Fortune Across the World

Chapter 68: A Cunning Plan and a Heroic Rescue

The Qingyi attendant wielded a dagger, advancing on Lu Weixi. She focused intently on the weapon, knowing that if Qing'er and Qiyu couldn't reach her in time, she'd have to take her chances at the moment of attack.

The attendant hesitated at her offer; however, a promise of more money couldn't outweigh the silver he had already received. After all, he had come to the academy to study, but desperate family circumstances had forced him into this job. "One must keep their promises," he said through gritted teeth, glancing behind Lu Weixi. "I agreed to this first, so I can't break my word!" With that, he tightened his grip on the dagger and lunged at Lu Weixi. She had anticipated the attack, stepping back to narrowly avoid the first strike, but her back hit the railing, leaving her with nowhere to retreat. As the assailant prepared to strike again, Lu Weixi quickly turned to escape past him...

"Weixi!" "Miss!" "Crack—" Ding Qiyu and Qing'er's shouts coincided with the sound of wood breaking. They had searched the second-floor cabin without finding her, rushing onto the deck just in time to witness the scene: the railing Lu Weixi bumped into broke, sending her plunging into the water below. The sight stunned everyone, even the assailant, who, seeing others arrive, hastily leaped off the other side of the boat.

Ding Qiyu's mind went blank; all she knew was that Weixi had fallen. She rushed to where the railing had broken, seeing Lu Weixi struggling in the water behind the boat. Without hesitation, she leapt into the water after her.

In a blink of an eye, so much had happened. Qing'er stood frozen in shock, her mind blank. When she came to her senses, she cried out, "Miss!" and ran to the broken railing, but both figures had vanished beneath the water. Her legs gave way, and she sank to the ground, tears streaming down her face. Yet, she quickly wiped them away with her sleeve, muttering, "Save Miss, must save Miss..." She scrambled to her feet and stumbled downstairs.

Ding Qiyu, once in the water, choked on the rushing current before surfacing. She spotted Lu Weixi some distance away and, gritting her teeth, swam desperately towards her, eyes fixed on her alone, heart echoing her name—Weixi, Weixi, Xi'er... She must save her, she mustn't let anything happen to her!

Lu Weixi couldn't swim, but she had seen Ding Qiyu before falling into the water. She believed Qiyu would come for her, and all she needed to do was hold on a little longer, just a little longer... Her heartbeat quickened, fear overwhelming her as she struggled to stay afloat. Just as she fully submerged, she held her breath, thinking of one name, Qiyu...

Almost there, almost there. Just as Ding Qiyu was closing the gap, Lu Weixi disappeared beneath the surface. Her heart sank with her, and she took a deep breath, diving underwater at full speed. She wrapped her arms around the sinking figure from behind, pulling her to the surface with all her strength.

Coughing violently, Lu Weixi clung to the arm wrapped around her chest. Ding Qiyu, submerged by the reaction force, surfaced behind her, feeling Lu Weixi's tight grip. Knowing she was frightened, she tightened her hold, letting Weixi rest against her, treading water as she comforted her, "Xi'er, don't be afraid, relax, it's okay. I'm here, I won't let anything happen to you!"

Ding Qiyu's soothing words worked wonders. Lu Weixi felt her heart settle, as if reaching a safe harbor. Her coughing subsided, and her tense body relaxed slightly. She wanted to be closer, but with Qiyu behind her, she could only rest her head against her neck, weakly whispering, "I knew you'd come..."

Seeing her relax, Ding Qiyu looked around. The boat was out of sight; they had been swept into a tributary by the current, surrounded by islands. The cold water sapped their strength, and their energy was quickly depleting. They had to find the closest shore to rest.