Chapter 111: Everyone Has Been Rescued

The first to be brought out on the coal transport truck were sixteen injured miners.

Each one had their eyes covered and suffered varying degrees of injuries.

Some had broken arms, others had abrasions, and some had fractured legs.

The injuries ranged from minor to severe. Though their faces were covered in black coal dust, every single one of them carried the look of someone who had just escaped death.

Jing Xi spotted Wang Zhen in the crowd, and the two of them squeezed into the front row.

But among the injured, there was no sign of Wang Xiu’s younger brother, Wang Qi.

The rescue workers immediately placed all the injured miners on the open ground in front of the main office building.

Before long, the entire area was surrounded by injured miners and their worried families.

It was a mixture of sorrow and joy.

Then, there was a commotion at the entrance of the mine. Jing Xi turned around and saw several large military trucks pulling up outside the yard. A large group of military doctors and nurses stepped out.

There were about fifty to sixty medical personnel, along with two trucks full of soldiers.

Jing Xi glanced at the license plates—it turned out these people had come all the way from the capital, Beijing.

The higher-ups were taking this mining accident very seriously.

Among the crowd, a tall, striking military officer immediately caught Jing Xi’s attention.

He was incredibly handsome and exuded a powerful presence. His noble yet untamed aura made him stand out, no matter the occasion.

The three stars on his epaulettes shone brilliantly.

This was an important man.

As soon as the officer stepped out of his jeep, he began issuing commands. The soldiers swiftly entered the site, assisting with rescue efforts and maintaining order.

The medical personnel worked alongside them, setting up tents and bringing out medical equipment to treat the injured.

The chaotic scene was instantly transformed into one of organized efficiency under the steady movements of the military.

Shortly after, several news station vans arrived.

Reporters, each wearing ID badges and carrying cameras, hurriedly got out.

Jing Xi knew that this accident was bound to become a national headline.

She couldn’t help but feel a little anxious for Long Yue Zhi.

Ten minutes later, another coal truck arrived.

This time, it carried three lifeless bodies.

The three miners who had lost their lives in the accident.

Jing Xi could hear Wang Zhen murmuring prayers beside her, hoping that Wang Qi wasn’t among them.

He was mentally preparing himself.

Soon, the police arrived and instructed the families to line up to identify the deceased and handle the necessary formalities.

Wang Zhen walked forward, but his steps were unsteady.

Jing Xi quickly reached out to support him, noticing that he was trembling.

“Uncle, think positively!”

Wang Zhen nodded and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

The three bodies lay silently on stretchers.

One was identified.

Then another.

Before it was Wang Zhen’s turn, all three had been claimed.

Wang Zhen let out a deep breath of relief. “Xiao Jing, help me stand.”

He felt lucky, but at the same time, his heart ached for the families of the deceased.

No one ever wanted to face such a tragedy.

Among the three bodies, one appeared to be a young man, no older than eighteen or nineteen—probably someone who had just started working.

His parents were collapsed beside him, utterly devastated.

The atmosphere was unbearably heavy.

Wang Zhen wiped the sweat from his face again. “Ah, these poor people… I hope in their next lives, they find happiness.”

Jing Xi agreed. “Yes. They suffered in this life, but in the next, they will surely have a better fate.”

The dead could not hear the prayers of the living.

Perhaps, these words were just meant to comfort those who remained.

Watching the families of the deceased sob uncontrollably—some collapsing to their knees, unable to stand—Jing Xi felt a deep, twisting pain in her heart.

Fortunately, more coal trucks continued arriving, bringing up the remaining miners.

The shift in attention helped ease the sorrow.

After being trapped underground for over twenty hours, the rescued miners struggled to adjust to the bright sunlight, shielding their eyes with their arms.

The military medical team quickly took over, providing immediate medical assessments.

Wang Zhen finally spotted Wang Qi on the second truck.

His long-held anxiety finally lifted.

“Xiao Jing, your aunt’s brother is alive! This is great news! I need to find a phone and call her right away! But where can I find a phone?”

Jing Xi nodded. “Uncle, come with me upstairs. There’s a phone there.”

Wang Zhen nodded and followed her.

The conference room, which had been occupied earlier, was now empty. Everyone had gone downstairs to either witness the rescue or assist in some way.

They quickly dialed the village office, and the call was answered by Cao Xinyi.

“Xiao Cao! It’s Wang Zhen! Please tell my wife that her brother and sister-in-law are safe! Not a single scratch on them—arms, legs, heads, all intact!”

“Thank you! And let her know I’ll be back soon!”

“Thanks again! Goodbye!”

After the call, Wang Zhen collapsed onto the couch for a moment before standing up again.

“Xiao Jing, I’m going to wash my face. There are so many people around, we shouldn’t add to the chaos. Let’s see if we can take the family home first. If not, we’ll head to Wang Qi’s place and wait there.”

Jing Xi nodded. “Alright, Uncle!”

When Wang Zhen returned after washing his face, Jing Xi was about to leave with him.

Just as they reached the staircase, they saw Long Yue Zhi coming up—alongside the tall military officer from earlier.

Behind him followed a younger PLA officer and Yu Er.

As their eyes met, Long Yue Zhi was the first to speak. “You’re leaving?”

Jing Xi replied, “I’m going downstairs to check on things.”

Long Yue Zhi glanced at Wang Zhen. “Who is this?”

Jing Xi answered, “An uncle from the village. I came with him to see the families. Now that they’re fine, we’re preparing to leave with them.”

Wang Zhen asked curiously, “Xiao Jing, do you know this gentleman?”

As Long Yue Zhi and the officer approached, the officer gave Jing Xi a glance before heading inside.

Long Yue Zhi looked at Jing Xi and said, “Wait a little before you leave. As for this gentleman, I’ll arrange for someone to take you back.”

Jing Xi: “……”

Wang Zhen, not knowing who Long Yue Zhi was, quickly waved his hand. “No need, no need! I have my own way to get back.”

Jing Xi knew that even if she left, Long Yue Zhi would probably send someone to bring her back. So she said, “Uncle, let him arrange it. You go ahead, I’ll return later.”

After all, it would either be Xiao Jie or Liang Chen giving her a ride, and Wang Zhen knew them.

Wang Zhen hesitated. “That seems a bit much…”

“It’s fine. I’ll have Xiao Jie take you.”

The moment Wang Zhen heard the name Xiao Jie, he immediately reacted. “Xiao Jie? Wait a minute… Could it be that you’re Mr. Long?”

Long Yue Zhi nodded and shook hands with Wang Zhen.

Then he turned to Jing Xi. “Go wait for me in the conference room.”

Jing Xi asked, “…Which conference room?”

Long Yue Zhi replied, “Did you see that officer just now? The one he’s in.”

Jing Xi responded, “Alright.”

With that, Long Yue Zhi led Wang Zhen downstairs.

Wang Zhen was visibly excited—he never expected to meet a big figure from the Long family!

As they descended, Jing Xi could still hear Wang Zhen making small talk with Long Yue Zhi, trying to find out what exactly had happened at the mine.

Jing Xi wondered why Long Yue Zhi wanted to talk to her, but she still turned and walked toward the conference room.

As she reached the doorway, she immediately sensed an overwhelming pressure radiating from within.

The officer stood tall and imposing by the window, his hands clasped behind his back. His strong and muscular build was like a towering mountain.

He was even more powerful-looking than Long Yue Zhi—by a significant margin.

She quietly marveled at his presence. What a strong aura!

As expected of a PLA officer.

She hesitated, suddenly feeling reluctant to enter.

Where was Long Yue Zhi? Why wasn’t he back yet?

Jing Xi remained standing at the doorway, not daring to move, trying her best to stay silent so as not to disturb the officer inside.

Just then, Long Yue Zhi returned, only to find her peeking inside like a little chick sneaking a glance.

“Why aren’t you going in?”

Jing Xi, caught red-handed, turned around in shock when she saw Long Yue Zhi’s face.

“When did you come back?”

Long Yue Zhi frowned slightly. “Why are you sneaking around instead of going in?”

Jing Xi: “……”

Could she just say she was too scared?

Long Yue Zhi glanced inside at the man standing by the window and seemed to understand something. Without another word, he grabbed Jing Xi and pushed her inside, pressing her down into a seat.

The officer turned his head slightly, glancing at their interaction, and the corners of his mouth twitched ever so slightly.

Long Yue Zhi sat down as well. “Why are you here?”

The officer remained calm. “I wasn’t supposed to come, but Juzi was worried something might happen to you. He called me multiple times and insisted that I come check on you personally.”

Long Yue Zhi’s expression softened a little. He walked closer and spoke in a low voice, “Song Qi, I do need your help.”