Chapter 97: Capsized

When Bi Qiao’an woke up, Shen Yanming opened his eyes too.

“What time did you come back last night?” she asked, her voice still soft with sleep.

“Almost midnight. You were already sound asleep,” Shen Yanming replied. He reached for his phone, noting that it was already eleven o’clock.

They didn’t linger, getting up to wash and change. Once ready, Bi Qiao’an checked their group chat, surprised by the silence. “Is everyone still sleeping in?”

She sent a message to the group: “Are you all up? Why is it so quiet today?”

After a few minutes, someone finally replied.

Zhu Shiliang: “Just woke up. I’m a bit tired from driving all day yesterday. Ranran was fussy about the bed, so he didn’t fall asleep until late and hasn’t gotten up yet.”

Ye Xiaoxiao: “Haha, Xia Ran and I have been up for a while. The hotel’s free breakfast was delicious! We had three-flavored steamed buns, oatmeal with milk, fruit salad, and fried eggs.”

Xia Ran: “Yeah, Xiaoxiao and I are at the swimming pool now. It’s just the two of us – we have the place to ourselves!”

Yu Shui: “You young people have so much energy. These old bones of mine can’t handle it.”

After a moment of silence, everyone replied to Yu Shui in unison: “Get lost!”

Well, it was the second day of the holiday. Everyone still needed to adjust, so today was free time.

Shen Yanming called Ji Kangyong and agreed to meet him at the restaurant shortly.

These two had also just gotten up. When they were ready and arrived at the restaurant, they found that the dishes were already laid out in full.

“Why are you two so late?” Bi Qiao’an asked.

“So what if we are? Is there a rule against it?” Li Zhaozhao retorted, adding, “We went to see a movie with everyone last night. It didn’t end until after midnight.”

“Fine, fine!” Bi Qiao’an pouted. “I just thought you’d be early risers like Ye Xiaoxiao and the others. You’re all young, but your lifestyles are so different!”

“Little girl, are you saying you’re not young anymore?” Li Zhaozhao, amused, reached out to playfully poke Bi Qiao’an’s forehead.

Shen Yanming’s icy glare cut short Li Zhaozhao’s gesture. He sheepishly withdrew his hand and rubbed his nose. “Well, you’re still a few years younger than me!”

“Big deal that she’s married. Are you?” Ji Kangyong countered, leaving Li Zhaozhao speechless.

“Whatever, just because you’re married…” Li Zhaozhao grumbled, picking up his chopsticks and channeling his frustration into eating. Best to focus on the food when he couldn’t win an argument.

“Of course it’s a big deal. If you’re so capable, why don’t you get married and show us?” Shen Yanming retorted, raising his eyebrows. He placed a small plate of peeled shrimp next to Bi Qiao’an’s hand.

“Forget it, you’re all experts. I won’t bother!”

After finishing their meal, the four friends went to the cinema. They shared two buckets of popcorn, drank three bottles of soda, and watched movies for four hours. Afterward, Li Zhaozhao pondered aloud, “Did we come all this way just to watch movies?”

Of course, they didn’t just come for the movies. They also came to indulge in delicious food! Shen Yanming made a reservation at a Western restaurant, where they enjoyed another satisfying meal. After a short rest, they headed to the indoor swimming pool and splashed around for three hours.

Early the next morning, the group chat burst into life.

Yu Shui: “Hurry, comrades! Let’s go claim a spot!”

Zhu Shiliang: “Why are you shouting so early in the morning? You’ve woken everyone up.”

Yu Shui: “There are already people setting up tents on the lawn. We need to hurry and grab a good spot. If we’re late, we’ll be stuck on the outskirts.”

Bi Qiao’an: “It’s only 8:30 AM!!!”

Ye Xiaoxiao: “It’s true! There are people setting up tents on the lawn. It’s the only spot in the entire scenic area without obstructions. If we’re late, we might end up in the parking lot.”

Zhu Shiliang: “Alright, let’s go secure a spot first. We can discuss activities after we set up the tents.”

The group headed to the parking lot, took their tents out of the cars, and made their way to the lawn. Sure enough, dozens of colorful tents were already scattered across the field. They chose an unoccupied spot with a good location, about forty to fifty meters from the river and a convenient five-minute walk from the parking lot.  Those with tents quickly set them up, while the others went to the management office to register and receive free tents.

By the time the group had finished setting up their tents, it was already around ten o’clock. The temperature had risen, and tourists were bustling all around. As more people noticed the growing tent village, they couldn’t resist the urge to join in, driven by a herd mentality. Before long, tents were sprouting up like mushrooms, dotting the landscape in a colorful array.

Afterward, Zhu Shiliang took the young people upstream for a rafting trip. The chilly river water splashing on their bodies offered a refreshing respite from the scorching sun, evaporating quickly in the heat. It was the perfect day for this kind of exciting activity.

Shen Yanming held Bi Qiao’an tightly as they rode the rubber raft downstream, with Li Zhaozhao and Ji Kangyong following close behind. An unfamiliar young couple joined them, making a group of six.

The landscape was breathtaking: green mountains framing them, a vast sky above, sunlight glittering on the river’s rushing currents. The rafting was thrilling and exciting.

Suddenly, a gasp rose from the group. “Oh my god, a rubber raft flipped over ahead!”

Upon closer inspection, they realized they knew the occupants!

“What should we do? That’s Yaya’s boat!” Bi Qiao’an exclaimed, anxious and worried.

“Sit still and don’t move!” Shen Yanming steadied Bi Qiao’an, preventing her from rocking the raft. He and Ji Kangyong quickly jumped into the water to offer help.

Six people had fallen into the water, overwhelming the two rafting guides who were on the verge of panicking.

Seeing that help had arrived, the guides immediately calmed down. They righted the raft and pulled the fallen individuals aboard.

In reality, everyone rafting wore life jackets. Even with an accidental fall, there would be no danger as long as they remained calm.

However, most people panic in the shock of falling into the water. This involuntary struggle can easily lead to injuries from riverbed rocks or choking while thrashing.

After entering the water, Shen Yanming swam directly towards Zhu Ranran. The child’s light weight made it easy for Shen Yanming to grab him and surface.

Once rescued, Zhu Ranran clung tightly to Shen Yanming, refusing to let go. Shen Yanming had no choice but to climb onto the raft while still holding him.

Without a careful glance, Ji Kangyong rushed into the water and pulled up the nearest person. Only after hauling them up did he realize it was Yaya, the girl Bi Qiao’an had mentioned.

Ji Kangyong struggled to help Li Yueya onto the rubber raft. He noticed the young girl tugging pitifully at the corner of his shirt, her body trembling slightly, her eyes filled with a desperate dependence.

Ji Kangyong couldn’t bear this pleading look, and felt compelled to hold Li Yueya’s arm and sit down beside her.

Meanwhile, Zhu Shiliang and his wife also climbed onto the rubber raft with the help of the guide. With the raft now full, the seven- or eight-year-old little girl and the woman in her thirties still in the water had no choice but to climb onto the raft where Bi Qiao’an was.

Seeing the little girl’s face pale in the water, Bi Qiao’an reached out to help. Unexpectedly, the little girl forcefully slapped Bi Qiao’an’s arm away, her voice sharp and shrill, “Get away!”

“How rude! Someone is trying to help, and this is how you behave?” Li Zhaozhao witnessed the scene and quickly stepped in front of Bi Qiao’an, scolding the girl.

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