"My family was like this, too."

Luo Ye’s words left Zhao Qianqian puzzled, "Luoluo, given your family’s financial situation, how could it be? Haha... um, I..." After asking, she felt she might have overstepped, and awkwardly laughed, pausing there.

"I’m not talking about whether we can support the elderly; I mean even family can have similar conflicts." Sensing Zhao Qianqian’s discomfort, Luo Ye briefly explained.

The best way to bring people closer is to find common ground. After knowing who her father was, Zhao Qianqian became noticeably more cautious in her speech. Since they were going to work together, that attitude wouldn’t do. That’s why Luo Ye, seemingly inadvertently, chimed in.

Zhao Qianqian wasn’t clueless either; after a bit of thought, she understood somewhat. When she looked at Luo Ye again, her gaze was noticeably warmer than before. "Luoluo, should we take the snacks upstairs?" She was referring to Li Baohan’s brother’s place.

Luo Ye shook her head, "Better not. From what we’ve seen and heard, his brother’s family seems pretty reliable. They’re going through tough times; if we go up there with bags of things, it wouldn’t be appropriate."

"Indeed, I hadn’t thought that through." After a bit of thought, Zhao Qianqian understood. Bringing things to Li Baohan’s house was sensible because everyone was familiar with each other and it was already agreed that they would visit. But going to Li Baohan’s brother’s home was unnecessary. Li Baohan was just visiting to discuss matters, not staying there. Showing up like that would definitely draw attention.

The car stopped by the curb under Li Baohan’s brother’s building, and Zhang Chaoyong turned around, "Miss Ye’er, Li Baohan knows me, so let Zhang Guangbei take my place." He referred to Zhang Guangbei.

Luo Ye nodded and got out of the car with Zhao Qianqian.

The dormitory area of the Yuanzhou Mine is divided into an outer and inner courtyard. The outer courtyard is a residential area, while the inner courtyard contains the actual dormitories. The mine workers all have beds in the inner courtyard, where they stay during work. The area that was sealed off was the inner courtyard.

Li Baohan’s brother, Li Baoquan, lived at 7 305. As they walked into the stairway, black coal dust covered everything in sight: on the walls, the stair railings, and the ceiling.

Zhao Qianqian coughed, covering her mouth, and complained, "With it like this, it’s no wonder people get silicosis."

"See, the coal yard is just twenty meters from this building; it’d be strange if there wasn’t coal dust."

Zhao Qianqian looked in the direction Luo Ye pointed. Indeed, opposite the corridor’s vent window were piles of black coal, with about twenty screens lined up and workers busy sifting the coal.

"Let’s go."

"The management of this mine is so unqualified; they don’t care for the workers at all," Zhao Qianqian murmured, following Luo Ye up the stairs.

"Indeed!" Luo Ye echoed, letting out a heavy sigh. In her previous life, the problems of the Yuanzhou Mine were not exposed until 2004. The Planning Committee sent an investigation team, and it was only in August 2004 that the miners started receiving decent treatment. This time, they’re three years ahead.

Reaching the third floor, the staircase faced a household. Two households were on the left and two on the right. The doors were pitch black, and the room numbers on the overhead plates were completely obscured. The two leaned closer for a better look, but saw nothing but blackness.

Seeing Zhao Qianqian peering downstairs, Luo Ye spread her hands, "I checked on the way up; they’re all the same. Let’s try it. According to the way Ludong people number houses, I think the last household on the left is 305."

"Knock knock knock... knock knock knock..."

After a few rhythmic knocks, the black door slowly opened. Standing at the entrance was a woman in her fifties, skinny and dark, her eyes swollen and red, her expression slightly vacant.

Without waiting for the woman to speak, Luo Ye quickly smiled politely, "Auntie, is this Li Baoquan’s home?"

"Yes," the woman replied woodenly, not saying more.

"Is Grandpa Li Baohan here?" Luo Ye continued.

"I am."

As soon as the voice fell, Li Baohan and a man in his thirties appeared at the door.

"Grandpa, it’s us," Zhao Qianqian quickly stepped forward, "Luoluo and I just went to your place. We heard you were here and felt concerned, so we came to see if there’s anything we can help with."

Li Baohan forced a faint smile, "Come in."

This house was about the same size as Li Baohan’s, also a one-bedroom with a living room, though the living room was slightly larger. A thirty-something woman with delicate features hurriedly set down a five- or six-year-old girl from her arms to move some chairs as the visitors entered.

"This is my sister-in-law, my nephew Ligang, and my niece-in-law. The little girl is my grand-niece. This is Miss Luo Ye and Miss Zhao Qianqian, the kind people I mentioned encountering on the road earlier."

Li Baohan made the introductions one by one.

Visiting at this time might not be very welcome, but their mission was urgent and couldn’t be helped. After exchanging greetings, Luo Ye got straight to the point, "Grandpa Li, we came by to see if there’s anything we can assist with. I hope we won’t be a bother to you and your family."

Li Baohan waved repeatedly: "No, no, I’m just happy you all could come."

"Daughter, it’s not that I’m upset with you, but the mine still hasn’t given any real information, and they won’t let us in. It’s hard to describe the feeling in our hearts..."

Luo Ye held the woman’s rough black hand, interrupting her, "Aunt, we understand, we really do."

"Yes, aunt, anyone would be anxious in such a situation." Zhao Qianqian chimed in.

"You’re all kind-hearted, Uncle had been praising you just now, but honestly, this isn’t something outsiders can help with. Money, the mine has already provided, and now we’re just waiting for the rescue. Our hearts are really hanging and dangling..." Li Baohan’s nephew spoke with reddened eyes, "It’s been almost fifty hours now, I don’t know if my dad and Aunt can hold on."

"They can hold on, they definitely can. Even if it’s just for the sake of the little grandson, Baoquan can hold on, and as for your Aunt, she’s also thinking about me. If she were to leave, what would happen to me? She wouldn’t bear to leave me..." Li Baohan muttered on, but judging by his expression, he was petrified too.

"Grandpa Li, this doesn’t make sense, why won’t they let you go to the mine? Your own family is buried down there, how could you not be anxious?" Luo Ye said indignantly.

"The mine manager said we might interfere with the rescue efforts." Li Baohan’s nephew Li Ligang sighed heavily, "But actually, we all know it’s not about impacting the rescue; he’s afraid someone might spill the beans."

"Spill the beans on what?" Zhao Qianqian blinked her large eyes, looking curious.

"Nothing." Li Ligang forced an unnatural smile, glancing towards Li Baohan, "Uncle, you had best go home and check; my sister-in-law and second sister-in-law might be fighting again."

This was clearly a hint for Luo Ye and Zhao Qianqian to leave.

"Then we’ll take our leave, Uncle Li. You have our phone numbers, if there’s anything we can help with, just call. We might not be able to offer much help otherwise, but financially we can manage something."

Luo Ye spoke while pulling Zhao Qianqian out the door.

"Daughter..." Li Baohan followed them to the entrance, sighing, "Daughter..."

"Ligang! Ligang!" *Thud thud thud...* A man, face covered in coal dust and seeming in his thirties, ran up and saw Li Baohan. Immediately he said, "Uncle Baohan, you’re here too? Great, I won’t need to go to your home to inform you, they have rescued everyone from the mine, quickly go check." Before Li Baohan could react, the man was already thudding down the stairs.

Li Ligang staggered as he ran out: "Uncle, did they say the people have been rescued? I didn’t mishear, right?" Behind him, Li Baohan’s sister-in-law stood with trembling lips, unable to utter a word.

"Let’s go, hurry!" Regaining his senses, Li Baohan sprinted downstairs, "Mom, Uncle and I are here, you and Yu Ling wait for news at home." Li Ligang said, running downstairs too, Yu Ling being his wife.

Li Baohan and Li Ligang rushed downstairs, as a taxi screeched to a halt in front of them, and Luo Ye stuck her head out of the car window: "Uncle Li, hop on, we’ll go with you!"

At this point, Li Baohan, naturally, couldn’t stand on ceremony, and didn’t say a word all the way, his head stretching out, eyes full of anxiety...

Ten minutes later, reaching the coal mine entrance, the group of four got out of the car and ran inside quickly.

"Hey, hey... Who are you two with?" The guard chased after them.

"We’re with Li Baohan’s family." Luo Ye and Zhao Qianqian said while running inside, both wearing loose casual clothes, their figures not easily discernible, the guard couldn’t get a clear look at them, hence he scratched his head, eyeing the other guard suspiciously: "Could Ligang’s and Liling’s wives be so tall?"

The other guard slapped him: "Tall or not, you just saw wrong, at this point, who would sneak in just to watch the commotion?"

"That’s true." The guard sighed, "Besides, even reporters being here is no issue, the mine manager has already allowed miners inside, indicating there’s no problem."

When the group arrived at the mine entrance, the rescued miners had already been taken to the mine hospital. Upon hearing that there were no casualties in the accident, Li Baohan and Li Ligang finally breathed a sigh of relief, their expressions softening.

Upon finding the ward, Li Baohan’s wife and Baoquan were still unconscious, and a doctor was recording the instrument data. Seeing someone come in, his expression somber, he asked: "Who are you?"

Li Ligang quickly pointed at the two people with oxygen masks: "That’s my dad, that’s my Aunt."

"These two patients are in stable condition, just fainted from hunger. Once they wake up, come find me in the doctor’s office," the doctor said and then left the ward.

"Thank you, doctor!" The uncle and nephew quickly expressed their gratitude.

---

That’s it for today, just one update. Nu’an’s body hasn’t fully recovered, feeling lethargic with cold symptoms, I’m going to sleep; I’ve already missed full attendance this month, but Nu’an will continue with two updates, asking you guys for support. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation tickets and monthly tickets, your support is my biggest motivation.)