Jiang Zhiyi, holding a cup of tea, spoke with trembling hands and a chill running down her spine. “I’m dealing with someone connected to various crimes in Yangcheng—trafficking, forced prostitution, territory takeovers, robberies, and more. The police can’t find evidence against him, and no one dares to report him. He’s built connections everywhere.”

Chu Xia, seeing her distress, gently held her hand. “If it’s too hard to talk about, you don’t have to.”

“No!” Jiang Zhiyi lifted her head abruptly, locking eyes with Chu Xia. “If I don’t talk about it, I’ll go mad keeping it all inside.”

After taking a deep breath, Jiang Zhiyi continued. “Last time I was almost abducted at the train station—it was his doing. The police followed that lead, but they only caught a few low-level people. His real power lies underground. That’s why, after hearing all this from a senior, I took on the mission from the newspaper to gather evidence of his crimes.”

Jiang Zhiyi had always kept a low profile, especially since she had suffered at the hands of this gang.

She’d caused them losses, so they were already familiar with her face. To get close to them, she had to disguise herself and infiltrate their organization.

Eventually, by playing dumb, she managed to be “accepted” by the group. Before they could sell her, she secretly captured evidence of their crimes, even witnessing them kill someone.

The memory of that bloodshed still haunted her, making her nauseous.

The gang leader had done it to intimidate them.

Before the sale, Jiang Zhiyi had planned an escape route to help free all the trafficked girls.

But her voice grew strained as she relived the pain. “But…”

She took a deep breath, fighting back the anger and confusion. “One of the girls betrayed us. She told our captors everything, and our escape plan fell apart. They came for me, ready to beat me up!”

Jiang Zhiyi paused to drink more water, suppressing the emotions bubbling inside. “That’s when Brother Hei showed up and rescued me.”

Without him, she couldn’t imagine what would’ve happened—death or something worse.

As for the other girls who were caught again, they weren’t seen as masterminds, and since there were so many of them, the gang would likely keep them around to make money rather than punish them too harshly.

But Jiang Zhiyi’s face twisted in pain, unable to bear the thought of what those girls might face.

She knew there was no way to rescue them.

Chu Xia, Cen Zhengnian, and Cen Huaian listened with growing anger, desperate to bring those criminals to justice.

But Jiang Zhiyi, having witnessed it firsthand, felt that rage even more intensely.

Chu Xia stood up, pulling Jiang Zhiyi into a hug, offering silent comfort with a gentle pat on her back. In that moment, words seemed utterly inadequate.

Jiang Zhiyi knew she could no longer show her face publicly, and the gang wouldn’t stop hunting her or Brother Hei.

She shut her eyes tightly. “Cousin-in-law, I’m afraid I have to leave Yangcheng.”

The words came out with deep reluctance.

Yangcheng was where her dreams had taken flight, but now, just as they were beginning, she had to abandon them due to external threats.

It filled her with bitterness. If she stayed, not only would she be in danger, but so would everyone around her—Qian Ran, her cousin, and even their factory.

Qian Ran placed a reassuring arm around her shoulder, his voice calm and confident. “If your brother and I can establish ourselves in Yangcheng, we can protect ourselves.”

Jiang Zhiyi looked at him, a flicker of hope in her eyes. “But what if I hand the evidence to the police?”

Qian Ran frowned slightly. “That complicates things, but trust in my and your brother’s abilities.”

Shaking her head, Jiang Zhiyi replied, “Once I hand it over, the danger will no longer be controllable. I don’t want you living in fear because of me.”

She stood up with her camera. “I’m going to develop the photos. The longer I keep them, the more dangerous it becomes.”

After everything Jiang Zhiyi had gone through, Chu Xia, Cen Zhengnian, and Cen Huaian were all left feeling deeply unsettled, concerned for her and Qian Ran’s safety.

Qian Ran had wide connections and knew how to expose the truth without leaving traces that could lead back to him and Jiang Zhiyi.

However, she had already shown her face, and as a journalist, she frequently disguised herself to infiltrate these dangerous environments.

Jiang Zhiyi wouldn’t be able to stay in Yangcheng any longer, and Chu Xia worried about how she would cope with that reality.

But Jiang Zhiyi surprised them by quickly coming to terms with it herself.

“Being a journalist isn’t something I can only do here. If I can’t be one in Yangcheng, then I’ll go abroad! The paper’s been wanting to send me as a foreign correspondent anyway, and I’ve always wanted to see the world. I’ll just go contribute to the country from abroad!”

She smiled brightly as she said this, but Qian Ran’s smile faltered.

He stared at her, stunned. “Zhiyi, when did you decide to go abroad?”

Chu Xia was equally surprised by Jiang Zhiyi’s sudden declaration.

In a time when communication and travel were not as advanced, going abroad meant that she and Qian Ran might not see each other for six months, a year, or possibly even longer.

Jiang Zhiyi’s smile faded as she met Qian Ran’s gaze, her voice heavy with emotion. “I know this is hard for you to accept, but I don’t have any other choice besides becoming a foreign correspondent.”

“Why can’t you work as a journalist in Haishi or Beijing? There are plenty of cities you could go to!” Qian Ran’s frustration and anxiety bled into his words.

Jiang Zhiyi’s heart sank further, and her expression grew even more pained. “I want to. But I’m too much of a risk-taker. If I stay in the country, I’ll endanger my family. If I go abroad alone, I won’t have to worry about that.”

Both Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian were quick to voice their opposition. “Zhiyi, you can’t pursue journalism with this mindset.”

Jiang Zhiyi’s tone and attitude made it seem like she was preparing for the worst, almost like she was going on a one-way mission.

Jiang Zhiyi let out a small, resigned smile. “I know.”

Watching her smile, Chu Xia suddenly realized how much Jiang Zhiyi had changed.

The experiences she had gone through in Yangcheng had matured her rapidly, shifting her worldview in ways that were hard to fully understand.

“You don’t need to persuade me anymore. I’ve already promised the newspaper that I will go to a small country with the ambassador in a couple of days.”

Before Jiang Zhiyi’s trip, she had never even heard of the name of that country.

She spent the last few days frantically cramming knowledge and borrowed a lot of materials from the newspaper office.

“Which country are you going to?” Qian Ran asked her.

“A small country in Africa,” she replied.

When Chu Xia heard Jiang Zhiyi say the name, a confused expression appeared on her face.

She wasn’t well-versed in geography and was unfamiliar with many lesser-known countries.

Cen Zhengnian, on the other hand, knew about it: “That country is very poor, and the social order is not stable.”

Jiang Zhiyi optimistically said, “I’m going with the ambassador, and we’ll be staying at the embassy. There will be people protecting us, so nothing will happen.”

At this point, no one could persuade Jiang Zhiyi otherwise.

After arguing with her, Qian Ran couldn’t stop her determination.

Qian Ran was very angry, and for the following days, Chu Xia, Cen Zhengnian, and Cen Huai’an hadn’t seen him.

However, they accompanied Jiang Zhiyi to buy many things to take abroad, as they wouldn’t know when she’d return to buy more.

Moreover, since that country was economically impoverished, they had to rely on themselves, so it was essential to be well-prepared.

Jiang Zhiyi tried to lighten the mood. Wearing a hat, she playfully gestured and said with excitement, “I’ve never been abroad before. I wonder if I can adapt there?”

Chu Xia responded, “No matter which country you go to, no matter how developed it is, you won’t adapt easily. The place you adapt to the most will always be your homeland, where you grew up.”

Cen Zhengnian nodded, having previously gone abroad for study exchanges with a research institute, he resonated with her words.

“Your sister-in-law is right,” he said.

Cen Huai’an silently helped Jiang Zhiyi carry her things, not participating in the adults’ conversation.

He watched Jiang Zhiyi, who was filled with hope for the foreign land, and quietly planted a seed in his heart.

Reading thousands of books is not as good as traveling thousands of miles.

Cen Huai’an looked ahead and thought: once he learned enough, he also wanted to go out and see the world.

Just like during the IMO competition, why could the participants from Country M be so proud? What was their supporting capital?

And there were Country Y, Country H, and Country R; each country’s contestants had different personalities, bringing unique aspects of their nations.

Cen Huai’an wanted to know what cultural differences existed in the countries that nurtured them compared to Huaguo.

This couldn’t just be learned from books; it required firsthand experience to feel the city’s characteristics. Just like people, every city has its own personality.

Jiang Zhiyi was about to depart, and all her travel documents, including her passport, were arranged by the newspaper.

No matter how angry he was, Qian Ran ultimately softened and sent Hei Da onto the plane as well.

“He can’t stay in Yangcheng either; it’s just right for him to go with you and hide out over there!”

Qian Ran’s words were blunt, as if that was the only reason, with no consideration for Jiang Zhiyi.

Jiang Zhiyi looked at him, tears welling in her eyes.

She dropped her suitcase and flew into Qian Ran’s arms, hugging him tightly.

Qian Ran also embraced her tightly, revealing genuine emotions on his face, filled with reluctance.

“Zhiyi, are you really going?”

“Hmm!”

Jiang Zhiyi didn’t want to let go of him, but they were already calling for boarding.

She could only release Qian Ran, tiptoe, and kiss him on the face.

Qian Ran cupped her face and kissed her deeply.

“Take care of yourself, don’t forget me, and remember to write to me. I’ll be waiting for you to return in Yangcheng.”

“Hmm!”

Jiang Zhiyi held Qian Ran’s hand, slowly and very reluctantly loosening her grip.

Then, she quickly walked to her suitcase and turned back with red eyes to wave goodbye to Qian Ran and Chu Xia.

“Goodbye! Cousin, Cousin-in-law, An’an, goodbye! Remember to tell my grandpa at home that I will visit him when I come back!”

She paused for a moment and then added, “Tell my parents as well; I will still miss them.”

After saying that, she walked toward the boarding gate without looking back.

Chu Xia and the others only saw her straightened back, her graceful silhouette.

Once Jiang Zhiyi was completely out of sight, Qian Ran’s expression suddenly dimmed, and he seemed to carry a sense of dejection.

Cen Zhengnian patted his shoulder, understanding his feelings because he had also experienced the taste of farewell many times.

“I’m fine,” Qian Ran said with a smile, “I just haven’t adapted yet.”

After sending off Jiang Zhiyi, it was time for Chu Xia, Cen Zhengnian, and Cen Huai’an to head back to the capital.

Once again, it was Qian Ran who sent them off.

He smiled a bit sadly, saying, “Yesterday I sent Zhiyi off, today I’m sending you. In just a few days, my place will suddenly be so quiet. I won’t adapt when I go back.”

Chu Xia laughed and said, “Isn’t your home also in the capital? You can go back with us.”

Cen Zhengnian nodded in agreement: “Chu Xia is right.”

Cen Huai’an also comforted him, saying, “Uncle Xiao Ran, Uncle on the phone also said he misses you a lot.”

“Let’s wait a few days; I still haven’t finished dealing with things in Yangcheng.”

Qian Ran appreciated their kindness, but he truly couldn’t return to the capital right now.

The trip in Yangcheng ended with a mix of thrilling adventures and leisurely shopping.

When Chu Xia returned home, she felt the fatigue of going out and just wanted to lie in bed and sleep without getting up.

Cen Huai’an wasn’t tired at all; in fact, he was particularly energetic. He held onto the things he learned at the factory, clutching his materials, and went back to his room to study.

Chu Xia half-lay on the sofa, not wanting to move. The only thing that moved was her eyes, following Cen Huai’an’s figure.

“Young people are really great,” she commented.

Cen Zhengnian chuckled softly at her words, shaking his head and saying, “You’re still young, too.”

Chu Xia replied, “I can’t compare to An’an, who is like the rising sun.”

After resting for a bit, she finally gathered some energy to get up and take a shower.

While taking a bath, she accidentally fell asleep in the bathtub due to exhaustion.

It was only when Cen Zhengnian noticed she had been in there for too long and thought something was wrong that he entered the bathroom, discovering she had fallen asleep in the bathtub.

Fortunately, it was summer, and he found her early; the water in the tub hadn’t gone cold yet.

Chu Xia woke up when Cen Zhengnian picked her up. However, she was still too sleepy.

Upon opening her eyes and seeing him, she groggily closed them again.

Cen Zhengnian bent down and kissed her forehead. “Sleep; I will tidy up the bathroom.”