Chapter 7: Strangulation

The situation unfolded quite differently from what they had anticipated, leaving Zhao Dacheng somewhat bewildered.

However, seeing Wei Zhitai already jumping into the water to search for someone, Zhao Dacheng grew anxious himself. With Feng Qingxue’s constant hints, he no longer hesitated. He quickly took off his shoes and shirt, then leapt from the bridge, plunging headfirst into the water to join the search.

He had already paid Feng Qingxue the bribe. If the plan failed because he hadn’t dived in quickly enough to save the person, there would certainly be trouble afterward between him and Feng Qingxue, which would be too complicated.

More importantly, he was truly interested in Ning Ruyun and hoped to use this incident of rescuing her from the water as an opportunity to marry her smoothly.

Marrying Ning Ruyun would bring great fulfillment to his life.

He could not let Wei Zhitai get ahead of him.

Wei Zhitai was Ning Ruyun’s fiancé. If Wei Zhitai saved her, Zhao Dacheng would have no chance at all.

Suppressing a deep breath, Zhao Dacheng surfaced, wiped his face, and glanced at Wei Zhitai anxiously searching nearby. His brow furrowed tightly. He was surprised by Wei Zhitai’s actions.

He had heard from Feng Qingxue that Wei Zhitai was very dissatisfied with Ning Ruyun, who had been disfigured. Today, Wei’s family was going to break off the engagement with Ning’s family.

Knowing this crucial information, Zhao Dacheng had conspired with Feng Qingxue to stage Ning Ruyun’s fall into the water on this very day. He would then rescue her, take advantage of the situation, utterly ruin her reputation, and force her to marry him.

After all, the Wei family was ending the engagement, and Ning Ruyun’s reputation had already been significantly damaged.

With this staged drowning, Ning Ruyun would have no choice but to marry Zhao Dacheng.

His scheme was well thought out with high chances of success, but he never expected Wei Zhitai to dive into the water to save her as well.

Moreover, they had been searching underwater for quite a while without any sign of Ning Ruyun. Given the depth and current here, this was very unusual.

All these thoughts made Zhao Dacheng increasingly puzzled. He felt that today’s plan was completely out of control and not as easy or smooth as he had expected.

With things turning out this way, Zhao Dacheng was genuinely worried. What if Ning Ruyun had really been swept away by the current and lost her life? That would implicate Feng Qingxue and himself.

Such a disastrous outcome—losing both the woman and the advantage—was far from what Zhao Dacheng wanted.

Growing more uneasy, Zhao Dacheng became more focused, diving repeatedly in search, hoping to find Ning Ruyun as soon as possible.

The water here was indeed thick with aquatic plants. If she got tangled in them after falling, it could prove fatal.

Fearing the worst, both Wei Zhitai and Zhao Dacheng anxiously searched in the water, desperate to find Ning Ruyun quickly.

Unfortunately, despite their efforts, they still found no trace of her.

This unexpected turn left Wei Zhitai and Zhao Dacheng in the water, as well as the worried crowd on the shore, all stunned and anxious, fearing that Ning Ruyun was truly in danger.

On the bridge, Feng Qingxue lay prone against the low railing, her upper body leaning out over the edge, her face full of anxiety and worry, almost to the point of tears.

Yet inwardly, Feng Qingxue was secretly mocking, hoping Ning Ruyun was truly in trouble and would no longer linger before her.

Just the thought of Ning Ruyun drowning meant Wei Zhitai would no longer need to uphold or even formally break off the engagement, and Ning’s reputation would remain unscathed. Fiercely suppressing any hint of a smile, Feng Qingxue maintained a facade of painful concern, dwelling on sorrowful thoughts so as not to reveal anything unusual.

If Ning Ruyun really died, then Wei Zhitai’s act of jumping in to save her would still be remembered as noble and loyal.

In time, when she and Wei Zhitai were together, they would have all sorts of reasons to claim respect and sympathy, free from criticism or gossip.

Especially since they could use Ning Ruyun’s death to strengthen their bond, silencing any detractors and even gaining blessings from others. Their reputations would improve, making this risky plan more than worthwhile in Feng Qingxue’s eyes—its success far exceeding expectations.

Just then, Feng Qingxue suddenly felt sharp pains in her knees and the wrist supporting her on the stone bridge’s railing. Her balance faltered completely, and she toppled forward, flailing wildly as she fell into the water.

“Ahhh!!!”

A terrified scream was followed by a splash as Feng Qingxue landed in the water like a flailing fish, sending a spray over three meters high that drenched bystanders on the bridge.

This sudden incident startled everyone.

Once they recovered, the crowd hurriedly called out to Zhao Dacheng and Wei Zhitai in the water to rescue her.

Ning Ruyun’s whereabouts were still unknown, but Feng Qingxue was right below the bridge and needed immediate help.

Unable to swim and terrified by the sudden fall, Feng Qingxue thrashed violently in the water, grabbing onto Zhao Dacheng beside her for dear life. She clung tighter and tighter, nearly tearing his vest, desperate to grasp this lifeline, unable to think of anything else.

Zhao Dacheng was momentarily stunned by her actions.

Her grip was so tight around his neck, and her sharp nails left several scratches on his back and arms, making the pain worse in the water.

Originally intending to save someone else, Zhao Dacheng now struggled to maintain his balance in the water, choking on several mouthfuls.

Frustrated by Feng Qingxue’s clinginess, Zhao Dacheng’s face darkened. He finally pried her arms loose to breathe.

Once he regained his balance, he supported Feng Qingxue’s hips and struggled toward the shore.

This time, Zhao Dacheng was grateful to find shallower water nearby. Moving toward the edge, he managed to stand, avoiding being dragged down by Feng Qingxue.

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