Chapter 107: Rescue Mission (Part 2)

Xu Jin shuddered as Zhang Sheng scolded her.

Why?

She was furious!

There were more than a dozen people in this room, yet for the sake of a country girl, they completely disregarded her dignity?

Disrespecting her meant disrespecting the Xu family. Disrespecting the Xu family meant disrespecting the entire clan!

So what if he was a city official?

She refused to believe it!

The more Xu Jin thought about it, the angrier she became. Her delicately made-up face twisted in rage, her features contorting. She wanted to argue back, but Quan Zhiwen kept squeezing her hand, silently reminding her to calm down. Now was not the time to throw a tantrum.

Then, he pulled Xu Jin behind him.

Xu Jin, prompted by Quan Zhiwen, regained a slight bit of composure.

Yet, she still glared at Jing Xi with resentment.

This feud was set in stone.

Quan Zhiwen stepped in to mediate. “Secretary Zhang, I apologize. My wife is also concerned about the rescue efforts. She meant no harm. Let’s continue the discussion.”

Zhang Sheng nodded, giving them a way out. “I understand that you both come from influential families, but at this moment, we should be focusing on finding a solution together. Alright, enough unnecessary talk—let’s get back to business!”

At Zhang Sheng’s cue, various department heads began discussing the current situation in detail, as well as the challenges of the rescue mission and the feasibility of the proposed plan. After considering all factors, they ultimately decided to proceed with the plan.

Hu Wei’s team, which had been sent down to inspect the mine, also returned. Everything in Shaft Three was in good condition, and the plan was deemed viable.

The distance was not as far as initially thought. While the entrance to the shaft was quite a distance away, many underground tunnels were interconnected, meaning they wouldn’t need several days to dig their way through.

However, time was still of the essence. Any unforeseen complications could be disastrous.

Everyone let out a slight sigh of relief before heading off to oversee the rescue operations.

The response was swift and efficient.

A large number of people exited the room in a flurry of activity, leaving the space much quieter.

Zhang Sheng rubbed his temples. “Now, all we can do is wait.”

Jing Xi stood by the window, watching the brightly lit mine entrance. The professional rescue team and the well-equipped firefighting squad had already begun their descent into the mine.

Their movements were orderly and swift, their coordination seamless.

Four words flashed through her mind—every second counts.

One hundred and thirteen lives.

They were all down there!

She couldn’t sit still anymore. She wanted to go outside and see for herself.

Glancing at Quan Zhiwen and Xu Jin, who were still standing in the corner, she bypassed them and walked over to Xiao Jie and Liang Chen.

“I’m going to the restroom,” she said.

“Alright.”

Jing Xi headed to the bathroom, splashing her face with cold water to clear her mind.

Just as she was about to leave, Xu Jin walked in.

Her face was filled with hatred, disgust, and sheer loathing.

Such a complex mix of emotions.

“Who exactly are you?”

Xu Jin abruptly grabbed Jing Xi’s face, her sharp nails scraping against her delicate skin, causing a stinging sensation.

Jing Xi smiled and replied, “Just a peasant, a farmer, an apprentice at a bun shop, and a former village accountant. Which of these identities do you prefer? I can be whichever one you like.”

She swatted Xu Jin’s hand away.

Xu Jin wiped her own hands with a handkerchief and sneered. “Did you get plastic surgery? You deliberately made yourself look a bit like me, didn’t you?”

Jing Xi scoffed. “Do you really think you’re someone so important? You think I’d go through surgery just to look like you? Is that even necessary?”

Xu Jin let out a cold laugh. “You really are fearless, like someone with nothing to lose. Just a worthless orphan without parents. If I wanted to deal with you, it would take nothing more than the blink of an eye. Today, we’ve made an enemy of each other. Once this matter is settled, I won’t let you off!”

Jing Xi looked at Xu Jin. “An enemy? You mean, I’ve offended you by helping to save lives? Do you actually want those people down in the mine to die? Or have you been brainwashed by some cult?”

Xu Jin was furious. “Nonsense! What cult?! What does this have to do with saving people? It’s because of you that I’ve lost face! I am the distinguished heiress of the Xu family—”

Jing Xi interrupted, “Alright, alright. I don’t care if you’re some heiress of the Xu family. That has absolutely nothing to do with me, so don’t waste your breath. The only thing I care about is the lives of the people trapped in the mine!”

“And another thing! Do you seriously think your reputation is more important than human lives? You must be sick in the head. Move aside, I’m leaving!”

Xu Jin refused to give up. “Who exactly are you? How do you know how to conduct a rescue operation?”

Jing Xi rolled her eyes. “None of your business! Ask me again, and I’ll be your father.”

She couldn’t be bothered to argue. This Xu Jin was clearly a spoiled brat, used to having everything her way.

Did she even realize her own limitations?

She might have influence back in Shan Province, but here in Ji Province, in the capital no less, what made her think she could act so arrogantly?

Jing Xi turned to leave, but Xu Jin blocked her path.

Her anger flared. “Alright! You’ve disrespected me again and again! Do you even know your place?!”

With that, she raised her hand, ready to slap Jing Xi.

Jing Xi had already anticipated her move and was prepared. She grabbed Xu Jin’s wrist and shoved her back forcefully. Xu Jin stumbled and crashed into the bathroom door with a muffled grunt of pain.

“You dare—”

Jing Xi sneered. “You already know I have nothing to lose. There won’t be a next time.”

With that, she strode away.

Xu Jin gritted her teeth so hard she nearly shattered them.

Furious, she threw the handkerchief in her hand onto the ground.

But in the end, it was just a piece of cloth.

---

After going downstairs, Jing Xi unexpectedly spotted Wang Zhen peering around in the crowd.

She quickly walked over. “Uncle, how did you sneak in?”

Wang Zhen pulled her aside. “On my way here, I ran into an old classmate. He was delivering rescue supplies, so he let me hop onto his truck.”

“I see! Did you manage to find out anything?”

Wang Zhen nodded, though his expression remained serious. “I saw my sister-in-law. She’s safe for now. Someone will be sending them home later. But there’s still no news on Wang Qi. It’s confirmed that he’s still trapped underground.”

“At least that’s one less thing to worry about.”

Wang Zhen nodded. “By the way, I just saw the rescue team go down. It looks like they’ve come up with a plan. Earlier, I overheard someone say they didn’t dare go down recklessly because they were afraid of losing more lives in the process. But now that they’ve sent the team in, it means there’s still hope!”

Jing Xi nodded firmly. “Yes! I believe they will make it out safely!”

The two of them climbed up to a higher vantage point where they could see the entrance of the mine more clearly.

Even though they couldn’t see what was happening inside, they wanted to be the first to know if anyone managed to come back up.

About an hour later, at 3 AM, Jing Xi noticed coal carts being transported up along the tracks from the mine entrance.

That meant they had started excavation again!

The coal carts rumbled noisily as one after another emerged from Shaft No. 3.

They waited for what felt like an eternity, their bodies growing cold in the night air, when suddenly, someone announced that explosives had been set and they would soon be entering Shaft No. 4 to assess the situation.

Jing Xi immediately straightened up. Her drowsy mind instantly cleared. She exchanged a quick word with Wang Zhen and rushed back upstairs.

Before she even reached the conference room, she noticed several tall, familiar-looking men standing guard outside.

Among them were Xiao Jie, Liang Chen, and Xiao Ling, but there were also a few other figures.

As she got closer, her heart skipped a beat.

Weren’t those Yu Erge, Chen Gang, and Chen Zhi?

Why were they here?

Could it be—

Had Long Yue Zhi also come?

Her heartbeat quickened with anticipation. She hurried toward the door, just about to greet Yu Er when she heard a familiar voice from inside.

Normally, that voice carried a lazy, carefree tone.

But now, it was sharp and serious, sending a chill down her spine.

“Quan Erge, Miss Xu, do you really not know why I’m here?”