Chapter 1048: Chapter 1072: Lifted Up
Shi Nuanās heart instantly leapt up as Chu Zhan pressed her down with that force.
As her body sank, the icy liquid slowly crept past her arms, up to her neck, and finally swallowed her whole.
Then she clearly felt her soft body gradually turn tense and rigid, that suffocating feeling rushing at her, clinging like a shadow.
Shi Nuanās breathing fell into chaos and she choked on the water again; her nose, ears, and throat all burned with pain as Chu Zhan hauled her out.
"Nuannuan, how are you?" He took off her goggles and gently patted her back.
"No, I really canāt do it."
Shi Nuan broke down crying, her face covered in droplets, sobbing so hard she hiccupped, looking every bit like a little pitiful thing.
Chu Zhan let out a sigh, scooped her up onto the poolside, and silently watched her sob in pain. It was a long while before Shi Nuan finally reined it in and choked out, "Iām so useless, maybe I really am not cut out for this..."
"Nuannuan, youāve made a lot of progress." Chu Zhan tilted his head to look at her, his low voice carrying encouragement. "You actually can do it, but Iāve noticed that right at the final step, your body suddenly tenses up, then your breathing goes off, and thatās why you choke on water. Tell me why?"
Shi Nuan rubbed her eyes and said with a slight sob, "The moment I enter the water, I remember when I fell in as a child. I was alone in the water, I couldnāt open my eyes, it was so dark and so cold around me. I kept struggling and calling for help, but no one came out. I was so scared..."
A trace of heartache flashed in Chu Zhanās eyes. He reached out and rubbed her head.
"I get it now. Youāre not afraid of the water itself, itās a psychological shadow."
Shi Nuan sniffled. "Coach Chu, just forget it, letās give up. I really canāt overcome this psychological shadow. The moment I get in the water, it all comes back. I really canāt take it, Iām so terrified..."
Chu Zhan spoke gently, "Nuannuan, I know youāre scared. When I see you afraid, I donāt want to push you either. But I also donāt want to just give up on you like this. So, how about you give yourself one more chance, okay? Iāll stay with you and weāll try one more time."
Shi Nuan shook her head. "Youāve already stayed with me and tried, it doesnāt work. I donāt want to waste your time anymore!"
Chu Zhanās lips curved in a smile. "Just now, I didnāt know where the root of the problem was. Now I know. Youāre scared of the water because of a childhood shadow. What youāre afraid of is that suffocating moment of going under with no one there to accompany you or save you. Since thatās the case, weāll treat the root of itāIāll go into the water with you, Iāll stay by your side."
Shi Nuanās heart gave a little tremor. "Will that really work?"
"Weāll give it a try."
Chu Zhan gave Shi Nuan an encouraging look and once again led her into the water, building on the progress sheād just made.
Now when Shi Nuan touched the water, she could barely manage to stay composed. It was only when Chu Zhan pulled her down that she still panicked and tensed up.
"Relax, relax." Chu Zhan gripped Shi Nuanās hand tightly, their fingers interlaced, a handsome smile appearing on his face. "Donāt be nervous. Look, Iām right here. This isnāt your childhood anymore. Iām by your side now. With me here, I wonāt let anything happen to you again..."
Chu Zhanās words gave Shi Nuan a great deal of Strength. She pursed her lips and nodded seriously, and the two of them slowly sank down into the water together.
With the goggles on, Shi Nuan could see clearly underwater. Through the shifting surface, Chu Zhan kept looking at her and smiling at her. That smile was like a beam of light, instantly dispelling all her darkness.
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