Blazing Armor

Fire trucks arrived at the scene, and Ren Yi remained seated in the vehicle, staring from a distance at the overturned semi-truck and the unidentified burning tank that had fallen onto the ground. His scalp tingled with anxiety.jLNJCfbcoFvfzCypRGnZaXROUggCwK

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He spoke through the radio to all the responding fighters, “Put on your masks before getting off the truck.”DuOqiMjbSwJNemXOzXzArCkDvYyutU

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“Yes, sir.”jIEYUpPpLazoLzhOADzAVbgTtTpofv

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From the scene, the cause of the truck’s overturning was unclear. According to the person who reported the accident, the truck had swerved to avoid an electric bike that suddenly changed lanes. The bike had long since disappeared. The truck was carrying around twenty metal containers filled with chemicals, several of which had rolled out and were leaking unknown liquids. Two streams of fire were visible on the ground.hpsvYEbMBoKxVfSmxOYYzVInIYtqtq

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A car had rear-ended the truck from behind. The surrounding crowd and vehicles had backed off, but a few men were trying to smash the window of the car that had rear-ended the truck.LbrZwaafirQqIPdSxhGhEgcUvmSAsF

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Ren Yi, dressed in his mercury-colored hazmat suit, jumped out of the truck and waved his hand, shouting, “Get back, all of you, get back!”UbpgZeIrqPchtXbJrLyOSOFCLHUSRS

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One of the men coughed and yelled, “There’s a kid inside!”ygwHzmeHwRVibTpYyPoObPIsZmSLwj

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Ren Yi rushed over and pulled them away one by one. He saw that they were all coughing, their eyes bloodshot and swollen. Alarmed, he shouted, “This stuff is toxic! You have to leave now!”wEDZOTJBsjXEZmLASsHzUHJGjZVeBm

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Upon hearing it was toxic, the men panicked. Gao Ge and a few other fighters ran over and escorted them to the roadside.WtdSoIaDRyRJbldCBjaHwyVYCeMbxr

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Ren Yi leaned against the car window and peered inside. A woman with a head injury was weakly banging on the glass, screaming for help. In the back seat was a child safety seat.SKYYsEHGAGQCpRrIXjnPYiQzcHbRnX

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“Sun Dingyi, get the pliers and the support rods. Her leg is pinned under the dashboard!” Ren Yi ordered. “Liu Hui, take your team and check on the driver.”zHkaiJrThyMLCvGEiYffrTcLVinUbr

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“Yes, sir!”aWPkmfsaHLblrrdZrJOhqcDLzLeqiF

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The woman cried out, “Save my daughter first! Is it going to explode? Save my daughter first!”lwzaHpZslUuoYmHZPGPJSlcCIBQhLA

qyFaMqBdWLPGhoc

Ren Yi reassured her, “Don’t worry, we’ll get both of you out.” He glanced at the burning metal tanks, feeling increasingly uneasy. Night had already fallen, and the smoke from the fire obscured everything. Unless they got up close, they couldn’t see what was written on the tanks. But right now, even approaching was a huge risk; rescuing people was already dangerous enough.LtorzbRakntdrWHzbItvgFAFEbzLOz

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Was it going to explode? He didn’t know either.eNZVjiItfooTOJBKFRnNEUfavdcPyP

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Sun Dingyi ran over. “Captain Ren, when is Captain Liu’s team arriving? We don’t know what these chemicals are, and we don’t dare extinguish the fire.”rpeAmTnmaFMlPUykgEpSJrKolWOvYb

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“They’re stuck in traffic. A chemical expert is on the way.”iVIQhVAXWChbtLohvtNVJMPvWvNtHl

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Liu Hui, who had climbed onto the overturned truck, shouted, “Captain Ren! The driver is unconscious, not sure if it’s from the impact or poisoning.”aGPdRjrzdIGtKYHTMETsciAgHNbNFV

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Ren Yi was just about to order him to start the rescue when he noticed a third metal tank catching fire. Gritting his teeth, he shouted, “Liu Hui, pull back!”cmiujHmZPnZAUshqJrYhxXFIlbHcPq

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Liu Hui hesitated. “I can lower him down quickly.”QQfvOZgEAfaSdblUAgXWxpPgOPGaml

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“Pull back! Now!” Ren Yi yelled. “Everyone, move away from the vehicles! Gao Ge, stay with me.” He then reached for the hydraulic pliers in Sun Dingyi’s hands. “You too.”dKiFmlnTlyEmShQCCuHWkjBWvcDdJY

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Sun Dingyi refused to hand them over. “The three of us can work faster.”fmTjSysmXbiMNaqTrMpUVZBPhXYgrF

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Ren Yi glanced at the woman crying desperately in the car and took a deep breath. “Speed.”RAPHUUvqmyLlBBoQOYCkjMWImiiMTF

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Sun Dingyi used the hydraulic pliers to pry open the deformed car door. Ren Yi and Gao Ge worked together to insert the support rod into the cockpit, gradually lifting the dashboard and freeing the woman’s leg. Meanwhile, Sun Dingyi had already opened the back door and was carrying the child out.MrDQMGDeAsRqAOKeTLCQAosJyJLkEQ

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The three quickly distanced themselves from the scene, sending the mother and child to the ambulance.wmUnLlTwEvaGaFumELuAOSpmEgtUOE

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Liu Hui followed closely behind Ren Yi. “Captain, that driver isn’t going to make it. Let us go back and get him out.”BzgGNwetcfmmntOzQONQKluutEFSyx

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Ren Yi said in a low voice, “We’re not professionals when it comes to handling hazardous chemicals. If there’s an unexpected incident, it could result in mass casualties. I can’t take that risk.”veaTYlETUDBJrUtCCELPvIZHTNpTuY

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“Give me just five minutes.”GwrHOmoTwZvcEMTNzgOjKKiCVgdwMd

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“No!” Ren Yi barked sharply.PtYmFHwPKDSMVBENGUSipsnQBJvqOj

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Liu Hui wanted to say more, but Gao Ge shot him a glance and shook his head.evYMPsdYkYLQRcYGGkDCTrxvDiZbXs

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Ren Yi anxiously looked around, then pulled out his phone to call Gong Yingxian again. Until they could confirm what was on site, they couldn’t come up with a proper response. Right now, they were completely in the dark.zXXdSmuIgwPsrGtjPjHCqGMFHxkvvR

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Before the call could connect, a black Jeep came screeching across the intersection. The other vehicles had already been cleared, so it drove straight through and came to a sudden halt beside Ren Yi with an ear-piercing brake squeal.xgjMnBkcELWHHxEpHhJJjGMMTNVObA

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The door opened, and a pair of long legs in a suit stepped out. Polished leather shoes tapped the ground with purposeful strides, and in a few quick steps, the man stood in front of Ren Yi.oGiNndYDWMEwhegYPKzamADKWwPjKK

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Ren Yi looked at Gong Yingxian’s tall figure and calm expression, and for some reason, he felt a sense of relief. “Hazmat suit,” he said.MzdDaQusDYdHGTCPXgtsYbYrRPIWMo

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Gong Yingxian gave Ren Yi a once-over, and seeing that he was unharmed, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.maXsFEiVAOINZbyUQTcWyEPqesnwjl

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Ding Qing hurried over with a hazmat suit, already prepared, and handed it to Gong Yingxian.TfqLjiMzParnixSTjFYgrtbpjDbHnM

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After putting on the hazmat suit, Gong Yingxian moved a few steps closer. “Captain Ren, give me a brief rundown of the situation.”PaZpjfnhZGQmxqCRisHxWTdvJsdkgR

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Ren Yi quickly recapped what the caller had reported and what he had observed himself. “There should be chemical names written on the tanks, but we can’t risk getting close enough to check.”PGjcpXGBDDoUKyttqmuGNTJVIdvuBm

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“No need. I know what it is,” Gong Yingxian said confidently. “Steel containers, colorless liquid, a rotting smell, and spontaneous combustion when combined with oxygen in the air, releasing toxic gas—this is triethylaluminum. It’s commonly used as an activator in most chemical plants.”McluZWKEjXxEmiCBSRkvuCZGgiWAzo

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“What do we do now? Is there a risk of explosion?”OVzeIGxneTvPFLYBegfEVrwpqwmRjw

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“The containers aren’t pressurized and are stored in inert gas. If it’s just burning, it won’t explode in the short term. But triethylaluminum reacts explosively with water, so it’s good you didn’t try to extinguish the fire with water.”NYIWcajEvVFumAKgQxNEdfBHFTsjPZ

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“Since we weren’t sure what it was, we didn’t blindly use any extinguishing agents,” Ren Yi said. “Foam won’t work either?”zQvVJcSAjOYiqHGRUYOXTICDrCcqFO

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“No, foam won’t work.” Gong Yingxian then asked, “Is anyone else still in the vehicle?”BHOLEtAhiryxUwFkDYfZjGwysCNoeA

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“We’ve rescued the people from the rear-ended car, but the truck driver is still inside.”tincPxfvLgqziZzziSIQpBVBLHpqcn

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Gong Yingxian’s expression turned serious. “We need to act fast. The driver’s definitely been poisoned. Inhaling that stuff can cause pulmonary edema.”QBquZnNZCqAfhjvnycrMQvOHEXGraf

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“If there’s no explosion risk, we’ll go rescue him now.”pddcKptfiHJjPGtDeXKsSsAIrlNQWD

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Gong Yingxian grabbed Ren Yi. “Just because you haven’t used water doesn’t mean there’s no explosion risk. It’s been raining off and on these past few days, and the humidity is high. Triethylaluminum is extremely reactive, even moisture can trigger an explosion. Plus, the fire has already increased the pressure inside the containers. We need to control the fire first, then release the nitrogen gas inside the tanks to reduce pressure. Otherwise, not only is there an explosion risk, but even if we put out the fire, it could reignite.”rhTaUSbuEXfhaimoilOFzOzSXagzoq

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Ren Yi thought for a moment. “I’ll send a team to rescue the driver, and we’ll use dry powder to put out the fire.”PErgECOMBaXvphEJqLGNKYWaZYRMuM

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“Do you have dry powder extinguishers specifically for triethylaluminum?”iwpOavdvEvHLBoRIaZYTDhysdiMFrd

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“The hazardous materials response team might have it, but they’re stuck in traffic. We only have standard dry powder.”tOAHKkcaDudcJnKtlkiIZFIkPlolUj

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“There’s no time. If it explodes, the toxic fumes will spread, and the residential area downwind will be in serious danger. Use the dry powder to cover it up and at least get the fire under control,” Gong Yingxian added. “Also, triethylaluminum is highly corrosive—don’t let it touch your skin.”sdJgfaDZXFzhXhsNZDcWLqVCHtsvBc

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Ren Yi nodded. “Liu Hui, take your team and get the driver out as quickly as possible.”UjNbthczlCKrjNleMMvQKYbWiUMzvt

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Liu Hui received the order and ran toward the truck.KosuOwzQouMPSTSqNJnQuQyKnBWVEz

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Ren Yi grabbed a dry powder extinguisher and headed for the fire, and Gong Yingxian followed.saMTGLbTXtqieDHgKcVhkjepVHMbVS

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Ren Yi glanced at him. “What do you think you’re doing?”fwstBwJOtkkaUMyRIIOFnnQidEbXjK

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“I’m going to open the tank valves and release the nitrogen.”pfBqHzBuBTqvzzyKuGzAEXgDGGCplh

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“No, you can’t go.” Ren Yi stepped in front of him, his tone serious. “This is our job. Non-professionals are not allowed on-site.”aoUWqhzsrGjeCffcGYOvFxTYiQsuCX

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“I am a professional.” Gong Yingxian pointed to the suit he was wearing. “You don’t have many hazmat suits. Since I’m wearing one, I have to put it to use.”xIPKPiKOaYBeiAPZMgWqmwSCEfDxzb

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“You’ve already done more than enough. You can’t go in.” Ren Yi’s voice grew firmer.kBgryXYksBMwUGUOiSuNjZSRmRTxJj

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The two of them glared at each other through their gas masks.bbYakYFtZzCnSWUWTAaMCSoyzYIFHG

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Gong Yingxian stepped closer, misjudging the distance, and their gas masks collided.jlNjKCyudwNVTYwQVeBeAttGirXlNf

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Ren Yi’s heart nearly skipped a beat. The masks were transparent, and for a brief moment, he thought Gong Yingxian’s face might press against his, that those faintly pink lips might…hdWXWNMXRMaBQzZhWRpScuZWfEJmfd

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Gong Yingxian merely pulled his head back slightly but continued to look down at Ren Yi, unwavering. “Could you stand by and do nothing if I were chasing an arsonist?”ReOVGkZpwdQmgVHycVulyBrkUVjPvg

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Ren Yi was speechless.pFCalvgLIQwTUkSOuJreTDVWpnlnOn

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“I can’t either,” Gong Yingxian said resolutely as he walked toward the truck.MCizTWNltHMjLnpFvTvUgbfyoPRnLz

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Left with no choice, Ren Yi and the other firefighters hurried over, spraying dry powder onto the burning tanks.izUvmwgXFDoXFrfyYvQJkZHCpfFQnM

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Gong Yingxian inspected each of the triethylaluminum tanks, making sure there weren’t any more leaks. As he prepared to climb onto the truck, Ren Yi shouted, “Don’t you dare go up there! Cui Yisheng, stop him!”cUTttFFajcRhMduKaTfIPlxktFBvxi

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Cui Yisheng and Ding Qing tried to hold Gong Yingxian back, but even in the bulky hazmat suit, he deftly used one hand for support and vaulted onto the overturned truck. “I need to check all the tanks to be sure.”gDeDLzUgVJJxSigrosRyNBjpVBZYkf

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“Gong Yingxian, you’d better listen to orders, damn it!” Ren Yi shouted, furious. “You’re in a hazmat suit, not a goddamn invincible shield!”KqsoFqFULdUxZkIKvgusMyGhpJjIef

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Walking amidst the highly flammable hazardous chemicals, Gong Yingxian remained calm as ever. “Put out the fire. I’ll be down in a minute.”qcqnCgBdjPCppzoAOFintADICpPJXO

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Ren Yi shot a worried glance at Gong Yingxian but had no choice but to focus on extinguishing the flames.mLohfxtzuEwexNNdnsPNWchCVtJKuN

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A few minutes later, the fire was under control, though not fully extinguished. There were still streams of burning liquid on the ground, but the fires on the tanks had been smothered by the dry powder.zOgKoyaImNbxKSHkBSZpDvxaXnaNDO

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Gong Yingxian finished inspecting the remaining tanks, jumped down from the truck, and with his gloved hands, opened the valves on the tanks to release the pressure.bakBYbjufYAftbpXUKPDMMqOjmFAMr

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A hissing sound came from the tanks, making everyone’s hearts race.rwYoiqvtSqRdOfTnvWphPswmhlbdfl

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Gong Yingxian glanced at Ren Yi, who was sweating profusely, and said in a low voice, almost only audible to the two of them, “Don’t be afraid.”VyxgZyMOjrSZEjfzFBUsDVmwlzuJsS

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Ren Yi couldn’t help but look back at Gong Yingxian. His deep, tranquil eyes were like a windless sea, hiding a mysterious and immense power beneath the surface. The calm was contagious, and Ren Yi felt his own heart settle.qmfebUGKLHLLiWpWPKtmwtfBOmVTCg

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Finally, the nitrogen in the three burning tanks had been released, and Liu Hui’s team had successfully rescued the truck driver.nCIhNcNoxKjAnFTEwIZijkWoSgoKYW

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Before long, the hazardous materials response team arrived with specialized fire trucks and decontamination equipment. After putting out the remaining streams of fire, they began cleaning up the scene.pSVyccBlemxpbuyktXVzPuVRXjZjeZ

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Although the incident had been fraught with danger, fortunately, no severe damage occurred.kOLAorErOoLqfDXjtaLpAKnZWXVoPZ

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The firefighters all removed their gas masks, relieved to finally breathe freely. Ren Yi tossed his mask to a nearby firefighter and strode toward Gong Yingxian, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him hard against a tree.KAeisMQEAMFvShtLMywEKKPcGgcuTf

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A flicker of surprise crossed Gong Yingxian’s face. He gripped Ren Yi’s wrist but didn’t apply any force.KjIVydOKtJeeDOKqcOtRTPaQOJMSDT

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Ren Yi’s expression was contorted with anger. “When I’m in charge, no one disobeys my orders. Who the hell gave you the right to act on your own? Do you have any idea how fucking dangerous that was?!”xzsDfadGxUnrksfyKwXhOrcCGNffzv

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Gong Yingxian frowned. “Let go.”xkQbDSsQPROkHtNQSaJZYBFZUkJxnX

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Others stepped in, trying to calm the situation. “Captain Ren, let it go.”PRXLgrXWRHyagWHiZfoJMkfrABhURY

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“Dr. Gong was just trying to help. Captain Ren, you can talk this out.”tcytZgUMixmCrCuYQFHuzWpkhODIic

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Gong Yingxian, his tone cold, said, “The tanks on the truck were piled together, each weighing hundreds of pounds. If they spontaneously combust, they’re difficult to move or extinguish. I had to check for leaks.”lMopLblRIZDAKNdizbEtFyHrDeGhHD

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“If there had been a leak and a fire started, you wouldn’t even have time to run!” Ren Yi’s heart clenched as he recalled Gong Yingxian weaving through what felt like a pile of ticking time bombs. “Why weren’t you afraid of the fire this time? Do you even realize how close you were to getting burned?”kPSxxWgeLCDUSxfJcNHbmRxkTRRPfb

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Gong Yingxian’s face darkened with anger. In a low voice, he retorted, “Do you see me as a coward, someone who’s afraid of even unlit flames?” His grip tightened around Ren Yi’s wrist.jbKtWORgmbdFRhMEkWvckURIFGRfez

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The pain shot through Ren Yi’s arm as he struggled but couldn’t match Gong Yingxian’s strength. Reluctantly, he let go.NuzkRlcVEhEZSHnxYfeYVNcpscnySC

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Gong Yingxian forcefully shoved Ren Yi’s hand away, tore off the hazmat suit, and without a backward glance, strode towards his car.mFFGttSRIOAQHOSVUWFQxqLoMMDxHd

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Ren Yi opened his mouth, wanting to call him back, but the words wouldn’t come. He could only watch as Gong Yingxian drove off.pqughRysHNISYfAYwbJTqIfFnpfBiC

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Ren Yi muttered a curse under his breath, a mix of anger and regret churning in his chest.pCIZPDWaOvfPBVTHSqwejqPQMBYVvS

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