Chapter 09.1

Tang Yi received a call from the station on the way to the airport to send Jiang Qiaosheng off. The new assignment was to investigate a black factory in the southwest.

“Okay, I understand, help me ask Brother Rui for two hours off, I’ll be there later.”

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Qiao Sheng withdrew his gaze from the window outside, and after a moment of silence, he said, “Have you got the results of your previous promotion?”

Tang Yi stared at the road ahead, her tone still as usual: “I didn’t get promoted, I came back to do news again.”

“No wonder,” Jiang Qiaosheng turned to look at her, “I feel like you’ve been busier than before recently.”

Tang Yi gripped the steering wheel and chuckled lightly: “Yeah, being busier means having more opportunities.”

Jiang Qiaosheng didn’t ask any more questions, and the two remained silent for the rest of the journey, with the sound of Wang Fei’s unique and chilly voice echoing in the car.

How much I wanted to get close

To your heart, eyes, mouth, and ears, but fate didn’t allow it

I can’t hold on to any of them

Afraid of tragedies repeating in my destiny

The more beautiful something is, the less I can touch it

…

Tang Yi saw Jiang Qiaosheng off at the boarding gate. They did not have much intimate contact, nor did they say goodbye in a soft and gentle manner. One stood in place, the other moved forward with the crowd.

Next to them was a young couple about to part ways, their sweet and reluctant parting was envied by onlookers.

Suddenly, Jiang Qiaosheng walked out of the line, and Tang Yi thought he had forgotten something, so she went to meet him: “What’s wrong……”

The next moment, he suddenly hugged her, her nose touching his well-made shirt, the scent on it matching the one on her body.

Tang Yi raised her arm and then let it fall: “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Jiang Qiaosheng released her: “I just wanted to hug you since it will be a long time before we see each other again.”

Tang Yi smiled wryly and urged him to hurry back.

He reminded her: “Drive safely.”

She nodded in agreement.

Jiang Qiaosheng said again: “Tang Yi.”

“Hmm?”

“Your work…” He hesitated, finally only saying: “Be careful on your business trip.”

Tang Yi vaguely felt that he wanted to say something else, but she didn’t ask further, only saying: “I know, you should also rest more.”

“Hmm.”

After seeing off Jiang Qiaosheng, Tang Yi drove directly back to the TV station and set off to the southwest that afternoon.

This trip was not easy. Tang Yi and her male colleague went undercover in a black factory. When passing on a message to her, they were caught by the factory security. The two were locked in the factory for two days and were rescued when they were almost starving.

After enduring hardships, they obtained fruitful results.

The substantial evidence of illegal activities in the black factory was uncovered. Once reported and investigated, the truth was revealed, leading to a massive restructuring of the factory economy in the southwest region.

Tang Yi was fortunate in misfortune. She rested at her parents’ place for two days, and then returned to the office, where she received good news.

The station provides two opportunities each year for overseas training. After the incident with Jianping, it was clear to everyone that it was an unfortunate event. The station recognized Tang Yi’s abilities and considered sending her abroad for a year to gain experience before a promotion upon her return.

Going abroad is not something that requires an immediate decision. Tang Yi said she would consider it and did not give a definite answer right away.

Back at home, Tang Yi discussed the matter with her parents. Her father has always supported his daughter’s career, but it was her mother who had some hesitation: “You and Qiaosheng have been spending little time together these past two years, and if you go away for a year, won’t you need to discuss it with him?”

“I will talk to him about it,” Tang Yi replied.

Tang Yi’s mother noticed her daughter’s low mood and in the evening, she pulled her aside to chat: “Did you have a fight with Qiaosheng? With all that’s happened to you, how come he hasn’t even called to ask about it?”

Tang Yi leaned against the head of the bed: “I didn’t tell him. He is busy with work, and I don’t want to bother him.”

Her mother sighed, “You, how can a couple live like this? If you don’t tell him, and he doesn’t ask, over time, what will be left of your relationship?”

Tang Yi stared blankly at the patterns on the quilt. Tang’s mother said: “If there are any problems between husband and wife, you need to communicate in time, don’t keep it in your heart, it will hurt both of you.”

“I know, Mom, we’re fine, you should rest early.”

After Mother Tang left, Tang Yi took out her phone and opened Jiang Qiaosheng’s number, hesitating for a long time, but still didn’t call.

By the end of May, Mother Jiang came back from her hometown, and Tang Yi moved back to her own home. One night, she suddenly received a call from her mother.

Father Tang had a sudden heart attack and was being treated in the hospital.

Tang Yi hurried to the hospital, and Tang Mother was sitting in front of the emergency room crying. She went over and hugged her mother, only to find that her whole body was shaking.

“Mom, Dad will be fine.” Tang Yi stared at the light that had been on the door of the emergency room, feeling a lump in her throat and a sting in her eyes.

Father Tang heart had never been very good. He had surgery a few years ago and had been much more stable since then. It was unclear why he suddenly fell ill this time, but fortunately, the timely treatment saved his life.

Tang Mother is old, and after a night of turmoil, she went downstairs to the infusion room to have an infusion after Tang Father came out of the emergency room.

Tang Yi was busy taking care of everything alone. When she was queuing up to pay the bill on the first floor, she almost fell asleep standing up. An aunt next to her supported her so she wouldn’t fall: “Young lady, what’s wrong?”

“It’s okay, aunty, I’m just tired.” Tang Yi stood still and said, “Thank you, aunty.”

“You’re so exhausted, why didn’t you call your family to keep you company?” The aunt asked with concern: “You don’t look too good either.”

“You look so tired. Why didn’t you ask your family to come and accompany you?” the aunt asked with concern. “Your complexion doesn’t look too good either.”

Tang Yi smiled and didn’t say much.

After paying the bill, she walked to the staircase, found Jiang Qiaosheng’s number, and dialed it. The first time, no one answered, so Tang Yi dialed again.

This time, after a few rings, a woman’s voice came through, “Hello, Jiang—”

Tang Yi’s head buzzed, and before she could hear the rest of the words, she hung up the phone.

The summer days are short, and the sun shone in through the window.

Tang Yi was clearly standing in the light, but she still felt cold all over.

She stared at the light and shadow in the corner, and her mind was like a tangled mess, pulling and tearing, unable to be cut or untangled, making her feel anxious and confused.

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