However, inside the cave at this moment, trapped in the downstream of the underground dark river, the passage was blocked by rocks due to the cave collapse caused by the earthquake, forming a pool of stagnant water.
On a flat large rock nearby, a man and a woman lay embracing each other. Gu Luotang's pretty face was flushed red, her head resting on Wan Yunting's chest. Having just experienced an unforgettable moment, her heart was like a happy little rabbit, leaping wildly and unable to calm down for a long time.
"Are you cold?"
Wan Yunting rested his right hand on his head, held Gu Luotang with his left arm, and looked down at her right cheek pressed against his chest. He gently stroked her hair with his large hand.
"No, Brother Yunting, you're so warm..."
Gu Luotang slightly raised her head, shyly glancing at the man. She clung tightly to Wan Yunting like a little bird, finding his body warm and comfortable.
Wan Yunting smiled and gently stroked her left cheek. His movements were so tender as he gazed at the dark cave ceiling, a sense of melancholy washing over him.
If they were truly trapped in this cave and unable to get out, besides failing his master, he felt he was also letting down Fang Yanxi.
Thinking back now, he suddenly realized he was quite unfaithful. Not only had he established a romantic relationship with Fang Yanxi, but he also maintained a physical relationship with Ling Wei, and then there was Jiang Peipei, and now Gu Luotang. This made Wan Yunting chuckle bitterly.
"Brother Yunting, what are you smiling about?"
Gu Luotang looked up. From her angle, she saw the man's stubbled chin and the hint of a bitter smile on his lips. She asked, "Are you thinking about getting out?"
Instantly, Wan Yunting sat up with her in his arms and said with a gentle smile, "Don't you want to get out?"
Leaning in his embrace, Gu Luotang shook her head slightly and smiled, "To be honest, I don't really want to leave right now!"
Wan Yunting's expression froze. He turned to look at her and asked in confusion, "Why?"
Gu Luotang looked up at his left cheek, her eyes filled with tender affection, and smiled, "Because I can be with you. Even if I die, I won't be afraid!"
"Don't talk about death, it's bad luck."
Wan Yunting placed a finger on Gu Luotang's lips and said with a smile, "Don't worry, we will definitely get out."
"Mmm..."
Gu Luotang nodded, then rested her head in the man's embrace again, tightening her arms around Wan Yunting as if afraid of losing him.
Wan Yunting raised an eyebrow. He seemed to understand why Gu Luotang said that, and a sense of guilt welled up in him. He also held Gu Luotang tightly and said with a gentle smile, "Alright, don't overthink it. Get some rest."
"Mmm-hmm, I want to sleep like this, leaning on you."
Gu Luotang burrowed her little head into his embrace and giggled cutely.
"Then let's lie down and sleep..."
Saying this, Wan Yunting held her and they lay down again. Gu Luotang closed her eyes and fell asleep in his arms...
In reality, she wished she could be with the man like this forever, because Gu Luotang feared losing Wan Yunting once they got out...
Meanwhile, outside the cave entrance on the back mountain, rescue workers were working around the clock to clear the cave passage. Tents had been set up in the woods, and Fang Yanxi, Wan Dongming, Jin Xiuwen, Dai Qiuyue, and her secretary Lin Xiaoqi were also resting in the tents. No one could sleep.
Fang Yanxi, sharing a tent with Lin Xiaoqi, had secretly shed tears several times. Thinking of her moments with the man, she was suddenly told that Wan Yunting was dead, a fact she could not accept.
Many people outside were now paying attention to the search and rescue operation for Wan Yunting and Gu Luotang. Simultaneously, news about Wan Yunting's possible demise was spreading on news outlets, Douyin, and other platforms, becoming trending news.
Especially in Huadu City, the news continued to report on the matter. After all, Wan Yunting was not an ordinary medical rescue worker; he was a national hero in the fight against drugs. His incident during the disaster relief effort naturally warranted news coverage of his deeds...
It wasn't until seven o'clock the next morning that the rescue efforts outside continued.
Inside the cave, Wan Yunting also woke up. He looked at Gu Luotang, who was sleeping soundly in his arms. He carefully tried to get up so as not to disturb her, but as soon as he moved, Gu Luotang also woke up. She smiled and asked, "Did you sleep well?"
"Mmm..."
Gu Luotang rubbed her sleepy eyes and smiled sweetly, "I slept very well."
Wan Yunting gently tidied her hair and said with a smile, "Then let's get up, wash our faces, eat something, and look for an exit again."
"Okay..."
The two got up and jumped off the large rock, going to the edge of the pool to wash their faces. They instantly felt refreshed. Wan Yunting's stomach rumbled. Gu Luotang smiled and said, "Brother Yunting, we still have four biscuits. Have some."
Looking at the biscuits the woman handed him, they were the common onion-flavored soda biscuits sold in the market, only two pieces in a pack. Wan Yunting took one and popped it into his mouth, then handed it to Gu Luotang and said with a smile, "One for each of us."
"I'm not very hungry, you can eat them all."
Gu Luotang pushed it back. But Wan Yunting's expression turned stern. "Even if you're not hungry, you have to eat. Be good."
Seeing the man's sudden serious demeanor, Gu Luotang accepted it and then broke the biscuit in half, giving him a piece with a sweet smile, "Half for each of us."
Looking at her gentle and virtuous appearance, Wan Yunting was deeply moved. He took the small piece of biscuit, and they had their breakfast.
"Give me the bottle, I'll go get some water."
Wan Yunting finished the biscuits and clapped his hands. Gu Luotang handed him the empty mineral water bottle they had finished. Wan Yunting took it and turned to crouch by the pool, unscrewing the cap to fill it with water. To his surprise, he found that the water level in the pool had dropped significantly, and there was a whirlpool in the middle of the pool, as if a hole at the bottom was siphoning water out!
This discovery made Wan Yunting's heart leap with joy. He quickly said, "Luotang, quickly get me the headlamp."
"Oh."
Hearing the excitement in the man's voice, Gu Luotang responded and went to get the backpack, took out the headlamp, and handed it to Wan Yunting. "What's wrong?"
Wan Yunting took the headlamp, turned it on, and shone it on the whirlpool in the pool. He said, "There seems to be a hole underneath, which should lead downstream."
Gu Luotang's pretty face stiffened. She said, "So, we can go through the water and head downstream?"
"Mmm."
Wan Yunting turned to her with a smile and nodded. He then stood up, handed her the headlamp, and began to take off his clothes. "I'll go down and take a look."
Gu Luotang said worriedly, "Is that okay?"
"It's fine, I'll just go down and see how big the hole is and if I can swim through."
Wan Yunting had already taken off his clothes and was looking at the headlamp, which seemed waterproof. He instructed Gu Luotang, "Don't worry, you wait here."
"Okay."
Gu Luotang nodded, took out her phone, turned on the flashlight, and shone it. She watched Wan Yunting slowly get into the water with the headlamp and worriedly instructed, "Be careful. If it's not possible, come back up quickly."
"Okay."
Wan Yunting replied, put the headlamp on his head, and immediately dove underwater. Through the faint light, he felt a powerful suction from the whirlpool that pulled him towards it. However, Wan Yunting held onto the rocks at the bottom with his large hands, using his feet to brace himself, preventing him from being sucked into the hole.
Wan Yunting held the headlamp and carefully examined the opening. It was dark, and he didn't know how long it was. The diameter of the opening was about fifty centimeters, which was passable.
However, Wan Yunting didn't know how deep the hole was or if it could be traversed...
"Brother Yunting, how are you?"
Gu Luotang, standing on the bank, held her phone, shining the light on the water surface, and couldn't help but call out.
Seeing that Wan Yunting had been submerged for almost a minute, although she could see the halo of the headlamp underwater, Gu Luotang was anxious and worried that the man might be in trouble.
So, she quickly put down her phone and began to take off her jacket, preparing to go down...
The next second, Wan Yunting's head emerged from the water, exhaling. Gu Luotang, who was almost completely undressed, exclaimed excitedly, "Brother Yunting, are you alright?"
"I'm fine..."
Wan Yunting swam back. Gu Luotang quickly went forward to help him ashore. She looked at the woman who was left with...
Seeing the man's eyes fixed on her, Gu Luotang's pretty face turned crimson. She quickly covered herself with her hands, shyly saying, "I was afraid something would happen to you underwater, so I wanted to come down and help you..."
Looking at the girl's worried yet shy expression, Wan Yunting held her shoulders and said seriously, "Luotang, from now on, no matter what danger you encounter, I will stand in front of you. But you cannot make me worry, understand?"
Gu Luotang looked up, seeing the man's serious expression, and felt a warmth in her heart, knowing that the man was worried about her...
"Put it on quickly..."
Wan Yunting picked up the clothes from the ground for her. But Gu Luotang also picked up his clothes, "You wear it first..."
Wan Yunting said as he put on his clothes, "There is indeed a hole underwater that leads downstream, but we don't know how deep it is, so there's no need to risk going down. However, judging by the rate at which the water level is dropping, it should take about half a day for all the water to flow down through the hole. We'll see then."
"Mmm-hmm."
After helping him get dressed, Gu Luotang also picked up her clothes to put on. "What do we do now?"
Wan Yunting turned off the headlamp and scanned the surroundings. He sighed and said, "We've already searched before, and there are no other exits. Our only hope now is this hole."
"Oh, then we'll just wait here and figure something out after the water level drops," Gu Luotang said as she put on her clothes.
"Mmm."
Wan Yunting nodded and turned around to look at her dressing. A wicked smile spread across his lips. He turned off the headlamp, embraced Gu Luotang, and startled the woman, making her pretty face stunned. Feeling the man's naughty touch, Gu Luotang's face flushed like a peach. She shyly said, "Brother Yunting, you... you're so bad..."