Chapter 719: Chapter 617 Returning to the Village
Jiang Ning walked beside Qi Xingzhou, the two of them one after the other, separated by only half a step.
The road up the mountain was really tough, everyone was silent, paying close attention to their footing, and no one spoke.
Finally, after completing that rugged section of the trail, and with the rest being relatively flat downhill, everyone’s hearts finally settled.
Jiang Ning slowed her pace.
Qi Xingzhou keenly noticed, thinking she was tired, he quickly whispered: “Are you tired? I can carry you? Or use a stretcher to lift you.”
The professional rescue teams brought a lot of specialized rescue equipment to promptly respond to any emergencies that might arise.
There was even a doctor Qi Xingzhou had invited separately among the entourage.
“No.” Jiang Ning shook her head. She was naturally fit, and after not having to carry Xiao Hua, she felt even more relaxed.
The two of them spoke, only half a fist away from each other.
Jiang Ning looked at the road ahead and suddenly asked Qi Xingzhou a question: “Do you know, that if a mudslide occurs, it’s easy for a second collapse to happen?”
She might as well not have mentioned it, because as soon as she did, Qi Xingzhou seemed to be back at that moment this morning when he received the call from Shen Zha.
God knows how he felt when he learned from Shen Zha that Jiang Ning had been trapped in the mountains all night!
Qi Xingzhou’s eyes instantly reddened.
He suddenly stopped, no longer caring about the dirt and chaos, grabbing Jiang Ning’s wrist, “Next time, don’t leave me behind.”
He meant not to leave him behind.
Instead of saying not to do it again.
While going down the mountain, Jiang Ning was not unaware of Qi Xingzhou’s little resentment.
However, just like everyone was carefully watching their steps and nobody talking, Jiang Ning and Qi Xingzhou also considered this factor, so neither spoke.
Jiang Ning knew Qi Xingzhou was worried about her, otherwise, he wouldn’t have risked coming up the mountain to find her.
She understood his displeasure too.
Originally, she thought his displeasure was because he was mad she had put herself in a dangerous situation, but unexpectedly, his first words were that she had left him behind.
Throughout the journey, his displeasure was nothing else, but simply: Jiang Ning left him behind.
Rather than being angry, it would be better to say he was humbly pleading.
Or perhaps, he was angry at himself.
Why hadn’t he been more resolute yesterday, and gotten on the car with Jiang Ning?
This way, Jiang Ning wouldn’t have had to face these events alone.
Jiang Ning, who usually stunned others, for the first time experienced being stunned herself.
So, it was known that there could be a second mountain collapse, yet Qi Xingzhou still personally came.
Jiang Ning couldn’t describe her current mood, it was as if she wasn’t thinking about anything,
An impassive exterior, a tumultuous interior.
Only she knew, the feelings in her heart were quicker than a mountain flood, more deafening than thunder, grander than the high rolling waves of the ocean.
Something she had only discovered yesterday had sprouted silently in her heart, and unabashedly taken root in her mind, swiftly growing into a towering tree, occupying an important place, and giving her strength.
Jiang Ning tightly held Qi Xingzhou’s hand, someone usually free and untroubled, for the first time realizing that her reckless actions might cause others concern.
“I won’t do it again.” Jiang Ning said, particularly wanting to thank Qi Xingzhou, but felt a simple thank you was too insubstantial.
“No, you haven’t promised me yet.” Qi Xingzhou intensely stared at her.
This time Jiang Ning didn’t hesitate much: “Okay, I promise you, I won’t leave you again.”
Only she knew what this promise meant to her.
With Jiang Ning’s one promise, Qi Xingzhou’s mood shifted from cloudy to sunny.
The two continued down the mountain.
The path was flat, and they chatted as they walked.
Jiang Ning also learned more information from Qi Xingzhou’s lips that she didn’t know.
“You finally came out!”
Shen Zha and others had been waiting early at the mountain entrance, gazing intently.
When they saw Jiang Ning and her party appear, everyone became excited, crowding around to offer warm concern.
Besides Shen Zha, there were villagers and police officers present.
Seeing Xiao Hua being carried by the rescue team, Aunt Tian and her husband hurried forward, grabbing Xiao Hua, cried and laughed.
Upon hearing the rescue team say Xiao Hua wasn’t hurt at all, Aunt Tian and her husband wanted to kneel in gratitude to Jiang Ning.
Everyone knew that if it weren’t for Jiang Ning, Xiao Hua might not have survived last night’s perilous natural disaster alone.
Jiang Ning saved Xiao Hua’s life.
Jiang Ning quickly stopped them.
The scene was a bit chaotic, but joyful with tears.
Shen Zha felt thoroughly relieved to see Jiang Ning safe and sound.
This morning, upon hearing from Shi Qing about the landslide up the mountain, he gritted his teeth and risked calling Qi Xingzhou.
Qi Xingzhou led the rescue team, and clearing the roadblock with the police almost simultaneously, arrived at Sanwan Village.
Along with the police, two geographical experts had come.
Originally, with so many people, they planned to divide into multiple teams to search the mountain. But when the experts said the mountain was unstable and might collapse again, many backed out.
Only Qi Xingzhou went up the mountain straight away with his independently hired rescue team.
Without any hesitation.
Later, the police also divided into two teams to go up the mountain and brought a lot of rescue equipment.
As for the signal flares, it was agreed before ascending that if someone was found, a flare would be fired.
When Qi Xingzhou’s rescue team fired two flares, folks knew someone was found.
The police on the mountain left later, so their speed in retreating was naturally quick.
Everyone waited outside for Jiang Ning and Qi Xingzhou to emerge.
Everyone walked cheerfully towards the village.
One police officer walked beside Jiang Ning and gave her a thumbs up: “You’re really amazing.”
Collapses and mudslides are not trivial, especially in such terrible weather as last night, not to mention a girl, even a grown man like him, or other officials in higher positions would likely harbor fear during such situations.
Jiang Ning didn’t know the police officer’s intricate thoughts, but upon hearing this, she found the officer somewhat familiar. Looking closely, it turned out to be the policeman who took her record yesterday.
She said: “It’s nothing, hope I didn’t cause you trouble.”
The officer immediately replied: “Not at all! You’ve been a great help to us!”
If Jiang Ning hadn’t gone into the mountains yesterday to find Xiao Hua, and safely brought her out today.
If left to them, they certainly would have searched the mountain for a very long time.
This officer had been working for several years, nearly encountering such cases annually, searching for people on the mountain. Sometimes it’s adults, sometimes it’s children.
But whether it’s adults or children, often several days are spent searching, some alive and some found when no longer alive.
Being found alive is considered lucky.
Because some police search for days without any trace, ultimately unable to presume anything but missing.
Jiang Ning spent one night and brought out Xiao Hua. And this was under the obstruction of rain and mudslides.
This feat is truly difficult for others to accomplish.
The police officer admired Jiang Ning immensely.
In fact, not just him, other guests seeing Jiang Ning safely bring Xiao Hua out had mixed feelings.
They were all aware of Jiang Ning’s online presence and her past feats.
But viewing through video didn’t convey the on-site peril or evoke such strong real feelings.
Last night, while lying on wooden beds, listening to the pouring rain outside, thinking of Jiang Ning still in the mountains couldn’t help but imagine, and finally realized her courage and audacity.
If it were them, they couldn’t have done it.
Even Hao Meng, who was always trying to ride Jiang Ning’s popularity, stood afar now, losing such thoughts.
Jiang Ning was brought back to the village like a star being adored.
No matter how much she insisted it was no big deal, the villagers remained enthusiastic.
It was only when Qi Xingzhou mentioned Jiang Ning needed rest, everyone then responded, immediately dispersing.
The police made a simple record with Jiang Ning and prepared to leave, but before leaving, they still did a bit of education on the dangers of entering the mountains during rain for the villagers.
Actually, even if they hadn’t said anything, after such an incident, the villagers wouldn’t dare go to the mountains anytime soon.