Blazing Armor

Last night, Beijing was hit by a heavy, refreshing rainstorm that quenched the lingering heat of late summer and early autumn in a single night. It felt as though the whole world was breathing more freely.zgxyoXsGIPzXkZTHIgUZZXclJEfsjn

nrYJPSCrJItyUTH

The weather after the rain was cool and pleasant. The entire squad was in the training field for a special drill, preparing for the annual combat competition.vNwTZmVYdlGIZkqWqMbFHNHloJvvGY

UNRCDxUsDUVuQVV

In the past, Ren Yi would always sign up for a few team and individual events at the competition. But since becoming the squad leader, he hadn’t had much time to train, and competing against a bunch of teenagers and early-twenties recruits didn’t feel appropriate. However, both he and Qu Yangbo would still participate in some team events to maintain collective honor.qSfVCxddiHhCxRGoWqzmaXoNtAWvyr

woLLHiiqUVqbgqM

Just then, the alarm suddenly rang.ngArDMTIinisFaCuXwjteBIdOpvJVl

gEfftlPvKgdxcRl

Ren Yi looked at the group of soldiers, dressed in their firefighting suits and doing weighted runs with breathing apparatuses on their backs, and grinned, “Let’s go. At least we don’t need to change.”soKrNEzUEqoGtpLXUFeHIahFZXNcHl

ZkCOMgWjvbVyLgD

The group quickly rushed into the garage. The on-duty communications officer ran up to Ren Yi and reported, “Captain Ren, workers have been poisoned during sewer maintenance.”GdQxTBrMEBwFXfGwNojOtHfOFixSRO

jIrGBAyArkhpiIQ

Ren Yi shouted, “Switch to rescue gear!”ygMNzJnHsYmnURGxMxKpbJYQInhKTR

DgUkGKSdnNrOodt

The soldiers let out a collective yell and swiftly started changing clothes.XmkELOaClOrYtpdKqqKimqapXkOWpr

wQewedECpVCcsUG

They had two standard uniforms for responding to incidents. One was the dark blue fireproof suit with reflective strips they were currently wearing—heat-resistant, flame-retardant, and both bulky and heavy. The other was the orange rescue suit, more lightweight and suited for non-fire emergencies.RyGjoWkleSZyqMjlrnPfRIzbtHHtko

SWAHUdHKhyLByZI

“Got it.”cYxYZQSHqBUHOAZseCfqxIlFjaQsrq

PGtXQScDzBMsKtN

After switching outfits, Ren Yi drove the rescue truck and ladder truck towards the residential community indicated on the dispatch sheet. At the same time, he called the person who had reported the incident: “Hello, who are you? Are you the person in charge of the community?”kHpmgBJvORCpnKsegJSdVnCQJZNNjy

aUfHEUEVRCewjLI

“I-I’m not, I’m just a security guard.”kGnDyiqmVprnbqCSavGDwBGbpElETK

yeXVdVeAMSPpNQv

“Tell us what happened.”SFEJoMJwpNXBdnTTPdhxpvEPKFfNgy

oXFsfJaZnHoJrop

“Our community floods every time it rains heavily, so we sent people down to fix it. Three people went down and didn’t come back up, and then…” The guard stuttered nervously, “We sent another three to rescue them, and they didn’t come back either.”BNAUUOVkotqJjkAALjylClCDBlKFZq

aRGzzHjUYdZOEMh

“Don’t send anyone else down!” Ren Yi barked. “Before sending people for repairs, did you pump the water? Did you ventilate the area? Did the people going down have safety gear?”QuGUeiHiQnhyargTnGaWjItNPnElZF

iddbRZpzXhtmTMC

“I-I don’t know, I’m not in charge of that.”uhJbrhgKdCzKhhEPuXtMkUHLFRbcwO

hVYFPnKPAXORMoT

“Then where’s the person in charge? Where’s the property manager?”xNlSNIARYnkAkTgljnJZEXzZgRVuPW

toUtnVMIeAedsrF

“They’re nearby…”QPRrfwRwfroyyXLhLWxgiYHGLGepsx

qGXAjxEBtaUMFcP

“Wait there and don’t make any more moves!” Ren Yi hung up, cursing, “Every damn year this happens, and every damn year we warn them.”boiZAhpfBDDskqukXGHCkAClaDEEAm

ZgWSEeGDvGGuPJw

Gao Ge sighed, “Every year we warn them, and every year it happens.”AJjmctjOdihdpbwaRvZpuijXLdiwwa

mrDOqGJXapQKzwc

The rescue truck pulled into the community. A crowd had already gathered around the sewage well, and the property management and security guards were futilely lowering ropes into the well.zogUFoPbfqJeIJrLNkQJJTZHVhTHJr

fEnmlOalkphoImS

Ren Yi ran over with his team. The stench rising from the sewage well was so foul it could knock someone out. He looked down into the well—it was narrow, with murky water sloshing around at the bottom, its depth hard to gauge. He shouted, “Where’s the person in charge?!”GTJmbNPkxlotVdMXGlLBDaCOugPdIU

bsMDeDTxDoDClTR

A middle-aged man walked over, his face pale with fear. “I-I’m the manager.”ACVwSbtytIKQrYJNzAOMJdWJBTQCeF

ZbHfDBieNsAOATW

“Did you send people down there?” Ren Yi glared at the manager, his tone fierce. “Did you not pump the water before sending them down?”SPIdyJKnrQAJwOLbSuDfXSiEqXONNF

aISjZlTzsHUauXB

The manager trembled as he replied, “The water… the water wasn’t deep. The workers said it wasn’t deep when they went down.”IchPfHPHneIARjAAuFjwfUTmjIIpax

aJKAPzVNDlXkCkE

“And did you ventilate the air? Were they wearing masks?”tswyEYSOjIENOYDpJshcacmHAAUPsC

ucdqLeaDaaAVYks

The manager shook his head. “They had masks… and they had a torch! The fire didn’t go out, so there was oxygen!”pPOqlzYkWUZRuWlarYtamUDgnQNViG

rcHawhqytwYydDM

Ren Yi took a deep breath. In a long-sealed sewage well, the air is usually thin, but having oxygen doesn’t mean it’s safe. There could still be poisonous gases—methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide—all of them deadly.CmjuMDmRVOpavswgmShcxgyDyrGdBl

InMAlwuOozzEsjq

Most of the workers sent down to these wells are laborers, with no knowledge, no experience, and no equipment. If the management is also clueless, then they’re just sending people to their deaths. Every year, there are many accidents caused by illegal well operations.hprvhgXtIYZuyuOLEctcGYsUyvuZES

OKyrOucttxHbWjc

Ren Yi crouched down and measured the opening of the well—about seventy to eighty centimeters in diameter. With the breathing apparatus, it would be hard for someone of his build to fit. He commanded, “Sun Dingyi, Liu Hui, Awen, Xiaotao, Xiaoqian, you five are slim. Get the ropes ready.”RdpkwHdIcCGAqvLkurLhXcCVQPttsy

TNGJbRkqxeSsFDn

“Yes, sir!”VZicPNZnHePFrQufRaesAnQsUIpshs

yLARUxqiEnmOFCa

Li Sa started filming with the camera. Recording the scene was part of the special unit’s duty.cqwnRsbZGMSOnIswdlDkTJlDEUATIY

JtCeqqnNVGePicM

The soldiers helped tie ropes to the five men. Sun Dingyi led the way, ready to descend.lqMmMjYepbzswTszuXcOqvwWoztusz

wWOjxKRvMcXdxWb

Suddenly, Ren Yi stopped Sun Dingyi. He turned his sharp gaze to the manager. “Did you shut off the upstream water flow?”nPoQvRAzjVUcYiSRPflHMToeVTHJUK

DzVxQfFWpvKSCNv

The manager stammered, “I… I…”arFvIIUrndzHOSUVzrvXbWOhKKVDgS

IinDoVLpGizaODh

“You son of a…” Ren Yi held back the urge to hit him. “Hurry up and shut off the damn valve!”kkONkDODmAFoCsQNTAkVOnvaAMXpNa

pPVJYDCGrJEUyuO

The manager stumbled away to do as he was told.JaRawPJVgfJuCZZHqPzlppOazArzxx

QbEmlWHuoOhPGZS

Ren Yi shouted to Li Sa, “Have the police been notified? Call the Hongwu District Police and get them to arrest someone.”lHYxXbWxKWigDdcGAnOYHIiNylxNbR

rktFLRIccpHHxns

“Got it.”vGclpJPHjomXDpNUjZrUZSABburtot

LBJYyGhZfzhHgLj

Ren Yi gripped Sun Dingyi’s shoulder, giving him a firm look. “Be careful.”mvFkExTnRHRckxjLgfPpdQGyxCvXLG

dhOAEBUjZNEjToV

Sun Dingyi winked at Ren Yi and grinned. “Who else but me would handle such a filthy and stinking job? See? Winning at cards comes with a price when you’re playing with the boss.”goWWerLWLVYVyKsGRXrdkYpJLjExdo

DbxlqQQXvDcQFhk

Ren Yi laughed and cursed, “Bastard, get in there and get back quickly.”qAvGAmrNAWOoOpMWirqtInEuwCMCtX

CoHEluhvuCybpMs

The team put on their masks and climbed down the ladder.OoygRVZYqKjzuXiZTQUWIXOpSdGKEA

MeLTyupacwIXvuQ

Sun Dingyi was the first to reach the bottom. The sewage immediately reached up to his thighs. He shouted, “Captain Ren, the water’s at least sixty centimeters deep. Just in case, we should call for a water pump truck.”GRTyVhomqeOuaDAbDkphpelldgpgqz

ZQSFqQFxHnSJOvs

“Alright, keep me updated.”mwIdvMxVbjCcIUGSUDctnBSKwNlBIo

gINefQIgfZHpWxF

Ren Yi pressed his radio. “Command, we need a pump truck.”prdpmhrvjLHOJfuEFVEItEStMCgkab

eitniUxxRxgwePL

“Roger that.”pNRdnDwKlZgMXxmYbYDjviSTWuIGOs

dCQNIBomFQFuyov

The security guard who had called in the emergency spoke up, “We have a pump in the underground garage.”SphHabmTIDzGhWSfmnciORVLFzAHlB

lgnTVZBjBOxjoKK

“Go get it quickly.”TBWAGcJbyWiGmuWmsjgIXhdzuZuzbQ

DsTQdQgLPqXzBFX

Sun Dingyi cautiously moved forward. The inside of the sewage pipe was pitch black, and the ground was uneven. The light from his helmet barely pierced the darkness, as if it were shining into a black hole.WiAsKACyKvDdWTgNXYbWlsBArRpHYY

FdvRndiZywLFLMP

Soon, they found a man in a security uniform. It looked like he was one of the rescue attempts. He was sitting unconscious in the well.xCdubKVarexqpNuweYGPWAXIjKwSFA

gAGvjurkyCGKRev

Sun Dingyi and Liu Hui lifted him up and passed him to Awen, who was at the rear. Awen hoisted the man onto his back, made his way back to the well’s opening, and tied a rescue rope around him. The soldiers above pulled the man out.WVuHeQDzRCRbCAlzFfxuorltZFZIEf

FCsXySvxZvYurUA

They pressed further and found two more. One was still breathing, but the other had collapsed into the water and had no pulse. Xiaoqian and Awen, who had returned, carried them back up.KzKCwZkARhWiSZWLRntKJjTwwrXKeE

nAPoXxwyiaziBlV

Looking at the body being brought up, Ren Yi asked, “Sun Dingyi, what’s the situation?”drfvKxxhTRNlFtQlMDAcaDsXdFhkwP

RjdLQmohVovQNIz

“We found the fourth person, still breathing,” Sun Dingyi reported. “Liu Hui, Xiaotao, this is too far. You two need to carry him back together.”EMhlWmGjHJfVlPeZsYKRAPGLWtbumO

vqmyfpFdwTNvTGN

“No way, it’s not safe for you to be down there alone.”yRVJjvzPlAyrLlnQmiNcSpttjhmesP

cOmFceSNsTZJfvT

“Don’t worry, Captain Ren. I’ve got a safety rope attached to me. We’ve come quite a distance, and it’s hard to move down here. Carrying the injured by myself will be too slow.”ajIJtOiTibbojRVylxGyPbEryQBMiR

IpqwacDpAJBskuu

Ren Yi hesitated for a moment. “Alright, but keep me updated.”dRZYrfeobHYOXvuQsTvanDuRUciAtw

bgutGmibWuuzCDk

Suddenly, a sharp cry came through the radio, sending a chill through everyone’s hearts. It was Xiaotao’s voice.mYpSTLdrmEwdUBZOyynOMsLvOmyPtk

mXhtfhcWGrdrDBq

“What happened to Xiaotao?!”grBmIdwIscxNQAoRmqlBEMHWfYsyKz

KzJexnqnGLeZoXi

“Something… something’s stuck on my leg!”LcBAgOeGJfyTokDjUVkjiDTMcbOpHY

OnChjdAESImoBWr

Liu Hui knelt down, trying to feel for whatever was caught, but he couldn’t lay down the unconscious person he was carrying. “The water’s too deep, I can’t see a thing,” he said anxiously.pYuXGKVDTcrrLlYYJgdzCOvMVOfBIb

EEwVuFUQKZRMDPq

Sun Dingyi asked, “Should I come back?”iswhRAtADMqaubjiUhOeWRVSsBMIHF

wFfkPsMCynghMjG

Ren Yi quickly replied, “No, Xiaoqian, Awen, head back and check on Xiaotao.”BBhbbBFQEWmJfsMUHydHTrZgqFDFVf

aKvErZmEZpRxgyC

Xiaotao’s voice came through the radio again, strained but urgent. “Don’t worry about me right now, get the person out first. He’s barely hanging on.”dxUgBvuEWAJgbOCPrzCqiFfwnofIWM

LcUbjVerRedoqYX

They swiftly pulled Xiaoqian and Awen back up with the rescued individual, and the two returned down to help Xiaotao.cURnLwdZIKdVFEDeQYccoxdmGaaEWA

xuqhJICxXEuccgl

Liu Hui called out, “Get this person out first. Xiaotao, stay calm, I’ll feel around and try to free you.”XEvIivtqDEtOmpWzxSfPLUlfmUBioy

EzKBwCZyoAlrwAn

Xiaoqian and Awen took the injured person off their hands and began carrying him out of the well. The two had already gone back and forth carrying people multiple times, and their stamina was running low. Ren Yi told them to come up, and prepared to go down himself.WWBCVNhfSxsiVdPfgHZuhDUaHJHghQ

kJpdOjxmPzrbfEz

“Captain Ren, how are you going to fit? The opening is too narrow,” Gao Ge frowned, eyeing the well.dSeTIabnNeuFumLGRkZcjHGJdDVXeE

PgKZMzmTnAznOti

“You’re in charge now, Gao Ge,” Ren Yi ordered. “I’ll go down, hold my breath, and you can lower the breathing apparatus to me afterward.”QEtDScHzqKjUcMJTVbpaBXxXeAjrKJ

sUMvgWwItEaZaFW

“Are you serious?” Gao Ge shouted. “That’s too dangerous, no way!”hRnkNszdqQLvuSGeZjxTwqqyNvwTtJ

EcULpqYEKcVSvYx

“I said I’m going, and that’s final. Hurry up, there’s no one else who can fit.”TGLPzYjvYJTrgiLVppFDKQnLOqfSId

FbTvdNXPllYElqM

At that moment, Li Sa ran over. “Captain, let me go down. I’m the slimmest.”GPOKoqNOqykEomRErlZAVwjcyxLEKh

dMWQSdatBnSAiIS

The soldiers around them froze, all staring at Li Sa in shock.xJqhoGXZjdzKmBiRemcGWSHrSGCNrS

KeWBynTyVKlmpxe

Gao Ge frowned, “Don’t be ridiculous, you’re not fit to go down there.”upxGAwbnYPrjKJqQGvfTnfdwAvlhLs

yxxrsLCqOgsTscA

Li Sa shot back, “Have I ever skipped training or slacked off? I’m fit enough, let me go down.”fBUupqlbyxvozbOLpVCJeuJwNDKUjY

usOxbhQNEUGCJtw

Ren Yi was still wrestling with the decision when Sun Dingyi’s voice crackled through the radio again. “Captain Ren, I’ve found the last two people. One of them is still alive.”hcjKiBvTYYMQEWGCpuqJbiNVtCDZsD

ZVjxEGnGDbBfkgj

Ren Yi locked eyes with Li Sa and, after a tense pause, said, “Gear up.”hzxkqkwMtYQwGJcaCCEyjEsqFzsLJD

NdMXCnfcgKKmflc

Li Sa turned and ran back to the rescue truck, grabbed a breathing apparatus, strapped it on, and hurried back.vIUUnOnUaEvmJWCceygDgpWpMhNkEs

NGRPcVGCyPIUoNy

Liu Hui’s voice came through next, “Captain, Xiaotao’s leg seems to be caught on the old, decaying pipe of the water pump. We’ll need a saw.”dhRiZVghXiVJAHLipEUhRfxAEUgrBk

SuVaFoBjoMkGBVi

“I’ll take it down,” Ren Yi said, “I still need to go down, Li Sa alone won’t be enough.”SfpOKVwyMgFSahhvNeOHzNnjNDpdcZ

DsQjUhzxFQILZTF

Gao Ge, realizing he couldn’t stop him, reluctantly agreed. “Alright, you go first. I’ll send down the breathing apparatus and the chainsaw.”awstodifiZfFgqNBpQSEuMVzQYqKVM

TtqklwelcjPjeWx

Li Sa went down the well first, followed by Ren Yi, who held his breath and quickly climbed down. Even though he held his breath, the unbearable stench seeped through, making his stomach churn and almost causing him to vomit. Gao Ge lowered the mask and the air tank with a rope. Ren Yi quickly equipped himself and took a deep breath, finally able to breathe more easily.WoifjHbmYgDApfTZScrSFlijLQtufY

hkDmDmWjxoQWrfI

With the chainsaw in hand, the two of them ventured deeper into the sewage well.RwWJdGEjYlLQxFKorWxsJOcdOhVAsw

RnliLbnsDBsXdTt

The pipes, neglected for years, were filled with debris, sludge, and algae. Each step was a struggle, with the ground uneven and muddy, making it hard to walk. The walls of the pipes were coated with indescribable filth.foevnoLeDUBiKoGFEFogDOHXLHGNpc

BFGUpfNlYMXcWgE

As they walked, Ren Yi asked, “Everyone, report your remaining air supply.”hhTyDnMNSEcwlKxLLTUgVtgnyheWfm

CEFkbzjVCkUAubb

“32%,” Sun Dingyi replied. “It should be enough for me to get this person out alive.”uKgfPOKJQYliSWHObaAnfacYnxdHNC

ieBgWLvFnpzoPhd

“Liu Hui and I are both at 39%,” said Liu Hui.ZHwohHRQrXaQRjPPNqdYSEEPUBiWNm

qESJNCNGrMbHUwH

Ren Yi ordered, “Sun Dingyi, I’m sending Li Sa to support you. Stay put where you are and don’t waste any more oxygen until she gets there.”EvZciLaqJNKNyyfPGqJYMTKPpQCCJj

MgAChoqnhlNgzna

“But—”raAJHadqMBlwOTZTmNPLYipasBEWWt

JlhpcihDYZgPhwV

“No buts. Stay where you are.”RRwsIururElmhnvuyhbdYKFmmYtHef

flciIDYAnlaPANI

The breathing apparatus they carried theoretically allowed for 45 minutes of air, but that estimate could be affected by factors like weight, temperature, stress, and physical activity. Oxygen consumption increased significantly during strenuous activity. For safety, they were trained to exit the scene when their air supply could last only 15 minutes. This left time for handling emergencies or escaping from complex, disorienting environments.FlDJeqqlYoSEhZTpywJMEXizTQAINU

AOAMyJiMjAeRpxk

Ren Yi and Liu Hui soon found Xiaotao, whose leg was trapped, and Li Sa continued forward to assist Sun Dingyi. Ren Yi, holding the chainsaw, discussed with Liu Hui how to make the cut.uDRaGoPKPHmeUqZfuQMbNDmFskOwEk

TSwKwYpBOoeCZXf

Xiaotao’s leg was trapped underwater, and they couldn’t see a thing. After feeling around for a while without confidence, Ren Yi asked, “Has the water pump arrived?”rssaNWyhNOttGqRDRpZgIrduQwCspa

TaywwPVnQPgnmdn

“It’s here, along with the pump truck,” Gao Ge responded.aZNWnWDGUEetzHDPsxkQtbuTPmthsK

DnGcfqaOqGjGQfr

“Hurry up and pump it,” Ren Yi ordered. “Xiaotao, can you hold on? I didn’t feel any damage to your bones.”jZPfQdmhkugltrVUmsAmgqKkOoHHTt

sdshYXplmDiAebu

Xiaotao grimaced but replied, “It hurts a bit, but I can manage.”NBqiNKDDbdZCqYTKZXlVPRiAvutVCK

dzchCgPPtdUZsUQ

Ren Yi nodded. “I don’t dare cut yet, I’m afraid I’ll hurt your leg. Let’s pump out the water first. Liu Hui, go back and switch out your air tank, and bring one for Xiaotao too.”AVmdgsTWDSQvupllSYkoPsKdNCLKYI

AUDKlwIyUYgNetB

“Yes, sir.”HiSJxaSxRjQrbOzNsUXinChUvGvhhN

etvjLExEnOtIeOF

Just as Liu Hui left, a strange noise echoed from deeper in the sewage well, like something being sucked dry, followed by a loud rush of water.UrcSFcfEymWojvIwihZGspCwVzyeeH

OvRDjZtdJjstQbE

Ren Yi cursed under his breath, “They’ve released the wastewater from above!”uSafMuEheCnpodAEhPfnDOIabaVohI

NMHaOsVygqIYxsg

A torrent of sewage began flooding out from deep within the well.zczoAUTlcKJRobppVFLagYFcsVZWNw

JHKTvKiIGyDRyja

Li Sa had just reached Sun Dingyi, but there was still some distance between them. Sun Dingyi hadn’t stayed in place as ordered—he knew that every second delayed meant a decreased chance of survival for the person he was carrying.fsgqpphGdZMxyuuQAzsIUXVTsbbHFn

RHbUepXnckavVDI

Sun Dingyi braced himself against the wall, trying to withstand the force of the rushing water. As the water slammed into them, the unconscious maintenance worker suddenly regained consciousness, letting out a terrified scream. He lunged at Sun Dingyi, gripping him tightly like a drowning man clinging to driftwood, using every ounce of strength in his body to hold onto him.MCGCiCyBTUHgPaXojdjPjTzNRoOoKf

bfPxlJBmAnRZtNt

Sun Dingyi was caught off guard, pulled down and dragged into the water. His face smashed hard into something, breaking his mask. He watched cracks appear right in front of his eyes, and then a rush of foul air came flooding in.nRVqgBCoHqXrbeUNVcQEVaIlXmSsTM

PwpIApiYeSjqzcU

He and the mechanic flailed and struggled in the filthy, stinking water. Sun inhaled the toxic fumes and swallowed water, making his vision blur as dizziness set in.hiOevibWWhEQceZVcboOuqsfCdbtbI

OdZKIVwqiypHPyH

Li Sa shouted, “Lieutenant Sun!” She ran toward him with all her might, but the water had already risen to her hips, making every step a struggle.cdenifZeffOofTBMNSNWHylRpueGHA

UVGehVqJthsRnga

“What’s happening?” Ren Yi asked anxiously.UKfLeEQTduVKMPBDHkEufptlkGAqdL

QZNcBDHLbKrXedT

“Lieutenant Sun has fallen.”wbbACrrYSuyHiAkqzcbUwLSmengcZn

SfJmucFdwmMKxyK

“Sun Dingyi, Sun Dingyi! Say something!” Ren Yi yelled.pVCzjwwZcKEZNolEDedMaBXwFGmceI

rYQwqAmSqssbCFh

There was no response from Sun.qQdkDfUgfMNCIFfCIrhFjhshPsURNi

AciibCNWClTHyVI

“Liuhui, are you back yet?” Ren Yi called out.MPeIBjavpGdPgXdGjbHnKrxbNibPtr

vxNmfyTnyymZisg

“I’m almost there, I’ve got Xiaotao! Go check on Sun Dingyi!” Liuhui replied.JqYCDRMrXMDKahQTdiAjxvUCbiqEIq

vQmXAESbLVcSuYK

Ren Yi started running desperately toward the depths of the sewage pit.nksnTDJrOozARlBNvzTzDgVYGjoWzf

JvxPwbGYvdhZbRb

Li Sa finally reached Sun’s side. The mechanic had passed out again, lying face down in the water, motionless. She first helped Sun up, seeing his shattered mask, his eyes glazed over, and barely conscious. “Lieutenant Sun!”ssSvvgfafpcamzQdkFFTnaJppdPFLY

XgZEdSeVeTMClAz

Li Sa held her breath, took off her own mask, and placed it over Sun’s head. Sun coughed out water and gasped for air, breathing with difficulty.dkauDreCQDtcUfJUFSDNKvKMbhBNYa

cdgdURUdKMIiyOK

She struggled to pull the unconscious mechanic out of the water, but he was completely limp, unable to stand. She propped him up in the water, lifting his chin to keep his nose and mouth above the surface.KjaIXcHCQyjcyprKkjKkSEdAmhngXO

RsYSUiDpLbNxmqD

After Sun had caught his breath for a while, Li Sa took the mask back and put it on herself. She kept glancing anxiously down the path, hoping that the man who could put everyone at ease would show up soon.naYewXQqUJssUjMxramEQtHLObduKh

uYwdIsZjRtXVlRb

Finally, a small light flickered in the distance and began to grow brighter, as a figure ran toward them with all their might.JZUeOkyBFiYlKOaFCyxPjrJaaccpbG

ECFkQUYSBsNeSuj

Li Sa shouted, “Captain Ren!”wowXMKUWCQteAgRtvgDLgSVLNtsXYM

NHewSGwzvCpOVNZ

Ren Yi rushed over, his face turning pale when he saw Sun’s condition. “What the hell happened?”vQYxwMsqqkphwAEMJPHTjoejiwapEO

syMzzuemWQbKbFw

“Lieutenant Sun’s mask broke,” Li Sa said. “The mechanic still has a pulse.”SCjWypGBPfVSxTOEnvKkMpZapzyswc

UWeNgYWVOAcYChA

Ren Yi held his breath, removed the mask, and placed it over Sun’s head, giving him a firm shake. “Hang in there, brother…”jEgwSOUIiVOUYTpvSgAazfCGGIBXXm

OShnuleFPdkfiHU

But Sun couldn’t hold on any longer—he passed out completely.bsemokdSytThonNwuvmOYNJoPymfGG

SYGJzjMjneZGXiW