C1 I Can't Take off My Underwear

"Young man, my underwear is crafted from nano-materials, making it light and breathable. The fabric features negative ion cleaning technology, ensuring it stays dry and fresh. The cut is three-dimensional, designed to fit the human body perfectly. But the real highlight is the magnetic therapy technology."

At the park entrance, a sleazy-looking old man with a limp was pitching his underwear to Zhou Wen.

"What's so special about it?" Zhou Wen inquired.

"Do you see these small dots? They're magnets, arranged in a matrix, continuously emitting infrared rays and magnetic fields for double protection, comprehensively safeguarding your health."

"How much does it cost?"

"The regular price is 198 yuan, but since you look like a high school student, I'll give you a break. Just 38 yuan, not a yuan more, not a yuan less."

"Okay, I'll take it."

...

Somehow, Zhou Wen found himself spending 38 yuan on what was touted as magnetic therapy underwear.

Back at home, sitting on his bed, he tried on the so-called therapeutic garment.

Zhou Wen felt his whole being was in a daze.

The stall vendor had claimed that the magnets in the underwear would continuously release some kind of magnetic energy. Zhou Wen hadn't felt anything yet, but now he was facing a serious issue.

The underwear wouldn't come off.

It clung to Zhou Wen's body, indistinguishable from any regular pair when worn, and even more comfortable.

But trying to remove it was another story; it was as if it was glued to his skin, impossible to peel away.

What was he to do?

Zhou Wen decided he needed to track down the old vendor to get to the bottom of this.

As he walked down the street, Zhou Wen's suspicion grew; he felt conned. There had been something off about the old man's pitch, and now he was stuck with a big problem.

At the time, Zhou Wen had pitied the disabled man, who had gone so long without a sale. It was just a pair of underwear, after all, and he had thought of it as a way to support the old man's business.

But it's really too much if you can't take it off.

What if it causes me some kind of problem?

Mr. Gu's street stall was set up at the entrance of Anewood Park, a place that was always bustling with people. By the time Zhou Wen got to the park entrance, Mr. Gu had vanished. Zhou Wen was completely baffled.

He finally realized he had truly been scammed.

Zhou Wen walked through Anewood Park with a gloomy expression. To a high school senior, 38 yuan was a significant sum, and now he was stuck with underwear he couldn't remove.

What about using the restroom?

What if it gets dirty or starts to smell?

And what about intimate activities in the future?

The more Zhou Wen thought about it, the more agitated he became, contemplating whether to call 119.

"Hello, this is the Anewood Fire Department. How can we assist you?"

"Hi, I can't get my underwear off. Could you come and check it out?"

What in the world?

Zhou Wen mulled over this scenario in his mind but eventually decided against it, knowing he'd be seen as insane.

Inside the park, a small river named the Dorrich Canal cut through the entire area. The water was particularly rough due to yesterday's rain.

Zhou Wen sat on a bench by the riverbank, looking despondent as he stared blankly at the water, occasionally tossing stones into the rushing current.

After some thought, Zhou Wen knew he had to find Mr. Gu to resolve his issue, but where to start looking?

Suddenly, the park erupted into noise.

"Help, someone! There's a person in the water!"

Zhou Wen looked toward the commotion and saw a middle-aged woman frantically calling for help by the lake.

A crowd had already gathered.

Zhou Wen dashed over. He was a strong swimmer and might be able to lend a hand.

Upon arrival, Zhou Wen saw a little girl desperately flailing in the river. The current was swift, and she was being swept downstream.

The Dorrich Canal was at least two meters deep. A little girl in the water would be in danger of sinking quickly!

"Please, someone help! Can anyone swim? Hurry, save my daughter!" the middle-aged woman pleaded with the bystanders.

Zhou Wen appraised the middle-aged woman with a discerning eye. She exuded an air of sophistication and appeared to be well-cared for. Her attire alone was a clear indicator that she hailed from a family far from ordinary.

"It's not about whether you can swim or not. The current in the Dorrich Canal is dangerously swift. Once someone is in the water, they're likely to be swept away. It's difficult enough to save oneself, let alone another person."

"Exactly. Saving someone in this river isn't just about being able to swim. Haven't you seen the news? Rescuers have been dragged down and drowned by the very people they were trying to save."

"We should call the police immediately and let the professionals handle this."

The onlookers chimed in with a cacophony of suggestions.

Zhou Wen surveyed the scene, noting a group of elderly men and women. Expecting them to attempt a rescue was tantamount to risking their own lives.

A handful of youths were present as well, but they were preoccupied with capturing the moment on their phones, showing no intention of aiding the distressed.

"What are you doing! A life hangs in the balance, and you're concerned with taking photos!" Zhou Wen bellowed, unable to conceal his disgust for such behavior.

Zhou Wen might not have been the most studious, but that didn't mean he lacked morals.

"Who do you think you're yelling at, kid? How does us taking pictures bother you?" retorted the group of young men and women, their voices dripping with scorn.

"Playing the hero, are we? If you're so capable, why don't you go save them?" they jeered, emboldened by the sight of Zhou Wen's school uniform.

"The mother isn't even panicking, so why are you?"

Zhou Wen glanced over to see the middle-aged woman lying on the bank, her face streaked with tears of desperation.

"If no one will save my daughter, I will!" she declared, poised to leap into the water despite her inability to swim.

The elderly bystanders quickly intervened, urging her to reconsider.

"Don't be impulsive. If you go in after her, neither of you will make it out alive!" they pleaded.

Zhou Wen had no patience for idle talk. He was disheartened by the apathy that seemed to pervade society. Without a second thought, he declared, "I don't need anyone's help. I know how to swim. I'm going in after her!"

"Go ahead! If you drown, at least you'll make a fine water ghost!" The young onlookers erupted into mocking laughter. But in Zhou Wen's mind, there was only one prevailing thought.

Save her!

We must save her!

Zhou Wen turned to the river where the little girl was still flailing, having drifted downstream by more than ten meters.

Only her head remained above the water.

Any further delay and she would be swept away.

"Young man, don't be rash. This isn't a swimming pool!"

"Indeed, young man, don't risk your own life," Mr. Gu cautioned from the side.

A beautiful middle-aged woman approached, wanting to say something but at a loss for words.

She longed to rescue her daughter but feared for the boy's safety.

Zhou Wen stripped off his clothes and shoes, thrusting them into the woman's arms, his gaze resolute. "Hold onto my clothes for me."

No sooner had he spoken than Zhou Wen dashed forward, leaping into the river.

The woman watched Zhou Wen's retreating figure, contemplative. She seemed to see a reflection of her husband in his younger days, on a mission.

Both were equally determined, equally ready to sacrifice for others.

The woman ceased her tears, silently vowing that if this young man saved her daughter, she would repay him generously.

Yes! She would make sure to repay him!

"It's all over, the young man's disappeared!" the elders exclaimed anxiously, eyes fixed on the river.

Now, only the struggling girl was visible; Zhou Wen had vanished.

Hearts on the shore clenched in fear, while a few youths continued to snap pictures, oblivious to the gravity of the situation.

Time itself appeared to stand still.

After what felt like an eternity, a red and white circle burst forth on the water's surface, and soon after, a head popped up from within.

"A lifebuoy? Where did this young man find that?" the elders marveled in astonishment.

"How is there a lifebuoy?" the group of photographers were stunned.

In the water, Zhou Wen, with the lifebuoy in tow, powered towards the girl.

Having lived next to Anewood Park for over a decade, Zhou Wen was intimately familiar with every blade of grass and tree in the park.

Following the renovation of the Dorrich Canal, lifebuoys had been placed at intervals along the concrete river walls. Time had passed, and the overgrown weeds had concealed them from view.

Recent rains had caused the river to rise, submerging the area. From above, visibility was zero.

Only Zhou Wen, a longtime Anewood Park visitor, and those who explored unnoticed spots were aware of the lifebuoys beneath the river's surface. The elders on the bank were clueless.

Zhou Wen swam towards the young girl in the water.

Onlookers on the bank ran downstream, following the drama.

"Grab her quickly!" the elders yelled anxiously.

In the water, Zhou Wen managed to grasp the struggling girl.

"Hold still and grab the lifebuoy," he instructed firmly.

The girl coughed, expelling water, yet clung to the lifebuoy, wriggling through its center hole.

Zhou Wen sighed in relief; the girl knew how to use the lifebuoy.

He then laboriously guided her back to shore, where the waiting elders swiftly pulled her to safety.

A drained Zhou Wen climbed out afterward.

"Damn! He actually saved her!" muttered the youths who had been snapping photos, as they slunk away.

"Young man, get dressed quickly," urged a middle-aged woman, overwhelmed with emotion.

Zhou Wen just grinned, silently accepting his clothes and dressing.

But as he donned his pants, he sensed something amiss—his underwear was dry. Astonishingly dry, despite the time spent in the water.

Suddenly, his groin began to vibrate.

Another jolt!

The vibration persisted!

His underwear was vibrating!

Zhou Wen was stunned.

The vibration continued, his face turning an abnormal shade of red.

"I have to get to school," he blurted, grabbing his jacket and fleeing to avoid any awkward discoveries.

The woman, puzzled and concerned, watched him rush off, her thanks unspoken.

Then she noticed a red notebook on the ground. It was a Big Valley School student ID. Picking it up, she opened it and saw it belonged to the boy, Zhou Wen.

The woman knew exactly what needed to be done.

Meanwhile, Zhou Wen had made quite the distance.

Upon encountering a public restroom along the way, Zhou Wen quickly ducked inside.

Once inside the stall, he shut the door and removed his trousers.

To his surprise, there was something resembling a game progress bar on his black underwear.

"What in the world is this?"