071 A Strange Rescue

"Ziyan, is he really worth you doing all this for him? Just because he saved your life, do you feel you must repay him with your own?" Xu Jin sighed deeply, his tone now much gentler.

Xu Ziyan had also calmed. Suddenly, she smiled—a soft, natural smile of such beauty that not only Meng Haoran, a grown man, was left stunned, but even Chen Yage was mesmerized.

Xu Ziyan said, "He is worth it. In one’s life, there will always be that one person for whom you are willing to give everything. As long as he lives peacefully and happily, you feel happiness. If he suffers even a little, you feel a pain a thousand times greater than his."

"So, you have fallen for him?" Xu Jin was no fool. Xu Ziyan’s words brimmed with boundless affection for Li Bai, but what he could not understand was how Xu Ziyan could fall for Li Bai upon their first meeting.

Xu Ziyan did not answer, but Chen Yage’s heart was a tumult of emotions, as if she had tasted every grain—joy and sorrow all at once. She wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.

Li Bai was an extraordinary man; it was only natural that Xu Ziyan would fall for him. Besides, the historical records stated that Li Bai’s first wife was Xu Ziyan. Thinking of this, Chen Yage felt somewhat relieved yet still uneasy.

The situation remained at an impasse until Liu Yun hurried over. "Where is the master?" Xu Jin asked anxiously.

Liu Yun bowed his head respectfully and replied, "Master said he will not come. He also said..."

"And what else did he say?"

"He said, if Miss wishes to jump, let her jump."

"Is Father truly so heartless?" Xu Ziyan’s face turned ashen at Liu Yun’s words. She could hardly believe that her father, who had always doted on her, could say something so cold.

Xu Jin, agitated by Xu Ziyan’s reaction, seized Liu Yun by the collar and sternly asked again, "Did Father truly say that?"

Liu Yun was frightened by Xu Jin’s icy gaze, but having served in the Xu household for decades, he had seen his share of crises. He nodded honestly. Only then did Xu Jin release him. Xu Jin looked at Xu Ziyan on the bridge, his eyes full of pain—after all, she was the sister he had grown up with, bound by blood.

"Come down, Ziyan. Father will not be fooled by such a foolish method," Xu Jin said gently once more.

Xu Ziyan suddenly let out a bitter, desolate laugh. "Brother, apart from Father, you have always cared for me the most. This is the last time—please, I beg you, spare Li Bai. If in my next life I can still be your sister, I will repay you double. Let me owe you this time. Take care of Father."

With those words, Xu Ziyan resolutely leapt from the bridge. In that instant, Chen Yage finally understood that Xu Ziyan truly loved Li Bai. All those claims of gratitude and guilt were but excuses. What else could drive a delicate woman to throw her life away for another, if not love?

"No!"

"Ziyan!"

"My daughter—"

For a moment, voices rose in chaos. But the most astonishing was the last cry of "My daughter," for Xu Yushi came running from the corner, while everyone else stood dazed on the bridge.

The servants on the shore plunged into the river after Xu Ziyan leapt, but the river was wide. Anxious, Chen Yage could not wait; she climbed over the railing and dove in herself.

Misfortune followed misfortune—before the crowd could recover from Xu Ziyan’s leap, they watched in disbelief as Chen Yage jumped in as well.

When You Huan saw Chen Yage leap into the river, he grew anxious and was about to follow when he saw Chen Yage resurface, supporting the unconscious Xu Ziyan in her arms. Xu Ziyan’s phoenix-like eyes were tightly closed, her face as pale as death, completely devoid of life.

By now, the servants had reached the center of the river and, with their help, Chen Yage found relief. Soon, they brought Xu Ziyan ashore. Xu Yushi rushed over and patted Xu Ziyan’s face, calling out, "Yan’er, Yan’er, what’s wrong? Wake up, please wake up!"

Seeing that Xu Ziyan still did not respond, Chen Yage leaned in to check her breathing and found it weak—her heart sank.

You Huan, seeing the change in Chen Yage’s expression, also bent down to check Xu Ziyan’s breath, and his own face grew grave.

"How is Yan’er?" Xu Yushi asked anxiously, his voice trembling.

"Her condition is dire—her breathing grows weaker and weaker. I fear..." You Huan did not finish, but Xu Yushi’s face turned ashen as he snapped at the servants, "What are you standing around for? Go fetch a doctor!"

It was clear that Xu Ziyan was determined to die; otherwise, falling into the water would not have left her in such a state. Chen Yage’s feelings were a mixture of relief and heartache. It seemed her rival was a formidable one. But even if, in the end, it was Xu Ziyan who would be with Li Bai, Chen Yage knew she must save her now.

Without a word, Chen Yage pressed her hands to Xu Ziyan’s chest. Xu Yushi, suspecting ill intention, grabbed her shoulders. "What are you doing? Let go of Yan’er!"

"If you don’t want her to die, move your hand!" Chen Yage replied coldly, not daring to pause for a moment.

"Yage must be trying to save Miss Ziyan. Master Xu, let her try," Meng Haoran interceded, knowing Chen Yage meant no harm.

"But what kind of rescue is this?" Xu Jin muttered in confusion. They had never seen such a method, but with the doctor absent, they could only let Chen Yage try.

Chen Yage found it almost laughable—this was the most basic first aid method. If she tried mouth-to-mouth, they’d probably question her motives altogether.

She pressed on Xu Ziyan’s chest, but there was still no response. Growing desperate, she readied her last resort. Glancing briefly at the crowd, she cared little for their opinion now. Taking a deep breath, she pressed her lips to Xu Ziyan’s.

A gasp swept through those present; eyes widened in disbelief as if they had seen a monster—uncertain whether it was fear or confusion.

Chen Yage breathed in, exhaled, again and again. Finally, Xu Ziyan coughed, and Chen Yage collapsed, gasping for air.

Everyone stared in amazement—a dying woman, brought back to life before their eyes. Their admiration for Chen Yage was palpable. Even Xu Jin’s attitude toward her changed.

"Father..." Xu Ziyan slowly opened her eyes to see Xu Yushi’s face before her. She called softly, her voice barely audible.

Xu Yushi gently stroked her face, a kindly smile spreading across his features. "Silly child, were you trying to worry your father to death? If anything happened to you, how could I ever face your late mother?"