Chapter One: Saving a Life

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The morning breeze was cool, and a thin mist shrouded the world. There were few vehicles on the mountain road; the chirping of insects and calls of birds mingled with the gentle rustling of grass, painting a scene of nature’s tranquil harmony.

Yin Nian could no longer recall the last time she had gone on an outing with her son. Glancing at the rearview mirror, she caught sight of Yangyang sitting in the back seat. At six years old, he gazed silently out the window, his face devoid of any excitement or joy about the trip. The true purpose behind this sudden excursion eluded him; to him, it was simply a dull and tedious affair.

“Yangyang, there are only ten days left before school starts. Is there a gift you’d like? Mommy can buy it for you.” Yin Nian tried to engage her son in conversation. She had made several attempts during the drive, but he had not responded enthusiastically.

“Nothing,” Yangyang murmured, still staring outside, his long lashes fluttering once.

“Are you hungry?” Yin Nian changed the subject. “We’ll be there in about half an hour. Once we arrive, we’ll set up camp and have breakfast, all right?”

“That’s fine.” Yangyang’s attention was caught by a dewdrop on the window.

“Yangyang... Mommy wants to ask you something.” There was a hint of inexplicable nervousness in Yin Nian’s voice.

“What is it?” Yangyang turned his head, looking into the rearview mirror. Their eyes met through the glass.

“Two years ago, Mommy—” She had only just begun when, suddenly, she saw a dark object lying ahead on the road, motionless and obscured by mist. With less than ten meters to react, she slammed on the brakes and wrenched the steering wheel. The white Mercedes screeched to a halt at the roadside, barely missing the object.

“Yangyang, are you all right?” Yin Nian’s first instinct was to turn and check on her son.

“I’m fine...” Yangyang looked anxiously out the window. “What happened?”

“I’m not sure. There’s something lying in the road—maybe an animal...” Yin Nian pushed open the door, but what she saw made her gasp in shock. It wasn’t an animal at all, but a person—an old woman, her hair silver-white, dressed in coarse gray cloth, curled up on the ground.

Yin Nian hurried out of the car, turning the elderly woman over. The woman’s face was smeared with blood, some of it already beginning to clot, indicating she had been injured for some time. Yin Nian called out to her, but there was no response. She checked the woman’s breathing and pulse; the old woman was still alive, but barely. Frantically, Yin Nian dialed for help, but the mountain signal was poor, and several attempts failed to connect.

“Yangyang, we have to take her to the hospital.” Yin Nian glanced at her son, who had already stepped out of the car. “Saving a life is more important than anything.”

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Yangyang leaned against the car, nodding silently, an unusual expression on his face.

“What’s wrong?” Yin Nian sensed something was off with her son.

“I’m fine... Mommy, are you all right?” Yangyang glanced at her forehead.

“I’m fine.” Yin Nian guessed her son might be disappointed that the outing was ruined, so she added, “After we take her to the hospital, we can still go. There’s plenty of time.”

Yangyang said nothing, but squeezed something tightly in his hand.

Yin Nian drove down the mountain with the old woman. As they neared the base, the signal returned. Following her GPS, she arrived at a nearby hospital. After admitting the woman and paying her medical fees in advance, the doctor told Yin Nian that had they arrived an hour later, it might have been too late.

“You saved her life,” the doctor said, learning Yin Nian had found the woman on her way up the mountain. “She’s lucky. That road sees almost no one, especially in the morning. I’d guess she was collecting herbs and fell down the slope. She suffered multiple soft tissue injuries, fractures in her leg and arm, a sprained neck, head trauma, and significant blood loss. But she’s out of danger now.”

After finishing at the hospital, Yin Nian took Yangyang to a nearby restaurant to eat. During the meal, Yangyang quietly opened his tightly clenched fist to reveal a white button, stained with blood.

When they returned to the hospital, the old woman’s eldest son had arrived—a burly, dark-skinned middle-aged man with a crew cut, introducing himself as Yang Yonggui. The old woman was his mother, known as Granny Yang. Upon seeing Yin Nian, Yang Yonggui first expressed his gratitude, then asked how much she had paid, promising to reimburse her shortly.

Though Granny Yang had regained consciousness, her speech was still slurred, and her mind wandered.

Soon after, her second daughter, Yang Yongfang, arrived—about forty, heavily made-up, with wavy red hair and flamboyant clothing, her entire appearance exuding a brash air. She gave Yin Nian a quick, scrutinizing look but said nothing.

“Who’s the patient’s family?” the doctor called out from the ward.

“I am,” Yang Yonggui and Yang Yongfang answered in unison.

“The patient wants to speak with you. Please go in.”

The two entered the ward, closing the door behind them.

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Yin Nian and Yangyang sat on a bench outside the ward. She could have left long ago—she didn’t care about the advance payment. As a department manager in a listed company, time meant more to her than money, and she valued this rare outing with Yangyang even more. But there was another reason: she liked to see things through. Above all, she wanted to hear Granny Yang say thank you, and let Yangyang witness firsthand the impact of helping others, to set an example of kindness.

Before long, Granny Yang’s son came out, pointing at Yin Nian, his face contorted with anger. “So it was you!”

Yin Nian was baffled. “What are you talking about?”

Yang Yonggui strode forward and grabbed her wrist. “Don’t think you can get away!”

Yin Nian frowned deeply, displeased by his roughness. “Let go,” she said sternly.

Just then, Yang Yongfang burst from the ward, seized Yin Nian’s hair without a word, and shouted, “You shameless woman! You hit my mother and then pretend to be a good Samaritan! I could tell at a glance you’re trouble!”

For a moment, Yin Nian was stunned, then realized what was happening. Not only had her good deed gone unappreciated, she was being accused. Anger flared within her. Struggling free, she shouted, “Let go of me this instant, or you’ll regret it!”

Yin Nian was no stranger to conflict and knew she must not act rashly. She needed to protect herself with the law and ensure the other side paid for their aggression.

With the nurse’s help, Yin Nian finally broke free. Suppressing her anger, she pointed at Yang Yonggui and Yang Yongfang, her voice calm but resolute. “I helped of my own free will, but your assault and false accusations are another matter entirely. I’ll give you a chance to apologize, or you’ll pay for what you’ve done.”

“Apologize? I’ll apologize to your grandmother!” Yang Yongfang snarled, trying to lunge at her again, only to be held back by two nurses.

Seeing their vile attitude, Yin Nian knew words were useless. She took out her phone and called the police, reporting a disturbance and physical and verbal assault in the hospital.

“There are security cameras here. Everything you just did was caught on tape. My car’s dashcam also recorded the entire rescue.” Yin Nian fixed them with a cold stare. “You’ll regret this.”

Her composure left them at a loss. At the mention of the dashcam, they grew visibly flustered, though they quickly reverted to their belligerent selves. Yang Yongfang bared her teeth. “She’s just trying to get ahead of us and play the victim! Yonggui, what are you waiting for—call the police!”