Zeng Nuan was Shen Cong’s college classmate and also her best friend.
After graduating from university, she returned to the capital, and now she and her husband, Liang Feihang, both worked at the National Architectural Design Institute.
In her previous life, because of work, Zeng Nuan hadn’t attended the school anniversary, so she never encountered that great disaster.
Why would things be different this life?
“Why did you suddenly come to Nan’an? Didn’t you say you were too busy with work to attend?” Shen Cong really couldn’t understand.
“Isn’t it because of you!”
Zeng Nuan replied, fuming: “Don’t you remember what you posted on WeChat Moments that day? I was busy and didn’t pay attention, only saw it the day before yesterday. You’re in that situation, so no matter how busy I am, I have to take time to come see you!”
She paused for a moment, then softened her voice: “Congcong, actually going abroad doesn’t necessarily mean you have to divorce. As long as the feelings are still there, being apart for a few years temporarily shouldn’t matter. Just treat it as a test. Why make yourself suffer so much?”
After Shen Cong’s rebirth, she hadn’t posted on WeChat Moments at all.
Not to mention Moments, she had almost completely lost contact with her old friends.
For her, so many years had passed between them, and a lot of things, including past feelings, had gradually faded.
The post Zeng Nuan mentioned, Shen Cong had no recollection of it.
But her words instantly unlocked Shen Cong’s memory, reminding her of the most genuine friendship between them.
“Don’t worry, Gu Kai and I are fine. We’ve already made up,” Shen Cong replied softly, her voice slightly hoarse from emotion.
“Really?” Zeng Nuan clearly didn’t believe her.
She thought for a moment, then suddenly changed her tone, raising her voice: “Seeing is believing! Shen Cong, you come over right now! No way, you trick me into coming all this way, and then you don’t show up?!
Do you know I stayed up almost two nights just to come see you this one time?!
You better come over right now, and stop blaming your mom. Do you want me to call her and ask what ‘don’t go out’ nonsense? Don’t test me!”
Zeng Nuan’s frustration at making the trip in vain was obvious; even through the phone, Shen Cong’s ears were nearly ringing from her shouting.
And she spoke like a rapid-fire machine gun, leaving no chance for anyone to respond.
Shen Cong had no choice but to interrupt her: “Hang up for now. Find a quiet place and we’ll video call.”
With that, she ended the call first.
Shen Cong looked around the warehouse she was in, considered moving, but decided against it. She even took some of the rice, flour, and oil stored in her space and stacked them in a conspicuous spot before sending the video call invitation to Zeng Nuan.
The call connected quickly.
Through the screen, Shen Cong could tell that Zeng Nuan was standing by the driveway outside the hotel, a suitcase next to her.
“Don’t give me any more nonsense excuses. I’ll check in first and send you the room number, but you must come over today,” Zeng Nuan ordered, her eyes wide.
Seeing her friend’s face, identical to how she remembered it, Shen Cong smiled with relief, then grew serious.
She said, “Zeng Nuan, everything I said in the group is true. I couldn’t say it clearly there because too many people were involved. Something big is about to happen, you have to trust me.”
Zeng Nuan raised an eyebrow. “What big thing?”
“I can’t give specifics yet; it hasn’t happened, and no one can be absolutely certain. Just know it’s real. I have very reliable sources saying a major disaster is coming, and there’s a high chance it’ll start in Nan’an.
So listen to me, book a flight back to the capital immediately. Don’t stay there for even a day longer.”
Zeng Nuan’s face immediately paled.
She stared at Shen Cong, stunned by the news.
“Send me your ID number; I’ll buy the ticket. Go to the airport right now,” Shen Cong said without hesitation.
“Wait, wait, don’t hang up! Congcong, explain yourself, why a natural disaster? Why so serious? Where did you get this information? You’re making my legs go weak here!”
“Don’t ask where I got it from. You know our relationship, I wouldn’t trick you about something this serious. Also, when you get back, stock up on supplies if you can. This disaster might not be small; we need to prepare for a long-term struggle.”
Shen Cong turned the camera toward the warehouse.
She panned the lens over the stacked supplies. “These are the materials I’ve stockpiled. I even rented a warehouse just for them. Nuannuan, I’m not joking about this. Trust me and get back as soon as possible to start preparing.”
When she turned the camera back to herself, Zeng Nuan’s expression had shifted from initial surprise to utter shock.
And a deep sense of confusion.
Obviously, Shen Cong’s words had shaken her badly.
Seeing her like this, Shen Cong sighed: “I’ll send you a package in the next couple of days. It’ll have some common medicines, and a few prescription drugs you might not be able to get on your own. Keep them safe, they’ll be very useful when the time comes.”
“Congcong, I won’t ask where you got this information from. Just tell me what I need to prepare,” Zeng Nuan said, having regained her composure.
In just a few minutes, her rational mind had been shattered and then pieced back together.
She mentally reviewed everything she knew about Shen Cong’s family and their social connections.
She thought again about Shen Cong’s cousin’s husband and recalled that he hadn’t been home for a long time since the army was mobilized.
Although busy with work, Zeng Nuan was not completely unaware of the situation outside. Her workplace had already begun vaguely circulating news about potential earthquakes and floods in certain areas.
She hadn’t paid much attention before, but seeing Shen Cong’s seriousness, she realized the situation might be far more serious than she had imagined.
In her previous life, after Shen Cong returned home, her mother had told her that Zeng Nuan had called to check on her after the incident in Nan’an and even tried to reach her through various connections.
But later the communication was cut off, and they couldn’t get in touch again.
This meant that, during the upcoming major earthquake, Zeng Nuan would at least be safe as long as she stayed in the capital.
“Go home first, then bring both your and Xiao Liang’s parents with you. Prepare as many daily necessities as you can, food, water, everything. If possible, reinforce your house. Sleep lightly and stay alert in case of tremors,” Shen Cong instructed.
Zeng Nuan agreed to everything and obediently called a car to the airport. Only then did a weight lift from Shen Cong’s chest.
She knew it was risky to tell Zeng Nuan so much and even show her the warehouse supplies.
But she did not regret it.
On the contrary, if she had only thought of protecting herself and ignored her best friend’s safety, especially if the danger came because of her, she would never have felt at peace.
Just as she hung up from Zeng Nuan, her mother’s call came through.
The moment it connected, Cheng Ru couldn’t contain her excitement: “Congcong, your sister is back!”
“My sister is back?! Where is she? Is she home?” Shen Cong jumped up from her stool, asking in exhilaration.
“Not yet. Your sister said she couldn’t get a direct flight to Beining, only to Qingzhou. They just got off the plane and called to let us know they’re safe so we wouldn’t worry.
She wanted to take the high-speed train back, but your dad wouldn’t let her, so he drove to Qingzhou to pick them up.”
“Right, right, no more transfers. My sister still has the kids with her; going from the airport to the train station would be too much trouble. Has dad left already, or should I go?”
“He’s already gone. I called just to reassure you. If all goes smoothly, they should be back this afternoon. You finish up and come home early too.”
“Okay.”
Hearing that her sister was about to return, Shen Cong could no longer calm herself to stay and fetch water.
She turned off the water hose, planning to leave immediately and first go to the supermarket to buy some treats for her sister and the two little nephews.
But perhaps from the excitement of knowing her sister was safe, Shen Cong felt her body sway as she stood up.
A sudden, indescribable drowsiness swept over her.
Her mind felt fuzzy, her eyelids seemed glued together, and she couldn’t open them no matter how hard she tried.
Shen Cong didn’t understand what was happening.
But she knew there was no way she could make it back like this.
Taking advantage of the last bit of clarity, she pulled a sleeping bag from her space, tossed it on the ground, and only just managed to lie on it before falling into a deep sleep.