fictionpage Chapter 91 Disaster Strikes
Chapter 91 Disaster Strikes
Chapter 90 Disaster Strikes
Lin Chen grew up in the countryside, and his grandmother taught him early on that beasts in this world are a hundred times more intelligent than humans.
Swallows flying close to the ground, chickens refusing to go into their coops, and dogs barking incessantly at midnight are all signs that the weather is about to change.
Seeing the snakes, rats, and ants swarming up the mountainside like madmen, his ominous premonition grew thicker and thicker like dark clouds, and he was certain that something terrible was about to happen.
"Lin Chen, we really can't go in any further, it's too dangerous."
Lin Chen wanted to venture deeper into the reservoir, but Chen Ya held his wrist tightly. A huge wave had just crashed onto the shore, splashing water all over them, instantly soaking their clothes. A cold wind blew, and they felt as if they were carrying a block of ice.
Just then, Station Chief Ma Boyang caught up, panting heavily, and shouted, "Director Lin, that's enough! It's just a job, not worth gambling with your life!"
Upon seeing Ma Boyang, Lin Chen immediately pointed at the frantically fleeing snakes, insects, and rodents, his voice trembling slightly: "Station Chief Ma, look, all these things are running upwards, isn't that a bit abnormal?"
Ma Boyang glanced in the direction he was pointing, frowned, and then said dismissively, "Hey, Lin Zhuan, what's so strange about that? It's been raining for so many days, the cave is damp, they're just moving to a new place, it's not worth making a fuss about."
As he spoke, he kicked away a panicked rat at his feet, his tone as casual as if he were talking about something trivial: "Things in the mountains are naturally afraid of dampness. If this rain continues for another two days, I reckon we'll see even more."
"Station Chief Ma, people in this world might lie to you, but these animals won't. Their behavior means they must have sensed danger. You must believe them," Lin Chen almost roared.
Ma Boyang clearly did not accept this statement: "Lin Zhuan, you are probably being too sensitive and nervous. We have been stationed here for many years. This mountain is like this. When it rains for a long time, the animals run around and crawl. If you don't believe me, you can ask the other staff at our station."
Chen Ya frowned as well, but still advised Ma Boyang, "Lin Chen, maybe that's really the case. That's how the ecosystem is in the mountains. During the rainy season, snakes, insects, and rodents like to go to dry places. Let's not scare ourselves."
"Scaring yourself?" Lin Chen turned around abruptly, his gaze fixed on Ma Boyang: "Abnormalities are always suspicious. Have you ever seen such a large-scale migration of ants, insects, rats, and snakes? Station Chief Ma, are you sure you've seen it before?"
Ma Boyang stammered again, "It certainly wasn't that big, but it never rained this much before." It was clear that he himself lacked confidence.
Lin Chen, barely able to contain his anxiety, said, "The water level doesn't look high, but the waves are getting bigger every day. The dam was shaking just now! What if—what if the dam's foundation gets soggy from the water, or there are some hidden cracks? If the dam breaks or there's a flood, that would be a huge disaster. Who among us can bear that responsibility?"
"Professor Lin, you're just getting stuck on this." Ma Boyang's face also darkened, and his tone became impatient. "Our dam is made of reinforced concrete. It was inspected at every stage, and experts from the province even came to inspect it. How could we let it slide? If you're really worried, I'll have someone inspect the dam again, okay?"
He said that, but his eyes were full of dissatisfaction, clearly just being perfunctory. Several water station staff members around him echoed his sentiments.
"Director Lin, Station Chief Ma is right. This dam is very sturdy. It withstood a seven-meter water level two years ago."
"Exactly, it's just snakes, insects, and rodents moving house. It's nothing. We've been here for over ten years, and it's like this every rainy season."
"You're being too cautious. Suicheng's water supply depends entirely on this water station. If there's a problem, we'll be more worried than anyone else."
The cacophony of voices was like needles, pricking Lin Chen's heart and making him feel suffocated.
Looking at the group of people in front of him, at their indifferent or perfunctory expressions, he suddenly felt a deep sense of powerlessness welling up inside him.
He clearly sensed something was wrong, and his unease was surging like a tidal wave, but he couldn't produce any concrete evidence.
Water level? It's far from the warning line.
Speaking of the dam body? It looks indestructible.
Snakes, insects, rats, and ants? They were glossed over with the casual remark, "It's normal during the rainy season."
He was like a clown jumping around, standing at the bottom of the dam amidst the raging winds and waves, shouting at the top of his lungs that there was danger, but no one believed him.
Lin Chen clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
The wind grew stronger, the waves surged higher, and the raging floodwaters crashed against the dam with a deafening roar, as if silently mocking his needless worries.
Looking at the creatures still frantically fleeing at his feet, he felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.
What shady things are hidden beneath this seemingly impregnable dam?
On the way back, Chen Ya, in front of Lin Chen, unabashedly took off her soaking wet coat, revealing only a thin white shirt underneath. The outline of her black bra was faintly visible, outlining her alluring curves, and she exuded a fiery vitality.
Lin Chen, sitting opposite her, didn't even glance at her. He didn't notice at all that Chen Ya had deliberately unbuttoned two buttons, revealing her fair skin, subtly seducing him. His mind was completely preoccupied with the dam at Wushan Water Station, racking his brains over what he could do to stop the impending disaster.
Seeing that he ignored her, Chen Ya felt both angry and frustrated, so she could only suppress her temper and try to comfort him: "Lin Chen, let it go. Wushan Water Station is our benchmark project, how could we treat it so lightly? When it was designed, everything that needed to be considered must have been taken into account."
The water level is only six meters, far from the ten-meter warning line, so there's absolutely nothing to question.
"Chen Ya, the water level is not high now, but the wind and waves are strong and the impact is powerful. You should have felt it just now. That seemingly indestructible dam is actually teetering on the brink of collapse and could collapse at any moment."
Chen Ya shrugged nonchalantly: "Even if the dike does break down, it has nothing to do with us. We've done our thorough inspections and taken all the necessary safety measures. We've fulfilled our responsibilities. And look outside, it's not raining anymore. Everything's fine."
Upon hearing this, Lin Chen's heart sank, and his throat felt like it was blocked by something, leaving him unable to utter a single word.
Yes, as long as you fulfill your duties, you have no responsibility.
That's absolutely right.
But now it's not a matter of responsibility, it's a matter of life and death. If work is only for the sake of being irresponsible, then what is the point of this work?
Lin Chen knew that he was once again caught in some kind of internal struggle, which was his weakness. Every time he encountered something like this, he would be tormented by himself.
It was almost five o'clock when Lin Chen got back to the company. Song Jiehui was in a meeting with the government and wasn't there, so Lin Chen went to find Tang Xin first and told her about the situation at Wushan Water Station. Tang Xin was confused and just said, "I can't make that decision. You should go find Director Tan."
Lin Chen then went to find Tan Huasheng.
Lin Chen got straight to the point: "Director Tan, I went to the Wushan Water Plant today to inspect the flood control situation. I feel that the Wushan Water Plant is at risk of breaching its banks. I think it is very necessary to take necessary measures, either to release floodwaters or to reinforce the plant. We can't delay any longer."
Upon hearing this, Tan Huasheng said very seriously, "Lin Chen, don't try to scare us like this. What evidence do you have? The water level reported by the Wushan water station is only six meters. What's so dangerous about that?"
Yes, now every water station and water plant must report the water level to Tan Huasheng every day.
Lin Chen had a splitting headache. What evidence could he possibly have? He could only grit his teeth and shout out his worries: "I don't have any solid evidence! But I saw ants fleeing, snakes and rats migrating, and earthworms crawling all over the place. These are all signs that a natural disaster is coming!"
It's better to believe it exists than to believe it doesn't.
Tan Huasheng criticized sharply: "Lin Chen, are you crazy? How can you bring up such superstitious things? Do you think this is a joke? Besides, is it so easy for the Wushan Water Station to release floodwater? It has to go through multiple approvals and also involves huge risks."
Indeed, the Wushan Water Station is connected to City B. If the floodgates are to be opened for flood discharge, the carrying capacity of downstream tributaries must be considered. Currently, the entire province is experiencing peak and intensive rainfall, with abundant rainfall everywhere. Moreover, the water volume at the Wushan Water Station is truly terrifying. No matter how it is controlled, it will inevitably cause some damage.
Lin Chen was also furious and lost his temper: "Director Tan, animals are sometimes more reliable than people. At least they won't lie to you. My grandma taught me that when I was a child. And Director Tan, you should know better than me that Wushan Water Station has a history of problems. You know about the water quality issues. And last time Zeng Huihuang came, the railing broke and he almost fell into the reservoir. That iron railing was hollow. All these signs show that Wushan Water Station is actually a shoddy construction project with a glamorous exterior but a rotten interior."
With a loud "Bang!", Tan Huasheng slammed his hand on the table and stood up, pointing his finger at Lin Chen's nose as he angrily shouted, "Lin Chen! Do you think that just because Director Song is protecting you, you can be so arrogant and spout nonsense? The Wushan Water Station is a benchmark for the entire province! It's a model among models! And in your mouth, it's become a shoddy construction project? You're absolutely outrageous! I think you've grown wings and want to fly high!"
Seeing his exasperated state, Lin Chen suddenly felt that further words were pointless, and his tone turned cold: "Director Tan, there are no outsiders here. You and I both know exactly what kind of trash Wushan Water Station is. What kind of bullshit benchmark and model is it? It's just garbage. Alright, just pretend I farted today. Goodbye."
After saying that, he turned and left without even looking back.
I'm so tired, damn it.
Do whatever you want, I'm not putting up with this anymore.
That evening, Lin Chen came out of the villa after taking a shower and was drying his hair when a deafening clap of thunder suddenly rang out outside the window.
Immediately afterwards, large raindrops pounded against the glass, and the sky, which had just been clear, collapsed again in the blink of an eye.
Lin Chen's heart sank.
Is it raining again?
The scene I saw at the Wushan water station during the day flashed through my mind: surging river water, countless earthworms, and swarms of rats and ants—
If the Wushan flood control station were to breach its banks, the floodwaters would surge like a runaway horse, instantly engulfing all the villages at the foot of the mountain. During the day, there might be a chance of escape, but it's the dead of night, and everyone is fast asleep; the consequences are simply unimaginable!
Thinking of this, Lin Chen felt a chill run down his spine, and a strong sense of responsibility welled up in his heart.
He had to do something, he absolutely had to do something!
The problem is, the water level at the water station is not even at the warning line, so what can he do?
If he rushes out now and tells everyone that the Wushan Dam is about to breach, will it cause panic? If something really goes wrong, great; but if nothing happens, how will he handle the situation? What kind of punishment will he face?
But human lives are at stake! In the face of natural disasters, everyone is nothing more than an ant!
Lin Chen paced back and forth in the living room. Finally, he picked up his phone and dialed Song Jiehui's number, repeating what he had said during the day in a hoarse voice: "Director Song, I went to the Wushan Water Station today. If this rain continues, the dam may burst tonight. We must take immediate action."
Do your best and leave the rest to fate.
Upon hearing this, Song Jiehui jumped up, his tone extremely serious: "No way, Wushan Water Station is our most important water station. Do you have any concrete evidence?"
Again with the basis? Damn it, Lin Chen was already exhausted and simply said, "I have no basis. Believe it or not."
Song Jiehui said in an unhappy tone, "Lin Chen, how can you talk like that?"
Lin Chenxin was annoyed: "That's how I'll talk."
"9
Song Jiehui: "Then at least give me a reason."
Lin Chen: "The reason is my feeling, and my feeling has always been very accurate."
After a long silence, Song Jiehui finally said, "Well, there's nothing we can do about the water station now. We've done everything we can. At today's meeting, the county also formed a flood control team, and the team leader is Section Chief Liao Shen. Give him a call and tell him that the Wushan water station is at risk of breaching its banks. Tell him to make sure to remind the people to prepare for evacuation."
This was the solution Song Jiehui came up with after weighing the options. If things were really as Lin Chen said, at least he had fulfilled his duty to remind them and could avoid greater responsibility.
Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Linchen immediately hung up the phone, found Liao Shen's number, and dialed it.
After hanging up the phone, he collapsed onto the bed, feeling as if all his strength had been drained, and he didn't even have the strength to lift his hand.
Meanwhile, in several towns downstream from the Wushan hydroelectric station, loudspeakers in villages suddenly blared, repeatedly broadcasting flood prevention notices. Village officials, armed with loudspeakers, went door-to-door, their voices hoarse from shouting: "Get up! Pack your things quickly! Residents in low-lying areas, evacuate to the village office immediately! The situation at the reservoir is critical!"
"What's going on! The rain has stopped, why are we still evacuating? Making a mountain out of a molehill!" someone shouted impatiently.
"Exactly! When hasn't this area experienced torrential rains? When has it ever flooded?"
The village official was so anxious he stamped his feet and yelled into the microphone, "This is an order from above! Better safe than sorry!"
If something really goes wrong, who can take the responsibility?
Fortunately, among these village officials, there are a few who are afraid of taking responsibility.
Four o'clock in the morning.
The night was deep and all was quiet.
On the east side of Wushan Water Station, near the mountain, a piercing "creaking" sound suddenly came from the section of the dam that was cracking cement and steel.
Immediately afterwards, there was a loud "bang"!
Before the water station staff could react, "Boom—!"
The entire northeastern section of the embankment collapsed instantly, as if it were made of paper!