Han Qing’s father had pushed him away just moments before the beam of the house collapsed.
“Father!” Han Qing staggered and fell to the ground after being pushed away, making him grimace in pain. However, Han Qing was extremely flustered when he saw his father being held down by the beam. Moreover, the beam was burning in flames and was burning through his father’s clothes and skin. Han Qing quickly dashed forward.
He wanted to help his father up, but he was already feeling dizzy and had nearly lost his consciousness in the first place. Now that he was smashed by the heavy beam of the house, he had fainted right away.
“Wake up, father. Wake up!” Han Qing was very worried, but he did not know how else he could wake his father up and get him to respond. He tried pulling his father’s hand toward the door without his consent. However, he did not budge an inch. In the end, Han Qing realized something. He stood up to push against the beam that was pressing onto his father’s body.
The beam was very heavy and it was burning. Han Qing could hear the sizzling sound of his flesh being burned as soon as he had set his hands on it. He immediately drew his hands back before he lowered his head to blow on his palms.
It was extremely painful, and Han Qing nearly shed his tears out of pain at this moment.
However, he immediately realized the pain his father was going through, having the whole beam pressing against him. He felt immense pain after only having touched the beam with his palms for barely a second.
After thinking about it, Han Qing courageously pushed against the beam with his bare hands no matter how painful and terrified he was. He could feel the spiking pain in his palms, but insisted not to let go. Instead, he used all his strength he had to push against it.
He wanted to help his father, for his father must be going through immense pain. It was all his fault; if he hadn’t brought his notebook over to sketch, this would’ve never happened.
“Father, wake up. Father…”
Han Qing’s father gradually regained consciousness and could hear Han Qing calling his name by his side; it sounded like a whimper from a little beast. It felt like a knife was piercing his heart when he heard the sound of his son yelling.
Han Qing’s father opened his eyes grudgingly. He could finally witness the scene in front of him.
In order to push away the beam that was holding him down, his son had gotten his little white hands badly mutilated after being burned. Flames had mercilessly torched Han Qing’s trousers, but he was unaware of it. He continued to push against the beam that was on his father.
H-How can I let my son do that?!
He was a man. As a matter of fact, he was not just an ordinary man; he was a husband, and he was a father!
How could he lay down here like so and let his son bear all the pain?!
People from their surroundings had finally noticed the raging fire. They gradually ran out as some of them immediately called the police while the others were absent-minded; they were worried about getting affected by the fire themselves.
“Han Qing.” Han Qing’s father grudgingly spoke up. As he continued to push against the beam, he abruptly turned his head around after hearing his father. He then threw himself toward him. “Father—father, you’re awake.”
Han Qing’s father could no longer feel the flesh on his back after being burned, and the stabbing pain had nearly made him pass out. However, he could not just give up like that, seeing how his son was trying his best to save him. “Don’t stay here any longer. Get out now before the fire reaches the door.” That was the only thing he could tell his son.
Han Qing would normally obey his parents’ orders and run toward the door without any second thoughts after hearing the words from his father. However, he did not run away for some reason. In fact, his eyes widened up after hearing his father as he fiercely shook his head non-stop.
“No, I don’t want to.”
“Behave, Han Qing.” Han Qing’s father let out a smile while reaching out his hand to gently wipe off the dust that was on Han Qing’s face. He felt sorry to see his little hands that were mutilated, but it was not the right time for him to feel sorry. He could only persuade Han Qing in a soft manner.
“Han Qing, I’m not asking you to abandon me. With your own strength, you’re unable to help me push away the beam. That’s why you should get out of here before the fire reaches the door in order to call for help. In that case, I’ll be rescued.”
Han Qing’s eyes brightened up slightly after listening to his father. “Will they save you, father?”
Han Qing’s father nodded with a smile. “Of course, they will. However, you will have to ask for their help, understand?”
Han Qing clearly knew that his own strength was insufficient to push away the beam after realizing that people would be willing to help his father. The beam did not even budge an inch after he had pushed against it for so long; if his neighbors were willing to help, that would be great.
Before Han Qing turned away and ran out, he hesitated as he turned around to have another glance at his father. His father put on a slight smile as he gently urged him. “Go, quickly. Come back soon, and I’ll be waiting for you here.”
That was right. Han Qing’s father must be in a lot of pain right now. He must come back as soon as he could with the help from his neighbors in order to rescue his father!
After thinking about it, Han Qing said to his father sternly, “Father, you must wait for my return!”
With that, Han Qing quickly dashed toward the door. It was probably because he had had a goal now, so that was why he was running really fast. On the other hand, Han Qing’s father seemed reluctant to part with his son as he looked at the shadows which had gradually faded from his sight. Even when his son’s shadows had completely disappeared, he still kept his sight in that direction.
Moments later, Han Qing’s father grimaced in pain. He did not dare to show his pain right in front of Han Qing. It was immensely painful, and he was gradually losing his consciousness. He felt like he was going to pass out; his limbs were feeling fatigue while his back was completely burned.
The intention of urging Han Qing to get out was actually out of slight selfishness. He hoped that Han Qing could get some help because he did not want to die here. He had promised his wife to take good care of her and their son forever. If he died in this fire, how would they live on?
Therefore, he must survive.
As long as there was hope, he would struggle in order to grab the opportunity.
However, it was most important that Han Qing had gotten out of the house. Even if he was unable to seek help from anyone, at least he would not end up in distress. It would be great as long as he had gotten out.
Han Qing’s father felt slightly at ease after having such thoughts. However, his face continued to twist malevolently out of pain as cold sweat drizzled down.
He would be reluctant to accept the fact if he just died like that. However, his woes would end with his death. Contrarily, those who lived on were to suffer. They would have to endure the pain of losing someone they loved every day. How could he bear with that? He really could not bear to do so.
That was why Han Qing’s father could only beg for God’s blessings. He hoped that Han Qing would be able to quickly find someone for help in order to save him.
A few of their neighbors were standing in front of the raging fire when they suddenly saw a little silhouette dashing through it. They were all petrified.
“I-Isn’t that Han Qing? Why is he in there? Where are his parents?”
“Oh my God, how did your hands get burned to such an extent? Are your parents in there?”
A few adults came and surrounded him. As for Han Qing, he was gasping for air as he looked at them pitifully. “Aunties, uncles. M-My father is still there, and he’s hurt. Please go save him!”
The adults were stunned when they heard him. “Your father is still in there?”
