Chapter 681  : Fresh Dose of Panic

“I also want to tell you that even the Earthquake Disaster Bureau wasn’t able to detect the earthquake before it struck. You should all thank Student Yao Tang for bringing you to safety in time. This place is indeed safer than the peak.”

“Of course, aftershocks are bound to happen. For now, we don’t know when they might occur or how big they would be. If you prefer arguing here instead of figuring out a way out of the mountain, then feel free to do so.”

Chen Yi’s ears turned red with humiliation.

She knew that the rescuers were referring to her.

She felt utterly humiliated, but she didn’t dare say anything more.

Chen Yi had only given in to her emotions and spoken out of turn because she had foolishly thought that they were already safe.

Now, the rescuers were telling them that not only were they still in danger, but they were also trapped.

Aftershocks were expected, though no one could tell when or where they would occur. Worse, still, was the possibility that another natural disaster might follow.

And the worst part of it all—they didn’t even have any means of contacting the outside world.

Chen Yi was starting to doubt if they would even be able to get out of here.

The rescuers were right, they were still in a critical situation. Even so, Chen Yistubbornly clung to her belief that it was allYao tang’s fault.

“It’s all her fault, I’m telling you!” she cried out, tears of hatred welling up in her eyes. “She’s a jinx! If it weren’t for her, we would have been rescued from the peak already! What are we supposed to do here when we don’t even have a way of contacting anyone outside the mountain? Can we even survive? This all happened because of that girl!”

The rescuers scowled in disgust.

“Student, I think there is one thing you need to understand first. The peak is much more dangerous than where we are now. There could be a landslide at any given time, and if you were at the top, you’ll be the first to tumble down the slope. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Also, if Student Yao Tangreally knew about the earthquake before anyone else, then I’m willing to vouch for her and recommend her to work for the Earthquake Disaster Bureau. She deserves nothing less.”

Earthquakes were one of the most devastating catastrophes, mainly because of their unpredictability. They often took lives and livelihoods by the hundreds.

If Yao Tangcould really foretell such things beforehand, then she would be a great asset to the authorities.

The men would even bet that the bureau would happily pay her a hefty sum for her services.

After all, money amounted to nothing when it came to people’s lives.

But Chen Yistill refused to listen. Now, was thinking that the rescue team was merely trying to justifyYao Tang’s actions.

“If we were at the top, then the rescuers could have taken us away immediately!” she insisted. “Then we wouldn’t be here, and in such a critical situation as you put it. It’s Yao Tang’s fault! She brought us all to this godforsaken place where there isn’t even a network signal.”

Unable to listen to any more of her ramblings, Yan Yustepped forward and glared atChen Yi. “Since you want to return to the peak so badly, then go back up yourself!”

“I can provide you the directions if you’d like,” Yao Tangadded calmly.

Chen Yi’s face turned purple with rage.

Needless to say, she didn’t want to go back there alone.

What if she encountered a landslide on her way? She might perish before her schoolmates even got rescued.

Worse, she might get injured so badly that she couldn’t move, and she would have to languish in the mountains for days.

Yan Yu andYao Tangreally had no conscience.

“You guys are too vicious! Everyone is already here, so why are you telling me to return to the peak? Aren’t you just telling me to go and die?”

Chen Yi had a ferocious expression as she spat out the words toYan Yu.

He crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head to the side. “Then why didn’t you stay there in the first place?” he asked with a mocking smile. “Why did you even follow us down?”

Chen Yi was speechless for a moment, but she wasn’t about to back down. “Whatever! This all happened because ofYao Tang. Now, we don’t have any signal. A landslide could occur at any minute, or the ground could collapse beneath us. We’re just sitting ducks here, waiting for our deaths.”

Her words cast a pall over the crowd, and a new wave of fear washed over them.

A few girls broke out in sobs.

It lit a fuse, and their fear was soon turning into full-blown panic.