In the command center, many strong men, tough and resolute, burst into tears, crying like little children.
"President Su is not there." Xu Qigang pursed his lips, glanced at everyone, and said unhappily, "President Su is experienced, and his ability to respond to emergencies far exceeds that of ordinary people. My judgment is that he chose to parachute the moment the plane crashed."
"What are the odds of that?"
"Sixty percent."
"And the probability of survival?"
Xu Qigang fell silent. In that environment, the chance of survival was less than one percent.
As a result, the atmosphere in the command center turned gloomy again.
"The key now is to see how our search and rescue effort goes. If the search and rescue operation is timely, it can greatly increase the feasibility of survival."
Just as everyone was talking, the curtain of the temporary command center was lifted, and Hai Yunfeng came in with his team.
"Good day, Minister!"
"Minister Hai."
"Alright, no need for greetings." Hai Yunfeng led them to the table and said in a steady tone, "I will now take over the search and rescue operations and serve as the temporary commander."
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
With the Minister of General Political Department personally here, no one had any objections.
*****
The next day, Dean Guoâs office phone was ringing off the hook. Most of the calls were inquiries about Mr. Suâs condition, all from high-profile individuals who could not be ignored. This time, the pressure on Dean Guo was even greater than the last, and it seemed like a streak of bad luck recently.
"Knock knock..." There was a knock on the office door. Putting down the phone, Dean Guo called out, "Come in."
Su Hai came in, and Dean Guo immediately stood up, "You havenât slept all night, why donât you take a rest?"
"Itâs fine." Su Hai looked haggard, rubbing his chin trying to appear more spirited, "How much longer can my father hold on?" He asked bluntly.
"Ten days." Not dying on the operating table was already a blessing. Mr. Suâs condition was very unstable, and he was comatose most of the time.
"Thatâs too short!" Su Hai shook his head, "My elder brother hasnât come back yet; we must find a way to let my father see him one last time."
Dean Guo felt a pang in his heart, his eyes stinging with distress, and he nodded, "Rest assured, Vice Chairman Su, we have already applied to the Ministry of Health to import a special drug from abroad, doing our utmost."
"Alright!" Su Hai stood up, "Make arrangements for the discharge today! Have your doctors and nurses all follow to the compound."
"Yes!" Dean Guo responded.
The old leader spent his whole life in battles and naturally didnât wish for his last short moments to be wasted in the hospital. Had it not been for the desire to see his eldest son one last time, he wouldnât have come down from the operating table last night.
Su Hai left the deanâs office and returned to the special care unit, where he saw Sheng Ning sitting idly on the chair.
"Why donât you rest?" he asked.
"I canât sleep." Sheng Ning shook her head, "How is Uncle? Did they find him?"
"Not yet! Donât worry! Xu Qigang has gone, and he will certainly bring him back."
"Yes! I believe in him."
After speaking, Sheng Ning rested her chin on her knees, wrapped her arms around her legs, and continued to stare blankly.
Seeing her like this, Su Hai felt a deep sense of pity, "Ningning, donât be too sad. Everyoneâs life has its limits. Mr. Su had long said that living to this age and witnessing a peaceful life was already a gain. He has already mentally prepared himself."
"But I havenât had a chance to properly show my filial piety to Grandpa." That was her greatest regret.