Chapter 185: Passing By

Chapter 185: Chapter 185: Passing By

"I’m willing, too."

"Me too."

...

Everyone chimed in. Only a few hesitated for a moment before nodding along when they saw everyone else agreeing. The woman from before was unhappy. "I’m willing, too, but why can’t I bring my bags?"

"I’ve already said, it’s very dangerous here. I can’t even guarantee everyone’s safety as it is, let alone if you’re carrying all that stuff. If you insist on bringing your luggage, you’ll have to wait until the very end. You can go after everyone else who wants to leave has crossed. And I have to tell you, the risk to you will be several times greater than for anyone else. With all that extra weight, if something really happens, I might not be able to hold onto you."

"But I’m a woman. Didn’t you say women get priority?" the woman demanded, her eyes wide with indignation.

"Yes, children, the elderly, and women have priority. But your luggage doesn’t get to be compared to a human life."

"Then after you’ve gotten everyone across, you can come back and help me bring my things over," the woman ordered, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Sorry, I can only get people across. I’m not responsible for luggage." With that, Zhang Wei Qiang turned to cut some vines. After returning and quickly preparing them, he shot a frowning glance at the woman, who was still muttering an endless stream of curses. The glare made her flinch and fall silent, her curses turning into quiet mutters.

Zhang Wei Qiang ignored her and beckoned for the little boy inside the bus to come forward. He carefully pulled the boy out through the window and had him cling to his body. Then, he used the prepared vine to tie them tightly together. He whispered, "Don’t be afraid. Uncle is going to take you across, and I won’t let you fall. If you’re really scared, just close your eyes. It’ll be over quickly."

"Uncle, I’m not scared. When I grow up, I want to be strong like you and my dad. I’m going to be the bravest, strongest warrior," the little boy said in a small, trembling, yet determined voice. He hugged Zhang Wei Qiang tightly, his whole body tense.

Zhang Wei Qiang smiled silently and praised him, "Mm, you’re already a little warrior. You’ll definitely be even stronger when you grow up. Uncle believes in you."

"Thank you, Uncle." The little boy broke into a wide grin.

Zhang Wei Qiang’s heart softened in that instant. He reached out, grabbed the other grass rope he had thrown down earlier, and said to the old man next to the boy, "Sir, I’ll help you out." The old man, who had been watching the two whisper to each other with a kind, gentle gaze, nodded. With Zhang Wei Qiang’s help, he climbed out of the window. Without a hint of fear, he let Zhang Wei Qiang tie the grass rope around his waist and, following his guidance, carefully made his way step-by-step toward the small ledge.

Their safe arrival, along with the composure of the old man and the little boy, greatly encouraged everyone else in the bus—everyone except the woman with the look of discontent. For the second trip, Zhang Wei Qiang used the same method to safely escort the mother and her baby to the small ledge. Seeing that the two weakest groups in the bus had made it across successfully, and with Zhang Wei Qiang now on his way back, everyone’s confidence soared.

"Mom, it’ll be our turn next. Please come across with me. I’m scared to go alone." Xiao Li clutched her mother’s hand, her face a mixture of anticipation and worry. She was terrified her mother would insist on going last just to save her luggage, fearing the bus might fall before they could get out.

"No way, Xiao Li. Mom has to watch our things. In here, I have several nice outfits that I had to go through so much trouble to have someone bring back from the big city, and there’s also that whole set of expensive cosmetics your dad bought for me on his business trip. There’s no way Mom is leaving them behind..." The woman shook her head, clutching her luggage for dear life. ’She was on her way back to her parents’ home. She had planned on showing off all her nice things, but now it looked like she would lose them. How could she possibly accept that?’

"If you’re really that scared, then stay here with Mom, okay? Even though we’ll go last, it’s all the same. This bus is stable," the woman tried to persuade her daughter.

"No way! What if the bus suddenly falls while we’re waiting?" Xiao Li shook her head frantically.

"You child—don’t jinx it!" The woman was exasperated, but her own heart started pounding with uncertainty.

"Have you two decided yet? If not, someone else can go first while you keep thinking," Zhang Wei Qiang asked, having already returned. He had overheard their conversation and sounded a bit helpless.

’People die for wealth, just as birds die for food.’

’Even at a time like this, all she can think about are worldly possessions...’

On the road above, Gu Nuan Nuan also shook her head at the situation. ’Honestly, she didn’t even know what to say about that woman...’

She continued weaving a grass rope. Her uncle had taken the rope from the bicycle, and her things had scattered all over the ground. She needed to make a new rope to tie them back up.

"Little girl, what are you doing playing here all by yourself? Where are your parents? Do you need any help from Uncle here? I’m not a bad guy, you know."

Gu Nuan Nuan was busy at work, her attention focused on the scene below the cliff, so she hadn’t noticed the car on the road. It wasn’t until she heard the voice that she looked up and saw a small car had stopped beside her. The driver, a young man, was leaning out and asking her the question with a grin.

Not many people had private cars like this in this era. She subconsciously glanced at the car first but couldn’t make out anything special about it. So she looked up at the people inside. She then noticed that besides the driver who was talking to her, there was someone else sitting in the back seat. Through the glass, she couldn’t clearly see if the person was a man or a woman, or how old they were.

"I’m not playing. My uncle is down there rescuing people, and he told me to wait up here for a passing car to help go to the nearest village and call the police." Gu Nuan Nuan pointed down the cliff, a look of anxiety on her face. "Sir, can you help? A bus fell down there, and there are so many people inside!"

"A bus fell down?" The driver was startled. His smile vanished, and he immediately pulled back into the car. Gu Nuan Nuan saw him get back inside and immediately turned toward the back of the car, where she heard him say in a low voice, "Manager Shao, this kid says a bus fell off the cliff. Her uncle is down there saving people, and she’s waiting for a passing car to go call for help."

"What?" In the back seat, a man of about thirty, dressed in a white shirt and suit pants who had been resting with his eyes closed, jolted awake. His expression instantly turned serious. "Let’s get out and take a look." As he spoke, he was already pushing the door open and getting out of the car.

"Little girl, you’re the one who said a bus fell, and your uncle is down there?" Although he could see two ropes tied to the concrete guardrail, Shao Qingyang stared down for a long time but saw nothing but an unfathomable abyss. His heart pounding, he asked again, holding on to a sliver of hope.

’He just hoped this was all a joke from the little girl in front of him.’