Chapter 14: Give Me Back My Child

The storm raged with overwhelming force. Out of the corner of her eye, Qian Lai caught sight of Qiao Mouting’s long legs as he began to climb over the side of the carriage, and her heart clenched in fear for him.

At the same time, she had to keep the madwoman distracted, steady her emotions, and coordinate with Qiao Mouting’s actions.

“Ma’am, A-qing is safe. Look at this downpour—he’s been crying all along because he’s afraid of the rain. We won’t hurt you or take A-qing away. But you two standing there is too dangerous. Come on, hurry, let’s go back. In this heavy rain, don’t let the child catch cold.”

Qian Lai tentatively took a small step forward, and the woman immediately became vigilant.

“Go back, move back! Don’t you dare try to take A-qing!”

At this moment, Qiao Mouting was already gripping the railing, edging behind the woman. He was now half-suspended in midair, making Qian Lai even more anxious.

The train entered an S-shaped curve, rocking more violently than before. The sudden centrifugal force made Qiao Mouting’s footing slip—he nearly got flung off.

Qian Lai’s heart lurched in terror. Fortunately, his arm strength was formidable; he quickly pulled himself back and hooked his legs over the railing behind the woman. To avoid being discovered, he had to curl up, shrinking beneath the guardrail.

Up ahead, the train was about to enter a tunnel. Once inside, the rescue would become even more hazardous.

The carriage rocked with increasing frequency. The woman had to clutch the iron chain on the railing with one hand, while the other held the child tightly.

As the train swayed yet again, Qiao Mouting seized the moment—he tried to vault the railing and grab the woman. But at the crucial instant, she noticed him.

She fought him desperately, and cries of alarm rose from everyone present.

Just then, the train plunged into the tunnel, plunging everything into a deeper darkness, with only the faint glow of the tail lamp flickering at the rear.

“Let go of my child… I’ll kill you…”

Qiao Mouting leaped over the guardrail, reaching out to snatch the child. But the woman, surprisingly strong, dodged with a twist, causing him to miss; then, with a powerful shove from her other hand—

Before anyone could react, Qian Lai darted forward like an arrow and seized Qiao Mouting, who was dangling on the edge.

Using every ounce of her strength, she barely managed to pull him back.

The immense momentum sent him crashing toward her, and she caught him in her arms.

Startled by Qian Lai’s sudden proximity, the madwoman faltered, and the train police seized the opportunity, tackling her to the ground. Others rushed in, and together they subdued her.

Qian Lai, shaken to the core, clung tightly to Qiao Mouting’s waist, hiding her face against his chest and sobbing.

It was terrifying! If she’d been a moment slower, if she’d hesitated at all, he would have been pushed off the train.

What a close call! He’d dared climb the train to save a child.

He really was the father—risking everything for his child!

As Qian Lai hugged him, Qiao Mouting felt his heart and body soothed. His large hands shielded her trembling shoulders as he gently comforted her, “Thank you for saving me. If it weren’t for you, I’d already be visiting my great-grandmother.”

How infuriating—how could he still joke at a time like this!

But at least all was well, except for Wenquan, who was still wailing.

The moment the train emerged from the tunnel, the rain poured down upon them again.

Qian Lai finally came to her senses—her shirt, thrown over her shoulders earlier, had vanished who knows where. She realized she was wearing only a deep V-neck slip dress, barefoot, standing in the rain. Drenched from head to toe, her nightdress was as good as transparent, leaving nothing to the imagination before this man.

Qiao Mouting understood at once and shielded her with his body to spare her embarrassment. “Let’s hurry back.”

Thankfully, Huarui arrived just in time with a towel, though Wenquan was still sobbing uncontrollably in her arms.

The child had been badly frightened.

“It’s all right now. Don’t cry. Wenquan, be brave…”

The gentle, youthful father soothing his child was a picture of irresistible charm.

He reached out instinctively to take Qian Lai’s hand. “Ow—” Only then did they notice a gash had appeared on the girl’s forearm.

“You’re hurt! Let’s get that bandaged.”

Such a minor wound—two drops of miracle spring water would heal it. But the man would brook no refusal and dragged her off to the infirmary himself. As if he were the master of the place, he wouldn’t let anyone else help.

“We need to disinfect this. If it hurts, just pinch me.”

“Does this hurt?”

“Is the bandage too tight?”

“Too loose?”

He kept asking questions, deft fingers flipping bandages and medicine bottles as if they were obedient toys.

“Dr. Qiao, you’re a wonderful doctor!”

Qiao Mouting’s heart blossomed at her praise.

Qian Lai studied the man before her. His short hair was half-wet, bangs messy across his forehead, giving him a shattered yet appealing masculinity. Sword-like brows softened by tenderness, dark eyes sparkling, a high-bridged nose, and a tiny, almost imperceptible mole at the tip.

They say rosy lips and white teeth are a woman’s beauty, but on this man, fair skin and red lips made him devastatingly attractive—masculine, yet tinged with gentleness.

Oh!

Peach blossom eyes and charming lower lids—said to be the mark of a passionate and generous man. But how accurate could that be?

“What’s wrong?” Qian Lai noticed patches of dark purple blooming on the man’s wrist. His movements were slowing, sometimes pausing altogether.

Qiao Mouting had long noticed something was wrong with his body. He’d taken off his gloves climbing the train because they were too slippery, and in grappling with the woman, there had been contact…

He feared an attack was coming.

He forced himself to endure the discomfort—he couldn’t say out loud how desperately he needed her now.

Perhaps only she could save him. But how could he say such a thing?

“Let’s go.”

He hoped the medicine he carried would help; the rest, he’d have to rely on sheer willpower.

No sooner had they left the infirmary than Qiao Mouting staggered, clutching his chest in agony, slumping against the corridor wall.

Why was the reaction so violent this time?

“What’s wrong?” Qian Lai caught him as he nearly collapsed. He seemed utterly drained, barely able to stay upright.

The man began to gasp for breath, chest heaving violently.

“What’s happening to you?”

“I—I can’t breathe…”

He slumped straight to the floor, strength gone.

Ah!

Qian Lai screamed, cradling his lowered head in panic and fear as tears streamed down her face. “What’s happening to you?”

His breathing grew deeper but slower. He gripped her hand tightly, eyes bloodshot, brows furrowed, looking at her with desperate pleading.

In broken phrases, he said, “If I… if I don’t make it, please… give my child… to the army…”

“Don’t talk nonsense! Do you have any medicine—anything that can save you? Tell me!”

“Medicine… you…” Before he could finish, Qiao Mouting collapsed, barely breathing.

Qian Lai was aghast.

They had just risked their lives together to save a child—comrades in adversity.

Was she to watch a lively, breathing man fall lifeless before her eyes?

She couldn’t accept it.

“Dr. Qiao, wake up!”