Yue Mingyuan pulled two blankets from the car, soaked them in cold water, wrapped them around himself, and rushed into the garage at top speed.
Thick smoke billowed everywhere, stinging his eyes so badly he could barely keep them open.
Fortunately, his rigorous training had prepared him for extreme situations like this. Combined with his sharp vision, he quickly spotted the squad leader.
He dashed over and found the squad leader unconscious, having shielded two children beneath him—both unharmed.
“Cough, cough… Captain Yue… cough… I’ll carry our squad leader. You take the kids—cough, cough…”
The deputy squad leader had also charged in, but without any protection, he only covered his mouth and nose with his sleeve. Just a few words sent him into a fit of coughing from the smoke.
Yue Mingyuan quickly handed him one of the wet blankets and passed him the younger child. “Hold this child tight.”
Then, he draped the other blanket over the squad leader, hoisted him onto his shoulder, and cradled the other child in his arms.
When the deputy tried to argue, Yue Mingyuan cut him off firmly: “That’s an order. Follow it!”
“Yes, sir!”
The smoke was so dense that the exit was completely obscured. Yue Mingyuan had to rely on instinct to navigate his way out.
Despite carrying two people—one large, one small—his steps never slowed. The deputy struggled to keep up, gradually falling behind.
Noticing this, Yue Mingyuan glanced back just in time to see a scorching steel beam tipping toward the deputy. He lunged forward and yanked him out of danger. “Watch out!”
Shaken, the deputy gasped in relief. “Thank you, Captain Yue!”
“We should be close to the exit. Hang in there!” Yue Mingyuan gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Stay close to me!”
Inside, the heat was unbearable. Outside, the waiting crowd was just as frantic.
The parents of the six children had rushed over upon hearing the news. Four of the kids had already been rescued and sent to the hospital. But for Tan Jianping and Tian Man, whose two children were still trapped inside, the wait was agony.
“They’re out! They’re out!”
“Quick—Captain Yue and the deputy are coming!”
Two figures emerged from the smoke, and the crowd surged forward to meet them.
“Mingyuan, brother—we can’t thank you enough!”
Tan Jianping and Tian Man took their children from Yue Mingyuan and the deputy. Seeing that the kids were unharmed, they burst into tears of relief.
“The squad leader shielded them with his body, but they still inhaled some smoke. They need to go to the hospital immediately.”
“I’ll drive you there.”
Yue Mingyuan stopped the deputy. “You need a checkup too. And take care of your squad leader.”
By the time they finished at the hospital, it was past midnight. The squad leader had suffered the worst—severe smoke inhalation, burns, and a mild concussion from being struck. He’d need at least half a month to recover.
The deputy and the two children required IV treatment to clear their lungs. Yue Mingyuan, with only minor exposure, was cleared to go home after some basic instructions.
Not wanting to worry Shen Zhiqiu, he showered downstairs before heading up.
When he opened the door, two identical pairs of wide eyes greeted him—Shen Zhiqiu holding Yaya, both staring at him intently.
“I heard about the fire. Are you hurt?”
Her worry was plain as she hurried over, taking his hands and inspecting him closely.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
He took Yaya from her arms, balancing her in one arm while guiding Shen Zhiqiu inside with the other. “Zhiqiu… you waited up for me?”
At the bedside, she sat down. “At first, I thought it wasn’t serious. I went back to sleep after you left. But then I heard how bad the fire was, and you were gone so long… I got scared.”
“I’m sorry.”
Setting Yaya aside, he knelt before Shen Zhiqiu, clasping her hands and rubbing his thumb gently over her knuckles.
Unused to such intimacy, she pulled her hands back, avoiding his soft gaze. “It’s almost dawn. You should rest.“
“Alright. You sleep first. I’ll put Yaya down and join you.”
Exhausted, Shen Zhiqiu drifted off quickly.
Yue Mingyuan picked up Yaya and whispered, “Hungry, little one?”
Yaya raised a tiny fist and shook it once.
This was their secret code—one shake for yes, two for no.
“Daddy will make your bottle right away.”
He kissed her cheek, then carried her to the cabinet, expertly preparing a bottle one-handed. After testing the temperature on his wrist, he offered it to her.
Yaya clutched the bottle with both hands, her cheeks puffing as she gulped it down eagerly.
Watching her always melted his heart.
Once she finished, he wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and praised, “Such a good girl!”
[Hehe~ Everything I do gets praised at this age. So nice!]
[But I’m growing too slow… I wanna eat real food! I wanna go outside!]
Yaya yawned, clutching her jade pendant as she obediently fell asleep.
Yue Mingyuan glanced between her and Shen Zhiqiu, his heart overflowing with happiness.
