The departure was drawing nearer, and his vexation grew, so he decided to take a cold shower to calm himself.
Mid-wash, Tong An'an knocked on the door from outside: "Jing Yu, I'm coming in to grab something."
Jiang Jing Yu opened the door casually. Before he could ask what she needed, Tong An'an slipped inside and, with a giggle, locked the door.
She looked at him, still grinning, and tugged at her T-shirt, "Honey~"
Jiang Jing Yu's eyes instantly darkened.
Lying quietly on the bed, neither of them could sleep. Jiang Jing Yu played with her small hand, and Tong An'an asked him.
"This matter, consider it me owing you a favor. When I return, what compensation do you want?"
Jiang Jing Yu thought for a long time, "I lied before. Actually, I still hoped to have a child with you, preferably a girl, like you."
Tong An'an thought the same: "I want a child too, preferably a boy, like you."
"Then one boy and one girl."
"Okay. When I get back, I'll definitely try my best with IVF."
Jiang Jing Yu kissed her, "It's okay if it doesn't work out. I'll be happy raising them with you. If not, we can adopt."
Tong An'an had completely let go of the matter now and could even joke about it.
"President Jiang, does your mind have nothing else on it besides having and raising children?"
"Nothing. I'm just a common man with no grand ambitions, only wanting my wife, children, and a warm hearth."
At the airport, just past six in the morning, there weren't many people. Jiang Jing Yu accompanied her all the way to the waiting lounge, where they waited, leaning against each other.
He repeatedly reiterated survival skills for emergencies to her. Only when the announcement for passengers to board came did the atmosphere suddenly turn sorrowful.
He gripped Tong An'an's shoulders and looked her in the eye sternly.
"There's something I've been wanting to tell you for a long time, but I was afraid of scaring you. But now I have to say it."
"Tong An'an, remember this: if a situation arises where they're not after money, but only sex, do not resist."
"Always keep a few condoms nearby. If such a situation occurs, the only demand is that the perpetrator must use that."
"I don't care about anything else, as long as you can return safely. Do you remember?"
He had always expressed great support for her going to South Africa, and Tong An'an's thoughts had been simple, so she hadn't fully grasped the seriousness of the situation.
Until this moment, she truly felt a bit panicked, truly realizing she would be entering a very terrifying place alone. She was genuinely scared.
She shook her head in a panic, "Don't tell me these things, I'm scared..."
Seeing the panic in her eyes and her trembling voice, Jiang Jing Yu was firm and stern.
"No crying. You're not a three-year-old child. From the moment you made your decision, you should have considered every possibility. Since you've decided to go, do it well, and don't disgrace me."
"Honey..."
"It's too late to regret it now. Remember to call me every day. If anything happens, tell your colleagues first, or tell me. That's it, you can go now."
Growth requires a price.
Some prices must be personally experienced and paid to be truly understood.
Tong An'an knew that Jiang Jing Yu couldn't protect her forever. Even though she was panicking, she had to be strong.
Only at the moment of parting could she truly grasp how reluctant she was to leave.
She kept looking back, step by step, step by step. She had already reached the staff member when she couldn't help but rush back.
Jiang Jing Yu stepped forward a few paces, and they embraced tightly. She choked back a sob.
"I'll do well. I won't back down, and I won't disgrace you. Wait for me."
"Okay. Be good, go now."