Chapter 108: Doing Good Deeds without Seeking Recognition

Chapter 108: Doing Good Deeds without Seeking Recognition

"It was really dangerous just now. If someone else hadn’t jumped in again, both children could have been in danger!"

"Absolutely! And the rescuers were a family!"

"Huh? Where’s that family?"

"That’s right, weren’t they here just now?"

It was only then that everyone realized the family who had saved the child had vanished.

Someone pointed down the path leading out of the park and said, "I saw them go that way."

The child's father let go of his wife and daughter and ran after them. He chased them all the way to the park entrance but couldn’t catch up. He had to return disappointed.

On his way back, he met his wife carrying their child, accompanied by a few onlookers.

"Did you catch up with them?" his wife asked.

The child's father shook his head, "Couldn’t catch up."

"We didn’t even get to thank them. How can we show our gratitude?"

"Yeah."

Just then, a woman with a camera hanging around her neck said, "I’m a reporter for the Weekly. I’ve already taken some photos. If you want to express your gratitude, you could do so through a newspaper article."

"A journalist?"

Everyone was a bit skeptical. She looked only about twenty years old, and apart from the camera, she didn’t look much like a reporter.

The reporter approached them and explained further, "That’s right. I can interview you and write an article titled ‘Doing Good Deeds without Seeking Recognition.’ This way, more people will learn about their good deed..."

The reporter continued, trying to persuade them to agree to an interview. Even if they didn’t agree, she could still write the article. It would be better if they agreed.

She hadn’t expected that during her visit to People’s Park to gather material for a report on how ordinary folks spent the National Day holiday, she would come across such a great story.

Fortunately, she reacted quickly, ran over when she heard the commotion, and took several photos.

If this article turns out well, I’ll definitely get a full-time position sooner!

The child’s parents exchanged glances. "This might work..."

...

After making sure the rescued child was safe, Su Zhaozhao and Gu Heng took Gu Xiang and Gu Nian away, without expecting or wanting any thanks.

Gu Heng and Gu Xiang’s clothes were soaked and needed changing.

Under the curious gazes of passersby, Su Zhaozhao asked for directions to the nearest clothing store. Someone directed her through several turns until they reached a small alley.

In the alley was a small clothing shop, more convenient than going to the department store.

The shop had a small sign above the door that read: "People’s Road Street Clothing Store."

The person who had guided them shouted from the door, "Old Yu, I’ve brought you some customers!"

An elderly man in his fifties came out of the shop, a measuring tape hanging around his neck. The old man smiled and thanked the person who had brought them, "Thanks a lot!"

"No need to thank me!" He waved his hand and left.

Mr. Yu looked at Gu Heng and Gu Xiang, who were soaked to the skin, and hurriedly invited them inside. "Did you fall into the lake?"

"Yes."

"Be careful when you go out to play, okay? Kids shouldn't go near the lake. Fortunately, your dad was there."

Su Zhaozhao glanced at Gu Xiang. Seeing the state of the father and son, anyone would think that the son had fallen into the lake and the father had jumped in to save him.

Who would have guessed it was the other way around, and the boy had nearly gotten himself into serious trouble trying to save someone else!

The thought made Su Zhaozhao feel a wave of fear.

She was also angry, mad at Gu Xiang for overestimating his capabilities.

She would deal with him later!

The ready-to-wear clothing store didn't have much in stock. It was more like a tailor shop, with a cutting table and sewing machines. There was a row of shelves along the wall stacked with fabrics.

They seemed to sell both ready-to-wear clothes and fabrics, and also offer custom tailoring.

Mr. Yu was the only one in the shop. After assessing Gu Heng and Gu Xiang's sizes, he quickly took down two sets of clothes and handed them two towels. He pointed to a small room in the back and said, "You can change in there."

Gu Heng led his son, who was looking down under his mother's gaze, into the small room, and the two of them soon came out changed.

Mr. Yu asked, "Do you need some shoes? They're not fancy, just something my wife made herself."

Gu Heng had remembered to take off his shoes before entering the water, but Gu Xiang had jumped in fully clothed, and his shoes had gotten wet too.

Su Zhaozhao said, "We need a pair. Could you please get a size 37 pair?"

Mr. Yu took out a pair of hand-stitched cloth shoes.

Su Zhaozhao took a look and saw the stitching was fine and tight. "Great workmanship."

She handed the shoes to Gu Xiang.

Mr. Yu smiled. "I've been doing this for most of my life. I can only rely on this skill to earn a living."

After paying, they left the shop carrying their wet clothes.

"Let’s go eat first," Gu Heng said.

After a morning of playing and the recent ordeal, everyone was hungry.

Gu Heng led the way, and they ended up at Li Ji's, as planned. Before coming, he and Su Zhaozhao had agreed to take the kids there for a meal. Despite the hiccup, they stuck to their plan.

Entering such an expensive restaurant and ordering such pricey dishes, the siblings didn’t dare to say a word or show any concern, because they knew their mother was upset.

Their father seemed upset too.

But not as much as their mother.

Gu Nian cautiously glanced at her parents, then looked at her brother under the table and nudged his leg with her finger.

Gu Xiang just shifted his leg, giving no other response.

Gu Nian: "...I’m not dealing with you anymore!"

While waiting for the food, Gu Heng spoke up, "Tell me what happened earlier."

Gu Xiang understood he was being asked to explain.

"When I came out of the restroom, I heard a splash..."

Upon hearing the splash, Gu Xiang rushed towards the lake. As soon as he rounded the reeds, he saw a little girl struggling in the water. Without hesitation, he sped up and dived into the lake.

"I tried to pull her up, but she kept hanging onto me, and I couldn't free my hands..."

Gu Heng asked him, "Before you jumped in, did you think you were able to save her?"

Gu Xiang lowered his head, "I thought I could..."

Su Zhaozhao, with her arms crossed, said, "You thought? I think I can fly, but have I?"

"..."

Gu Xiang lowered his head even more.

Su Zhaozhao continued, "Do you understand what it means to act within your limits? Do you know what self-awareness is? How old are you? If there hadn't been other people on the shore and we didn't know you were in the lake, and we went searching for you somewhere else, did you consider the consequences? Would you still be sitting here eating with your parents and sister?"

Gu Heng said, "Your intention to save someone was not wrong, but..."

As soon as he finished, Su Zhaozhao shot him a sharp look.