Chapter 361: Captain Liu

“Finally out! Captain Yan, Xiao Shen, what should we do now?”

At this moment, Xiao Yi’s group had already exited the No. 7 coniferous forest, and someone immediately called out to Captain Yan.

With Captain Liu absent, Captain Yan was naturally their current leader.

Upon hearing this, Captain Yan first glanced at the rescued members of Shen Meng’s team, then turned to Director Kang.

“Director Kang, we’ll rely on you doctors now—I’ll dispatch two helicopters to take you straight to base. Please ensure the injured are cared for carefully during transit.”

Upon hearing this, Director Kang first looked at the two men on the stretcher, then spoke up.

“It’s our duty, Captain Yan—you can rest assured!”

“No, let Jin Shui go with Director Kang. I’m fine—I need to stay here and wait for news about our captain.”

Before Captain Yan and Director Kang could finish, Qin Xiao quickly spoke up in refusal.

All the people he led had now been rescued; to be honest, Qin Xiao felt a weight lift from his chest.

But one heavy stone remained unremoved: there was still no word on Shen Mengsan—this was his greatest concern right now.

Qin Xiao intended to stay here to learn the news about Shen Mengsan the moment it came, whether good or bad, Xiao Yi.

“Yes, send Jin Shui and Ding Ding back first! None of us are injured—we’ll stay here with Captain Yan and help search for our captain.”

“Exactly! Without news of our captain, how can we go back in peace?”

“That’s right! We’re not seriously hurt—give us hot water and food, and we’ll recover fast and join the next rescue.”

…

…

After Qin Xiao finished speaking, the others from Shen Mengsan’s rescue team also began voicing their opinions.

Seeing this, Captain Yan hesitated.

These guys may look fine, but they’ve survived three days in this wilderness disaster—who knows if they have hidden internal injuries?

It’s better to send them all back for full-body checks so everyone can rest easy.

But judging by their determination now, it seems impossible to force them away.

Captain Yan then turned to Director Kang, seeking his opinion.

Director Kang clearly understood the unspoken question in Captain Yan’s gaze and spoke up.

“Qin Xiao must return with the medical team—his frostbite won’t heal properly if not treated soon; it’ll leave severe long-term damage.”

“I…”

“If you don’t want to spend the rest of your life suffering from chronic arm and leg pain, this isn’t negotiable—I’m not threatening you.”

Upon hearing Director Kang’s words, Qin Xiao opened his mouth to protest.

But before he could finish, Director Kang cut him off sharply.

Director Kang understood Qin Xiao’s anxiety, but as a doctor, he must stay true to his principles, trust science, and take responsibility for his patients.

The longer Qin Xiao’s frostbite is delayed, the higher the chance of permanent damage.

“Qin Xiao must go back…”

At this, Captain Yan, upon hearing Director Kang’s words, firmly added his support.

Hearing this, Qin Xiao turned to look at Xiao Yi, as if pleading for help.

Xiao Yi, sensing Qin Xiao’s gaze, spoke up.

“Don’t worry—I’ll find Brother Shen Mengsan and bring him back. Rest up and heal.”

Seeing Xiao Yi say this, Qin Xiao closed his eyes and nodded slowly, accepting the suggestion to leave with the medical team.

“Captain Yan, Qin Xiao is injured, but we’re all perfectly healthy—staying here is fine.”

Seeing Qin Xiao being forcibly taken away, another member of Shen Mengsan’s rescue team stepped forward, pounding his chest to show his strength.

Seeing yet another person speak up, Captain Yan turned again to Director Kang, hoping he’d find a way to evacuate them all.

Director Kang paused for a moment in thought, then spoke.

“Let’s take them into the tent first for basic physical checks—only those confirmed healthy may stay.”

“Fine, we’ll follow Director Kang’s instructions.”

Seeing Director Kang say this, Captain Yan reluctantly agreed.

“What about Qin Xiao and Jin Shui?”

Before anyone could move, Xiao Yi turned to Captain Yan and asked again.

“Send them on the helicopter immediately to the base—Qu Director and the others are waiting there. I’ll stay here to check everyone else’s condition; anyone with issues will leave with me on the second helicopter.”

Before Captain Yan could respond, Director Kang spoke first.

In his view, Jin Shui couldn’t wait a second longer—prompt examination and treatment were essential to prevent complications.

“Do as Director Kang says. Wu Doctor, you know Jin Shui’s condition best—escort them back yourself.”

Seeing Director Kang’s orders, Captain Yan had no reason to refuse.

He then continued giving instructions to Wu Doctor.

After all, Wu Doctor’s presence would help the base doctors quickly understand their injuries and improve subsequent treatment.

“Understood, I’ll follow orders.”

Hearing Captain Yan’s words, Wu Doctor smiled with relief.

After enduring this blizzard disaster, Wu Doctor didn’t want to spend another minute in this wilderness.

…

…

“How is it?”

Soon after, Director Kang had checked the physical condition of everyone else inside the tent.

Captain Yan immediately stepped forward to ask.

“Him, him, him—come with me for further checks. Everyone else may stay.”

Director Kang didn’t answer Captain Yan directly; instead, he pointed to three men in the crowd.

“Captain, Director…”

“Since Director Kang says so, you’ll comply—no more arguing.”

Before the man could finish, a voice came from outside the tent.

Then a group entered, pushing open the tent flap.

“Captain Liu!”

“Captain Liu, you’re back!”

Seeing the newcomers, everyone inside the tent greeted them.

“Captain Liu!”

The man who had just tried to speak also called out.

Captain Liu nodded to the group, then turned to the man and said:

“If you’re injured, get treated now. We’re still here—do you think staying here will help you find your captain? Nonsense.”

Hearing this, the man said nothing more.

He dared to plead with Captain Yan because everyone knew Captain Yan was easygoing—but Captain Liu was famously unpredictable.

“Director Kang, I’m handing these three over to you.”

Captain Liu continued speaking to Director Kang, who smiled in response.

“Rest easy, Captain Liu. These three are badly hurt, but far less so than Qin Xiao and Jin Shui—I’ll return you three fully fit soldiers in no time.”

“Hah! Then let me thank you on behalf of Old Shen—I’ll treat you to drinks when I bring him back.”

Hearing this, Captain Liu burst into laughter.

Soon after, the three selected men boarded a helicopter under Director Kang’s escort and headed toward base.

“Old Liu, did you finish handling everything in the coniferous forest?”

“You doubt my work?”

After Director Kang left, Captain Yan walked over with a light smile and asked; Captain Liu replied confidently.

Then Captain Liu turned to Xiao Yi and asked:

“Xiao Shen, night is falling—would you join our rescue team back to base to discuss our next plan?”

Hearing this, Xiao Yi shook his head slightly.

“No. It’s already been three days—I want to search other areas for Captain Shen and his partner.”

“Even if they found a cave to shelter in, this weather is too cold—I fear they won’t survive even with cover.”

Hearing Xiao Yi say this, Liu’s group fell silent—Xiao Yi’s concern was exactly theirs.

Then Captain Liu gritted his teeth and said, “Xiao Shen’s right—we need to change our search strategy. We won’t return to base; we’ll make this our new headquarters.”

“Old Yan, go invite Officer Anji and Officer Ryan here.”

“Also, transfer everyone else from the other two coniferous forests here, and report our current situation to Boss Wang.”

Hearing this, Captain Yan said nothing and walked straight out.

“Everyone, time is running out—I’m dividing us into two teams to search nonstop, day and night…”

Just outside the tent, Captain Yan had overheard Captain Liu’s plan—and couldn’t help smiling in satisfaction.

“Anji, what should we do next? We must show results.”

After Qin Xiao and Jin Shui boarded the helicopter, Anji and the others parted from Xiao Yi’s group and returned to their own tent.

Hearing this, Anji clenched his fists tightly and said firmly.

“Aren’t there still two people unaccounted for? We must find them before Liu and Yan do.”

Falling behind the production team’s rescue squad in locating anyone today was, in Anji’s eyes, a deeply humiliating failure.

Thinking back to the words he’d spoken to Li Yong upon arrival, Anji felt as if he’d been slapped in the face.

“That’s certain, but the two missing persons won’t be easy to find—do we have even a single clue pointing to their location?”

At this moment, Ryan also strongly supported Anji’s idea.

After all, it wasn’t just Anji who had been humiliated today—it was the entire Maple Leaf Police Rescue Team in his view.

“I know, so I plan to skip rest entirely—search continuously, day and night…”

Clearly, Anji hadn’t anticipated that he wasn’t the only one thinking this way.

And in a nearby tent, a group of people held the exact same thought.

“But searching at night is too dangerous—the temperature plunges into extreme cold, visibility is severely limited, and you might even encounter wolf packs, lynxes, or bears.”

Seeing Anji say this, Officer Ryan voiced his concerns.

“So I need your support—and everyone’s support.”

“I support it!”

“I support it too!”

……

……

As soon as Anji finished speaking, several people immediately opened their tents and spoke up.

“Kahn, Anjies…?”

“We speak for everyone in supporting your decision right now!”

Seeing Anji say this, Anjies couldn’t help but smile slightly.

Just as Ryan had thought, today’s failed search had left them all seething, even feeling their dignity insulted.

After all, since arriving, they’d believed themselves far superior to the production team’s rescue squad.

“Everyone… thank you!”

Seeing this, Anji murmured his gratitude—something the proud Anji rarely did.

“Oh oh oh… hearing the proud you thank us is actually pretty satisfying—but we don’t need your thanks, because we’re not doing this for you—we’re doing it for ourselves.”

“Yan from the opposing rescue team has arrived!”

At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out outside the tent, interrupting Anji and the others.

Hearing this, Anji and the others frowned slightly; then Anji said, “Bring Yan in first—see what he wants.”

Not long after, Captain Yan strode in, and without wasting words, he addressed Anji directly.

“Officer Anji, Officer Ryan, I apologize for the interruption. I’ve come on behalf of Captain Liu to invite you both over to discuss the next phase of the rescue operation—to see if we can cooperate further.”

“Of course, if you still insist on our original agreement—exchanging information only and searching separately—that’s perfectly fine too.”

Hearing Captain Yan say this, Anji and Ryan exchanged a glance, their frowns deepening.

After a moment of thought, Anji spoke up.

“Thank you, Yan, for the invitation. I’ll go with Ryan to meet Captain Liu shortly.”

Seeing Anji agree, Captain Yan exhaled in relief, then took his leave.

“In that case, I’ll return and tell Captain Liu the good news.”

With that, Captain Yan didn’t linger—he quickly headed back toward the rescue team’s tent.

“Anji, why did you agree to meet with that Captain Liu? We can handle this ourselves.”

After Captain Yan left, Kahn, who had just entered, spoke up in dissatisfaction.

Still, Anji’s agreement surprised both Ryan and Anjies—this wasn’t like him at all.

But this time, Anji calmly explained himself.

“Accepting the invitation doesn’t mean I’ll cooperate. I want to hear what Liu and Yan have to say. Though I hate to admit it, they proved themselves superior today, didn’t they?”

“I did underestimate them before—I admit that was my mistake. But it won’t happen again.”

Seeing Anji say this, Ryan felt deeply pleased.

In his view, this failure wasn’t a bad thing for Anji—at least now he’d truly grown.

The others, hearing Anji speak this way, said nothing more.

Even Kahn, who wanted to argue further, was stopped by Anjies beside him.