CHAPTER 163: 158 COMPANY COMMANDER (3083 CHARACTERS)

After nearly half a month of heavy rain in Mulan County, various natural disasters occurred frequently. First came the floods, then mudslides and landslides followed. The soldiers sent on rescue missions—military personnel and armed police hydropower team members—did not dare to relax for even a minute. Entire villages were submerged, houses were reduced to ruins, with many people trapped and struggling amidst wreckage and rubble. The soldiers were covered in mud, sticky and filth, even their faces.

"This flood is getting worse, it looks like the water will keep rising." The water had reached Fang Tongzhou’s armpits, and occasionally surged high enough to submerge them completely. He struggled to ask, "This area has been searched thoroughly. No one’s left—can we pull out now?" With that, he turned to look at the young man beside him.

"There—over there, it looks like someone’s still moving. There’s a survivor." Before the man could reply, a soldier pointed ahead and spoke.

Jiang Jinghuai looked into the distance. A frail little figure was splashing about in a wooden tub. It was likely a ten-year-old girl—delicate and petite, vulnerable to the point that one felt an urge to protect her. The critical issue was that the tub was being tossed by the water violently, teetering at the edge of flipping over any moment.

The current was flowing downstream, pulling everything along, including the tub. The girl and the rescuers were upstream, making the rescue particularly difficult.

"I’ll go save her. The rest of you, stay put and be ready to assist at any moment." Jiang Jinghuai darted a sharp gaze forward, decisively swimming downstream without hesitation.

"Captain, be careful!" The water had grown fiercer, and there was a real risk that he might lose his life rescuing the girl. But they weren’t afraid—they were eager to act. Yet, before they could step forward, someone had already taken the lead.

Amidst the raging current, it seemed they could still faintly hear the little girl crying out for help, her voice heart-wrenching.

In a moment that felt both fleeting and eternal, the little girl in the tub suddenly felt herself being embraced. A glimmer of hope ignited in her eyes as she clung to the rescuer tightly in terror.

Jiang Jinghuai held her close and swam toward a large tree on the riverbank.

"Grab on tight. Climb up," he said.

The little girl was hoisted upward and climbed the tree, clutching the trunk tightly with her hands. "Uncle," she called out tremblingly, and upon turning around, saw nothing but a vast expanse of rushing water.

Fang Tongzhou and the others, upon seeing the girl climb the tree, swiftly returned to the shore and began running downstream to reach the tree, which was near the riverbank. They planned to assist Jiang Jinghuai from there. But at the moment the little girl was safe, Jiang Jinghuai had disappeared.

"Vice Captain, the Captain—he..." A soldier tried to speak, tears streaming down his face.

Fang Tongzhou wiped the mud and water off his face, grieving bitterly, stepping forward with intent to save Jiang Jinghuai.

"Vice Captain, you can’t—don’t go! The current’s too strong, it’s dangerous!" Everyone shouted.

"If anyone is going, I’ll go! Vice Captain, you still need to oversee everything!" One soldier acted quickly, his voice resolute as he stared at the turbulent floodwaters. "I’ll find the Captain. Damn this flood—how many more lives does it want to take?"

"The Captain is so capable—he’ll be fine!"

Just as the soldier was about to jump in with a loud splash, a pair of hands suddenly emerged from the water and caught him. A low voice followed, "Thinking of jumping in, huh? Pull me up."

"C-Captain!" The soldier scrambled clumsily, crawling back in excitement.

"Jinghuai!" Fang Tongzhou took a quick step forward, overwhelmed with relief, and pulled him up with force. "I knew you were tough enough to make it!"

The rescued little girl, now safe, curled up behind them, her wide, tearful eyes fixed on Jiang Jinghuai. "Uncle," she murmured softly. Her voice carried a mix of fear and exhilaration, emotions interwoven.

"Don’t be afraid." Jiang Jinghuai gently hugged her, stroking her drenched hair. "It’s over now."

It’s over now. Jiaqi.

Just then, a broadcast sounded from the sky—its volume was loud. Everyone thought it would be one of those inspirational songs that stirred their spirits, but instead, it was—

"It was an autumn day, the wind so tender. It reminded me of them, those helpless eyes...I watched my parents walk away, leaving me in this unfamiliar world. I wish to build a beautiful garden for them..." It was none other than the song "Daybreak," originally authorized by Tian Sangsang years ago for others to sing.

The soldiers here and the villagers nearby had all endured nightmares. Some had lost both parents to this disaster. Upon hearing this song, they all felt their sorrows surge, crying uncontrollably. Yet after the tears subsided, their spirits radiated with hope.

Later that evening, after a day of hunger and exhaustion, the soldiers finally had a brief moment of respite. After their meal, they sprawled out all over, falling asleep wherever they landed.

Jiang Jinghuai lay on the grass outside his tent, initially closing his eyes with the intent to sleep. But the moment his eyes shut, he couldn’t help but think about the little girl he saved today and the sight of Lu Chi. Sleep eluded him entirely.