Chapter 184: The Decision Is Yours

Chapter 184: Chapter 184: The Decision Is Yours

"Okay, Master." Though Cao Cao was a bit confused by Gu Nuan Nuan’s words, it agreed without the slightest hesitation.

’If the bus is just left there as is, it’s bound to arouse suspicion later.’

Gu Nuan Nuan could see Cao Cao’s confusion, so she offered an explanation. ’Actually, there’s another reason I didn’t mention. The bus has to fall off the cliff again at just the right moment. Only then will the effect be truly shocking. It will make the survivors feel a profound sense of relief and luck, and they’ll be genuinely grateful to my uncle from the bottom of their hearts.’

’Otherwise, if the bus is just left hanging there in plain sight, I’d be worried. My uncle is risking his life to save them, but the survivors will have to endure the terrifying ordeal of climbing from the bus to the small ledge on the cliff. That process isn’t foolproof. What if someone gets too scared, or some other accident happens? If one or two people get more seriously injured or even die, some of the survivors might secretly start to think my uncle’s efforts were pointless, or worse, that he had some ulterior motive.’

’Someone might even jump up and complain that even without my uncle, they could have just waited for the real rescue team. They could have been saved more "safely" without all this "risk-taking."’

’It takes all sorts to make a world, as they say. This world isn’t short on kindness, beauty, or positive energy, but you can’t ignore the negative side of things either. Too many lessons have proven that blind kindness doesn’t always lead to a good outcome. The age-old story of the farmer and the snake is a perfect example.’ Gu Nuan Nuan didn’t want this to end with her uncle feeling guilty and second-guessing his own good deeds.

"Understood, Master."

Cao Cao had no idea its master was wrestling with so many complicated thoughts. It was just happy that its master had taken the time to explain things.

"Alright, keep a close watch on my uncle’s safety at all times," Gu Nuan Nuan repeated, her tone insistent.

"Mm-hmm." Cao Cao wasn’t the least bit annoyed by its master’s repeated warnings. On the contrary, it accepted the responsibility with even greater solemnity. Gu Nuan Nuan was satisfied. She remained on the road, waiting for a car to pass by while she focused her hearing on the sounds from below.

When Zhang Wei Qiang made it down to the bus window, the faces of the people inside lit up with surprised delight. Though Zhang Wei Qiang hadn’t actually been gone for long, for people in such a perilous situation, every second of waiting was agony. The driver was even kicking himself. ’Why didn’t I think to keep some rope in the bus?’

"Mister, I knew you’d come back to save us!" The boy took the folding army knife Zhang Wei Qiang handed him and carefully tucked it away. He looked up at him with eyes full of admiration. ’This man is incredible! He can just climb all over a steep cliff like this.’

"It’s all thanks to your knife. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to cut these vines and twist them into a rope so quickly." Zhang Wei Qiang ruffled the boy’s hair. "You’re a brave little man. Do you dare to be the first one to climb across with me?"

"I dare!" The little boy was suddenly thrilled.

"Heh heh, not bad." Zhang Wei Qiang chuckled, then suddenly smacked the back of his head. "Ah, I forgot to make another, shorter rope." ’There are two kids and a baby in this bus,’ he thought. ’I can’t expect them to climb across on their own. I’ll have to tie them to myself and carry them. But I completely forgot about that.’ Luckily, there were plenty of vines nearby. He’d just have to cut another one and use it as is.

So he turned to the boy. "Looks like I need to borrow your knife again." The boy nodded and was about to pull out the knife when someone inside the bus, seeing Zhang Wei Qiang was about to move away again, called out anxiously, "Sir, wait! There’s a short rope right here." It was a refined-looking man. As he spoke, he reached for the luggage belonging to the woman with the little girl.

"What are you doing? Don’t touch my things!" the woman snapped. She threw her arms around her luggage, refusing to let anyone untie the rope holding it together.

"This man needs the rope to save us," the refined-looking man said, trying to be patient. "In a situation like this, you can’t possibly be thinking of taking all these bags with you, can you? Saving lives is what’s important. We should contribute anything we can use. After all, every second we save increases our chances of survival." He added, "This is a matter of life and death. Don’t get so hung up on worldly possessions."

"That’s right," the others muttered, nodding in agreement. In their short time together, everyone had gotten a good sense of this mother and daughter’s character. So, at this critical moment, they all held their tongues. Aside from cursing her under their breath, no one said anything out loud, not wanting to complicate the situation further.

"No way! Who said I’m leaving this bag behind? It’s full of valuable things. If you need a rope, go get it from someone else’s bag. You’re not touching mine." The woman refused to listen, clutching her luggage as if ready to fight to the death anyone who dared to try and take it.

"It’s because nobody else’s luggage is within reach, and none of it seems to be tied with rope! Any extra movement right now is dangerous for all of us, you know?" The refined-looking man’s expression soured. To have it spelled out for her like this and still act like such a miser... it was truly disgusting.

The expressions of everyone else on the bus darkened. They stared at her, their gazes filled with disapproval and even hostility. One of the more impulsive men even started rolling up his sleeves as if to go over and handle it himself, frightening those around him into quickly holding him back.

The woman ignored them all, clutching her luggage and yelling, "I don’t care about anyone else! I’m taking my things with me when I get off this bus."

Outside the window, Zhang Wei Qiang shook his head in resignation. "Forget it. It’s just as easy for me to cut another piece of vine. But let me make one thing clear: when we start moving, it’s children, the elderly, and women first. Men go last. And regardless of who you are, you are not allowed to bring any luggage with you. This cliff is incredibly steep—we can’t even see the bottom from here. No one can guarantee your one-hundred-percent safety."

Seeing the terrified expressions on their faces, he sighed. "I’m not going to lie to you. The climb from here to that little ledge isn’t far, but it is still dangerous. I can only do my best to help you across; I can’t promise that I can keep you completely safe. So, the decision to follow me is up to you. You can also choose to stay put and wait for the official rescue team."

"Mister, I trust you! My grandpa and I will go with you. We want to be first," the boy who’d given him the knife shouted as soon as he finished speaking. The old man beside him nodded in agreement.