he was going?” Ning Chenguang asked casually.

”He Family Manor in Jinchuan County!”

”He Family Manor!!”

”He Family Manor!”

Suddenly, both mother and son realized something and exclaimed in unison.