049: I Will Be Your News Material, Phelps Appears!

"What happened? Who got swept away by the undercurrent?"

"It's four children. They were using swimming rings and got caught in it!"

"Their swimming rings got swept away! If no one helps, they're going to drown!"

The crowd enjoying the cool water and breeze along the shore became anxious. Panic spread as some people pointed at the children struggling farther out in the river.

Two women began crying hysterically.

"Oh my God, those are our children!"

"Xiaotian, Xiaoya!"

"Please, someone help us! We can't swim!"

Others in the crowd started shouting, blaming the parents.

"How could you let your kids go that far out?!"

"There's no time for blame right now! Is there anyone who knows how to swim? Please help!"

Despite all the shouting, no one moved. The crowd was filled with tension, but no one dared take action.

First, these were four children, not just one. Rescuing one child required immense strength, but saving four? It seemed impossible for just one person.

Second, the undercurrents were deadly. Even the strongest swimmers risked being pulled under.

Finally, everyone had heard the tragic stories in the news—people drowning while trying to rescue others. No one wanted to become the next tragic headline.

Xia Jian stood frozen, her heart racing as memories from her childhood flashed before her eyes. She remembered when Qi Lin had almost drowned, and she had jumped into the water to save him, nearly losing her own life in the process.

"Sister Xia Jian, snap out of it! This is your chance to film news material—don't you want this ready-made opportunity?"

Qi Lin's voice snapped her back to reality. Xia Jian quickly grabbed her camera equipment, her hands shaking as she focused on the four children being swept farther from shore.

"Why isn't anyone going to save them? If no one acts soon, they'll die!" Xia Jian's voice cracked with fear and urgency. She was torn between capturing the scene for the news and her growing anxiety for the children's lives.

Suddenly, through the lens, Xia Jian saw something that made her heart stop.

At some point, Qi Lin had already dived into the water and was swimming toward the children.

"What is he doing?!"

"Is Qi Lin really going to try and save all four of them?"

Panic gripped Xia Jian as she watched him swim out into the dangerous currents. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

"Qi Lin, come back! It's too dangerous! There's an undercurrent—please, don't risk it!" she shouted, her voice trembling as she continued filming.

Qi Lin briefly turned around, offering her a calm smile. "Sister Xia Jian, your first news story should be perfect. Let me be your news material."

With those words, he turned back and swam faster toward the children.

Hearing his response, Xia Jian's heart tightened. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision.

"Is it because I saved you once as a child? You've repaid that debt a hundred times over. You don't need to be my material... If you do something reckless and end up in the underworld, I'll find you and twist your ears myself!"

Despite his calm demeanor, Qi Lin realized just how difficult this rescue would be. Saving four children in strong currents was no joke. He could feel the strain in every stroke.

But his years of practice paid off. Qi Lin quickly gathered the floating swimming rings and reached the children one by one, securing them each with a ring. Then, with all his strength, he began swimming back to shore, pulling the rope attached to the rings.

The crowd on the shore watched in awe. No one had come forward to help, but now they were all cheering for Qi Lin.

"Come on, young man!"

"You're a hero!"

"God bless you, young man! Save those kids!"

The mothers of the children fell to their knees, praying and crying, pleading for Qi Lin's safe return with their babies.

On the shore, Xia Jian watched anxiously through the camera, her hands shaking. She wiped tears from her eyes as she captured every moment.

"The little boy I once protected has grown into a man," she thought with pride.

Ten minutes later, Qi Lin, exhausted but determined, managed to bring all four children back to shore. Helpers rushed to pull the children out of the water safely.

However, Qi Lin's strength was completely drained. As he struggled to stay afloat, he felt his body growing weaker, his limbs too heavy to move. Just as he began to sink, Xia Jian and a few others rushed into the water, pulling him to safety.

Lying on the cold stone steps, Qi Lin gasped for air. "No wonder so many people drown trying to save others. Even Phelps would've been done for trying to save four kids at once."

Suddenly, Qi Lin felt something soft brushing against his face. He opened his eyes and saw Xia Jian's tear-streaked, red eyes gazing down at him. Her soft hands were gently caressing his face.

"Why did you go and save them? What if something had happened to you? How could I ever explain it to Aunt Lan and Uncle Qi?" she said, her voice thick with emotion.

Qi Lin smiled weakly, teasing as usual. "I saved them, didn't I? So, what are you worried about? How about something practical?"

Xia Jian bit her lip, her eyes still red. After a pause, she asked, "What do you want?"

Qi Lin, half-joking, replied, "My muscles are really sore. How about a full-body spa massage from Sister Xia Jian?"

He expected her to laugh it off, but instead, he suddenly felt her soft hands moving across his shoulders and back, gently massaging his aching muscles.

Surprised, Qi Lin glanced up at her, but Xia Jian had already turned her face away, embarrassed. If he looked closer, he could see that the tips of her ears were burning red.

(I think that she's my favorite now)