Chapter 282 Extinguishing the Fire
She gently tugged at Li Hongmei's sleeve and led her behind a sycamore tree by the roadside to avoid passersby.
Her expression became more serious, and her eyes held a hint of mystery and certainty.
"Sister Li, actually... I have an idea that might help you stay."
Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet it was like a lightning bolt that shattered the gloom in Li Hongmei's heart.
Li Hongmei's eyes suddenly lit up: "What idea?"
Her breathing quickened, and she straightened her back instantly, her eyes fixed on Fang Wanyu as if she had grasped at the last straw.
"What Principal Qiao cares about most is that kindergarten."
Fang Wanyu spoke softly, her voice extremely low, as if afraid of disturbing something, "She values that place more than her own life, worrying about it day and night, just so that the children can have a safe place to study and play. If anything goes wrong there..."
She definitely had to find someone from her own family to step in. After all, when something goes wrong, you can't rely on outsiders; you can only count on your own brothers and sisters to take the blame.
Li Hongmei's heart tightened, her fingers unconsciously gripping the hem of her clothes, a hint of unease and vigilance flashing in her eyes: "You mean... she wants her family to take over the kindergarten? But this matter is quite complicated. What if something goes wrong? Wouldn't that be pushing someone into a fire pit?"
"Oh dear, I didn't say anything!"
Fang Wanyu immediately waved her hand, her face beaming with a smile, her eyes crinkling into slits, and her words carrying a deliberately relaxed tone, "Just take it as me talking nonsense, something I was just idly thinking about, don't take it to heart. I just mentioned it casually and forgot about it as soon as I said it, please don't take it seriously."
In the middle of the night, Qiao Wanyin had just lain down, the bed still warm from being sun-dried all day. She closed her eyes, ready to fall asleep, when she heard a noise in the courtyard—footsteps, heavy and slow, creaking on the stone slabs, along with a soft sigh, all carried on the night breeze, sending a shiver down her spine.
She frowned, sat up, put on her coat, pushed open the door, and was greeted by a blast of cold wind.
By the moonlight, she saw her second brother sitting alone on the stone steps, his back hunched, a half-smoked cigarette between his fingers, the cigarette butt flickering in the darkness like a dying ember.
"Second Brother."
Her throat tightened, her voice tinged with worry and heartache. She couldn't help but take a few steps forward. "It's so late, why are you still here? Is it... that your second sister-in-law is causing trouble again?"
Hearing the voice, Qiao Xuezhi slowly raised his head, his face weary. He stubbed out his cigarette hard in the crack between the bricks, the sparks flying up and then instantly going out. "Wanyin, don't be sad. Your second sister-in-law... she's just stuck in a rut, unable to understand this. She thinks being the kindergarten principal is too tiring for you and attracts criticism, and she's worried about you. But she doesn't understand your feelings, and she doesn't know what that kindergarten means to you."
"I'm sorry to you all."
Her eyes burned, tears welled up, and her voice trembled so much she could barely speak a complete sentence. "I know my second sister-in-law is doing this for my own good, and I know you're all worried about me. But I really... can't give in. That's a house I built brick by brick, it's my children's home, it's my only hope. I can't just stand by and watch it be destroyed."
"Second brother understands."
Qiao Xuezhi interrupted her, his tone calm yet revealing an undeniable firmness, “You grew up in the military family compound and received years of training from the organization. What you did was in accordance with your conscience. The military has discipline and rules. I will talk to her properly and make her understand your good intentions. If she makes a fuss again, I will personally go and educate her.”
Just then—
"Beep—beep beep beep—!"
A piercing whistle suddenly tore through the silent night sky, like a sharp knife stabbing into eardrums, shattering the peaceful atmosphere.
The voice was urgent and high-pitched, carrying the implication of an emergency assembly order, instantly making one's heart tighten.
Qiao Wanyin woke up with a start, her heart pounding, and she scrambled out of bed.
She rushed to the window and yanked open the curtains—outside, flames soared into the sky, red as blood, illuminating the entire night sky as if it were burning. Thick smoke billowed up, engulfing the entire military compound, and the air was filled with the smell of burning and scorching heat.
"not good!"
Fu Lian jumped out of bed, his hair a mess, but his eyes wide open. "It's at the kindergarten! It's on fire! Quick!"
Qiao Wanyin didn't even bother to put on her shoes, rushing out the door barefoot. Her feet felt like they were stepping on knife points as she walked on the cold, rough cement floor, but she didn't care about the pain.
There was only one thought in her mind: kindergarten!
Are my children still alive?
Were all those paintings, those toys, those corners she decorated herself burned?
When she finally reached the location, she almost collapsed to the ground—the entire kindergarten had been completely engulfed by thick smoke.
Flames leaped violently out of the window frame, like ferocious tongues licking the walls and door frames, burning the children's drawings, hand-folded paper airplanes, newly bought tables and chairs, and the small bookshelf in the corner to ashes, scattered on the ground like lifeless ruins.
"My kindergarten..." Her legs went weak, her vision went black, her heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly, and even breathing became difficult.
She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Finally, her body swayed and she fell to the ground.
"Evening Sound!"
Fu Lian reacted quickly and grabbed her, feeling her icy body and pale face.
Without saying a word, he picked up the person and ran to the military hospital.
The night wind howled past his ears. His steps were heavy and firm, and he dared not stop for even a second, for fear that if he slowed down, she would lose consciousness completely.
The smell of disinfectant was pungent and cold, filling every corner of the hospital corridor.
Qiao Wanyin slowly opened her eyes, her eyelids feeling as heavy as if they were being pressed down by lead.
She blinked, her vision blurring for a while before gradually clearing.
Above her was a blindingly white ceiling, the stark white light making her face appear even paler.
"woke up?"
Fu Li'an immediately came over and squatted down beside the hospital bed. His face was covered in stubble, his eyes were sunken, and his eyes were bloodshot as if he had been up for three days and three nights. His lips were chapped, but he had a relieved smile on his face. "You scared me to death. You were unconscious for almost two hours. The doctor said that if you didn't wake up soon, they would have to ask your family to sign the consent form."
"kindergarten……"
Her voice was hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing against her throat, each word laced with pain, "How are they? Were they rescued? Were any children hurt?"
Fu Lian gripped her hand tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, and his palm trembled slightly.
After a long pause, he managed to open his lips with difficulty, his voice so low it was almost swallowed by the wind: "The fire is out, but..."
"But what?!"
She suddenly sat up, but the movement was so sudden that her vision went black, and she felt so dizzy that she felt like she had been hit by a heavy hammer. She almost fell back onto the bed.
She gritted her teeth and persevered.
"Textbooks and toys, all burned."
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