Outside the window, the downpour continued unabated, and on the training ground, the sound of soldiers' footsteps splashing through the rainwater bloomed like flowers.
Xu Yu strode up to the assembled team members, standing tall and straight. After a swift, crisp military salute, his firm and serious eyes swept over the soldiers, all geared up and ready to go.
The relentless rain beat down on him without eliciting any reaction. Then, his voice rang out, clear and penetrating.
"A major mudslide disaster has occurred in Wangliu County. Under orders from higher command, our Armed Police Special Forces Squadron is being dispatched immediately to the disaster area for rescue operations. Is that clear?"
"Clear!" shouted the hundred or so soldiers in unison, their voices powerful and unstoppable.
Xu Yu looked toward one of the platoon leaders and called out, "Weng Wenbin."
"Here!"
"Your platoon will leave two squads behind to guard the camp. The rest of you, move out."
"Yes, sir!"
One after another, armed police vehicles drove out of the camp gates. Su Anxi and Liao Zhiping remained standing by the window, watching them disappear into the rain and mist.
"Sigh, I knew this rain wasn't ordinary," Liao Zhiping sighed, glancing at Su Anxi. "By the way, you and Xu Yu…"
"Liao Zhiping," Su Anxi interrupted him. "I have a feeling."
Liao Zhiping's eyes widened abruptly at her words, and he shook his head inwardly. "Su Anxi, please don't have any feelings. Every time you have a feeling, it comes true. Are you doing this again?"
Su Anxi sighed helplessly and withdrew her hand just as her phone rang. Liao Zhiping watched her answer and hang up with a look of utter despair.
He said with resignation, "I'm a family man."
"Let's go," Su Anxi patted Liao Zhiping on the shoulder. "Family man."
The two quickly began packing their things. When they looked up, they saw a platoon leader standing before them.
"Doctor Su, Doctor Liao," Weng Wenbin said, soaked from the rain. "Captain Xu sent me to help you pack."
Su Anxi smiled and waved her hand. "Thank you, but that won't be necessary. We're already packed and ready to head to the disaster area."
Weng Wenbin immediately straightened up with respect, standing at attention and saluting them both. "Take care, both of you."
Su Anxi and Liao Zhiping also stood straight and returned the salute with their right hands.
She replied, "Thank you for your concern."
In the armed police vehicle, Xu Yu opened his phone to read the incoming report: Due to continuous heavy rainfall, around 4 p.m., a high-altitude landslide occurred in Bajiao Village, Zhixi Town, Wangliu County, blocking a two-kilometer stretch of the village's river channel. The current known data indicates that over 60 households, nearly 200 people, are buried. Firefighters and armed police soldiers in Wangliu County have already arrived at the disaster site, and various rescue forces are also rushing to the scene. Specific casualty figures are still being tallied.
"It's very serious," Qiu Dongyuan said without needing to look. The fact that even their Special Forces Team had been mobilized meant the situation was far from optimistic.
Xu Yu nodded. "If this rain doesn't stop, who knows where else might be hit."
Qiu Dongyuan agreed wholeheartedly. "The weather this year has been strange. So much rain at this time—natural disasters and human calamities!"
"The Earth is alive," Xu Yu put away his phone and glanced at Qiu Dongyuan, speaking calmly. "If humans harm it, it will retaliate."
"By the way," Qiu Dongyuan looked at the others in the vehicle and lowered his voice. "How are things between you and Doctor Su?"
Xu Yu glanced at the rain outside the window and let out a soft, derisive sigh. "Just like this rain—impossible to cut through, impossible to sort out."
Qiu Dongyuan shot him an exasperated look. "Stop showing off your literary flair here. We all know you're an intellectual—no need to flaunt it."
By the time they arrived at Bajiao Village, it was already midnight. Xu Yu and Qiu Dongyuan gathered their team members and had them stand by while they entered the temporary command center with several squadron leaders and political instructors from Fangquan City's firefighting units, who had also just arrived.
Facing the topographic map before them, they discussed further rescue measures and solutions for dredging the river with the local leadership.
Meanwhile, the emergency mobile hospital established by Fangquan City Armed Police Hospital and the Special Dispatch Medical Team had already assembled. Five ambulances had departed for Wangliu County two hours earlier.
Inside the command center, an officer from the fire brigade's training department briefed everyone on the current situation. The death toll had reached fifteen, and nighttime rescue operations were even more challenging. Despite having emergency lighting equipment, working at night in the rain inevitably increased the difficulty.
In this disaster triggered by rainfall, the rain itself was the greatest enemy. Weather conditions were also crucial for rescue operations. The meteorological bureau had promptly provided forecasts for the coming days: rain would continue for the next three days, but fortunately, precipitation was expected to remain below ten millimeters, which would not significantly hinder the rescue efforts.
Earlier, multiple secondary collapses had occurred at the central site. To prevent further casualties, observation posts had been set up to signal immediately in case of emergencies, ensuring personnel could evacuate swiftly.
As the group stepped out of the temporary command center, Zhou Dingkun, the squadron leader of Fangquan City's Firefighting Special Service Squadron, patted Xu Yu on the shoulder and smiled. "So they've called in your Special Forces Team this time?"
Xu Yu nodded subtly and replied to Zhou Dingkun, "The revolutionary force is like a brick—wherever it's needed, it goes."
"Insightful," Zhou Dingkun chuckled, then said to Xu Yu, "Natural disasters are merciless. Be careful out there. You're the main force—don't push yourselves too hard."
With that, the two turned and headed back to their respective teams.
Xu Yu returned to assign tasks: "Soldiers, take lighting equipment and walkie-talkies. Cooperate with our firefighting comrades to carry out rescue operations. Leave no corner unchecked, and abandon no life."
"Yes, sir!"
Xu Yu nodded and continued, "As always, ensure your own safety before saving others. Understood?"
"Understood!"
With that, all the soldiers sprang into action. Their orange reflective vests glowed like fireflies that had changed color in the night, radiating light and warmth.
"Xia Junnan," Xu Yu beckoned.
"Yes, Captain Xu." Xia Junnan ran over to Xu Yu, leading a purebred German Shepherd.
Xu Yu lowered his gaze to the little one. Its dark eyes, hidden in the night, gleamed with an intense light, like a wolf poised to strike.
"Xile," Xu Yu released the German Shepherd's leash and asked, "Can you complete the mission?"
"Woof, woof…" In the hollow mountains, Xile's barks sounded particularly loud and invigorating.
Xu Yu bent down and affectionately ruffled Xile's head before straightening up to look at Xia Junnan. "And you?"
Xia Junnan stood at attention, his military posture firm and vigorous. "I guarantee the mission will be accomplished."
"You're responsible for assisting the affected civilians," Xu Yu instructed Xia Junnan.
Xia Junnan immediately deflated upon hearing this. "Captain Xu."
Xu Yu left no room for refusal as he said to Xia Junnan, "Follow orders."
"Yes, sir." All his earlier bravado had vanished.
…
The medical rescue team arrived first at Wangliu County Hospital. At that moment, a large number of severely injured civilians were being brought in from the front lines.
Looking at the people on stretchers, their bodies stained with blood, at those who seemed to have passed away peacefully with their eyes closed, and at the frantic adults clutching their battered children, Su Anxi suddenly felt a lump in her throat, unable to speak.
Having worked in the emergency department for many years, she had seen countless patients she couldn't save. At first, when family members and patients cried, she would cry along with them. Gradually, she learned to control her emotions and comfort others.
Later, she became numb and calm, thinking that as a doctor with years of experience, she had grown accustomed to such scenes.
But it turned out that wasn't the case at all. It was simply because she hadn't witnessed anything more tragic, more heartbreaking.
"Are you a military doctor? Military doctor, military doctor, please save my child, save my child…"
As soon as Su Anxi got out of the vehicle, a woman grabbed her sleeve. This young woman, who looked to be in her early twenties at most, knelt and begged her to save her child.
"Let me see." Su Anxi quickly took the child and examined him. Her tone suddenly grew tense. "Asphyxiation."
With that, she immediately began chest compressions and performed CPR on the child, then rushed him into the emergency department for surgery, ultimately saving the child's life.
After the surgery, Su Anxi and the doctors from the county hospital emerged from the operating room. The child's mother and father grasped Su Anxi's hands, thanking her profusely. Under normal circumstances, she might have exchanged a few more words, but now was not the time.
Leaving the matter to the county hospital doctors, Su Anxi headed toward the emergency room. It was packed, and the sound of crying filled the air.
Later, she found Vice President Zhang. After discussion, it was decided that one team would stay behind to help at the county hospital, while the other would head to Zhixi Town.
After Vice President Zhang gave instructions to each person, he hesitated when it came to Su Anxi. The disaster area was fraught with unknown dangers, and he truly didn't feel at ease letting her go. Yet, given her expertise, she was the best candidate.
"Vice President Zhang, I'll go." Su Anxi understood his concerns, but she was not only a doctor but also a military personnel. She should face hardships and dangers without fear, undaunted by life or death.
"Alright, be careful in everything." Vice President Zhang said to Su Anxi.
Su Anxi nodded and smiled slightly. "Colleagues, comrades, wait for us to return victorious. We'll celebrate with a hotpot feast."
"Sounds good!" The atmosphere finally lightened a little.
Boarding the ambulance, Su Anxi found a seat by the window, intending to rest for a while. Just as she was about to close her eyes, she saw Liao Zhiping getting on.
She raised an eyebrow at Liao Zhiping and smiled. "Doctor Liao, you're a married man. Aren't you afraid?"
Liao Zhiping closed the ambulance door and glared at Su Anxi. "My wife, your sister-in-law, repeatedly told me to take good care of you. I don't know what kind of sweet talk you fed her?"
"The friendship between women is something you men will never understand."
"Cut it out. Women's friendships are just about bags, clothes, makeup, eating, drinking, having fun, and gossip. Can it really be earth-shattering, capable of poking a hole in the sky?" Liao Zhiping sighed in disbelief.
Su Anxi burst out laughing, gave a thumbs-up, then adjusted her position to sleep.
As the ambulance started and set off, Su Anxi suddenly opened her eyes and said very sincerely, "Old Liao, thank you."
Liao Zhiping was so startled upon hearing this that his phone nearly slipped into the car seat gap. When he looked again, the person had already closed their eyes and fallen asleep.