Chapter 602 - 397: Falling into the Water (3)

Chapter 602: Chapter 397: Falling into the Water (3)

Her vision blurred as a stream of bubbles escaped her open mouth.

Icy river water flooded her mouth and nose, her consciousness fading in the biting cold.

Only the instinct to survive kept fighting.

Feng Shan held his breath and reached Natasha’s side in a few quick strokes.

The frigid water rushed into his sinuses, making his eyes burn. Ignoring the pain, Feng Shan lowered his head, pressed his mouth to Natasha’s slightly parted lips, and exhaled the last of his oxygen into her.

The moment oxygen entered her throat, Natasha latched onto him like a drowning person clinging to driftwood, her hands gripping his head in a death lock.

Survival instincts drove her to frantically suck in that meager bit of air, her ferocity nearly tearing his lips.

UGH!

Feng Shan’s head swam. The oxygen was sucked clean from his lungs, leaving his throat burning.

’Idiot woman!!’

’Are you trying to get us both killed?!’

He pried her hands off his head. Lack of oxygen made him see stars, but he forced himself to make a hand gesture at her.

He motioned for her to close her mouth, then pointed to himself, and then pointed up toward the surface.

Then, with a powerful kick, he shot toward the surface.

The bone-chilling wind filled his lungs as he gasped for air, the metallic, acrid taste of the river water still lingering in his sinuses.

With no time to rest, Feng Shan took a deep breath and plunged back into the icy water.

The cold water soothed Natasha’s throbbing temples. With the fresh supply of oxygen, the terror of suffocation began to recede.

Fortunately, having grown up in Lengwan, she was used to winter swimming.

Natasha was also a devout follower of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Every year on January 19th, the Epiphany for the Eastern Orthodox Church, the faithful would go winter swimming, believing it could wash away their sins.

When Feng Shan dove down again, Natasha met him halfway.

Her purplish lips parted slightly in the current, carrying a strange allure in the dim, blue light.

Feng Shan cursed under his breath, steeled himself, and closed the distance.

Feeling the warm breath he passed to her, Natasha was no longer as panicked as she had been.

Instead, she cooperated, taking small sips of air as a muffled whimper escaped her throat—whether from gratitude or apology, he couldn’t tell.

While giving her air, Feng Shan used his frozen, stiff hands to tear at the waterlogged fur coat she was wearing.

The heavy fur, saturated with icy water, was instantly dragged to the riverbed by the turbulent undercurrent.

Only then did Feng Shan realize Natasha was only wearing a thin thermal layer underneath.

The thin garment was already soaked through, clinging to her body and outlining her graceful curves.

’This is no time for modesty!’

’Saving her is what’s important.’

He again signaled that he was going up for air.

Natasha nodded with difficulty, her hair fanning out in the water like seaweed.

Feng Shan let go of Natasha, broke the surface for a deep breath, and dove down again.

This time, after they exchanged air, Feng Shan tapped Natasha and pointed to the rope tangled around her leg.

Natasha nodded.

Feng Shan held onto Natasha’s body, moving his grip downward bit by bit.

As his hands moved down her body, over every curve, Feng Shan assured himself he had absolutely no intention of taking advantage of the situation.

The main reason was the powerful undercurrent in the lower depths of the Melting Ice River; without something to hold onto, they could easily be swept away.

Natasha could only watch as Feng Shan’s large hands gripped parts of her body no man had ever touched before.

’That bastard... and he’s using so much force.’

Reaching her calf, Feng Shan saw a rope wound tightly around her lower leg.

He immediately drew his Hunting Knife and swiftly cut the rope.

The Hunting Knife glinted in the deep blue water. Feng Shan held his breath as the blade moved back and forth against her slender legs.

Each slice was deliberate, terrified of cutting her.

The moment the rope snapped, Natasha was free. Like a nimble fish, she kicked her legs and shot desperately toward the surface.

Her soaked thermal layer clung tightly to her body and her long hair fanned out in the current, giving her the uncanny appearance of a mermaid.

Meanwhile, the people on the sleds following behind noticed a disturbance in the Melting Ice River.

As everyone scrambled over, they saw Feng Shan and Natasha break through the surface of the water.

They rushed to drag the pair onto the bank.

...