159: Chapter 159 The Guest's Assistance

When the thick, gray-black smoke pressed toward the North Gate, the walkie-talkies in the plaza erupted in chaos.

"Evacuate the summit! Evacuate the summit!"

"The firebreak isn't finished!"

"We're still about seven kilometers short on the fire hoses!"

"The pressure at the North Gate is rising; all non-essential personnel, retreat!"

Li Li looked up toward the entrance of the mountain path.

The hose team was still pushing upward.

The wildfire could already be vaguely seen from the North Gate entrance.

A Firefighter had just hoisted a hose onto their shoulder when they heard the evacuation order. They hesitated for a half-beat, then gritted their teeth and continued upward.

The fire was rushing downward.

People were being sent upward.

Without water connected and the firebreak unfinished, the people at the summit had no choice but to hold the line.

Li Li set the first-aid kit on the ground and began walking toward the mountain path.

Shen Jue immediately followed.

"Brother Li, I'm going too!"

Ji Shen shoved his water bottle to a nearby staff member.

"Count me in; I can still carry two rolls."

Jiang Shiyu didn't say a word; he bent down to pick up a hose.

Gu Zeyan also took a step forward, his knees wobbling, but he forced himself to stand straight.

Li Li scanned them all.

Enough courage. Not enough stamina.

If they went up now, the rescue list might end up with a string of guest names added to it.

Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Rumu stepped in front of them.

She was still draped in a fire blanket, her face covered in soot, and she tapped her hiking pole against the ground.

"You cannot go up."

Shen Jue was anxious.

"Sister, we can't just stand by and watch. Even though we're guests, we're still part of Luohu Station."

Jiang Rumu turned to him.

Shen Jue held his breath for half a second.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"No."

Jiang Rumu raised a hand and pointed to the mountain path.

"But if you go up to carry two rolls of hose, you'll only make it a short distance at best. What we lack right now isn't a few hot-headed people; it's sustained transport capacity."

Li Li paused.

She was right.

The mountain path was narrow, fire trucks couldn't get up, and the hoses, medicine, drinking water, and tools all had to be carried by people.

The Firefighters were being dragged into the supply chain, meaning there weren't enough hands left for actual firefighting.

Shen Jue scratched his head.

"Sustained transport capacity? Sister, speak plainly; my brain is a bit fuzzy right now."

Jiang Rumu turned to look at Cheng Songyan.

"Captain Cheng, can you contact the command center?"

Cheng Songyan had just run over from the command vehicle, his walkie-talkie still clutched in his hand.

"What's the plan?"

Jiang Rumu didn't beat around the bush.

"Recruit riders in Shenzhen with off-road motorcycle experience."

Cheng Songyan froze.

"Riders?"

"Yes."

Jiang Rumu pointed toward the mountain path.

"Li Li was able to ride a motorcycle up, which proves this path doesn't have to rely solely on people carrying things. Let those who can ride bring the hoses, medicine, drinking water, and tools up the mountain, so the Firefighters can focus on extinguishing the fire and creating firebreaks."

Cheng Songyan didn't respond immediately.

He turned to Li Li.

Li Li nodded.

"Technically feasible, but we need to screen people. Don't let anyone without off-road experience through. With stone steps, sharp turns, and slippery surfaces, having rookies up there will just increase the workload for the emergency rescue team."

Jiang Rumu continued.

"We'll post a video to recruit, the command center will screen them, the police will handle entry control, and the fire department will arrange the routes and supply points."

Cheng Songyan raised his walkie-talkie, then lowered it.

"If civilian volunteers go up the mountain and something happens, the liability is huge."

Jiang Rumu took off the fire blanket and handed it to Lu Cheng.

"That's why we need control, not a chaotic rush."

She paused.

"Extinguishing a fire should never just be the Firefighters' job. The public can do something too—not by rushing into the fire and causing trouble, but by coordinating and filling the gaps."

The surroundings went quiet.

Han Su happened to be walking by with a roll of hose; he paused.

He looked at Jiang Rumu, adjusted the hose on his shoulder, and continued running toward the mountain path.

The few Firefighters behind him didn't shout any slogans. They just kept their heads down and hurried along. This was their agreement.

Outside the police line, tourists and Production Team staff were still standing there.

Some had originally been holding up their phones to film the excitement. After hearing Jiang Rumu's words, some lowered their phones. Some moved half a step closer to the police line. They wanted to help, but were afraid of getting in the way.

Cheng Songyan pressed the talk button.

"Command center, there's a proposal from the North Gate site."

Station Chief Chen Tao's voice came through. "Go ahead."

Cheng Songyan reported quickly.

"The Production Team guests will publicly recruit riders with off-road motorcycle experience online. After arriving on-site and being screened by police and fire personnel, they will transport hoses, drinking water, medicine, and small tools along the North Gate stone steps route. Firefighters can then be pulled from transport duties to focus on firefighting and creating firebreaks."

There was a pause of a few seconds on the walkie-talkie. The wind pushed the smoke toward the plaza, and the smell of burning grew stronger.

Station Chief Chen Tao spoke up. "Report on risk control."

Li Li reached out and took the walkie-talkie from Cheng Songyan.

"We'll only accept those with genuine off-road experience. They must wear helmets and protective gear. Vehicles should preferably be off-road, ADV, or climbing types. We'll register identities and license plate numbers at the entrance, and limit the cargo weight per vehicle to within two rolls of hose."

He glanced at the mountain path.

"The mountain path will have one-way, segmented traffic, with Firefighters setting up three supply points. The riders are only responsible for transport; they will not enter the fire line, will not enter the forest area, and will not participate in firefighting. They will unload at the designated points and then head down the mountain to wait for the next round."

Station Chief Chen Tao paused for half a second. "Wait for command center approval." The connection cut off.

Shen Jue listened, stunned; he opened his mouth to speak but swallowed his words.

He took out his phone. "Sister, what do we do now?"

Jiang Rumu began assigning tasks.

"Everyone, record a plea for help first. No emotional appeals, no slogans, just state the requirements."

She pointed to Shen Jue. "Your fans are young, so it will spread quickly. Emphasize that they must have real off-road experience; don't come just to join the fun."

Shen Jue nodded. "Got it, can't let the e-bike army come and get themselves killed."

"Ji Shen." Ji Shen screwed the cap back on his water bottle. "Here."

"Your identity as an Olympic champion athlete is credible; emphasize safety and emphasize following instructions."

"Got it."

"Gu Zeyan." Gu Zeyan stood straight. "I'll post it."

Jiang Rumu looked at him. "Don't do PR, don't write anything like 'Let's protect the city together.' Speak like a normal person."

Gu Zeyan hesitated, then nodded. "Okay."

Jiang Shiyu held up his phone. "I don't have as many fans as them, but I can post it on my studio's account."

"Post it."

Jiang Rumu turned to Qi Wanyin, He Manzhou, and Su Nianzhi.

"You record the same content, then handle logistics. Contact all the nearby supermarkets, markets, and pharmacies. Water, salt tablets, Huoxiang Zhengqi, ice packs, bread, energy bars—get everything."

Qi Wanyin retied her hair. "I'll go to the pharmacy."

He Manzhou patted her fireproof suit. "I'll carry water. I have professional pride in this."

Su Nianzhi held up her phone and glanced toward Li Li. "Then I'll be in charge of clearing the area?"

Jiang Rumu assigned it directly. "Yes. Find a shaded area for the Firefighters coming down to sit. Don't block the transport route."

Su Nianzhi's hand paused for half a second. "Okay."

Li Li watched as Jiang Rumu divided everyone into different roles in thirty seconds.

Just came out of a wildfire, and her brain could still run processes.

Elite upbringing combined with the quagmire of the entertainment industry, finally forging a battlefield logistics minister. Pretty good.

Cheng Songyan soon ran back from the command vehicle. "The command center approved it."

Everyone looked up.

Cheng Songyan continued. "But the command center judges that not many people will come; Shenzhen has banned motorcycles for many years, so there aren't many riders with formal off-road experience. You can post, but you must emphasize obeying on-site coordination."

Jiang Rumu picked up her phone. "How many people come isn't something we can control, but posting it is the only chance we have."

Li Li opened the recording. Shen Jue leaned in. "Brother Li, you record first. You have one hundred million fans; one word from you is worth more than my company buying three months of hot searches."

Li Li held up his phone. In the frame, his face was still covered in soot, with the police line and Firefighters carrying hoses in the background.

He didn't waste time with a preamble.

"This is the North Gate of Wutong Mountain in Shenzhen."

"The wildfire is moving toward the North Gate. The Firefighters need a large number of personnel to extinguish it, but the transport of supplies is restricted by the mountain path."

"The site needs riders with off-road motorcycle experience to assist in transporting hoses, drinking water, and medicine."

"Requirements: Must have real off-road experience, bring compliant helmets and protective gear, and obey police and fire department coordination. Do not rush into the fire line, do not film videos and cause trouble, and do not treat yourselves as the main characters."

He paused. "Those who want to show off, don't come. Those who want to help, come to the outside of the Wutong Mountain Scenic Area North Gate and stand by."

Video ended. Posted.

Jiang Rumu recorded next. She stood inside the police line, with people busy moving supplies behind her.

"We ask riders in the vicinity with off-road motorcycle experience, while ensuring your own safety, to head to the outside of the Wutong Mountain North Gate to await on-site screening."

"We don't need onlookers, we don't need congestion, and we don't need anyone going up the mountain without permission."

"We need transport capacity." "Please follow instructions."

After she posted, Shen Jue immediately reposted it. Caption: [Don't come to join the fun; if you come, listen to instructions.]

Ji Shen posted: [Former national table tennis team member certified: Safety first, follow coordination.]

Qi Wanyin posted: [Delivering water, and delivering a path, for those on the fire line.]

Gu Zeyan stared at the input box, deleting his text three times. Finally, he posted: [Only come if you have the ability; if you come, follow instructions.]

Li Li saw this post and took an extra look at him.

Gu Zeyan put away his phone. "I didn't add an exclamation mark."

"Noticeable improvement."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me; it makes you seem even more like customer service."

Gu Zeyan was silent for two seconds, then turned to carry water.

The comment section had already exploded.

["Those who want to show off, don't come; those who want to help, come"—this line is too good.]

[Queen Jiang is truly steady, the ceiling of entertainment industry logistics.]

[Gu Zeyan finally knows how to speak like a normal human.]

[Shenzhen has a motorcycle ban, will anyone actually come?]

[Calling the off-road community! Don't let the Firefighters carry it all for nothing!]

[Where would off-road motorcycles come from in Shenzhen? Not many people will come.]

Five minutes after the video was posted, the Production Team's assistant director had already rushed to a nearby convenience store.

He was making a phone call while running. "Boss, I'll take all the mineral water in your store! Yes, all of it! Don't ask who's drinking it, the mountain is drinking it!"

He Manzhou came back carrying two cases of water, her steps frighteningly steady.

Shen Jue was holding one case, and after three steps, he started grimacing. "Sister He, is that case of yours empty?"

He Manzhou turned back. "Two full cases."

Shen Jue looked down at his own arms. "This case of mine is full too."

Ji Shen passed by. "Don't doubt it; there really is a gap between an Olympic silver medalist and an actor who's a glutton."

"Brother Ji, are you scolding me?" "I'm stating facts."

On the other side, Qi Wanyin took Su Nianzhi into a pharmacy.

Su Nianzhi picked up a row of Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid. "We want all of these?"

Qi Wanyin scanned the shelves. "All of them. Also, ask the owner if they have ice packs, glucose, and salt tablets."

Just as Su Nianzhi was about to pay, Qi Wanyin had already scanned the code and paid.

"Sister Qi, I can pay."

Qi Wanyin packed the medicine into the bags. "You're in charge of carrying. As for paying, I happen to still know how to do that."

Su Nianzhi lifted two large bags of medicine, and her arms sank downward. Very good. She had finally managed to hitch a ride on the trend today. By using physical strength.

Jiang Rumu stood by the side of the plaza, phone call after phone call.

"Yes, back baskets, the bigger the better, the kind that can carry fire hoses."

"It's not a film prop, we really need them."

"They have them at the market? Buy them. Buy all of them."

She hung up and dialed the next one. "Little Lu, contact a vehicle and have all the back baskets, straps, and anti-slip gloves bought nearby sent over."

Lu Cheng nodded while holding Xiao Qian. "I've already called a vehicle."

Xiao Chai tried to get close to the Leopard Cat. The Leopard Cat pressed a paw onto its nose bridge. Xiao Chai sat down on the spot.

Li Li took a look. The family hierarchy was basically sorted. Jiang Rumu first. Xiao Qian second. Leopard Cat, temporary consultant, rank to be determined. Xiao Chai is responsible for causing accidents.

Cheng Songyan ran back from the command vehicle. "The first screening point is set at the intersection outside the North Gate. Police will stop the vehicles, and fire personnel will check the protective gear and vehicle condition."

He looked toward the Zhang Xue motorcycle shop. At the shop door, the clerk was hanging the fallen promotional sign back up, moving extremely gently. He was clearly afraid the wind would hit his performance review again.

Jiang Rumu took a large back basket from a staff member and shoved it directly to Li Li.

"Find a motorcycle and carry this up the mountain. Hang two rolls of hose on the bike, put two more in the back basket, plus a case of water and first-aid medicine. Every extra trip counts."

Li Li looked down at the back basket. It was huge. Once he put it on, he could switch from being a firefighting guest to a wholesale mountain goods distributor.

He slung the back basket onto his shoulders. "Got it."

Shen Jue ran over holding two rolls of hose. "Brother Li, should I strap these on for you?"

"Wait for the bike first."

Li Li walked toward Zhang Xue motorcycle shop.

Jiang Rumu called out from behind. "Don't push yourself."

Li Li didn't turn back; he waved his hand. "Don't panic, basic operation."

The clerk had just finished hanging the sign, and when he turned around, he saw Li Li standing at the door with a large back basket on his back.

The zip ties in his hand clattered to the ground. He took a half-step back. "Brother," the clerk squeezed out. "You're not going to want a motorcycle again, are you?"