Chapter 59

Chapter 59

59

On the opposite side of the bridge, a white car darted out like a ghost. The bus driver jerked in alarm, and brakes screeched as passengers screamed. Xu Chi lurched forward from the momentum, only to be tightly caught by Ling Yu.

Xu Chi lifted his head in haste, but before he could speak, everything spun violently. He vaguely saw the rear door of the bus swing open, cold wind and rain pouring in, before he blacked out.

After a brief moment of dizziness, Xu Chi's eyes flew open to hear a loud splash beside him. The deep-blue bus was sinking into the river while he was held in Ling Yu's arms, floating in the rushing currents.

Xu Chi's pupils dilated in silent shock—the bus had plunged into the river!

Ling Yu clutched Xu Chi tightly, his eyes filled with raw, lingering fear.

They'd gotten incredibly lucky—they were near the door, which had burst open from the force, throwing them into the water. Fortunately, the bridge wasn't too high above the river. Xu Chi had passed out, but Ling Yu had remained conscious.

Ling Yu's knuckles whitened as he clutched Xu Chi, inspecting him from head to toe like priceless treasure. "Xiao Chi, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Even though Xu Chi had already let go of Ling Yu, seeing the undisguised panic and worry in Ling Yu's eyes, his heart gave a little tug.

He shook his head. "I'm fine."

The downpour drenched everything. Apart from the drumming of rain on the river, there was nothing else. The scene on the distant bridge was obscured by the storm, but it seemed like many people were running and shouting.

Ling Yu slicked back his soaked hair, steadied himself, and said to Xu Chi, "I'll get you to shore."

Xu Chi stopped him. "Help the others first."

When the bus fell, aside from Xu Chi and Ling Yu, a few others had also been thrown out—two kids and an old man. They clearly couldn't swim, struggling and screaming in desperation.

Before meeting Ling Yu, Xu Chi had been a total landlubber. It was only after they started dating that he began learning.

Ling Yu had been his coach. Back then, they were still in that sweet, awkward phase. The intimate skin contact in the water had made both of them blush, tongue-tied, cheeks fiery red, unable to even look at each other. Yet, it had been a beautiful memory.

Xu Chi startled at the memory. He thought he had long forgotten those moments with Ling Yu, but now, amid this disaster, those old memories came flooding back.

Ling Yu gave Xu Chi a deep look before turning to rescue the others.

Xu Chi watched as Ling Yu cut through the water like a fish, swiftly moving toward the old man struggling in the water. Xu Chi himself headed for the nearest child.

Rain sheeted down endlessly, like the heavens had split open. Though spring clothing wasn't too heavy, once soaked, it weighed a ton.

In the turbulent river, Xu Chi fought to haul the child to shore. Meanwhile, Ling Yu had not only saved the old man but also brought the other kid to safety.

Then, Ling Yu turned back again. Xu Chi's gaze instinctively followed him and noticed several figures emerging from beneath the water.

Clearly, these were people who had escaped the submerged bus.

They could swim, but after struggling underwater for so long, surfacing was already a feat. Crossing the wide river to shore without help was nearly impossible.

Faced with disaster, Xu Chi didn't hesitate. Following Ling Yu, he soon grabbed hold of a slender young woman who was barely conscious.

Ling Yu seemed to sense it and glanced back. Their eyes met through the storm before they both swam toward the shore.

The spring river was icy cold, and the currents were strong. Xu Chi felt his body temperature and strength draining rapidly. Jaw clenched, he powered through, lifting the young woman until they reached the shore.

The old man and the two kids, though shivering, came to help.

Once the woman was safe, Xu Chi tried to climb ashore, but exhaustion and the freezing cold made him slip. He got dragged under by the current.

In that instant, Xu Chi was engulfed by the shadow of death. Watching the riverbank grow increasingly distant, his mind went completely blank.

Suddenly, he felt a powerful force stopping him, and his drifting came to a halt.

Ling Yu steadied Xu Chi from behind, breathing heavily in the pouring rain, his voice shaky with both fear and relief: "It's okay, don't be afraid. I've got you."

Xu Chi gasped for air, his heart filled with the relief of survival and a surge of gratitude.

In such weather, with such a strong current and his current state, being swept away would have been extremely dangerous.

Xu Chi could feel Ling Yu's broad chest pressed against his back, arms encircling his waist, keeping them both afloat on the water's surface.

Ling Yu kept hold of Xu Chi, lips brushing his ear as he said, "I'll get you to shore."

Xu Chi gave a quick nod. Though his strength was nearly spent, he gritted his teeth and kept paddling, not wanting to burden Ling Yu.

The riverbank was within reach, but Xu Chi's remaining energy was almost gone. The rescued elderly and children onshore strained to grab his arms, but their combined strength wasn't enough to pull an adult ashore.

Xu Chi felt helpless—until he felt someone push him firmly from behind.

It was Ling Yu.

With a final effort, Xu Chi, with help from several people, finally made it onto the bank.