The walkway, losing support on one side, instantly twisted and unbalanced!
"Shuhui! Watch out!" Tao Xinrou's scream tore through the cheerful air.
Everyone looked back, smiles frozen on their faces, time seemingly slowed down.
Her mind went blank. In that critical moment, Tao Xinrou lunged to grab Zheng Shuhui.
Zheng Shuhui screamed and grabbed the rope, barely avoiding falling, but the recoil sent Tao Xinrou staggering backward, falling completely.
She could even see the exceptionally blue sky above and the trajectory of startled birds. Only one thought occupied her mind, bold and underlined: [This is it! I never thought Tao Xinrou's life would end here!]
"Ah—" Tao Xinrou screamed.
In a flash, a strong arm wrapped around her waist without hesitation, swift and firm, pulling her backward.
The two fell together.
Instead of a hard impact, she landed on something soft and springy.
Her helmet dangled in midair, swaying as if watching the drama unfold.
Tao Xinrou felt herself lying on a soft chest. Her back was pressed against a broad, warm chest, and she could even feel the taut muscles and steady, powerful heartbeat.
Wait, if she remembered correctly, the person behind her was Fang Rong.
That meant...
*Thump—thump—*
For a moment, she couldn't tell if it was her heartbeat or his, or both intertwined, thundering in the post-terror silence.
"Xinrou! Are you two okay?"
Only when a voice came from above did Tao Xinrou snap out of her shock.
Her eyelashes fluttered, and she was momentarily speechless.
"Oh my god! How did the rope break? Someone call for help!"
Above, panic; below, bewilderment.
Tao Xinrou finally came to her senses, said "I'm fine" to those above, and quickly scrambled out of Fang Rong's embrace, stammering: "I-I'm sorry."
At that moment, she felt all her blood rush to her head, her cheeks hot enough to fry an egg.
Ahhh!
Tao Xinrou, where were you lying just now?
That was the president's chest! The future boss's embrace!
Is that a place for you to lie down?
You haven't even warmed your salary yet, and you want to claim an early work injury pension?
She didn't dare turn her head, afraid that one more glance would get her fired on the spot for offending a superior.
Then she heard a voice from below: "I'm glad you're okay."
Tao Xinrou didn't know how to respond. The situation was too awkward.
She clumsily tried to smooth her disheveled hair but found her hair tie missing. Her long hair hung loose, adding to her disarray.
She fumbled around, and then a hand held out her hair tie.
"Looking for this?"
Following the hand, she saw Fang Rong's gentle eyes, looking at her with affection, his voice even more magnetic.
Tao Xinrou stared at the hair tie as if it were a hot potato.
Damn rope! Why did it have to break now!
She would definitely sue the base!
Compensation!
Besides physical damages, mental damages, and if possible, work injury fees—what if she got fired?
Without thinking further, she used two fingers to delicately pick up one end of the hair tie, pulling it away quickly, mumbling: "Th-thank you. I-I owe you one."
Her heart was still pounding wildly. Fortunately, she didn't touch Fang Rong's fingers. She was afraid she might accidentally see Fang Rong and her future.
Too scary!
She clumsily tried to tie her hair, but because she was still floating online and flustered, she messed it up even more.
"Take it easy. Let's get up first," Fang Rong's voice came again.
Tao Xinrou noticed the safety officer had lowered a rescue rope and harness. Relieved, she grabbed the offered harness, not caring if it was right, just wanting to be pulled up quickly. But Fang Rong suddenly laughed: "You need to fasten this around your waist."
Before Tao Xinrou could recover from the overly tender look and tone, he naturally picked up the harness and leaned in.
The distance instantly shrank.
His clean scent enveloped her again. Sunlight streamed through his face, casting his shadow over her, carrying a faint hint of sweat and sunshine, invading her senses irresistibly.
His arm circled her waist, movements swift, fingers deftly adjusting the strap.