On the ice of the Qisan Reservoir.
A dozen boys and girls were laughing and chasing each other.
The sound of laughter and shouts, young lives unleashed boundless energy under the morning sun.
Crack, crack, crackâ
The crackling sound on the ice surface made everyone a bit worried at first.
But as more people came during the winter holidays, they gradually became numb to the sound.
If anyone was too scared to come onto the ice, they would be mocked as a coward and ostracized by the group.
Ring, ringâ
Ring, ringâ
The phone in Jiang Shijieâs pocket rang five or six times, but he pretended not to hear.
Today, he finally got the girl he liked to come out and play.
Not even Uncle Tao could make him go back, let alone anyone else.
"Bro, is there something urgent Uncle Tao needs you for?"
"Arenât you afraid heâll beat you for not answering his call?"
His younger brother Jiang Shaojie slid over to Jiang Shijieâs side and asked quietly.
"Tch, youâre afraid of our Uncle Tao, but Iâm not."
Jiang Shijieâs gaze often darted to the tall girl at his nine oâclock, wearing a long black down coat with a ponytail.
"Youâre not afraid? Stop boasting!"
Jiang Shaojie rolled his eyes at his brother. These two brothers were like grandsons in front of Jiang Tao; neither was better than the other, so neither should lecture.
"Iâm just being adaptable, you know?"
Just as Jiang Shijie finished speaking, he suddenly saw two people rushing down the dam.
Isnât that Uncle and Aunt?
Seeing Jiang Tao and Xu Li, Jiang Shijieâs rebellious look instantly turned into extreme panic.
"Jiang Shijie, get your ass up here right now!"
"And you all! You courting death? Get up here!!!"
"Get up here, everyone get up!"
By now, it was already 8:21 AM, just one minute away from the time mentioned in the intelligence about the two nephews falling into a hole in the ice!
Seeing over a dozen young people on the ice, Jiang Tao shouted loudly to warn them.
Jiang Shijie and Jiang Shaojie saw their uncle rush to the riverbank to catch them, and immediately dared not delay any longer, hurriedly sliding toward the bank.
"Danger! Get up here! Get up!"
Seeing his two nephews listening to the advice, Jiang Tao quickly called to the others on the ice.
Everyone looked at each other at first.
After seeing the Jiang brothers slide toward the bank like their tails were on fire, they seemed to feel some sense of crisis too.
With someone taking the lead, the others also hurriedly slid quickly toward the bank.
Crack, crack, crackâ
The cracks on the ice grew more numerous, and the sound grew louder.
When the last girl wearing a black down coat and a ponytail jumped onto the bank, there was suddenly a loud crash.
An area of hundreds of square meters by the reservoirâs edge suddenly shattered into countless small pieces, revealing the rippling water beneath.
Seeing this, the dozen or so children who had just escaped to the shore all broke into a cold sweat.
In the dead of winter, if you donât have a bit of winter swimming experience, falling into the icy lake water could mean instant death!
"Got guts, huh? Dare not to answer my call!"
Jiang Tao, both scared and angry, kicked Jiang Shijieâs behind, making him stagger.
Jiang Shijie instantly cowered: "Iâm sorry, Uncle, I wonât dare again, never again."
"And you! If you dare run to the river again, Iâll break your legs!"
Jiang Tao, not playing favorites, also kicked Jiang Shaojieâs behind.
"I wonât dare, Uncle, I promise never to come to the river again, itâs so damn scary."
Jiang Shaojie was timid, and todayâs event left a huge shadow on him; he vowed never to approach the river again.
The other kids on the riverbank looked at each other, and the girl with the ponytail, who jumped to safety last, walked up to Jiang Tao first.
"Thank you, Uncle, for the warning just now, otherwise we might have all fallen in. Thank you."
"Thank you, Uncle Tao! Youâre my lifesaver; when I grow up, Iâll repay you!"
"Thank you, Brother Tao."
"Thank you, Uncle."
The kids, though playful, were quite polite and thanked Jiang Tao and Xu Li one by one.
"Letâs all go home, this yearâs weather is warm, and the temperature is high, making the ice very dangerous. Donât come here again, you two come home with me!"
Jiang Tao said goodbye to everyone, and grabbing Jiang Shijie and Jiang Shaojie by their ears, led them up the dam.
After a false alarm, Jiang Tao finally felt his tense emotions relax; the brothers had escaped death.
"Honey, youâre amazing, youâre a hero, saving so many kids."
Recollecting the thrilling scene, Xu Li was also filled with lingering fear.
If not for her and Jiang Tao arriving in time, how many of those kids would have survived?
So in a sense, Jiang Tao truly was a hero saving many lives, at least in Xu Liâs heart.
Jiang Taoâs image grew even more impressive in her mind.
"By the way, honey, how did you know...?"
Xu Li looked at Jiang Tao with curiosity about how he knew the nephews were there and in danger.
"I had a nightmare this morning and called Shijie to ask where he was."
"Since he dared not answer, I guessed he was here."
Jiang Tao casually fabricated an excuse while driving.
Though not very logical, no one delved into that; the outcome was what mattered!
Whether because of a dream or a guess.
The fact remains that Jiang Tao saved many young lives today.
Returning to Jiang Family Manor, Jiang Tao brought the two nephews to his elder brotherâs house.
Today was already New Yearâs Eve, but elder brother Jiang He didnât get a day off as he went to work.
Sister-in-law Zhang Xiaoyan had ridden her breakfast cart to town early to sell pancakes and flatbreads.
During such festive times, many from outside returned home for the holidays, and kids were on vacation too.
Breakfast business was much better than usual, earning several daysâ worth in one.
Zhang Xiaoyan naturally wouldnât miss this opportunity to earn money.
Both adults at home were busy earning, leaving the kids without supervision, hence their reckless behavior.
When Jiang Tao arrived at his brotherâs home with his nephews, he found the courtyard dirty, probably not swept in months.
The windowpanes were also as dirty as faces painted with flowers, clearly not cleaned all year.
Both brother and sister-in-law were too busy earning to tidy up the home.
The two nephews were unhomely and not diligent.
The house was in chaos, as messy as a pigsty.
No wonder the sister-in-law always wanted a daughter.
If they had a daughter, the house wouldnât be this untidy.
"You two are not allowed to go anywhere today, clean the house, and Iâll check in the afternoon."
"If satisfied, 200 yuan pocket money each; if not, a kick each."
Jiang Tao balanced reward and punishment, assigning the nephews tasks.
The brothers were thrilled at earning 200 yuan each for a dayâs cleaning at home!
Their dad earned just over 200 yuan working hard outside for a day.
They could earn that easily at home while working and playing; it was an easy deal!
After arranging for the nephews, Jiang Tao went back to his own home.
Looking at his own tidy courtyard and the spotless, mirror-like glass cleaned by Xu Li.
Living with a diligent, tidy wife was comfortable.