Chapter 71 An Unexpected Incident

While I was teaching my two children, there was a sudden knocking sound at the door in the yard.

Lu Mingyue put down her pen and got up to open the door.

As soon as the door opened, Zhu Xiaofang and Zheng Xiuhua were seen standing outside, each holding their own child and carrying a small basket.

Zhu Xiaofang smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons: "Mingyue, the tide's gone out early today, let's go beachcombing together!"

Zheng Xiuhua added with a smile, "We just heard from people who came back from the beach that there are a lot of clams today, and they'll be gone if you go too late."

She brandished the small shovel in her hand, "Bring your tools, and you're guaranteed a full load!"

Upon hearing the words "beachcombing," the two children immediately ran out of the house, their eyes shining like seashells on the beach.

Leilei asked excitedly, "Mom, can we go too?"

Yao Yao even grabbed Lu Mingyue's clothes and shook her incessantly.

Lu Mingyue glanced at the paper and pen on the table, then at the children's expectant eyes, and nodded with a smile: "Go ahead, but change your shoes first, and bring your little bucket."

The two children agreed and ran quickly into the house, changing their gear as fast as they could.

After the two little ones finished packing their things, they took their friends' hands and walked towards the beach.

The three adults followed behind. Looking at the smile on Mingming's face, Lu Mingyue whispered to Zhu Xiaofang, "I think Mingming has adapted very well during this time."

Zhu Xiaofang nodded, her eyes full of relief: "Yes, when we first got back, he wouldn't say a word, but now he's finally willing to smile."

That experience made him introverted and sensitive, and he rarely communicated with others.

But today, he was holding a piece of candy, talking earnestly to Leilei. Although his voice wasn't loud, his eyes shone with a new light.

Zhu Xiaofang and Zheng Xiuhua have been living on the island for several years, and they each have their own secret spots for beachcombing.

They know exactly where the clams are plentiful, where the crabs are plentiful, and where the meat is thickest.

They treated Lu Mingyue with complete openness, bringing her to their secret hideout to share their experiences.

Upon arriving at the beach, Zhu, Xiaofang, and Zheng Xiuhua skillfully squatted down and began searching the sand with small shovels.

"Mingyue, look, there's a small hole here. There must be clams underneath!"

As Zheng Xiuhua spoke, she gently dug with her fingers and, sure enough, pulled out a plump clam.

Leilei imitated the adults, looking for small holes on the beach.

But he was unlucky today; after digging for a long time, he only dug out a handful of sand.

Yao Yao giggled beside her: "Brother, you've dug up the little crab's home!"

As soon as the words were spoken, a small crab poked its pincers out of its sand hole and scurried away sideways, causing the children to chase after it.

Lu Mingyue carried a small bucket, helping the children pack their catch while reminding them, "Be careful not to get pinched by the crabs!"

Several adults discovered a dense array of razor clam holes on a mudflat and became excited, each grabbing a shovel and digging away with great enthusiasm.

Razor clams popped out of the sand one by one, and the joy of the harvest made them almost forget the time.

After digging for razor clams for a while, the children got bored and went to look at other places.

Looking at the boundless sea, Lu Mingyue felt a little worried.

"Don't worry, Auntie, we play here all the time, it'll be fine."

Niu Niu patted his chest and assured them that they would not run around and would play in this place.

"Mingyue, the children know what they're doing. Let them play there. We'll finish digging in a bit."

Knowing that the children were restless, Zheng Xiuhua sped up her work, trying to finish digging as soon as possible so she could take the children home.

"Alright, don't stray too far from us!" Lu Mingyue instructed as she dug.

Mingming wanted to go with her mother, but also wanted to play with her brothers. After hesitating for a long time, she finally took her little shovel and followed her brothers.

Zhu Xiaofang worriedly told him to follow in his brothers' footsteps.

At first, the children were having a great time building sandcastles and catching crabs nearby.

After taking a few glances and confirming that the children were safe, Lu Mingyue felt at ease and began digging for razor clams.

The adults, engrossed in digging for razor clams, didn't notice that several children had been drawn to the distant rocks and had quietly run behind them to play.

Suddenly, a sharp cry for help pierced the sea breeze.

"Niu Niu was swept away by the sea!"

Lu Mingyue's heart tightened suddenly, and she threw down the shovel and ran towards the reef.

Zheng Xiuhua was bending over digging for razor clams when she suddenly heard children shouting in alarm.

She sat up abruptly, her face turning deathly pale, and the shovel in her hand fell to the ground.

She practically tumbled and crawled towards the rocks, her eyes fixed on the small figure in the waves, her heart gripped tightly by an invisible hand.

"Niu Niu!" Her voice was hoarse and urgent, choked with sobs.

Zheng Xiuhua stood on the reef, reaching out her hand desperately to get closer, but the surging seawater made it impossible for her to get any closer.

At that moment, she felt an intense hatred for not being able to swim.

Her legs were trembling, tears blurred her vision, and she could only cry out helplessly, "Help! Save my child!"

Just then, a familiar voice rang out: "I'll do it!"

Huo Zheng happened to be patrolling by when he heard the cries for help. He immediately rushed over and jumped into the sea without hesitation.

Huo Zheng swam towards Niu Niu with all his might, grabbed the child by the collar, and dragged him out of the water.

The people on the shore were relieved. Once Huo Zheng safely brought Niu Niu ashore, everyone gathered around.

When Niu Niu was rescued and brought ashore, his lips were already white, and he was shivering and soaking wet.

But his little hands still gripped Huo Zheng's sleeve tightly, as if he had grasped the last straw.

Zheng Xiuhua rushed over, tears streaming down her face: "Thank you! Thank you so much, Huo Zheng! If it weren't for..."

Her voice was choked with sobs, and she could barely continue speaking.

Huo Zheng gently patted Niu Niu's back and comforted him, "Don't talk yet, the child has choked on water."

Lu Mingyue remembered the first aid knowledge she had learned and helped Huo Zheng with the procedure.

Niu Niu successfully vomited out the dirty water.

"Don't delay, take the child to the hospital."

The group immediately sprang into action. Zhu Xiaofang and Lu Mingyue helped take off the child's soaking wet clothes and wrapped him in their coats.

Huo Zheng picked up Niu Niu and ran quickly toward the hospital.

Throughout the journey, Niu Niu coughed intermittently in his arms, each cough tugging at his heartstrings.

Upon arrival at the hospital, the doctor immediately cleared Niu Niu's airway and examined his physical condition.

Zheng Xiuhua paced anxiously back and forth outside the ward, rubbing her hands together incessantly.

It wasn't until the doctor came out and said, "The child is fine, just frightened," that things changed.

She finally breathed a long sigh of relief, slumped into her chair, and tears welled up in her eyes again.

Lu Mingyue gently patted her shoulder: "It's good that you're alright. We'll definitely take better care of the child from now on."

Zheng Xiuhua was filled with regret at this moment, wishing she had never let the children out of their sight.

She and her husband only have one child, Niu Niu, and they have poured a lot of love into him. She doesn't even want to think about what might happen to him.