Qin He and Di Shishi took turns breaking through the window, exhausting their strength before it finally shattered.
The people inside the bus immediately began to swim out through the broken glass.
Qin He felt a wave of relief. Just as she was about to surface for air, her foot was grabbed!
A man, presumably unable to swim, with a terrified and distorted face, clung tightly to Qin He's ankle, desperately pulling her down!
He was trying to drag her down with him to save himself!
Qin He was already in need of air, and the sudden pull made her face turn red.
The man, clinging to her leg like a last straw, refused to let go.
Not many people on the bus could swim. Before Qin He could break free from the man, her hair, floating in the water, was tugged painfully.
She turned her head to meet the wide, staring eyes of a woman at extremely close range!
In the dark water, Qin He felt everything before her become murky.
The bubbles and currents stirred up by the struggles of the drowning people prevented her from even attempting to save anyone else.
Qin He felt like she was going to die in the water.
She opened her mouth, unable to hold her breath any longer, and a stream of bubbles escaped.
The surface seemed to recede further and further, and the moonlight gradually dimmed.
Qin He's vision blurred. Was she going to die here?
As her consciousness flickered, many images flashed through her mind.
She still had so many things to do. Shen Yicong's health should have recovered by now. Next month, she was supposed to go to Haicheng with her brother to celebrate their grandmother's birthday—
So much work in the western district remained to be arranged—
Many people and events flickered through Qin He's mind, finally settling on Gu Qichen.
That face, at this moment, was incredibly clear.
Qin He felt a moment of stunned disbelief. Why was she thinking of him?
Not far away, the water surface broke, and a figure swam towards her from the distance.
Qin He's vision was hazy. She choked on some water, unable to see the person's face clearly, but felt a sense of familiarity.
Until that person's hand grabbed her arm—
Warm lips pressed against hers, transferring a breath.
When Gu Qichen came out in pursuit of Qin He, he had heard about the car accident as he passed by.
The moment he saw Di Shishi on the shore, he plunged into the water without hesitation.
When he found Qin He slowly sinking in the water, his heart constricted.
The two people who couldn't swim and were holding onto Qin He had already let go and were sinking as they couldn't hold their breath.
Qin He, semi-conscious, stared blankly at the surface of the water.
Gu Qichen swam forward, scooped up Qin He by the waist, and swam towards the shore holding her.
As they surfaced, Qin He's eyes widened.
Gu Qichen's lips met hers again, transferring more breaths.
Qin He met his deep gaze. Before her near-death experience, she had experienced many illusions, and she was still dazed.
Looking at Gu Qichen, Qin He gave a wry smile inwardly. Did she truly love him subconsciously? Otherwise, why would her dying thoughts be of him?
The sound of voices from the shore reached her.
Gu Qichen's voice was laced with a hint of panic, "Qin He! Wake up!"
Qin He looked at Gu Qichen with wide eyes for a while, then looked up at the moon above.
By this time, many passers-by on the shore had already jumped into the river to help.
People from the bus were being rescued one by one. Gu Qichen, holding Qin He, continued to swim towards the shore.
Even as they finally reached the bank and stepped onto land, he still held Qin He tightly.
Qin He, having just escaped death, looked extremely pale.
Di Shishi ran over from nearby.
"Qin He, are you alright! You scared me to death!"
Di Shishi had already dived into the water three or four times without finding Qin He, and she had almost despaired!
Qin He had recovered slightly, her voice hoarse, "I was held by someone who was drowning."
Thinking of this, she still felt a lingering fear. She raised a hand to her abdomen, wondering how the baby was after all this turmoil!
Gu Qichen noticed her gesture. "I'll take you to the hospital."
"No need."
Before she could finish speaking, Gu Qichen had already scooped her up.
Qin He instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. Remembering the breaths he had given her in the water, her gaze fell on Gu Qichen's face.
A warmth spread through her heart, and she silently averted her gaze.
"Gu Qichen, thank you."
If not for him, she would likely be dead in the water now.
All that had happened in the past was instantly let go. Now, she only felt a faint gratitude towards Gu Qichen.
What grievances and past grievances mattered when her own life was at stake!
Qin He thought to herself.
As they reached the shore, a red light suddenly landed on Qin He's arm.
She paused for a moment, "A laser pointer?"
The next second, Gu Qichen's expression turned grim. He shielded Qin He, twisting his body to avoid the beam of light!
Qin He heard a very faint "pfft" sound near her ear.
Immediately after, warm blood splashed onto her face—
She stared with wide eyes as Qin He's left chest began to bleed.
The clothes on his left chest tore open. It wasn't a laser pointer, it was a targeting scope!
Di Shishi, who had run over, immediately went into a defensive posture. Based on the direction of the shot, she quickly turned to look.
There weren't many tall buildings nearby, and even fewer within shooting range!
Di Shishi's gaze quickly scanned the surroundings and settled on a residential building not far away.
"Get in my car!" Gu Qichen gritted out.
His car had been modified to be bulletproof.
Di Shishi immediately ran to get the car. The red light spot fell near them again. Gu Qichen pressed Qin He's head down, almost enveloping her in his arms.
He strode sideways, his feet moving rapidly. Blood continued to flow from his chest.
Qin He's heart trembled. "Gu Qichen, put me down!"
Two more "pfft" sounds followed. This time, they struck Gu Qichen's arm. The scent of blood filled the air.
Qin He felt as if her heart was being squeezed by a large hand, making it difficult to breathe!
Fortunately, the car wasn't far, and Di Shishi was quick.
She opened the car door and drove it to stop beside them.
Gu Qichen, carrying Qin He, pulled open the car door and shoved her inside!
He then slumped into the car, motionless.
Qin He, with great effort, dragged Gu Qichen into the car and closed the door.
In the back seat, there were two more "bang" sounds. The attacker had likely realized the car was bulletproof and ceased firing.
Di Shishi's gaze was cold as she looked at the small residential building nearby. "We can't catch him now!"
Qin He's voice trembled. "Don't chase him, let's go to the hospital! Quickly!"
Gu Qichen had used almost all his strength to protect her as she got into the car, but now, he had completely lost consciousness!
Qin He pressed down on his wounds.
His hair was still wet from when he went into the water to save her. Water droplets trickled down his face, making it look even paler!