Her desperate hope

Fu Sinan grabbed her wrist, his grip was firm but careful. "Sister-in-law, we have to leave!"

"No. Let me go, let me go." She struggled in his hold, her nails almost scratched his face.

Fu Sinan sighed, his lips twitching as he muttered to himself. "Why didn't I know before that Qin Yuheng's wife was such a handful?"

Without wasting another second, he swiftly lifted her up and dragged her out of the factory, ignoring her relentless protests. His pace quickened as he started running, putting as much distance as possible between them and the factory.

"Let go!" Shen Ning cried, her voice was cracking with anguish. "My husband is still inside! We can't leave him there—"

Her words were abruptly cut off by a deafening explosion.

The sound was like a thunderclap, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Shen Ning froze in place, her body trembling. She didn't turn around to look at the source of the blast. Instead, her wide, tearful eyes fixed themselves on Fu Sinan.

Blinking in confusion, she stammered, "Brother Fu… w-what… was that?"

Her voice was soft, almost innocent, as though she hadn't fully grasped the gravity of what had just happened. Her hands trembling as she clutched at Fu Sinan's sleeve.

Fu Sinan's face paled as the gravity of the situation dawned on him. His voice cracked as he called out, "Qin Yuheng!"

Before he could say anything more, Qin Yang, Qin Yuheng's father, arrived with the rescue team, having been informed by Leng Jing earlier.

Fu Sinan wasted no time. He turned to Qin Yang, his tone was urgent. "Hold her."

But as soon as Qin Yang tried to grab her, Shen Ning broke free from their grasp. With tears streaming down her face, she bolted toward the factory.

"Sister-in-law!" Qin Yang shouted, running after her.

Shen Ning barely made it to the factory entrance before when the police stopped her. She struggled against their hold, her cries heart-wrenching. "Sir, please! Let me go! My husband is inside! He's hurt— his hand is injured. He's waiting for me! I need to find him!"

The officers exchanged a brief look, their expression was grim. One of them stepped forward, speaking firmly but gently. "Ma'am, we can't let you go inside. It's too dangerous."

"No!" Shen Ning screamed, her voice cracking as she tried to break free again. Her tears fell harder, her pleas were becoming increasingly desperate. "Please, sir! He's waiting for me! I promised I wouldn't leave him behind. Please, let me go!"

Her cries pierced the air as the towering flames from the factory continued to roar in the background.

The officer stepped closer, his tone was calm yet resolute. "Ma'am, please understand."

Looking at factory then back at her helplessly. It would be a great deal to even find his body intact.

His voice softened with sympathy. "We are going to... save your husband, but you need to stay here. If you go in, it will only hinder our work."

Tears continued to roll down her cheeks as she nodded frantically, her voice was shaky. "O-okay… okay. I'll wait here. Just… please, bring him back."

Shen Ning stood rooted to the spot, her tear-filled eyes fixed on the raging flames, clinging to the fragile hope that her husband would emerge from the chaos alive.

Minutes stretched into hours as Shen Ning stood motionless, waiting.

Father Qin approached her, gently patting her head. "Child, go back and rest," he said softly.

Shen Ning didn't respond, as if she hadn't heard him at all.

"It's already past 11 PM," Father Qin added, turning to Qin Yang. "Take her home."

Shen Ning's voice was hoarse when she finally spoke. "Then what about my husband?"

Father Qin turned his gaze away from the ruined factory, swallowing the lump in his throat.

Fu Sinan tried to maintain his composure as he spoke. "Sister-in-law, go back and rest. He will be fine."

Qin Yang's eyes turned red as he whispered, "Why are you giving her false hope?"

Shen Ning's voice trembled as she muttered, "He will be fine? Of course. He has to be fine."

Then, as if summoning all her strength, she turned toward the factory, her voice breaking as she shouted into the night. "I'm waiting for you! Don't be afraid! We'll save you..." Her voice was loud as though her words could somehow reach him through the flames and smoke.

Qin Yang clenched his fists and pressed his knuckles to his mouth, his chest was tightening. He felt like he would burst into tears at any moment. How could anyone still believe his brother was fine? The factory was now a graveyard of hope.

The news of the explosion spread like wildfire across the nation.

By the time they reached the Qin family's old residence, it was already midnight.

As soon as they entered, they saw Mother Qin and Grandpa Qin crying in the living room.

"Xiao Ning, are you okay? Did they hurt you?" Mother Qin rushed to her, inspecting her from top to bottom.

Shen Ning shook her head. "I'm going to the bedroom," she whispered before walking towards Qin Yuheng's room in the old mansion

After she left, Mother Qin looked at Qin Yang. "What about... your brother?"

Qin Yang hugged his mother. His voice was choked. "Mom, the factory... it exploded while he was still inside."

Mother Qin's body went limp as she fainted in his arms.

"Mom!" Qin Yang shouted, his voice was thick with panic.

"Take her to the room," Grandpa Qin ordered him.

As Qin Yang carried Mother Qin away, Grandpa Qin retreated to his room. Alone, he broke down, his cries echoing in the quiet night.

He picked up a photograph of Qin Yuheng from his desk. It was Qin Yuheng's graduation photo, there was a subtle smile on his stoic face.

His wrinkled hand trembling as he caressed it. Tears streaked down his face as he whispered, "Yuheng… how could this happen to you, child?"