When the fire truck arrived at the scene, Ren Yi was still sitting inside the vehicle. From a distance, he looked at the overturned semi-trailer truck and the burning, unidentified tanks that had rolled onto the ground, and his scalp was already tingling with alarm.
He notified all the firefighters dispatched to the scene over the radio: “Put on your masks before getting out of the truck.”
“Yes.”
The cause of the truck overturning could not be determined from the scene, but according to the person who reported the accident, it had happened because the driver swerved to avoid an electric scooter that suddenly changed lanes. The electric scooter had already disappeared without a trace.
There were more than twenty metal tanks containing chemicals on the truck. At this moment, they were scattered all over the ground. Several of them had leaked an unidentified liquid, and there were two patches of flowing fire on the ground.
A sedan had rear-ended the truck. The people and vehicles around the area had all retreated to a safe distance, but several men were trying to smash open the windows of the sedan.
Ren Yi jumped out of the truck wearing a mercury-colored chemical protective suit. He waved his hand and shouted, “Everyone back away! All of you, back away!”
One of the men shouted while coughing, “There are—there are children in the car!”
Ren Yi ran over and pulled them away one by one. Seeing that they were all coughing and that their conjunctiva were red and swollen, he said urgently, “This stuff is poisonous. You have to leave immediately!”
As soon as they heard that it was poisonous, several of them panicked. Gao Ge and several firefighters ran over and escorted them toward the roadside.
Ren Yi leaned against the car window and looked inside. A woman with an injured head was weakly pounding on the window, shouting for help. There was a child safety seat in the back seat.
“Sun Dingyi, bring the cutters and support rods. Her legs are trapped under the dashboard!” Ren Yi ordered. “Liu Hui, take some people and check on the driver.”
“Yes!”
The woman cried out, “Save my daughter first! Is it going to explode? Save my daughter first!”
Ren Yi reassured her, “Don’t be afraid. We’ll definitely get you out.”
He glanced at the burning metal tanks, his heart filled with anxiety. It was already late, and on top of that, the smoke released by the fire was obstructing their view. Unless they got close, they could not see what was written on the tanks. But they did not dare approach recklessly. Simply coming here to rescue people was already an extremely high-risk operation.
Was it going to explode?
He didn’t know either.
Sun Dingyi ran over. “Captain Ren, when will Captain Liu and the others arrive? We don’t know what this stuff is, so we don’t dare put out the fire either.”
“They’re stuck in traffic. A chemical expert will be here soon.”
Liu Hui, who had already climbed onto the front of the overturned truck, shouted, “Captain Ren, the driver is unconscious. We don’t know whether it’s from the impact or poisoning.”
Ren Yi was just about to tell him to get down and rescue the driver when he saw the third metal tank catch fire as well.
He gritted his teeth. “Liu Hui, retreat.”
Liu Hui froze for a moment. “I’ll get down there and pull him up. It’ll be quick.”
“Retreat! Now!” Ren Yi shouted. “Everyone stay away from the vehicle. Gao Ge, you stay with me.”
After saying that, he reached for the hydraulic cutters in Sun Dingyi’s hands.
“You too.”
Sun Dingyi didn’t hand them over. “The three of us will be faster.”
Ren Yi looked at the mother desperately crying inside the car and took a deep breath.
“Speed.”
Sun Dingyi used the hydraulic cutters to pry open the deformed car door. Ren Yi and Gao Ge worked together to wedge the support rods into the driver’s compartment, gradually lifting the crushed dashboard and freeing the woman’s legs.
At the same time, Sun Dingyi had already opened the rear door and carried the child out.
The three of them quickly retreated from the scene and carried the mother and daughter to an ambulance.
Liu Hui followed behind Ren Yi. “Captain Ren, that driver might not make it. Let us go in and get him out.”
Ren Yi said in a deep voice, “We aren’t professionals when it comes to handling hazardous chemicals. If something unexpected happens, it could cause a large number of casualties. I can’t take that risk.”
“Give me five minutes. That’s all I need.”
Ren Yi said sharply, “No!”
Liu Hui opened his mouth but stopped himself. Gao Ge gave him a look and shook his head.
Ren Yi anxiously looked around, took out his phone, and wanted to call Gong Yingxian again. Only after confirming exactly what they were dealing with could they figure out how to respond. Right now, they were far too passive.
Before he could even dial the number, a black Jeep cut diagonally across the intersection. All the vehicles at the scene had already been evacuated, so it drove through without obstruction and stopped directly beside Ren Yi, emitting a harsh screech of brakes.
The car door opened, and a pair of long legs in suit trousers stepped onto the ground. Shiny leather shoes strode forward with firm steps, and within a few strides, the man had arrived in front of Ren Yi.
Looking at Gong Yingxian’s tall figure and calm expression, Ren Yi inexplicably felt somewhat reassured.
“Chemical protective suit,” he said.
Gong Yingxian looked Ren Yi up and down. Seeing that he was completely unharmed, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Ding Qing ran over to Gong Yingxian carrying the chemical protective suit that had already been prepared.
After putting on the protective suit, Gong Yingxian moved several meters closer to the scene.
“Captain Ren, briefly describe the situation.”
Ren Yi quickly gave him a summary based on both the caller’s report and his own observations.
“There should be a chemical name written on the tanks, but we don’t dare take the risk of going over there to look.”
“No need. I know what it is.” Gong Yingxian said with certainty. “Steel tank transportation, colorless liquid, a rotten smell, spontaneous combustion after combining with oxides in the air, releasing toxic gas. This is triethylaluminum. It’s generally used as an activator, and most chemical plants have it.”
“Then how do we deal with it now? Will it explode?”
“The storage tanks aren’t pressurized. They’re filled with an inert gas. If it’s only burning, it won’t explode in a short period of time. But triethylaluminum has one characteristic—it explodes when it comes into contact with water. Fortunately, you didn’t spray water on it to put out the fire.”
“We don’t blindly use extinguishing agents when we aren’t sure what something is.” Ren Yi said. “Foam doesn’t work either?”
“Foam doesn’t work either.” Gong Yingxian then asked, “Is anyone still inside the vehicles?”
“The people in the car that rear-ended the truck have been rescued. The truck driver is still inside.”
Gong Yingxian said solemnly, “We need to hurry. The driver has definitely been poisoned. Inhaling this substance can cause pulmonary edema.”
“If there’s definitely no risk of an explosion, we’ll go rescue him right away.”
Gong Yingxian grabbed Ren Yi by the arm.
“Not spraying water doesn’t mean there’s no risk of an explosion. It has been raining intermittently these past two days, so the humidity isn’t low. Triethylaluminum is extremely chemically reactive. Even exposure to moisture can cause an explosion. In addition, the burning has already caused pressure to build up inside the tanks. We must first control the fire, then release the nitrogen inside the tanks to reduce the pressure. Otherwise, there’s not only a risk of explosion, but even after the fire is extinguished, it could reignite.”
Ren Yi thought for a moment.
“I’ll send one team to rescue the driver, and then we’ll use dry chemical powder to put out the fire first.”
“Do you have dry chemical extinguishing agents specifically designed for triethylaluminum?”
“The hazardous chemical response team might have them, but they’re stuck in traffic. We only have conventional dry chemical powder.”
“We don’t have time. Once it explodes, the toxic smoke will spread, and the downwind area is all residential. Use the dry chemical powder to cover it first. At the very least, control the fire.”
Gong Yingxian added, “Triethylaluminum is highly corrosive. Don’t let it touch your skin.”
Ren Yi nodded.
“Liu Hui, take your firefighters and get the driver out as quickly as possible.”
Having received the order, Liu Hui turned and ran toward the truck.
Ren Yi picked up the dry chemical extinguisher and went to put out the fire. Gong Yingxian followed him.
Ren Yi looked at him.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to open the storage tank valves and release the nitrogen.”
“No. You can’t go over there.” Ren Yi blocked his path and said seriously, “This is our job. Non-professionals aren’t allowed to enter the scene.”
“I’m a professional.” Gong Yingxian pointed at the suit he was wearing. “You only have a few of these chemical protective suits. Since I’m already wearing one, I have to put it to use.”
“You’ve already been useful enough. You can’t come over.” Ren Yi’s tone became more forceful.
The two of them stared at each other through their gas masks.
Gong Yingxian took a step closer. Because he misjudged the distance, their gas masks bumped into each other.
Ren Yi’s heart almost skipped a beat.
The masks were transparent. For a brief moment, he thought Gong Yingxian’s face was going to press against his own, and Gong Yingxian’s pale pink lips would—
Gong Yingxian merely pulled his head back slightly, but he still looked down at Ren Yi from above.
“When I’m catching an arsonist, can you stand by and do nothing?”
Ren Yi was speechless.
“I can’t either.”
Gong Yingxian walked toward the truck without hesitation.
Ren Yi had no choice. He could only run over with several firefighters, spraying dry chemical powder at the burning storage tanks.
Gong Yingxian inspected the triethylaluminum storage tanks one by one to make sure there were no further leaks.
When he was about to climb onto the truck, Ren Yi hurriedly shouted, “You’re not allowed up there! Cui Yisheng, stop him!”
Cui Yisheng and Ding Qing tried to stop Gong Yingxian, but even while wearing the bulky chemical protective suit, Gong Yingxian smoothly vaulted onto the overturned truck with one hand.
“I’m going to inspect all the storage tanks, just in case.”
“Gong Yingxian, for fuck’s sake, follow orders!” Ren Yi was furious. “You’re wearing a chemical protective suit, not an invulnerability shield!”
Gong Yingxian walked between a pile of hazardous chemicals that could spontaneously combust at any moment. His voice remained as calm as ever.
“Put out your fire. I’ll come down immediately.”
Ren Yi looked at Gong Yingxian anxiously and worriedly, but he had no choice but to focus on putting out the fire first.
A few minutes later, the fire was brought under control. Although it had not been completely extinguished—especially since there was still flowing fire on the ground—the flames on the storage tanks had already been suppressed by the dry chemical powder.
Gong Yingxian also finished inspecting the other storage tanks. He jumped down from the truck and, with his thickly gloved hand, opened the valves on the storage tanks to release the pressure.
The tanks emitted a hissing sound, making everyone’s hearts pound with fear.
Gong Yingxian glanced at Ren Yi, whose face was covered in cold sweat, and spoke in a low voice that could barely be heard by the two of them.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Ren Yi couldn’t help looking at Gong Yingxian as well.
Those deep eyes were as calm as a sea without a trace of wind. Yet beneath the surface lay a mysterious and enormous force. They possessed an extremely powerful ability to influence others, and Ren Yi’s heart gradually calmed along with them.
Finally, the nitrogen in all three burning storage tanks was released, and the truck driver was also rescued by Liu Hui and the others.
Not long afterward, the hazardous chemical response team arrived at the scene. They brought professional fire trucks and decontamination vehicles. After extinguishing all the flowing fire, they began cleaning up the scene.
Although the accident had been dangerous and full of close calls, fortunately, it had not caused too much damage.
Everyone finally removed the gas masks that had been stifling them for so long.
Ren Yi tossed his mask to a firefighter beside him, then strode over and grabbed Gong Yingxian by the collar, violently shoving him against the tree behind him.
A trace of surprise flashed through Gong Yingxian’s eyes. He grabbed Ren Yi’s wrist, but he did not exert any force.
Ren Yi’s expression was somewhat twisted with anger.
“On a scene where I’m exercising command authority, no one is allowed to disobey my orders. Who the hell gave you permission to act on your own, huh? Do you have any idea how dangerous that was just now?!”
Gong Yingxian frowned.
“Let go.”
Everyone also began persuading them.
“Captain Ren, forget it.”
“Dr. Gong just wanted to help. Captain Ren, talk it out.”
Gong Yingxian said coldly, “The storage tanks on the truck were piled together. Each one weighs several hundred pounds. If they spontaneously combusted, they would be difficult to move and difficult to extinguish. I had to check whether there were any leaks.”
“If there had been a leak, once it spontaneously combusted, you wouldn’t even have been able to run away!” The moment Ren Yi remembered Gong Yingxian moving among a pile of ticking time bombs, his heart tightened. “Why weren’t you afraid of fire then? Do you know that the flames could really have burned you just now?!”
Anger flashed across Gong Yingxian’s face. He said in a low voice, “In your eyes, am I a coward who would be afraid even of a fire that hasn’t caught yet?”
His hand tightened around Ren Yi’s wrist.
Ren Yi’s wrist hurt from the pressure. He tried to struggle, but he couldn’t withstand Gong Yingxian’s strength and was forced to release his grip.
Gong Yingxian violently shook off his wrist, removed the chemical protective suit, and walked toward his car without looking back.
Ren Yi opened his mouth, wanting to call him back, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak.
He could only watch helplessly as Gong Yingxian drove away.
Ren Yi muttered a curse under his breath, feeling both angry and regretful.