Chapter 87 This Time It's My Turn to Protect You
Lin Xili looked over upon hearing the voice and saw an old man with a clear face, who still bore traces of perseverance and wisdom even in death.
She had never met him before, but the title "Uncle" combined with Lu Qingshu's reaction and Huo Nanchen's identity led to an unbelievable guess forming in her mind.
Lu Qingshu took a few deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the surging grief, "Old Master Yan is Grandpa Nan Chen's younger brother."
"He lived a low-key life, devoted himself to scientific research, and his whereabouts remained a mystery."
“Nan Chen has always been loved by this great-uncle the most since he was a child, and he often finds reasons to keep him by his side.”
Her voice choked up slightly, "After Nan Chen left the Huo family, Old Master Yan never came back. Only now do I understand."
No further explanation is needed.
The identity of Elder Yan, and the possibility that he had already brought Huo Nanchen into this secretive front.
“Let’s keep working.” Lu Qingshu wiped her face vigorously. “What they protected with their lives, we must get back, and we must find Nan Chen!”
Despite their grief, the two conducted a thorough preliminary investigation inside and outside the laboratory, extracting biological samples and trace evidence that might belong to members of the "Sakura Group" from key locations.
They then followed the intermittent bloodstains and footprints in the passage to the exit of River No. 3.
Emerging from the dark passage, one finds oneself in an open area where the jungle meets the river.
The traces of the fierce battle were even more obvious: broken bushes, scorched soil, scattered shell casings, and a patch of dried, blackened bloodstains on the riverbank rocks, a shocking sight.
A day and a night have passed.
Lin Xili's gaze was fixed on the bloodstain, as if he could see Huo Nanchen falling after being shot through the dried dark red blood.
She thought of that dream again, and her heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an icy hand, the pain almost making it hard for her to breathe.
Her eyes were red and swollen. She staggered to a tree trunk that had been shaved halfway by bullets. Leaning against the rough bark, her body began to tremble uncontrollably again.
Tears, finally uncontrollable, streamed down her face silently and turbulently like beads from a broken string.
She didn't make a sound, just let the tears stream down her face.
It was as if she wanted to wash away all the shock, grievances, anger, confusion, and the fear and heartache that had been building up over this period of time.
Lu Qingshu walked to her side, without saying anything to comfort her, but silently handed her a bottle of water and a small bag of compressed bread.
"Eat something and drink some water."
"The golden rescue time is 72 hours. There is still hope. He must be somewhere, waiting for us."
"He needs you to stay physically fit and clear-headed."
That last sentence, like a needle, pierced through the chaos shrouded in sorrow in Lin Xili.
She suddenly raised her head and looked at Lu Qingshu through her blurry, tear-filled eyes.
Yes, he needs her now, not her tears and breakdowns, but her professional skills and calm judgment to find him.
She forcefully wiped away her tears, took the water and bread, and forced herself to swallow them.
I have no taste for food, but my strength is slowly returning.
As she ate, she spoke to herself in her heart, to Huo Nanchen, who was nowhere to be found.
Huo Nanchen, you've always been good to me and protected me. This time, it's my turn.
Let me treat you better, let me find you, let me protect you.
On the river, professional divers and sonar equipment are constantly expanding the search area and carrying out intensive salvage operations.
However, the dense jungle, complex river branches, and turbulent undercurrents made the salvage operation extremely difficult.
Lu Qingshu and Lin Xili, relying on the professional knowledge and experience of forensic personnel, began to analyze the direction of water flow, wind speed, and Huo Nanchen's physical condition after his possible injury.
Several areas most likely to be washed ashore or become stuck were identified, and a large-scale search was conducted on foot.
Two special forces soldiers followed closely behind, vigilantly keeping watch on their surroundings.
Time passed by, and each second seemed exceptionally long.
Hope, as the sun sets, gradually fades away.
Just as they were about to finish searching the last river bend with the lowest probability of occurrence.
Lin Xili was drawn to an extremely secluded cave entrance, half-hidden by vines and rocks.
The entrance to the cave is located near the waterline and is obscured by drooping plants, making it easy to miss unless you look closely.
"Director Lu, look over there!" Lin Xili pointed to the cave entrance.
Lu Qingshu immediately signaled the special forces members to be on alert. The two quickly parted the vines, turned on their powerful flashlights, and shone them into the cave.
The cave is not deep, but the interior space is large enough to accommodate several people.
Under the beam of a flashlight, the damp rocks inside the cave reflected a faint, shimmering light.
On a relatively dry gravel beach near the innermost edge, a figure huddled up in a black protective suit came into view.
"Nan Chen!!" Lu Qingshu cried out in disbelief.
Lin Xili's heart was numb at that moment. Soon, she was the first to rush over, staggering as she almost fell to the side of that figure.
It's Huo Nanchen!
He lay face down, soaked to the bone, his black protective suit torn in many places, with obvious bullet holes all over his body, including his back, thighs, and arms, surrounded by dark red blood clots.
His face was as pale as paper, his lips were purple, his eyes were closed, and he was not breathing. It was as if he had become one with the cold rock, lifeless.
"Nan Chen, Huo Nan Chen!" Lin Xili's voice trembled uncontrollably.
She reached out, wanting to touch him, but was afraid of touching his wound.
A tremendous fear gripped her; had they arrived too late after all?
"There's still a pulse, but it's very weak!"
Following closely behind, Lu Qingshu reached out to check his carotid artery and said urgently, "Quickly, notify the medical team and prepare a stretcher!"
Upon hearing this, a faint glimmer of hope ignited in Lin Xili's heart.
She fought back tears that threatened to spill over, her flashlight beam trembling as she carefully checked his condition.
Just then, she noticed that Huo Nanchen's right hand, even when he was unconscious, was still clenched tightly, his knuckles turning bluish-white from the force, as if he were holding something extremely important.
She gently and very carefully tried to pry his fingers apart.
In his cold, muddy, and water-stained palm, lay an object.
It was an exquisite blue snowflake pendant carved from the finest jade.
It's exactly the same as the one I gave her!
Whether it's the warm and smooth texture of the jade, the shape of the petals, or that cool blue tone, they are all exactly the same!
It turns out he hit a pair.
He himself always wore one close to his body.
The surging emotions, like a floodgate opened, instantly overwhelmed all of Lin Xili's defenses.
It turns out that his love was never absent; it just existed in a deeper, more restrained way, even at the cost of his life.
He gave her a blue snowflake, saying it was like her—resilient and brave.
He himself wore the same symbol, practicing that resilience and courage in the darkness unknown to anyone.
"Quick! Doctor!" Lu Qingshu's urging and the hurried footsteps outside pulled Lin Xili back to reality from the huge emotional shock.
She took a deep breath and used all her strength to suppress her turbulent emotions.
Now is not the time to cry, now is the time to save him!
She carefully protected Huo Nanchen's hand, which was tightly gripping the jade pendant, and together with Lu Qingshu and the arriving rescuers, they carefully lifted him onto the stretcher.
The stretcher was quickly carried out of the cave and sent to the medical point that was already on standby.
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