No Ghosting Allowed

Advertisement

As Zhou Qingbo was filling out the relief supplies transfer form, his heart suddenly skipped a beat, as if struck by a mysterious premonition he couldn’t explain.

His signing hand hesitated for a moment, and he instinctively looked around left and right, taking in his surroundings.

Unfortunately, all he saw were unfamiliar and hurried strangers. The smell of disinfectant and rubber gloves hung heavy in the air, emphasizing the heavy and suppressed atmosphere. Amidst the chaos, there was no trace of the familiar figure of Pei You.

“What’s wrong?” The middle-aged man beside him asked. “Is there a problem?”

“…No.” Zhou Qingbo quickly regained his composure, signed his name on the transfer form, and handed the crumpled paper back to him. “This is the first batch of supplies. Although not much, it should be enough for emergencies. We’ll coordinate with the Red Cross for the subsequent donations from Qing Shan — but if there’s any other urgent need, I can also reach out to headquarters.”

The middle-aged man folded the transfer form, casually putting it in the inner pocket of his coat. He then shook Zhou Qingbo’s hand, a formality gesture.

“Thank you very much for your timely help,” the man said. “However, the conditions aren’t good here, and we’re really busy . We don’t have time to properly host you. So, find a safe place to wait for a while. I’ll arrange for someone to take you and the journalists back to the city later.”

The man seemed anxious, and after saying these words, he didn’t even give Zhou Qingbo time to respond. He quickly waved over a young man, instructing him to take Zhou Qingbo to the back.

Every moment after the earthquake is golden for rescue teams. Zhou Qingbo wasn’t concerned with the man’s attitude; rather, he rushed a few steps to catch up.

“Captain, I’m not here to only deliver supplies. I’m here to apply as a volunteer,” Zhou Qingbo spoke rapidly. “Just give me any task. As long as I can stay within the disaster area.”

The captain of the rescue team stared in surprise, turning his head to look at Zhou Qingbo with a puzzled expression.

“You?” The captain’s tone carried a hint of well-placed skepticism. “Are you sure? This isn’t a joke.”

Advertisement

He paused, glanced up and down at Zhou Qingbo, furrowed his brow slightly, and somewhat impatiently said, “If you’re looking to promote your company, go to the supply area in the back. You can have a photographer take a few pictures for you.”

It wasn’t that the rescue team captain was intentionally impolite, but Zhou Qingbo seemed delicate and well-dressed, wearing brand-name athletic shoes. He didn’t look like the type who could endure hardship and hard work.

“I’m sure,” Zhou Qingbo persisted firmly. He followed the captain, walking alongside him, and earnestly said, “I’m willing to do anything—carry supplies, transport the wounded. I might not have professional skills, but I can handle some physical tasks.”

Having just brought a truckload of rescue supplies and speaking so sincerely, the man didn’t want to repeatedly discourage him. His steps slowed, and his tone became a bit more relaxed.

“It’s very dangerous here, and the conditions are harsh. When things get busy, you won’t just be tired, you might not even have time for meals,” the captain said. “Why put yourself through this hardship?”

“To be honest, I’m here to find someone,” Zhou Qingbo said with a bitter smile. “I don’t want to endure hardships either, but I can’t sleep not knowing where he is or if he’s hurt.”

The captain of the rescue team dealt with “accidents” and “disasters” day in and day out, witnessing countless instances of urgency and tears. Upon hearing this, he felt somewhat reassured.

He wasn’t worried that Zhou Qingbo was being impulsive. He was concerned that Zhou Qingbo might be a privileged young man who decided to help in the heat of the moment but would want to leave after a day or two.

Advertisement

Comparatively, people driven by genuine concern might have their own motives, but at least they were guided by an internal compass and were less likely to act recklessly.

The man had seen the heartache of separation, the joy of reunion after long separation. Now, seeing Zhou Qingbo travel from far away, humbling himself to ask for a place among them, he couldn’t help but feel a mix of pity. After a brief hesitation, he slightly eased his tone.

“… then you’ll have to follow instructions,” the man said. “We don’t make exceptions here. If you can’t hold up, you can find your own way back to the city.”

“Alright,” Zhou Qingbo agreed readily. “Feel free to assign me.”

Disaster relief required people, money, and supplies. Zhou Qingbo came with two and a half of those, and eventually secured a spot in the civilian rescue team.

Since the disappearance of Pei You, Zhou Qingbo hadn’t given up on searching for his whereabouts, all the while assisting the rescue team with physical tasks to the best of his ability.

He tried calling Pei You’s office, wanting to inquire about Pei You’s schedule before the incident, hoping to find some direction. However, the office was very strict about employee privacy, and since Zhou Qingbo couldn’t provide valid proof of his relationship with Pei You, he couldn’t obtain Pei You’s schedule.

But even before making the call, Zhou Qingbo had anticipated this situation, so he wasn’t overly disappointed. He simply crossed out that option from his list.

Unable to get information from the company and unable to contact Pei You personally, Zhou Qingbo had no choice but to use the simplest and most straightforward method—gradually tracing their steps based on the information he and Pei You had discussed before.

In the following two days, there were occasional aftershocks in the southern province. Zhou Qingbo was busy with the rescue team, working tirelessly. Apart from helping to clear wreck and debris from buildings, he also assisted in transporting the injured.

Advertisement

He had personally pulled out injured victims from the ruins and rescued survivors trapped in cracks. Unfortunately, none of them were Pei You.

Under the piles of ruins and wreckage, people were buried alive, and every time they uncovered a space, Zhou Qingbo would unconsciously hold his breath, afraid of seeing a familiar face inside.

Paradoxically, he both hoped to find Pei You and feared seeing him in such a situation.

When he first joined the rescue team, he wasn’t very familiar with those around him. He was usually reserved and rarely spoke, focusing on his tasks. At first, the older members of the rescue team thought he was just a wealthy young man messing around, but as days went by, they began to appreciate his efficiency.

Ironically, while in Beijing, Zhou Qingbo firmly adhered to an “eight-hour workday” philosophy, believing that every second of work beyond that was a violation of human life. But these days in the disaster area, he worked tirelessly day and night, barely eating, often snatching a few bites of bread before being called away to carry stretchers. After a few days, he had visibly lost weight.

Perhaps due to his effectiveness or the absence of the airs of a wealthy young man, the older members of the rescue team had started to warm up to him. During breaks, they could even sit around and chat casually with him.

“You’ve been through a lot too,” the deputy captain sat down by a makeshift stove and handed Zhou Qingbo a bowl of rice, saying, “Later, get some iodine and disinfectant. Clean up those minor cuts.”

In the disaster area, rubble from building wreckage was everywhere. Climbing up and down, moving rocks, bending steel bars—inevitably, there were scrapes and bumps. Zhou Qingbo had fair skin, and at a glance, he looked especially miserable.

“It’s nothing,” Zhou Qingbo said. “Nothing serious.”

Those present knew why he was there. After a few days, seeing him grow quieter and more sad, they didn’t know what advice to give. So, someone playfully bumped Zhou Qingbo’s ankle and changed the subject, “Don’t be so tense. I heard that the earthquake warning was timely this time, and the casualties weren’t as severe as imagined. Maybe the person you’re looking for had already left the area.”

Everyone there knew it was just comforting words, but Zhou Qingbo managed to curve his lips, forcing out a faint smile.

“Hey, don’t look so depressed.” Someone nearby couldn’t bear it anymore, tried to lighten the mood, and playfully ruffled his hair. Then, pulling out a small amulet from their pocket, they waved it in front of Zhou Qingbo, saying, “My mom got this from Mount Jiuhua. It’s very effective. Make a wish with it, and maybe it’ll come true tomorrow.”

The red pendant dangled in front of Zhou Qingbo. He instinctively wanted to say “I hope he is safe,” but he couldn’t even bring himself to utter those words, afraid they might touch upon a reality he didn’t want to confront.

But he knew his colleagues meant well. So, holding the warm bowl of rice in his hands, he couldn’t help but look up at the sky.

It was a clear night with a few stars scattered across the sky. The crescent moon hung high, casting a narrow silver border.

Advertisement

Approaching early autumn, the night breeze had a hint of chill. Zhou Qingbo tightened his grip on the rice bowl, feeling a sense of emptiness in his heart.

“I don’t really have any specific wishes,” Zhou Qingbo murmured. “I just hope we’re both looking at the same moon.”