Chapter 111: Fallen into the Ice Hole, Sober Up!

Swindler, you're all swindlers! You're high and mighty, you're respected—what about me? What did I, Zhao Wanli, do wrong? In the classroom, in the dormitory, they all ostracize me! I……

The biting cold wind howled, and Zhao Wanli, who had just stood up, only felt the wind blow into his body, chilling his heart; he pointed his finger at Qin Miao and shouted loudly.

So what? So you don't want to go to school anymore?

Qin Miao's anger also flared up.

Bang! Qin Miao kicked him, sending the already collapsed Zhao Wanli sprawling again.

This kick is for your family!

Bang!

Another kick.

This kick is for yourself!

You……

What 'you'? Think about how hard you've studied to finally get a chance to go to college; now that you're in college, are you really going to throw away your life over this nonsense? You're so stupid—you should be pressed into that ice hole to sober up!

Crack, crack-crack……

What sound?

Qin Miao and Zhao Wanli both lowered their heads and looked down, seeing several cracks in the ice beneath Zhao Wanli's feet—then… splosh!

Damn it, this must be the ice hole smashed open by those hateful winter fishermen! It was probably broken this morning and hasn't frozen solid yet; when Zhao Wanli stepped back onto it, it cracked under his weight!

Zhao Wanli's body plunged in at once; he grabbed the edges of the ice hole with both hands, his eyes showing despair.

The ice surface is still, but the river water beneath keeps flowing; once he's in, he can't get out!

Even knowing how to swim won't help! His heavy cotton clothes become waterlogged and weigh him down; those old Russians who swim in winter ice holes do so naked!

Crack, crack!

This is exactly what you fear coming true!

The edge of the ice hole he was holding onto shattered, his eyes full of despair.

What woman, what love—before death, these are nothing! If I… if I really died, that wouldn't be worth it!

He already regretted it, but… it's too late!

At a time like this, anyone who gets near him is in danger! Qin Miao probably wouldn't risk it to save him……

Just as he thought that, a hand reached out from the ice—the same hand that had just struck him, now looking so kind.

Seeing Zhao Wanli fall into the ice hole, Qin Miao immediately took off his military coat, spread it on the ice, lay down, and then reached out.

The principle of rescue is not to endanger yourself!

Every summer, some people playing outdoors or by the river fall in; then someone rushes to save them, fails to pull them up, and also doesn't get out themselves—this tragedy stems from not knowing one's limits, thinking swimming ability alone lets you rescue others, when a strong hug can overwhelm even the best swimmer.

It's the same in summer, let alone trying to rescue someone beside an ice hole in winter.

Crack-crack… the ice kept splitting; Qin Miao felt the ice under his chest crack—just how big a hole did those damn fishers make?

Just then, he felt someone grab his legs.

Director Mao and the driver each pulled one of Qin Miao's legs back, while Qin Miao pulled Zhao Wanli, finally hauling him out of the ice hole.

Quick, quick, take off your clothes!

Before Qin Miao finished speaking, Director Mao and the driver swiftly stripped Zhao Wanli naked.

Those who haven't experienced the Northeast's bitter cold won't know: soaked like this, his cotton coat will freeze stiff within a minute, making it impossible to walk, leaving him to freeze to death.

Once his clothes were off, Director Mao quickly took off his own military coat and draped it over Zhao Wanli; they all ran back to the Old Liberation.

Although the Old Liberation has no heater, the engine up front sends its heat through the metal to the rear, and the veteran drivers often peel off the floor metal to let warm air rush in, making winter drives cozy.

The Old Liberation's cab is small, but with four people squeezed together it's also warm.

"Zhao Wanli, I'm not saying this to criticize you—you're grown, how can you still be so childish!" Director Mao snapped: "If it weren't for Qin Miao noticing you walking alone on the ice, you could have fallen in and no one would have saved you!"

Qin Miao felt grateful; Director Mao was speaking up for him, after all Zhao Wanli had fallen in because Qin Miao had kicked him. At that time, Qin Miao got out of the car, and Director Mao followed, just staying hidden in the back.

Seeing the two fighting, the driver came over to watch, but by the time he arrived Zhao Wanli had already fallen in, so he could only lend a hand.

After Director Mao finished lecturing Zhao Wanli, he turned to lecture Qin Miao.

"Qin Miao, don't think that because you've contributed so much to Ha Gong Da I won't criticize you—what can't be said nicely? You're classmates, in the same class—why fight over a disagreement? What has this become? Don't assume Ha Gong Da will indulge you; if you really mess up, you'll be punished or expelled!"

"Sorry, Director Mao, I was wrong; I sincerely apologize to Zhao Wanli."

Qin Miao's statement pleased Director Mao, who then turned to Zhao Wanli: "Zhao Wanli, what do you think now?"

"I… I… I…" Zhao Wanli's words trembled, whether from fright or just the cold.

"Director Mao, we should head back; I'll take you straight to the campus clinic—Zhao Wanli just got a fright and a chill… Actually, in student life, nothing's a big deal; later it's just trivial." The driver floored the accelerator, and the Old Liberation felt like a Range Rover.

After crossing the Songhua Jiang, with the school gate in sight, Zhao Wanli finally spoke: "Director Mao, I was wrong; after falling into the ice hole I've come to my senses… Qin Miao, I… I shouldn't have envied you, let alone fought you."

Zhao Wanli's expression darkened.

"The fight's over, the anger's out—go back, study hard, think about your future! If… you feel you can't focus in your original class, you can switch departments or majors." Director Mao said.

Qin Miao glanced at him and couldn't help saying: "Chu Miaomiao didn't deceive you; our marriage is fake, just for a better job. But… don't get any ideas about her—she's now my wife at school, and a woman who remarries will be scorned."

His knot was from being deceived, so might as well tell him the truth.

"What?"

Slap!

Zhao Wanli gave himself a hard slap.