Chapter 102: You're Captain Lu's Girlfriend, Aren't You?

Ha, Shen Chaoxi smiled. Her eyes curved gently, and she lifted her face, trying to catch a glimpse of the man’s expression, but the ruins of the mine shaft were shrouded in darkness. It was too dark to see anything clearly. She could only guess at his emotions. So, he was worried about her. But what was there to worry about? As long as they hadn’t been crushed to death, someone would come to rescue them. They weren’t buried so deeply that no one knew—they were trapped underground, but as long as someone knew they were there, someone would come to save them. Shen Chaoxi was always rational above all else. She calmly analyzed their predicament. In the dark, she whispered, “Lu Yunzhou...” Her face paled, pain evident, yet she smiled to distract him. “Tell me a story.” Lu Yunzhou said nothing. He simply held her, trying to warm her chilled body. No one else knew, but he felt her coldness and recalled the moment just before, feeling as if he had been given back something precious. Perhaps in Lu Yunzhou’s eyes, Shen Chaoxi was fragile and needed protection. That was why she had followed him here. When they were buried beneath the rubble, his first reaction was panic—unexplainable and deeper than any other fear he’d felt seeing someone in danger. He was afraid she would be hurt. He feared for this delicate girl who had been pampered. His reaction was unlike his usual cold military demeanor; this rare moment saw him lowering his head. “What do you want to hear?” Lu Yunzhou’s voice was husky in the darkness, his eyes deep and full of concern. “Anything...” The girl’s weak voice murmured softly in his embrace. Then, he began to tell a story in that low voice close to her ear. But Shen Chaoxi didn’t really listen. Her head spun; leaning against him, her mind slowly clouded. Deep in the mine shaft, amidst the ruins, the sound of dripping water grew louder and louder. Underground, with the storm raging above and the temperature falling, within less than half an hour, Lu Yunzhou’s hand had grown cold. “Shen Chaoxi?” he said, frowning as he realized she had fallen asleep in his arms. “Shen Chaoxi,” he called softly, “don’t fall asleep.” Being trapped underground was something Lu Yunzhou had never imagined. He had anticipated the mountain might collapse a second time and knew the dangers of their rescue mission, but he hadn’t expected the girl to come along and be trapped with him. If it had been only him, he would never have panicked. Even if seriously injured and buried alone, he wouldn’t have feared. But with Shen Chaoxi here, his heart was heavy, his nerves taut. Time passed, though no one knew how long. Silence reigned in the darkness until suddenly a shout came from above the mine shaft, accompanied by the sound of footsteps descending and flashlight beams cutting through the gloom. “Captain?!” After clearing the blocked entrance, Lu Fifteen and his team entered, finding the collapsed mine in disarray. Deep within the ruins, faint movements caught their attention. They discovered Lu Yunzhou and Shen Chaoxi trapped below. “Quick, Captain and Miss Shen are down here!” Lu Fifteen was worried; perhaps even he hadn’t imagined the usually stoic Captain holding a girl protectively in his arms. But the situation was urgent, so without hesitation, they worked together to clear the rubble blocking the way. “Hurry, rescue them first!” And so, they were pulled to safety. Inside the mine, small water droplets fell quietly, but outside the storm raged. The rain showed no sign of abating. Night had fallen. Lu Yunzhou carried Shen Chaoxi to a nearby temporary refuge. The heavy rains in Southern Jing brought aid from all directions, though many roads were blocked, preventing many vehicles from reaching the site. Fortunately, medical personnel had set up a rescue station to treat the severely injured. “How is she?” “She has scratches on her arm. We need to clean the wounds and administer fluids.” Shen Chaoxi lay on a cot inside the tent, her bloodstained hand resting limply. Lu Yunzhou stood nearby, his expression tense, eyes dark and watchful. A nurse pierced the back of her hand, a small trickle of blood appearing before the IV was set up. Shen Chaoxi had not suffered severe injuries—just some bruises and scrapes from the collapse, including her arm wound. After bandaging and treating her, the curtain was drawn. She lay quietly amid the noise outside, surrounded by others with various injuries. Lu Yunzhou frowned, his only concern her condition. Lu Fifteen entered the tent, lifting the curtain to find Lu Yunzhou standing there. “Captain, almost everyone at today’s mine site was rescued without serious injury,” he reported earnestly. “Two people have minor leg injuries and have been brought here.” This was the temporary rescue station set up in Southern Jing, now a central refuge during the storm. “Hmm,” Lu Yunzhou responded coldly, his expression unreadable. His dark eyes reflected the pale face of the girl before him, her arm stained with blood. “Captain, what about Miss Shen?” Lu Fifteen followed his leader’s gaze and saw Shen Chaoxi lying there. Lu Yunzhou said nothing, merely staring at the pitch-black night outside, the rain still pouring. The surrounding wilderness looked eerie in the storm. “Let everyone rest for a while. When needed, we’ll head out to help again.” “Yes, sir!” Lu Fifteen knew well—they had just returned exhausted from the mine rescue and needed rest. The station was built on higher ground, safe from flooding. That didn’t mean other areas were safe—they still had to continue the rescue efforts. The flood was merciless, but the soldiers and civilians shared compassion. Wherever help was needed, they would go. But even soldiers needed rest. — In a deep sleep, Shen Chaoxi’s long lashes trembled. In a dark cellar, she was covered in blood, curled up with iron chains binding her hands and feet. Dirtied and filthy, she was surrounded by a dozen vicious dogs barking fiercely, their fangs bared, eyes hungry for her bloody body, as if they would tear her apart alive. “Don’t bite me...” “Brother!…” “Ah—” The sharp, intense pain of biting struck suddenly. Her long lashes fluttered, and she stretched out a hand, grasping someone’s arm as she opened her eyes and sat up. Shen Chaoxi furrowed her brows, her face deathly pale, cold sweat dotting her forehead. “You’re awake. How do you feel?” A gentle female voice came from in front of her. Shen Chaoxi’s sharp gaze softened instantly, her alertness vanishing in an instant. She hesitated, relaxing her grip. “Where am I?” She looked around the tent, taking in the temporary rescue station’s surroundings. A young nurse stood before her. She had been rescued, just as she had expected. “Oh, this is our temporary rescue station. You’re Captain Lu’s girlfriend, right?” Shen Chaoxi frowned, puzzled by the nurse’s words. The nurse explained, “Captain Lu led the team to nearby areas for rescue and we don’t know when he’ll be back. You should rest well here.” Smiling, the young nurse changed her IV bag and spoke warmly, “Captain Lu specifically told me to take good care of you. If you feel unwell, just call me.” Shen Chaoxi moved her lips, staring at the needle in her hand but said nothing. From the nurse’s words, it was clear that Lu Yunzhou had brought her here. During the time she had been unconscious, he had not rested but had continued leading rescue efforts. The storm’s duration was unknown, and the situation outside remained uncertain. Shen Chaoxi heard the busy footsteps beyond the tent, silhouettes moving through the rain. She furrowed her brows suddenly. — Slightly revised.