Chapter 16

The early summer rain came unexpectedly. Large raindrops pounded against the window, making a pattering sound. Dark clouds, like spilled ink, quickly blackened the entire sky. Song Mingye had just finished a video conference and was about to get up to pour Song Linchuan a glass of hot milk when his phone suddenly rang urgently. The name "Qi Zihao" flashed on the screen.

"Hello, Zihao?" Song Mingye answered the phone, and Qi Zihao's voice, trembling with tears, immediately came through the receiver: "Brother Mingye, something terrible has happened! Chu Xiaoche is in trouble!"

Song Mingye's heart sank: "Don't rush, tell me slowly, what happened to Chu Xiaoche?"

"He went to the suburbs to shoot on location today, and encountered a landslide on the way. His car was half buried, and he's still trapped inside. We can't get in touch with rescue!" Qi Zihao's voice trembled violently. "I've been trying to call him but haven't been able to get through. I can only ask you for help!"

"Don't panic," Song Mingye forced himself to calm down. "Where are you now? I'll come find you right away, and we'll go to the suburbs together."

After hanging up the phone, Song Mingye immediately grabbed his coat and said to Song Linchuan, who was reading a book, "Linchuan, Chu Xiaoche is in trouble. We need to get to the suburbs right away."

Song Linchuan's expression changed, and he immediately stood up: "What happened? Is it serious?"

"It's not clear yet, all we know is that he's trapped at the landslide site," Song Mingye said as he changed his shoes. "You wait at home, I'll be right back."

“No, I’m going with you.” Song Linchuan’s eyes were firm. “We’re family. I can’t let you face this alone.”

Seeing his earnest expression, Song Mingye felt a warmth in his heart and nodded, "Okay, let's go together."

The two had just stepped out when they received a call from Mu Nanjin, who had also just received a message from Qi Zihao and was about to head over. "Let's meet at the intersection in the suburbs," Song Mingye said, then hung up the phone, started the car, and sped into the rain.

The rain intensified, blurring visibility, and the car struggled to navigate the muddy road. Song Linchuan gripped Song Mingye's hand tightly, his palms sweaty: "Brother, drive slowly and be careful."

"Don't worry, I'm fine." Song Mingye took his hand in return, and the warmth from his fingertips reassured them both.

When they arrived at the suburban intersection, Mu Nanjin and Jiang Ziyu were already waiting there. Jiang Ziyu was wearing a black windbreaker, his face full of anxiety, while Mu Nanjin kept dialing Chu Xiaoche's number, but no one answered.

"How did it go?" Song Mingye asked as he got out of the car.

"We still can't get in touch with Chu Xiaoche. The rescue team said the rain is too heavy and the mountain roads are too rugged to go in for the time being." Mu Nanjin's voice was tinged with fatigue.

Qi Zihao stood to the side, tears streaming down his face: "It's all my fault. If I hadn't made him go to film that outdoor scene, he wouldn't have had this accident."

“It’s not your fault,” Chu Xiaoche walked over and gently patted his shoulder. “What we need to do now is try to contact him and rescue him together when the rescue team arrives.”

Just then, Jiang Ziyu suddenly pointed into the distance: "Look, isn't that the headlights of a rescue vehicle?"

Everyone looked in the direction he was pointing and saw several blinding lights coming from afar, getting closer and closer. "It's a rescue vehicle!" Qi Zihao shouted excitedly, tears streaming down his face even more profusely.

The rescue team arrived quickly. After getting out of the car, the person in charge said with a solemn expression, "The rain is too heavy now, and the mountain is still experiencing continuous landslides. We can only send a small number of people in to search and rescue. You wait here for news and do not act on your own."

“Let’s go together!” Song Mingye stepped forward. “We’re familiar with the terrain, so we might be able to help.”

"No, it's too dangerous." The person in charge shook his head.

"Please, let us go!" Qi Zihao grabbed the person in charge's hand, his voice choked with emotion. "The people inside are the most important people to me. I can't wait here!"

Looking at their determined eyes, the person in charge hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright, you can come with us, but be sure to pay attention to safety, stay close to the group, and don't leave without permission."

The group followed the rescue team, trudging through the mud and water towards the landslide site. The rain stung their faces, icy cold, and the muddy, slippery path made every step incredibly difficult. Qi Zihao tripped and fell, scraping his knee, but he didn't seem to care, getting up and continuing on. Chu Xiaoche quickly helped him up, saying, "Be careful, don't fall again."

"I'm fine, I'm going to find Chu Xiaoche." Qi Zihao's voice was firm.

After walking for about half an hour, they finally arrived at the accident scene. A white SUV was buried in mud and rocks, with only part of its roof visible. "Chu Xiaoche!" Qi Zihao rushed over excitedly, but was stopped by the rescue workers.

"Don't go over there, it's too dangerous, the landslide is still happening!" the rescuers shouted.

Qi Zihao struggled to rush over, but Song Mingye quickly pulled him back: "Zihao, don't be impulsive, let the rescuers save people first."

Rescuers immediately began their operation, using excavators to clear away the surrounding mud and rocks as they carefully approached the off-road vehicle. Time ticked by, and everyone felt a heavy weight pressing on their hearts.

"Someone inside is responding!" a rescuer suddenly shouted.

Everyone's hearts leaped into their throats, and Qi Zihao trembled with excitement. The rescuers sped up and finally dug the SUV out. The door was stuck by the deformed frame, and the rescuers used tools to pry it open. They found Chu Xiaoche slumped in the driver's seat, blood streaming from his forehead, already unconscious.

"Chu Xiaoche!" Qi Zihao rushed over, grabbed his hand, and couldn't stop the tears from falling. "Wake up, don't scare me!"

Medical staff immediately provided emergency treatment to Chu Xiaoche, then lifted him onto a stretcher and sent him to a nearby hospital. Everyone else also rushed to the hospital with the ambulance.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Chu Xiaoche was rushed into the emergency room. Qi Zihao sat on a chair outside the emergency room, his hands clenched tightly, his eyes filled with worry. Song Mingye and Song Linchuan sat beside him, gently comforting him. Mu Nanjin and Jiang Ziyu contacted Chu Xiaoche's family.

Time passed slowly, and finally the emergency room light went out. The doctor came out, took off his mask, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, the patient is out of danger. He just has a mild concussion and some external injuries. He'll be fine after some rest."

Qi Zihao's heart finally settled down, and tears welled up in his eyes again—this time, tears of joy. "Thank you, doctor! Thank you, doctor!" he kept thanking the doctor.

Chu Xiaoche was taken to a ward. Everyone gathered around his bedside, their hearts filled with heartache as they looked at his pale face. After a while, Chu Xiaoche slowly opened his eyes and saw Qi Zihao leaning over the bedside, his eyes reddening: "Zihao..."

Qi Zihao immediately raised his head and grasped his hand: "I'm here, I'm here, it's good that you're awake."

"I'm sorry to have worried you." Chu Xiaoche's voice was a little weak, but still gentle.

"Silly boy, I'm so glad you're alright." Qi Zihao's voice choked with emotion. "Don't scare me like that again."

"Okay, I promise you." Chu Xiaoche smiled and gently wiped away his tears.

Looking at the scene before him, Song Mingye felt a surge of satisfaction. He turned to look at Song Linchuan and found that Song Linchuan was also looking at him. The two smiled at each other and held hands tightly.

Mu Nanjin and Jiang Ziyu stood to the side, watching Chu Xiaoche and Qi Zihao, their faces also showing gentle smiles. Jiang Ziyu gently held Mu Nanjin's hand and whispered, "We must be good to each other from now on, and never be separated."

Mu Nan nodded, her eyes resolute: "Yes, we'll never be apart."

The rain outside the window gradually stopped, and sunlight shone through the clouds, bathing the hospital room in warmth and brightness. Having weathered this storm, the hearts of the four couples were even more closely linked. They knew that in the days to come, no matter how great the difficulties, as long as they stood shoulder to shoulder, they would surely overcome all obstacles and usher in their own happiness. The evening breeze kissed the old windowsill, bringing the freshness after the rain, and also bringing with it the lovers' even stronger vows, flowing quietly and enduringly in the long river of time.