Chapter 057: Rescuing the Drowning Maiden

Chapter 057: Rescuing the Girl from the Water

Morning in Qing Province carried a hint of coolness. The night before, after returning to the club with his friends, Ye Feng had enjoyed a few more drinks, so upon waking, he stepped outside for some fresh air. He wandered through two streets and arrived at Qingjiang Avenue in the provincial capital. In truth, the Qing River was not a mighty river at all, but merely a modest stream. The province itself had taken its name from this river, a legacy, it was said, from a dynasty thousands of years ago—a name with deep and ancient roots.

Last night, Ye Feng had called Huang Wei and Wen Biyun, telling them he would be staying in the capital for a few days. Huang Wei had even reminded him to visit Huang Shan if he had time.

Ye Feng was strolling leisurely when he suddenly noticed a crowd gathered ahead, shouting, "Someone fell into the water!" At once, he dashed forward and grabbed a middle-aged man. "Brother, what happened?"

"Ah, just now a little girl was playing by the bridge and accidentally fell into the river. They’re calling for help right now," the man replied somewhat embarrassedly, his tension evident. Ye Feng immediately sensed the gravity—such weather, and a little girl fallen into the river, how perilous.

"Is it that bridge over there?" Ye Feng pointed to the area nearby. The man nodded. Without hesitation, Ye Feng dove straight into the river. He had been trained in diving during his military service, and, thanks to his internal strength, his swimming and diving had always been exceptional.

"Hey, you—!" Someone tried to call Ye Feng back, but the morning river was icy cold and at least several dozen meters deep. Although the current wasn't strong, rescuing a drowning child was no easy feat. But Ye Feng could no longer hear their words.

With a graceful leap, Ye Feng's tall, striking figure sliced into the water. His bravery was evident, and those on the shore waited anxiously. At this moment, a middle-aged woman burst into the crowd.

"Sakura, Sakura, where are you?" She had gone to buy steamed buns for her daughter, but the long queue had delayed her. Meanwhile, the little girl had run off to play by the bridge. When the woman returned and could not find her child, panic seized her heart as she heard someone shout about a child in the river. She rushed over, abandoning her things, and anxiously questioned the onlookers, who confirmed it was indeed a child who had fallen in.

The crowd grew, all eyes fixed on the water, awaiting the hero’s return. Among them were students, including a pure and beautiful college girl who silently prayed for Ye Feng’s success.

Underwater, Ye Feng searched swiftly for the girl, but initially found nothing. He continued his search, and soon spotted a dark shape ahead. Swimming over, he realized it was the little girl, now unconscious from drowning. Without hesitation, Ye Feng gathered her in his arms and surfaced.

"There! The hero has emerged—over there!" Cheers erupted from the crowd as Ye Feng, caring nothing for appearances, cradled the girl and swam steadily toward the shore.

"Sakura, Sakura!" The middle-aged woman’s heart soared as she saw her daughter rescued, tears of relief streaming down her face as she rushed to the riverbank, waiting anxiously.

Ye Feng reached the shore, found a spot to grip, and with a powerful pull, vaulted over the one-meter-high railing and gently laid the girl on the ground—she needed immediate first aid.

"Sakura, Sakura, wake up! Please, wake up!" The frantic mother tried to embrace her daughter, but Ye Feng stopped her. "Don’t move her right now—she’s drowning and needs emergency treatment!"

Trained in such emergencies during his military service, Ye Feng acted at once. He firmly pinched the girl’s philtrum, but seeing no response, judged that her lungs were filled with water. He raised his hand, gathered his internal energy, and pressed his palm gently against her lower abdomen, gradually moving upward. With each motion, he used his inner strength to expel the water from her chest cavity. As he worked, water slowly began to flow from the girl's mouth.

To the onlookers, Ye Feng’s actions seemed unusual—how could such mere touch bring salvation? But they could not know the inner power he was using to drive the water from her lungs. The young woman in the crowd, herself a university student with some first aid knowledge, watched with astonishment.

Soon, Ye Feng’s efforts quelled all doubts. He moved his hand to the girl’s neck and pressed down firmly. Instantly, a stream of river water burst from the girl's mouth, splattering Ye Feng's face.

A collective gasp rose from the crowd—this young man was truly remarkable. The college girl’s eyes were wide with surprise; her attention now fully on Ye Feng. Not only was he valiant, but also strikingly handsome. His soaked clothes clung to his strong figure, and her heart raced involuntarily at the sight.

Ye Feng lightly patted the girl’s back twice more, and she slowly regained consciousness. "Mommy, I want my mommy!" The middle-aged woman rushed forward at her daughter's cry, gathering her into her arms, sobbing with relief.

"Everything’s fine now. You should get her changed into dry clothes soon," Ye Feng advised with a gentle smile, rising to leave. Just then, a beautiful young woman approached—her beauty was almost unreal. With a round face, large eyes, an elegant nose, and soft cherry lips, her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her green summer dress accentuated a slender waist and a pair of long, snow-white legs. Her delicate toes, peeking from white high-heeled sandals, gleamed in the sunlight—youthful, pure, and breathtaking.

"Here, take this—wipe the water from your face," she said, offering Ye Feng a tissue. For a moment, Ye Feng could only stare, captivated by her beauty, wondering if a girl like her could possibly have a boyfriend.

Despite her looks, Ye Feng, ever the gentleman, quickly recovered. "Thank you, miss," he said, accepting the tissue. As their hands brushed, he couldn't help but note the softness of her delicate fingers—a fleeting touch, but one he was unlikely to forget.