As Cheng Ying scolded the old hen, all she could think about was spending a few good days at home with Wuzi; otherwise, this summer vacation would just slip away, and it would be her own fault. She had to admit that whether Chi Wu was physically present or not didn't make much difference, because in Yingzi’s eyes, Chi Wu existed as a constant. He was a presence that couldn't be dug out or washed away.

When Cheng Ying returned home, she detoured to the market, hunting for fresh food for the family, determined to nourish Chi Wu properly. Cheng Ying even considered personally cooking to show off her skills for Chi Wu. As a mature woman, even wiping her nose made Cheng Ying feel a bit embarrassed.

People in a good mood are naturally exuberant when spending money. Cheng Ying’s two hands could barely carry everything she bought.

Chi Wu was in high spirits when he returned. During their last communication, Yingzi had told him to come home early, that she had made a feast, and that the overcast days of this period were finally ending.

Chi Wu let out a sigh of relief; the clouds had finally parted. This recent stretch of low pressure had been suffocating. Though Chi Wu appeared calm on the surface, his heart had been turbulent; after all, age dictated he wasn't as seasoned and steady as he looked.

Chi Wu smiled foolishly; Yingzi was in a good mood, even asking what he wanted to eat.

Chi Wu, feeling exceptionally pleased, saw thick smoke from a distance as he neared home—it seemed to be coming from his own direction.

Chi Wu panicked; his family was in there.

The road was crowded, so Chi Wu pulled his car over haphazardly and sprinted toward the scene. His heart hammered several beats faster than usual. Chi Wu refused to entertain any negative assumptions.

There was a crowd gathered at his front gate. Chi Wu shouted, "Where is everyone? Where are the people from inside the house?"

The neighbors looked at Chi Wu. "We haven't seen anyone come out of your house. Wuzi, it's not your house, it's the factory building behind it!"

Ignoring the others trying to hold him back, Chi Wu rushed in. His house was fine; the old lady wasn't inside, nor was Sister Rong.

Chi Wu bolted toward the backyard.

Not seeing anyone made him even more uneasy.

The old lady was just about to move toward the factory building when Sister Rong grabbed her, pulling her toward the outside.

Seeing the old lady eased Chi Wu's anxiety by half. He grabbed her arm. "Grandma, hurry out and wait outside. The factory building is fine, don't worry."

Seeing Chi Wu was like seeing their anchor for the old lady. She gripped Wuzi with one hand, her body struggling to stay upright. "Oh, Wuzi, that's ours!" The old lady was genuinely heartbroken.

The old lady was near tears; that was the factory, filled with all their possessions.

Chi Wu supported the old lady, urgently asking, "Grandma, get out quickly! Has Yingzi come out?"

The old lady panicked. "What? Yingzi hasn't come back? Yingzi is still inside!" Saying this, she collapsed.

Chi Wu looked at the blaze; the fire in his eyes burned hotter than the one outside. He carried the old lady to the roadside, instructing Rong Sao to look after her.

Then he charged into the factory building. It was full of lumber and sawdust; how could a factory like this be saved once it caught fire?

From afar, he could see the workers rushing out.

Chi Wu could barely open his throat; the smoke was too thick. "Everyone, check if anyone else is still inside! Don't worry about anything else; your safety is the most important thing!"

The factory manager, looking disheveled, approached. "No, everyone was helping fight the fire. We only came out when it was impossible to stay. Everyone's accounted for."

Chi Wu looked at the group, realizing truly one person was missing. "Have you seen Yingzi?"

Normally, Yingzi would be around the site at this hour, but no one had seen her.

Without waiting for a reply, without a moment's hesitation, Chi Wu charged in. He didn't pause even for a second. That was his wife. Of course, no one had ever heard of this kind of scenario happening.

Less than half a minute after Chi Wu entered, Cheng Ying rushed in. The immense smoke outside made her heart clench with dread; money and possessions were secondary, but human life was paramount. Upon hearing Rong Sao at the intersection say Chi Wu had run inside, Cheng Ying's heart nearly stopped beating. That stubborn child, I haven't taught her well! Is this the time to be rushing in?

Seeing one person missing in the courtyard, Cheng Ying’s gaze swept over the crowd, her steps never faltering. "Where is Wuzi?"

The manager and the workers stammered out a consensus: he had rushed in to look for her.

Cheng Ying was frantic inside; how could anyone rush into such a massive fire? That child’s brain must be filled with sludge.

Without waiting for anyone to pull her back, she rushed in, moving at nearly the same speed as Chi Wu. From the moment Cheng Ying entered, to questioning everyone and charging in after, her pace had not slowed at all.

Cheng Ying knew how to use the spatial water to douse herself. However, even as she poured the water, she didn't slow down at all, moving steadily inside. It was true what they said—the space was a treasure, and its utility was evident now.

Cheng Ying never once considered the risk of exposing her secret space. Chi Wu’s importance to her was simply too overwhelming.

When Cheng Ying reached Chi Wu, he was dazed and still trying to push further inside.

Cheng Ying splashed a torrent of water over him. Seeing Cheng Ying, Chi Wu felt like his heart had finally settled on solid ground. Even being tangled up with her as they tried to exit, in Chi Wu's view, felt blissful. It was almost like a mutual sacrifice.

However, these were just fleeting thoughts. In action, they wasted no time; both understood that living was better than dying.

Without any warm embrace, the two rushed out together.

That round trip took barely a minute and a half, yet it felt like a trial as severe as life and death.

When they emerged, both were drenched. Half of Chi Wu's hair was scorched. Fortunately, the flames hadn't touched his skin.

Chi Wu held Cheng Ying tightly, afraid to let go. The fear now was immense.

Cheng Ying sighed in relief, knowing she probably couldn't stand without Chi Wu supporting her. "Are you foolish, or do you think I'm foolish? Did you think I wouldn't run when I saw the fire?"

The surrounding workers didn't react much to the two emerging soaked, having charged in dry. Surviving was what mattered.

Truly, no one in that moment considered why they were wet, and if anyone did think about it, they probably just assumed the pair were lucky to have found water inside to douse themselves.

Chi Wu held his wife, his voice earnest, "I couldn't rest easy if I didn't see you."

Cheng Ying held Chi Wu’s hand, and both turned to look at the blazing inferno. The scene was hardly warm; it was scorching.

Cheng Ying thought that while she had water, she couldn't exactly act as a firefighter.

She wouldn't reveal her secret. If the water materialized into a pool on the ground, the factory roof would still burn; it couldn't be saved. After all, it was a space, not a continuous fountain. Furthermore, Cheng Ying wasn't even sure how much water she could access.

Her expression was grim; saying she wasn't heartbroken would be a lie.

Chi Wu patted Yingzi's shoulder. "It's alright, as long as you're safe."

Cheng Ying gritted her teeth, trying to maintain composure. "Am I someone who values wealth over life? Are you okay?"

Chi Wu looked at his wife, feeling how wonderful it was that they were together—not everyone would dare rush into a raging fire to search for someone. Many couples scattered when disaster struck.

Then he let out a small groan; he was starting to struggle to stand. At that moment, Chi Wu was wondering how Yingzi managed to rush in while still holding a basin of water. Also, considering how thoroughly soaked he was, at what angle had that basin of water been dumped to achieve such even coverage?

Indeed, in the instant of the most intense pain, Chi Wu was analyzing this very detail. His wife always acted methodically, even when her mind was in turmoil.

"What is it?" Cheng Ying asked, almost on the verge of tears from panic.

Hearing his wife's cry, Chi Wu dismissed all other thoughts. "My leg hurts."

Cheng Ying crouched down, pulling away the scorched, tattered cloth stuck to Chi Wu's leg, and began to cry from distress.

Chi Wu gritted his teeth, unable to bear seeing his wife cry. "It's fine, it doesn't hurt much."

A nearby worker came over to carry Chi Wu on his back, and Cheng Ying followed them toward the hospital. As for the fire, let it burn; once it consumed everything, it would stop. Cheng Ying could not concern herself with it right now.

Outside, when the old lady woke up and saw them, she started sniffing loudly. "What happened to Wuzi?"

Chi Wu managed a weak smile; it genuinely hurt. "Grandma, it’s fine, I just blistered my leg when it touched the fire."

Cheng Ying interjected, "Grandma, it’s okay, it only scraped the skin."

The old lady looked at Chi Wu being carried. This child was tough; he wasn't a delicate person. He must have suffered a severe injury. What was the point in asking more? "Hurry to the hospital!" The old lady was decisive.

Chi Wu looked toward the manager, who was being the most responsible in this moment. "Manager, please check if anyone else was injured and ensure no one enters until it's safe. Also, see if any neighbors were affected. Uncle Gan will be here soon; we need to go to the hospital first."

The manager replied, "It’s my duty, Boss. Don't worry, I'll handle everything here."

Chi Wu instructed, "Arrange accommodation for the workers. Losing the factory is not the end; we can rebuild. Tell the workers to take their pay; consider it an extended break. They will be back to work soon." These instructions needed to be clear. The loss of property was secondary; the talent must not be lost. Even in pain, Chi Wu’s mind remained clear.

Cheng Ying, whose own mind felt like a bowl of sludge, looked at Chi Wu. "You're not in pain, are you?"

Chi Wu said, "Let's go then." His own pain didn't matter; he couldn't let his wife worry.

In the car, Cheng Ying called Uncle Gan and her stepfather to deal with the situation, while she took Chi Wu to the hospital.

Fortunately, it was only burns, not extensive, but they were severe and would certainly leave scars. Chi Wu didn't mind; a scar on a man's leg wasn't a big deal, as long as it wasn't on his face.

The old lady held Chi Wu's hand. "It’s a good thing you’re alright, a good thing! A little bit of pain is nothing as long as you’re safe. Doctor, check him thoroughly for anything else."

Chi Wu reassured her, "Grandma, what else could there be? My hair will grow back. It was just a touch on the leg—I didn't see what I brushed against, but it was hot. Don't worry."

Cheng Ying’s mood remained low throughout. Self-reproach was present, but mostly it was heartbreak. There was no need for adversity to test their devotion; the bond between them was already firmly established without such trials.

Chi Wu said, "Yingzi, you should head back first. One of us needs to be present at the site. This is a major incident; we can't just say what we want. They will probably launch an investigation."