Dawn of a New Era

Chapter 622 596: Zhonghai City

In just one day, the news of the impending evacuation spread rapidly, and everyone was filled with anxiety and unease.

Fortunately, no chaos broke out.

Currently, Hedong is still under semi-military control during this wartime state, with soldiers visible everywhere, creating a serious atmosphere, so even in times of disorder, things cannot get too out of hand.

During dinner, Chen Dawei brought up the topic.

Chen Shouyi replied:

"It's nothing serious, it's just that there are some safety concerns in Hedong, and it's going to be designated as a military zone, so everyone needs to evacuate!"

"Where are we going to be evacuated to?" Mrs. Chen sighed. They had experienced such situations often in the past couple of years, so she wasn't overly panicked.

It was just that the restaurant was finally doing well, and business was booming; now they had to abandon it, which was understandably distressing.

It's not about money—after all, the family doesn't lack money nowadays.

The restaurant is more of a career for them; running a successful and well-reputed establishment was something to be proud of.

Those polite and amiable customers who speak kindly—they would never find them again!

"I'm not sure yet; I'll make a call and ask later," Chen Shouyi said, swallowing his food. He wasn't particularly concerned about where they were moving, as it was all the same to him.

After dinner, he dialed the Provincial Government's number, spoke a few words, and then hung up:

"We're going to Zhonghai. We leave the morning after tomorrow."

"Going to Zhonghai? That far?" Mrs. Chen remarked, then something crossed her mind: "Oh right, you should visit your aunt's house and inform them to leave with us when the time comes!"

Chen Shouyi naturally had no objections and soon cycled over to his aunt's house.

He was immediately treated as an honored guest, warmly welcomed into the home.

"Ah, Auntie, no need to pour tea; I'm just sitting for a moment and then I'll leave," Chen Shouyi said, quickly getting up from the sofa to decline as he saw his aunt pouring tea.

"What's the rush?" Auntie smiled, continuing to pour the tea regardless.

"You've become such an important figure; how come you have time to visit today?" His cousin Chen Yuwei sat nearby, casually resting her hand on Chen Shouyi's shoulder, teasing him with a smile.

"It's all just reputation; no matter how important I am, aren't you still my sister?" Chen Shouyi said humbly.

"That's more like it!"

"Have you eaten yet?" Auntie asked, handing over tea.

Chen Shouyi quickly stood up to take the teacup and said, "Already eaten."

After chatting for a bit, Chen Shouyi soon got to the point of his visit.

Auntie hesitated for quite some time but ultimately declined politely: "My workplace has arrangements too; we'll be allocated housing, so we won't go with you all."

She knew full well that following her uncle's family meant she wouldn't suffer any hardships, with housing not being a concern at all.

For Shou Yi, it was a simple matter.

But she didn't want to take advantage of such opportunities; since her uncle's family became successful, they had grown somewhat distant. Except for attending New Year's, she had not visited, nor had she broadcast that Shou Yi was her nephew.

Chen Shouyi tried persuading her a few times but found it was no use, so he didn't insist any further. After finding out about Auntie's workplace, he planned to reconnect later.

...

On the third day, early in the morning.

A truck and a black sedan parked at the gate, and four military martial artists jumped off the truck.

"Hello, General Manager Chen!" One officer saluted, "At the command of our superior, we are here to assist with your relocation."

"No need to trouble yourselves... But I appreciate your efforts." Chen Shouyi stepped forward and extended his hand.

"Not at all, not at all!" The officer seemed somewhat taken aback, his face flushed red with excitement, and he was slightly unsteady, trembling while shaking hands... This was the hand that could kill the Barbarian God:

"To... to serve General Manager Chen is our... our honor!"

...

"Dad, there's no need to bring the furniture; they will surely make arrangements there."

"Mom, why keep basin, toothbrush, towel, and such?"

"Why are you being so annoying? All these good things, why leave them behind? Have you packed your things?" Seeing Chen Shouyi chattering non-stop next to her, Mrs. Chen grew a bit irritated by his incessant nagging.

I had already packed everything.

Throwing everything into space, the task was done in seconds, efficient and hassle-free.

Chen Shouyi opened his mouth, but in the end, he obediently said, "Then I'll go back to the bedroom."

...

At eight o'clock, the convoys began to set off.

On the road, the trucks formed a seemingly endless line, busy and bustling.

Sitting in the luxury sedan, Chen Shouyi looked back at the gradually receding Hedong, feeling a vague sense of melancholy. This city, where countless memories were made, was likely to be seen for the last time by him; the next time he would come, maybe only ruins would remain.

Zhonghai is not far from Hedong, about 150 to 160 kilometers in a straight line.

After almost four hours of slow travel, the vehicles entered Zhonghai City.

This once most prosperous city of the Great Xia Country, now lay in ruins, scarcely better than Hedong.

The roads were riddled with potholes, and ruins frequently appeared on both sides, indicating that the city had also faced numerous disasters over the past two years.

"So Zhonghai has ended up like this too!" Mrs. Chen said, a trace of inexplicable melancholy on her face.

Chen Shouyi knew his mother was from Zhonghai, and so were his uncles, but he had never returned since he could remember, nor had he met them.

He had heard that the fallout after their grandmother's death caused a major falling out, and their relationships with the uncles had been strained, with no contact for more than a decade.

"Why don't we see them when the time comes?" Chen Dawei suggested.

Mrs. Chen hesitated for a moment, nodded gently: "Meeting them would be good; it's been so many years."

Chen Shouyi and Chen Xingyue exchanged a glance but said nothing.

They decided not to get involved in the older generation's matters.

...

After passing through an extensive industrial area, the vehicle drove into a residential area.

This area was clearly newly built, with very few pedestrians seen on the streets; after the mutation, logistical limitations, employment impacts, and security issues made what once were towering cities unlivable, prompting a massive population shift to the suburbs.

Before long, the car stopped at the gate of a villa.

"General Manager Chen, we've arrived!" A soldier driving the car said respectfully.

Several people opened the car doors and got out.

There was already someone outside waiting to greet them.

"I'm Zhang Feng, the Vice High Official of Zhonghai, and on behalf of Zhonghai City, I welcome General Manager Chen." A middle-aged man approached with a broad stride, greeting them enthusiastically.

"High Official Zhang, you must have waited long, I'm sorry for the trouble." Chen Shouyi stepped forward, well accustomed to such scenarios from extensive experience.

"It's as it should be; as it should be, after we learned General Manager Chen would be coming, our entire city government anticipated it eagerly. Originally, the High Official planned to come personally, but at the last minute, an issue came up. He specifically instructed me to ensure that General Manager Chen experienced the warmth and sincerity of Zhonghai City, making you feel at home."

"You're too kind!"

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, High Official Zhang also shook hands with Father Chen and Mrs. Chen, then tactfully excused himself. Now was clearly not the time to linger, but in the future, there would be plenty of opportunities.