Chapter 11: Both in Peril

“You and the baby will be fine, trust me!” Meng Shuyue gently touched the pregnant woman’s tightening belly, soothing her while preparing to assist with the delivery.

A makeshift tent was hastily erected around them.

No hot water, no surgical knife—only Xu Jinhe’s two hands remained.

“Come on, almost there!”

Blood streamed from the woman’s shoulder.

Suddenly, a woman’s agonized scream pierced the tent, followed by the clear, powerful cry of a newborn, breaking through the dark, storm-laden clouds like a ray of dawn dispelling the shadows.

Outside the tent, the stoic men—strong and unyielding—could not hold back their tears, their eyes reddening as tears fell.

Shen Jinxiao straightened his back. When he saw the woman emerge, cradling the infant wrapped in cloth, she seemed to shine with a radiant light, stepping forth from the darkness.

He removed his raincoat and wrapped it around both the woman and the child.

But the woman clutched his collar and burst into tears, her sobs shattered and helpless amid the downpour.

Like the distant chime of silver bells penetrating his eardrums, transforming into countless needles piercing his heart, causing sharp pangs that gripped him fiercely.

Many years later, he could still vividly recall that unforgettable feeling.

It was like an inescapable flutter in life’s journey, like tender shoots breaking through the earth after a spring rain—new life emerging.

That unfortunate pregnant woman, that great mother, perished in the disaster, yet she gave birth to a new life that inspired countless hearts.

The child, swaddled in a military-green coat, was handed over to the rescue team on the boat. As Meng Shuyue stepped forward to board the boat, a loose tile beneath her foot shifted, and she suddenly fell.

At that moment, Shen Jinxiao held the woman's bundle in one hand and picked up his small cloth bag from the ground with the other. Turning around, he saw the scene unfold.

Before he could think further, he reached out to grab Xu Jinhe, but the tiles beneath them collapsed and fell into the raging floodwaters. Both of them were swept away, lost in the turbulent river.

“Team leader! Team leader...”

Only a few guards remained on the ravaged floodwaters, their anxious calls fading amidst the heavy rain.

＊

Train Station.

Song Shiyu and Song Shixuan inquired about the arrival time of the train from Haicheng, only to be told that all trains from there had been canceled. The two exchanged looks and smiled, relieved as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Song Shiyu glanced at the time and hurried toward the state-run hotel.

Tonight, his good friends had arranged a blind date. The girl was said to be a university student, even more beautiful than the one introduced last time.

After greeting his second brother, he immediately claimed the car generously provided by their father and told the driver to rush to the hotel.

Meanwhile, Song Shixuan went to the city library as usual. He took down a book from the shelf on traditional Chinese herbal medicine, quietly observing the young women coming and going.

Over a year ago, while researching the structure of aircraft at the library, he noticed a book pulled from the opposite shelf. As he looked up instinctively, a pure, ethereal face appeared in his vision.

One glance felt like an eternity; he could not look away.

At that moment, his body seemed frozen, unable to move. Everything else faded away, leaving only the girl’s radiant, flawless face before him. Following her every smile and frown, his heart raced uncontrollably.

He followed her gaze along the shelves.

Finally, mustering courage to approach and speak to her, he found she had vanished.

Since then, whenever he had time, he came to the library, hoping to meet her again.

At nine o’clock that evening, when Song Shiyu and Song Shixuan agreed to return home together, they sensed something amiss.

Usually, their parents would be asleep by then, but tonight, a middle-aged couple was present in the house.

After asking the butler, they learned this was the Meng family—the very people who had saved their grandfather.

The brothers greeted them, only to find the Meng couple with red, tear-streaked eyes. Even their usually stoic father had his eyes red for the first time.

“What happened? Is everything alright?”

Song Shiyu asked, puzzled.

Their mother quickly pulled them aside, wary of letting the sons hear.

“Did you hear about the floods in the neighboring city? All trains are stopped. That Meng girl has not been heard from—no one knows if she’s alive. Her parents came here begging for help...”

Before she finished, the two brothers clapped their hands and cheered as if celebrating good news.

“Look at you two, so happy. Maybe the girl is lucky and survived. If she did, you’ll still have to marry her. Wipe those smiles off your faces or your biased father will surely give you a beating,” their mother scolded.

The brothers immediately sobered up. Song Shixuan quickly asked, “Is our eldest brother alright? Did you call him?”

Their mother furrowed her brows, a few wrinkles appearing on her well-maintained face. She replied with worry, “I already called the supply and marketing cooperative in town. A familiar clerk said he would go to the countryside tomorrow so your brother can call back. But the countryside is on higher ground, so it shouldn’t be flooded.”

Song Shiyu shook his head and smirked, “That Meng girl really has bad luck, choosing to leave just now. Now she’s risking her life—it’s tragic.”

“Watch your words!”

Their mother tapped his forehead and hurried them upstairs. Then she returned downstairs, putting on a worried face to comfort the others.

＊

The clock struck six.

Song Shijing stared fixedly at the time on the wall, unable to sleep all night.

He feared closing his eyes and reliving the terrifying nightmare from last night.

It had been a whole day without seeing Meng Shuyue. He felt as if it had been forever since they last met, his heart heavy with unease.

By six-thirty, still no sign of Meng Shuyue bringing him his usual morning tea. He could no longer bear it.

As he got out of bed, he stumbled, overwhelmed by anxiety. His right eyelid twitched uncontrollably.

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door. Song Shijing’s eyes brightened as he rushed to open it.

“Shu...”

His words stopped abruptly when he saw Su Yanyan standing there, twirling the end of her braided hair shyly as she coquettishly swayed.

“Jing-gege, when are you going to call Mom to come get us? After all, I’m yours now...”

Song Shijing widened his eyes. Behind Su Yanyan came the village chief and familiar comrades from the supply cooperative. He quickly covered her mouth.