Chapter 169 Lucian’s Disarray
The car driver behind Lucian seemed more interested in the commotion than paying attention to the road. Win a loud “bang“, he rear–ended Lucian’s Bentley.
“What’s wrong with you? You slammed the brakes out of nowhere! Even with two brains, I wouldn’t have reacted in time!” the car driver behind shouted, sticking his head out the window.
“Thinking you’re all that just because you’re driving a Bentley?”
Lucian ignored the angry driver and headed straight toward the crowd. On the other hand, the driver grabbed his phone and started snapping pictures.
“Can you believe it? He not only hit the brakes out of nowhere, but he’s wearing flip–flops too! Is he thinking straight?”
The car driver tried to shift the blame to Lucian, worrying that his insurance wouldn’t cover it if Lucian asked him for compensation.
Meanwhile, Lucian pushed through the crowd and reached the front.
There was no movement or indication of anyone on the lake’s surface. He furrowed his brow and turned to a middle–aged woman nearby.
“Where is she? Was she rescued?”
“Who would dare to go down and rescue her on such a cold day? She’s probably frozen stiff and sank quickly. Didn’t struggle much, though. Oh my, it’s a tragedy. Such a young girl. What could have made her want to end it all?”
The lady covered her chest and shook her head in dismay.
Lucian removed his coat and asked, “Where did she go under?”
“Over there. You see, bubbles are still coming up!”
The lady was from a foreign country and replied with slang Lucian could barely understand.
He jumped directly in the direction the lady was pointing. As he fell into the lake, the icy water, full of broken ice, quickly covered him completely.
Lucian opened his eyes and began to paddle downward. The visibility in the lake was poor, and
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Lucian blinked several times and dove deeper until he finally spotted an unconscious woman with limp limbs and hair swaying gently like seaweed.
Despite his regular exercise routine to maintain his physique, winter swimming tested one’s ability to endure freezing temperatures and necessitated years of practice to condition the body. Lucian had never swum in the wild or tried winter swimming before. He had always preferred meticulously chlorinated and warm indoor pools, especially in winter.
Gritting his teeth, Lucian grabbed the woman’s wrist and began pulling upward.
Though he hadn’t spent much time underwater, it felt like an eternity as he struggled to reach the surface. His arms nearly gave out from exhaustion before he finally broke through the water’s surface.
Whoosh!
The water rippled as someone tossed a swim ring over.
Lucian pulled himself out of the water, holding the swim ring with one hand and gripping the wrist of the woman who had jumped in the lake with the other.
“She’s saved! She’s saved! Pull them over here quickly …”
The people on the shore were overcome with intense emotions.
Lucian felt the icy lake water chill him to the bone. The biting wind cut through him, leaving his body numb. His vision blurred as he looked at the people on the shore.
Why did he see Calista among the crowd? She was standing at the front, gazing at him with an indescribable expression.
A group of people immediately helped Lucian out of the water. A security guard on patrol handed Lucian his coat that he had left on the shore and advised anxiously,
“Hurry, take off your wet clothes and put on the coat. The ambulance hasn’t arrived yet, and we don’t want you to get hypothermia.”
Lucian lay still. His gaze fixed on Calista not far away. His vision became more apparent after the
intense feeling of exhaustion subsided.
The security guard, thinking Lucian might be too cold to move, attempted to help him undress.
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However, Lucian raised his hand to stop the security guard and unbuttoned his shirt, signaling he didn’t need assistance.
The security guard grew impatient and exclaimed, “You’re a grown man. Don’t worry about modesty. Take off your wet clothes and put on dry ones!”
Then, he tried to remove Lucian’s clothes forcibly. Lucian’s grip remained strong despite his disheveled appearance, resisting the security guard’s intervention efforts.
As the guard was about to call for backup, Lucian motioned toward Calista and said, “Ask her to do it.”
Suddenly, everyone’s attention shifted to Calista, except those providing first aid to the
unconscious drowning victim.
The security guard followed Lucian’s gaze and hurriedly handed the clothes to Calista. He seemed eager to pass on the responsibility.
“Madam, please help this kind–hearted gentleman change his wet clothes. It’s freezing, and he just jumped into the icy water. Hypothermia can be life–threatening,” the guard implored.
Calista glanced at Lucian and noticed his skin had turned pale and blue, with water droplets spattered all over it. She took a deep breath and crouched down.
“Get up, let’s change your clothes.”
Lucian’s voice was weak, a result of severe physical exhaustion.
“I can’t move. I’m too tired.”
“You were surprisingly strong when you resisted people trying to undress you earlier,” Calista retorted while assisting him to get back on his feet.
Everyone was watching her!
Lucian was the kind–hearted Samaritan who risked his life to save someone. Calista had just seen several people recording and posting videos on social media.
If Lucian had succumbed to hypothermia due to her delay, internet trolls would undoubtedly overwhelm her with venomous comments.
She reached out to grasp his arm, but as she touched it, a shiver ran down her spine as it felt as cold as ice, causing her to involuntarily pull her hand back.
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Falista quickly tested his snaking wet shirt and accepted a tissue from a helpful bystanderig die the resist druplets off hum
After draping the dry soat sest his shoulders, her attention stuffed to his pants
Eustan smithed That expussaton on your face. Are you planning to undress me?”
taes
Calista rolled her eyes and retorted, “Just tough it out The ambulance should be here soon
he metantly regretted coming to witness the commotion The unexpected turn of events had eaught het off guard Just then, a kind stranger offered a pair of pants to Lucian
Tve got spate pants here Change out of those wel ones. Wearing wet pants in this weather could harm your legs”
an had already extended his hand and said, “Thanks, buddy”
Calista was about to decline, but Lucian had
Lucian attempted to take the pants, but it slipped
to take the pants, but it slipped from his numbed fingers and fell to the ground.
Sorry, my fingers are frozen, and Leo
are frozen, and I couldn’t get a grip
The generous man waved it off while
while Calista quietly observed Lucian’s act
“Change the pants yourself,” Calista ordered mercilessly when Lucian looked her way.
Lucian shamelessly replied, “I don’t have the strength.”
