Long before the first older child ran off to adventure, Zhenzhen and Yun Zhao, who were still on shore, grew restless and ran into the icy river to dissuade the other children, but not a single one would listen to them.
With every child that dashed across, the brothers' hearts would hang heavy with anxiety, not easing until that child safely returned to the shallower water. These kids had all played with them, and should anything happen right in front of them, they would be no less distressed than anyone else.
As child after child ran back and forth, the tension gradually eased, it turned into a contest to see who could jump higher, and some even suggested finding a deeper pool to test their mettle.
However, danger often comes at an unexpected moment, and by the time a scream of terror mixed with the sound of ice breaking and someone falling into the water reached everyone's ears, it was already too late.