Wen Zhi could clearly feel the sideways glances gathering on her and Mo Tingyan.
To stop him from saying anything reckless, she spoke first, her tone calm and firm.
"Captain Mo, don't fight me on this. With your build, you won't be able to get down there. I'm the most suitable one."
Mo Tingyan caught the look she gave him. He knew exactly what she was worried about.
It took every ounce of self-control for him not to stop her outright.
His jaw clenched tightly as he said in a low voice,
"One attempt. Make it count. Don't let your chief purser stay down there any longer."
"Okay."
Seeing that he still wouldn't let go, Wen Zhi freed her wrist and slowly lowered herself into the fissure.
It was extremely narrow inside—packed tight with dirt walls on both sides—enough to make anyone panic.
It took her five or six minutes to reach Chief Purser Xue's depth. By then, the woman's consciousness was already fading.
Wen Zhi called out to her softly.
Chief Purser Xue squinted her eyes open, her rims tinged red. She never imagined that the one coming to save her… would be Wen Zhi.
Wen Zhi grasped her wrist and pulled her closer while bracing her own feet beneath the chief purser's feet, preventing her from slipping further once she straightened up. She spoke gently but steadily,
"Chief Purser, stay awake. We'll be up very soon."
Chief Purser Xue nodded with great effort.
After adjusting her position, Wen Zhi secured the rope the firefighters had lowered, tying it firmly under her arms. Only after double-checking the knot did she signal for them to pull.
The entire rescue took a full thirty minutes.
When the two finally emerged, everyone rushed forward, surrounding the chief purser with concern and questions.
Only Mo Tingyan stood outside the crowd, his gaze sweeping over Wen Zhi from head to toe—his eyes so dark they seemed ready to ignite.
Yan Duo noticed immediately and cried out,
"Xiao Zhi, your arm is scraped!"
Mo Tingyan strode over at once, his face tense as he examined the back of her arm.
"It's nothing, really," Wen Zhi said quickly.
Before Chief Purser Xue was loaded into the ambulance, she asked everyone to move aside. Looking at Wen Zhi, weak but sincere, she said,
"Wen Zhi, come with me to the hospital. Get your arm treated."
"No need," Wen Zhi replied calmly. "It's just a minor injury. Please go get checked properly."
Chief Purser Xue's eyes reddened. Memories of Wen Zhi's reassurance down below surfaced, and after hesitating for two seconds, she said softly,
"Thank you."
No one knew how terrified she had been—trapped below, staring up at so many people yet helpless to save herself.
The moment Wen Zhi descended, she truly felt as if she had seen light.
For the first time, she realized Wen Zhi wasn't some annoying thorn in her side… but someone who could save her life at a critical moment.
After the ambulance left, Mo Tingyan said sternly,
"I'm going to the hospital anyway. You're coming with me to disinfect that wound."
Wen Zhi was about to refuse when he added coldly,
"Even if you run back up the mountain now, you won't get the prize. Let's go."
That tone left no room for argument.
She paused, then turned to Yan Duo.
"Please help pack up my tent. I'll head out first."
Yan Duo agreed without hesitation.
Wen Zhi grabbed her bag from the tent and followed Mo Tingyan to the hospital.
On the drive, seeing how dark his expression was, she wisely stayed silent.
After a long while, he finally exploded, grinding his teeth.
"So everyone else was scared, and only you were brave? What if something went wrong and you got stuck too? Playing the hero—is it fun?"
"I wasn't playing hero," Wen Zhi said patiently, looking at him. "I checked the width—it wasn't dangerous for me. And the chief purser was already showing signs of oxygen deprivation. I couldn't just stand by and watch."
"What does it have to do with you whether she lives or dies?!"
Mo Tingyan slammed a hand against the steering wheel as he drove.
He hated—despised—the feeling of losing someone close right in front of him.
Watching her rush toward danger just now, his heart had spiraled into a frenzy, even giving rise to a vicious thought—
That woman with the surname Xue might as well have died. At least she wouldn't harm anyone else.
It was the first time Wen Zhi realized that when Mo Tingyan truly lost his temper, he wasn't just sharp-tongued—he was frightening.
She pressed her lips together, stayed quiet for a moment, then said softly,
"Mo Tingyan, I'm not good at socializing, and I don't know how to flatter people. Since joining the company, Chief Purser Xue has always treated me coldly. Just now… was the first time she spoke to me without barking orders."
She turned and smiled faintly at him.
"I didn't save her to be a hero. I just thought a life was at stake, and I could handle it. If I'd felt I couldn't, I wouldn't have forced it and caused trouble. But today, unexpectedly, I gained her goodwill—and I'm actually very happy. Really."
Mo Tingyan glanced at her.
That gentle smile curved her lips, her eyes shining like starlight. The storm of anger in his chest slowly quieted.
Her heart was so easily satisfied—yet she had never truly received anything in return.
This unfair world… was the one that deserved to die.
He said nothing more. After disinfecting her wound at the hospital, he didn't even visit the chief purser—he simply drove Wen Zhi home.
When the car stopped downstairs and they got out, the door of a red Audi nearby opened.
Wen Xue stepped out.
The moment she saw Mo Tingyan, her eyes filled with astonishment.
Wasn't this the handsome captain from the plane?
Why was he with…?
Understanding dawned instantly.
No wonder he'd been so hostile toward Mo Tingjue.
So he was Mo Tingjue's older brother—the illegitimate son kicked out by the Mo family.
That face. That figure.
Compared side by side, Mo Tingjue didn't even come close.
No wonder Wen Zhi would abandon Mo Tingjue's "perfect conditions" for this so-called illegitimate son.
Noticing Wen Xue's unabashed stare at Mo Tingyan, Wen Zhi's gaze darkened immediately.
"Who allowed you to come here?"
Wen Xue withdrew her eyes from Mo Tingyan and looked back at Wen Zhi.
Recently, everything at home had collapsed—debt collectors showing up every day, that disgusting old man needing to be waited on hand and foot. She and her mother were on the verge of insanity.
And all of it could be solved—as long as Wen Zhi married President Jin.
Mo Tingjue wouldn't have her. The Mo family was also in chaos after offending Mingguang Group.
So why not…
Go all in.
Seduce Mo Tingyan…
And shove Wen Zhi straight into that old bastard Jin's bed.