Chapter 431

"You're utterly stupid. Do you think this will solve anything? You're dragging all of us, every single one of us, down with you!" Bai Jinghui's lips trembled with rage, his eyes wide and bulging.

"No, it's not... No, it's not..." Lin Wan'er waved her hands frantically, tears streaming down her face. "I just... I just wanted to save him. I... I didn't mean to burden everyone..." She choked back a sob, her voice thick with tears.

"What's the point of saying any of this now? Do you have any idea? Because of your recklessness, we might all die here!" Bai Jinghui's voice trembled with fury. He pointed at Lin Wan'er, his eyes glaring as if he wanted to tear her apart.

Lin Wan'er trembled all over, her face ashen. She wanted to explain, but she didn't know how. Anything she said now, Bai Jinghui would perceive as mere sophistry. The people around them also looked at her with strange gazes—gazes filled with blame, disappointment, and fear. They weren't afraid of death, but they didn't want to die for no clear reason. Now, because of Lin Wan'er's impulsive actions, they were all very likely to die here.

"Enough!" Shen Xingchen snapped, his cold gaze sweeping over Bai Jinghui. "This is no time for infighting. Even if we need to resolve this, now isn't the moment."

Bai Jinghui was startled by Shen Xingchen's gaze. He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word.

Shen Xingchen withdrew his gaze and looked at Lin Wan'er, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "Lin Wan'er, you've disappointed me greatly."

Lin Wan'er's body trembled, and tears welled up again. "Captain Shen, I... I didn't mean to." "I just acted on impulse. I... I really didn't think it through."

Shen Xingchen didn't speak, simply watching her silently. Lin Wan'er's heart sank little by little. She knew that Shen Xingchen was truly disappointed in her.

"Captain Shen, Lin Wan'er didn't mean to either. She's just too kind-hearted." Someone pleaded on Lin Wan'er's behalf, but their voice was faint, carrying a hint of guilt.

Bai Jinghui scoffed, his eyes filled with mockery. "Kindness? Can kindness put food on the table? Can kindness save lives? Stupidity is just stupidity; it has nothing to do with kindness!"

The person who pleaded for Lin Wan'er was rendered speechless by Bai Jinghui, lowering their head and not daring to look at Lin Wan'er again.

"Captain Shen, now isn't the time to assign blame. Let's first figure out how to get out of here." Someone spoke up to mediate, breaking the deadlock.

Shen Xingchen nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "The most important thing now is to deal with the immediate problem. As for anything else, we'll discuss it once we're safely out of here." He paused, then looked at Bai Jinghui. "Bai Jinghui, take a team and divert that monster from the side, buying us time."

Bai Jinghui's face stiffened, a hint of reluctance in his eyes. "Captain Shen, that monster isn't easy to deal with. I... I'm afraid..."

"No 'afraid.' This is an order!" Shen Xingchen's eyes were cold, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Bai Jinghui gritted his teeth, but ultimately agreed. "Yes, sir!"

"The rest of you, follow me." After speaking, Shen Xingchen turned and charged out first. Seeing this, the others quickly followed suit.

Lin Wan'er stood rooted to the spot, watching Shen Xingchen's retreating back, her vision blurred by tears once more. She knew that Shen Xingchen was protecting her, giving her a chance to atone. She clenched her fists tightly, a hint of determination in her eyes. She would definitely prove herself; she would definitely make up for her mistake!