Chapter 4

"The quicksand has reached her neck! We must initiate professional rescue immediately!"

"Ten more minutes and she'll suffocate to death! Family member, sign quickly!"

The rescue team leader, holding the rescue agreement and payment form, shouted urgently at Ethan.

Ethan slowly took the documents but refused to sign. He looked through the paperwork repeatedly, then raised his head to ask the leader:

"Excuse me, can we get a discount on this rescue? Is there a reimbursement process afterward?"

The leader looked at him in disbelief.

"Sir! She's hanging by a thread right now! Saving her life is what matters! You're still worried about costs and reimbursement? If we delay any longer, it'll be too late!"

Aria, standing nearby, tugged on Ethan's sleeve and said quietly:

"Ethan, this rescue fee looks pretty expensive. What if we spend the money and still can't save her? Wouldn't that be a waste? It might even affect our future expedition budget."

Ethan's expression immediately became even more hesitant. He kept turning the documents in his hands, just wouldn't sign.

"So... isn't there a cheaper option? Like, using simple tools to pull her out, or we rescue her ourselves? Don't jump straight to professional rescue. It's too expensive."

The rescue leader's temples throbbed with anger.

"You think this is haggling at a farmers market? Bargaining back and forth! I'm telling you, every second is counting down right now! Every second wasted means less chance of survival! Hurry up and sign!"

The rescue team had already deployed the rescue airbag, preparing to release the traction equipment.

I could see Ethan's hesitant figure, unable to make a sound from my throat.

Several accompanying team members couldn't stand it anymore and surrounded him, condemning him:

"What's wrong with you? Have you no conscience? Your girlfriend is about to be swallowed by quicksand and you're calculating costs?"

"Exactly! Which is more important—a human life or money? Can't you tell?"

Faced with everyone's accusations, Aria spread her arms to shield Ethan. With red-rimmed eyes, she said to the team members:

"Please don't blame Ethan anymore, I'm begging you. He's just being responsible for our research project by asking a few more questions. He just doesn't want to affect our future project expeditions."

She turned to look at Ethan, tears in her eyes.

"Ethan, I believe all your decisions are for the good of the project. Don't worry about what they say. Just do what you think is right."

These words gave Ethan enormous validation and strength. He immediately straightened his back. Then he said firmly to the rescue leader:

"I need to think about it more. You have to guarantee the rescue will succeed, and the cost can be paid in installments! Otherwise, I absolutely won't sign!"

The rescue leader was too angry to waste another word on him. He directly shouted to his team members:

"No more time! Activate emergency rescue protocol! We'll deal with costs later! Quick! Quick! Quick!"

The rescue team immediately activated equipment, rapidly deploying ropes toward me.

Ethan loudly defended himself from the side:

"I'm thinking about the future! I'm being financially responsible!"

Aria patted his back, soothing him:

"Ethan, don't be angry. They don't understand your careful budgeting, but I do. You're the most considerate person for the expedition team."

Ethan nodded, deeply moved.

"You're the only one who understands me."

He took out his phone and set it up, adjusting the lens to capture the desert scenery.

"Let's film a vlog to document this. We might gain followers."