Chapter 0246
Ever since the earthquake, Mukino International has donated materials amounting to two hundred million. In every corner of the disaster area, goods from Mukino International can be seen. Moreover, all medical personnel traveling to the disaster zone from various provinces were transported free of charge by Mukino Airlines.
Mukino International played a pivotal role in the earthquake relief efforts, receiving frequent praise and gratitude from the official media.
Ethan, however, didn't accept any interviews and refrained from commenting.
Currently, he was occupied with aiding the city reconstruction in Nanlin.
The quake was past, but the work to rebuild the fallen homes and streets carried on tirelessly.
Life necessities, food, cotton clothes, and blankets were being delivered to Nanlin City by the truckload from Mukino International.
Twenty-six cities across two provinces were affected by the earthquake.
Nianzhou, Jingzhou, and Haisu, alongside Slandon Port, were ranked as top-tier cities.
Compared to other cities, the rebuilding work led by Slandon Port in Nanlin City seemed to soar on wings.
The Mayor of Nanlin City was on-site with Ethan every day.
Ethan didn't mind the dirt and mess; his supervision was not for the fame but...
To let Madison leave this place as soon as possible.
"Ethan!"
After landing, Madison ran towards the construction site.
Having finished the last transport of medical staff, she now had the chance to rest and quickly sought out Ethan.
The Mayor of Nanlin City chuckled, "President Grant, your girlfriend flew a fighter jet to find you."
Ethan turned around.
From a distance, Madison was in a down jacket, visibly thinner.
Ethan strode to her, pulled her into an embrace, "You can rest today?"
"Yeah." Madison looked up at him, and after a few seconds, "I missed you."
Ethan was momentarily taken aback, not expecting such a confession.
"Why so sudden?"
"You've been here with me for so long, but I never had time for you." Madison held his hand.
Ethan had his own accommodations in Nanlin, specially arranged by the mayor.
Back at his place, Madison inquired, "How much longer will the reconstruction take?"
"Another half month to form the basics. As for the finer details, they will handle it themselves."
Ethan had deployed hundreds of construction crews, working round the clock, which significantly sped up progress.
Even the leaders who came to inspect were thanking Ethan.
Now when official media mentioned Ethan, they prefixed his name with "distinguished domestic entrepreneur."
Such recognition was granted only to those who made significant contributions to the people.
Despite being frequently photographed sitting on the rubble smoking or simply overseeing work, the online response was harmonious.
Netizens affirmed Mukino International's contributions during the earthquake.
Especially a photo of Ethan and Madison standing amid the ruins became hailed as the "Photo of the Year," gracing the cover of the National Record Special Report on New Year's Day. Madison, freshly disembarked from the fighter jet, was stunned to see a clean and tidy city rise from last month's ruins.
Construction vehicles were lined up, ready to depart.
The temporary refugee tents were being collected.
No more cries or despair surrounded Nanlin City. The sky was clear, and the dust in the air had dissipated.
Today was New Year's Day, and Madison came specifically to take Ethan back to Slandon Port.
Before she could gather her thoughts, applause drew her attention.
The Mayor of Nanlin, along with others and many citizens, emerged from a building, holding flowers and teary-eyed. Ethan descended from a vehicle on the left.
The crowd cried as they thanked Ethan and bowed to Madison.
They knew Madison's team by the helicopters flying tirelessly.
This couple had done so much for their Nanlin City.
"On behalf of the citizens of Nanlin City, I offer our heartfelt thanks to you both!" The mayor bowed deeply to them.
Ethan accepted the bow.
The mayor declared, "From now on, citizens from Slandon Port visiting any attraction in Nanlin City will be welcomed free of charge!"
It was a gesture of gratitude from the people of Nanlin City.
Ethan didn't refuse.
After a brief exchange, the mayor went to talk with the mayor of Slandon Port.
Preferring not to get involved with such official matters, Ethan approached Madison, "Ready to go home?"
"Yes."Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
At the moment their hands intertwined, the media present captured the scene.
They had invested money and effort to help Nanlin City.
The couple, who completed the reconstruction in just 39 days, boarded the fighter jet.
As the propellers whirred into motion, every citizen of Nanlin City waved vigorously from the ground.
"Goodbye!"
"Nanlin City will always welcome you!"
"The people of Nanlin will never forget President Grant and Captain Madison! And all from Slandon Port who helped us!!!"
Ethan, who had been calm throughout, found his eyes reddening at these words.
Madison noticed and was surprised.
Once airborne, heading towards Slandon Port, she asked, "Moved?"
After a pause, Ethan admitted, "I
never really thought of myself as a
kind person. Spending all this money, almost incapacitating the company, just for some reputation."
"But seeing their smiling faces just now..."
He paused, looking down at Nanlin City, almost fully restored, "It seems worth it after all."
Madison's heart melted.
Her boyfriend was genuinely kind and upright, and she felt incredibly fortunate.
"So, will the selection race continue when we get back?" Madison asked.
Ethan glanced at her, "Continue with whom? The pilots from those
airlines have been reassigned to.net
other cities. Who's left for you to compete with?"
Madison uttered an 'Oh.' "They haven't left because the reconstruction isn't complete, right?"
Ethan nodded, "Only halfway done."
"Your actions are indeed swift, and the mayor of Slandon Port really cooperates with you. Whatever you say, he does." Madison observed.
Ethan smiled, "I'm paying, he doesn't have to spend a cent; of course, he listens to me."
It was mutual aid and benefit between him and the mayor of Slandon Port.
With such a harmonious agreement, progress was guaranteed to be quicker than in other cities.
"Is it that other cities lack manpower?" Madison inquired.
Ethan explained, "They lack money. How could the government shell out so much money to rebuild two provinces at once? Donations aren't much help, and local entrepreneurs aren't stepping up. The mayor of Yuanchuan is still pestering the mayor of Nianzhou about funding issues."
To Ethan, it was like watching a farce.
Madison laughed, "Ethan, you're adorable."
"How am I adorable?" Ethan looked a little alarmed.
"You even enjoy watching others' predicaments."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, "I'm a normal businessman. Isn't it normal to be amused by competitors' troubles?"