Chen Shuyu reopened his restaurant several days after the destructive earthquake on May 12. Business has become normal in many other restaurants and supermarkets.

"Now, many restaurants have reopened." Chen said. In Mianyang, a worst-hit area in southwest China's Sichuan Province, restaurants like Chen's seem to be busier than before as they provide food for many quake-affected residents and volunteers who came to help with relief work.

"I will offer them discount for the food as many of customers are quake-hit people and volunteers," said Chen.

Life is returning to normal in the city, although rescue and relief efforts are still underway in many quake-hit areas of the province.

There has been no long queue of drivers at gas stations in the city, a sign of enough fuel supply.

"Currently, fuel is enough," a gas station worker said.

Most supermarkets and department stores in the city also restarted business.

The government was checking the residential buildings, said 64-year-old Zhu Wenzhong. He said if his house was not listed as a dangerous one, he would go back home.

"Everyone is eager for a quiet life just as that in the past," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2008)