Chapter 351 - 352: The Search and Rescue Begins
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As soon as Nangong Ran finished her call, she ran straight back. She felt as if all the strength she had gained from growing up was used up in that one sprint.
She was so exhausted when she reached the river’s edge that she collapsed on the spot, with waves of intense pain radiating from her stomach.
She didn’t care, desperately clutching her belly, her face pale as she called out, "Bo Chenghe, have you found Gu Qibao yet?"
At this point, numerous onlookers had gathered at the riverbank, besides Bo Chenghe who was diving into the river, quite a few villagers had also plunged in to help.
However, they found nothing.
Nangong Ran’s legs gave way underneath her and she fell to the ground, tears streaming down her cheeks. She felt a panic surging inside her. How could this have happened? How could this have happened?
Bo Chenghe, almost at the point of exhaustion, swam back ashore, his face filled with desperation and regret. This boy, usually full of life and joy, had red-rimmed eyes, his whole body soaked from the river. His legs gave way and he collapsed to his knees before Nangong Ran. He looked up, his eyes filled with what could either be tears or river water.
Bo Chenghe’s lips trembled slightly, "Ranran, I am sorry. I did my best."
Nangong Ran’s eyes widened in disbelief. She shook her head vehemently, "No, no, no! It can’t be! Gu Xiaoqi will be fine, she has to be fine! We came here together and decided to graduate and go to university together. She can’t be gone, she can’t be. Keep searching!"
Nangong Ran cried out in despair, "Gu Qibao, how could you be in trouble?"
How could you be?!
If something has happened to you, what am I supposed to do?
Who will guide me through life?
Who will cause havoc with me, swear with me, tease the punks with me, and charge through life without a worry?
Gu Qibao! Why did it have to be you?!
Bo Chenghe’s eyes were bloodshot, he grabbed Nangong Ran’s hands, "Ranran, you need to calm down!"
"How can I calm down!" Nangong Ran cried out even more urgently, "She was with me from the time we wore toddler dresses. She can’t just be gone like that, I won’t believe it, I won’t believe it!"
I refuse to believe in this accident, fuck the accident!
Gu Qibao, you have to come back, come back!
Tears welled up in Bo Chenghe’s eyes. The bond amongst the three of them couldn’t be merely expressed in words!
"I’m going in!" Nangong Ran struggled and was about to jump into the river. She didn’t believe it, she wanted to bring Gu Qibao back on her own.
"Ranran, don’t do this!" Bo Chenghe hugged Nangong Ran. "You aren’t good at swimming. There are already people looking for her, don’t go in."
Nangong Ran cried like a child, those around them looked on with tears welling up in their eyes and were starting to cry as well.
The search continued, however, it still came up with nothing.
Suddenly, a deafening noise filled the air above them. It was the spinning blades of helicopters. The massive noise and the rush of wind caused everyone to look up in surprise.
Holy crap!
More than twenty military helicopters lined up overhead in straight lines. Their formidable presence was breathtaking, some of the villagers who had never seen such a spectacle stood frozen in shock.
Then, the helicopter’s cabin doors opened, ladders were thrown down, and squads of soldiers in camouflage climbed down from the helicopters with trained precision.
Soon, nearly five hundred soldiers alighted and formed ranks on the riverbank.
Di Mingchen descended as well, the sight of his immaculate military uniform exuded an intimidating aura. The ominous chill in his deep-set eyes was in stark contrast to his usual demeanor. He looked around, his gaze sharp as a sword.
Suddenly, Di Mingchen raised his hand and gave a strong signal, prompting the soldiers to salute in unison with a resounding, "Understood!"
Then they dispersed, expertly initiating a search and rescue operation.
The scene seemed to stabilize instantly due to their arrival.
Simultaneously, the hovering helicopters roared back into action, rising into the sky and quickly moving downstream to start their search from the air.
Nangong Ran watched all of this through tear-filled eyes. It all seemed a blur. When she realized what was happening, she rushed over and threw herself into Di Mingchen’s arms with a choke of realization, "Big brother..."
She barely managed to utter those words before her crying turned uncontrollable.
Di Mingchen’s rigid body stiffened further, a flicker of concern passing across his face. He raised his hand to pat her sobbing form and muttered, "There, there, it’s going to be okay."