Xiao Zihan stepped forward, gently cradling her belly as she walked to the edge of the window.

Then she slowly squatted down, leaning against the wall, and picked up the half-peeled apple from the ground.

She then stood up slowly, using the wall for support.

Throughout, Xiao Zihan's gaze never strayed outside the window.

This meant she didn't notice Lin Yi's position.

With her belly protruding, holding the half-peeled apple, she went to the sink.

After rinsing it with water, she returned to the bed, sat down, picked up the fruit knife, and continued peeling the remaining skin.

Meanwhile, with Empress Dowager Ye.

She reached the window in the hallway, looked outside, and upon seeing indeed it was her son, she couldn't hold back her tears any longer.

She covered her mouth, sobbing softly.

However, it was all in vain.

Fortunately, firefighters had already gone down to rescue her son.

Especially when she saw the firefighter's rope being tied around her son's waist, Empress Dowager Ye's anxious heart slightly relaxed.

At least, as long as the rope was secured, her son would be saved.

Yet, just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, she saw the firefighter didn't secure the rope around her son's waist; instead, he retracted his outstretched hand.

Simultaneously, he slipped and slid downwards, which made Empress Dowager Ye's momentarily relaxed heart tense up again.

She stared intently downwards, biting her lip so hard that it bled, yet she felt no pain.

Despite her intense anxiety, she didn't dare to shout, fearing that her daughter-in-law might hear it.

She feared Xiao Zihan might be affected and her pregnancy would be disturbed.

Therefore, Empress Dowager Ye could only silently endure everything, silently watching it all.

However, her son's voice also faintly reached her ears soon after.

Hearing that her son had instructed the firefighter to save the little boy first, she inexplicably felt a sense of pride.

Indeed, pride.

Even at such a critical moment, her son thought of saving others, which was enough to make her proud.

However, contrasting this pride, she still hoped the firefighter would save her son first.

Yes, perhaps Empress Dowager Ye was a bit selfish.

But before familial ties, in the eyes of parents, nothing is more important than the life of their child.

Perhaps that is what being a parent is.

And every parent is selfish.

Empress Dowager Ye would rather be the one hanging outside the window at this moment than have it be her son.

Meanwhile, outside, the firefighter, holding the little boy, was unable to tie the rope to Lin Yi.

Because doing so might not secure it firmly.

The result would be not rescuing anyone, but potentially causing Lin Yi to fall directly.

The firefighter held the little boy tightly and shouted to Lin Yi:

"How are you, brother? Can you hang on?"

As the firefighter held the little boy, Lin Yi's left hand slowly released.

Perhaps it was due to exerting too much force; his left hand seemed a bit unresponsive, almost stiff.

Fortunately, his willpower was strong enough, forcibly raising his arm despite the numbness, gripping the structure firmly.

With one arm joining in, his body instantly felt significantly more relief.

Upon hearing the firefighter's shout, Lin Yi smiled and said, "Don't worry, I can hold on."

At this moment, time is of the essence, and the firefighter deeply understood this.

After receiving Lin Yi's response, he didn't hesitate any longer.

He quickly glanced upward, then spoke through the earpiece at his mouth to his colleagues above:

"Lower me down to the bottom window; I'll hand the boy over to someone inside, then pull me up to rescue more. Quickly, quickly, quickly..."

There's no denying the coordination of these firefighters was impeccable. As the firefighter finished speaking, his entire body swiftly slid downward.

Faced with the rapid descent, the firefighter's feet kept kicking against the wall.

Maintaining a constant bouncing motion.

Within moments, he reached the window.

Only the crowd occupying the window and his urgency caused him to descend a bit too fast, inadvertently kicking into the window.

Thankfully, people inside reacted quickly, catching his body with swift hands.

The firefighter seized the opportunity, shouted, "Catch the child!"

He quickly handed the boy to the person inside, without a moment's delay, decisively stepping on a middle-aged man's shoulder and springing outside the window.

Simultaneously, the firefighter shouted loudly, "Ascend quickly!"

Following those words, eight firefighters on the roof swiftly pulled the rope upwards.

In just a few breaths, the firefighter's body returned to Lin Yi's side!

This time, Lin Yi didn't hesitate at all, allowing the firefighter to tie the prearranged rope around his waist.

However, just as the rope was about to be secured, an unexpected event occurred.