Chapter 1748 - 1747: A Hand is Trivial
Yan Ye and Dr. Lu supported each other as they retraced their steps.
The two of them moved in stops and starts. As they got farther and farther away from the drug traffickers, they found a spot to tend to each other’s wounds, preventing further blood loss during the trek.
Dr. Lu tore off a piece of his white coat, twisted it into a makeshift rope, and tied it tightly around Yan Ye’s wrist. Upon seeing the embedded bullet in his hand, his heart filled with worry. "That’s your right hand!"
"I know." Yan Ye, though inwardly regretful, remained resolute. "Compared to a life, a hand is nothing. Besides, there’s still a chance it won’t be permanently ruined."
"But it could greatly affect your career!" Dr. Lu said, his tone filled with guilt. "If you hadn’t saved me, this wouldn’t have happened."
"What nonsense are you spouting? Do you think I could just stand by and watch you die? What kind of person does that?" Yan Ye’s expression darkened, clearly displeased with Dr. Lu’s words.
"I might have cost the world a brilliant cardiology specialist! And even more importantly, these hands of yours could have saved countless lives!" Having worked in the same department for years, even though he usually faced a stoic Yan Ye, Dr. Lu knew just how dedicated this man was.
"You’re being way too sentimental! Stop wasting time with this pointless talk. Right now, the most important thing is to hurry down the mountain, rendezvous with the police, and report the situation to them so they can send reinforcements to rescue An Hao!" Yan Ye’s concern for An Hao’s welfare was evident.
"Got it." Dr. Lu quickened his movements, finishing the dressing on Yan Ye’s wound. "Let’s go!"
After a brief rest, the two resumed their descent.
After walking for half a day, they finally encountered the drug enforcement police, who were slowly working their way up the mountain on a search and rescue mission. Many of the officers were already injured, and their numbers were noticeably reduced compared to when Yan Ye had last seen them in town.
"Captain, look over there! Someone’s coming!" A police officer spotted Yan Ye and Dr. Lu from a distance, and his shout instantly put everyone on high alert. The officers swiftly raised their guns in unison.
"Don’t shoot! We’re escaping hostages!" Yan Ye immediately shouted.
The drug enforcement captain used binoculars to assess the situation. Seeing that it was just the two of them and no one else, he ordered his team to lower their weapons and rushed forward with the others. "You’re injured! What’s the situation on the mountain? And the other hostage?"
"We tried to escape midway, which led to a confrontation with them. Unfortunately, we failed. Both Dr. Lu and I were injured during the altercation. They abandoned us because they thought we’d slow them down. There are five of them left now. Two of the younger ones aren’t completely bad; they tried to help us. But there’s still a female doctor, An Hao, in their hands!" Yan Ye reported.
"What about their weapons?"
"They’re carrying knives, guns, and even explosives! Two Type 54 semi-automatic rifles, four handguns, but we’re not clear on their exact ammo count!"
"Damn it! These guys came well-prepared! Otherwise, they wouldn’t have brought explosives too! We’ve already lost quite a few brothers earlier!" The captain’s voice carried deep pain.
The drug traffickers had grown more brazen over the years.
What’s worse, they were working in organized groups, outmatching the police not just in tactics but also with increasingly advanced weaponry. Each operation inevitably led to casualties among his men.
"Alright. We have a basic understanding of the situation now. I’ll arrange for someone to escort you back. We will begin the search and rescue immediately!" the captain said resolutely.