Tong An'an waited another night but those people never came to settle the score.
She didn't know what was happening outside. Exhausted, she curled up on the sofa and slept. When she woke, she continued to gaze into the distance.
It wasn't until dawn the next day that the door was pushed open again.
Following the person with three stripes was a Chinese face in a suit and tie.
Their eyes met. The man walked quickly towards her and extended his hand.
"Tong An'an, right? I'm from the embassy. I'm sorry I'm late and that you've suffered."
After a heated exchange and some pressure, Tong An'an and Manager Li were released and then transferred to a safe location.
Her phone regained network and communication. The first call she received was from Jiang Jingyu.
Hearing the voice of the person they loved again, both were choked with emotion.
After calming down, Tong An'an said, "Don't worry, I'm fine now. The embassy is arranging a plane to send us back. We'll see each other soon. We're returning home several months earlier than expected, you should be happy."
Jiang Jingyu was amused by her again. After a few seconds, he said,
"Miss Tong An'an. I didn't expect you to be so capable now. Not only are you not flustered when encountering trouble, but you also have such a sense of national righteousness. I feel like I'm not good enough for you."
Tong An'an didn't know where his words were coming from.
"How do you know I'm not flustered and have national righteousness? Maybe I was scared to death, but I just didn't tell you."
Jiang Jingyu said, "Didn't they tell you? The video you recorded was posted on the official website as a model response to the international situation."
"Not only was it widely reposted by major international media, but it was also clicked, played, and commented on by netizens worldwide. You've become a global celebrity now."
What?
Tong An'an was confused, "What video? What model response? What are you talking about?"
"I know your phone had no signal and only just connected. I'll send you the news after this call."
They hung up, and Jiang Jingyu quickly sent the news to her WeChat.
It was the farewell video recorded in the small cabin.
She had said it in a panic, not very well, and not very emotionally. How did it end up on the official website?
Perhaps it was precisely because the language was plain, simple, yet sincere, representing the voice of ordinary people, that it resonated with everyone.
Below the news, netizens from around the world expressed their aversion to war, their hope for peace, their blessings for the people here, and their admiration for Tong An'an.
As Jiang Jingyu said, she seemed to have become famous.
But then, her mother's call came.
Tong An'an had been lying to her mother, saying she was going to a developed country with excellent conditions.
After this incident, her mother finally knew where she was and what she had encountered.
When the call connected, her mother cried and scolded her.
"Tong An'an, Tong An'an, you really think your mother is old and easy to fool! You've been deceiving me for so long!"
"You went to such a godforsaken place and told me how good the conditions were. Jiang Jingyu is too much of a scoundrel!"
"Knowing that place is so dangerous, you let a young girl go alone? Does he treat you like a wife? Fortunately, nothing happened. If something had happened, how could I live!"
"Come back to me immediately! I warn you, you're not allowed to run so far away or go to such dangerous places anymore!"
"A girl should honestly get married and have children. You are our only daughter, Mom's darling. Don't you know that? If something had happened to you, wouldn't I regret letting you marry Jiang Jingyu?"
"Wuwuwu, it's too unreliable. When you get back, I'll deal with him."
Tong An'an knew her mother was just worried and afraid she would be in danger, which was why she blamed Jiang Jingyu.
After comforting her mother, Jiang Nanfang and Zhan Beijue both called her via video.
They inquired about her health, expressed their support, and said they were proud of her.
In short, it was a scare without any real danger, and Tong An'an's status in Zhan Group and the entire Zhan family was consolidated.
That evening, they boarded the plane back home. After two days of travel, they landed in Nancheng at noon.
Her parents, brother, and the entire Zhan family came to greet her. Everyone was overjoyed and wept with happiness. They had lunch together.
During the meal, they discussed the recent events and suggested that Tong An'an should not go abroad again.
Her goal of gaining experience had been achieved. She should rest and recuperate in China for a while and then seek opportunities for experience when the time was more suitable.
Tong An'an had been feeling unwell for the past few days. She didn't know if she was scared or had caught a cold from the long journey. She didn't have any appetite for dinner that night.
Facing a table full of her favorite dishes, she felt a constant urge to vomit.
She didn't want to drink plain water, coffee, or various flower teas and green teas. She just felt that her mouth was tasteless and she wanted to drink plum juice.
Jiang Jingyu had someone specially simmer a pot for her.
As they ate and talked, she quietly drank the soup beside them.
In the blink of an eye, she had drunk more than half of it by herself.
Jiang Jingyu was startled and told her to stop drinking.
"Such sour stuff, how can you drink so much at once? Your stomach can't handle it."
But she just wanted to drink it.
"Otherwise, I'll feel uncomfortable. I always feel a sour taste in my mouth, which is uncomfortable."
"You must have caught a cold and chilled your stomach. I'll take you to the hospital later."
"No need, it's nothing serious, I don't have a headache or a fever."
"Nonsense. Who says you need a headache or fever to go to the hospital? I'm telling you to get checked, so get checked."
Tong An'an knew he was worried about her, so she didn't argue. They held hands under the table, finished the meal, and after another scolding from her mother, they drove to the hospital.
The hospital was crowded in the afternoon. Jiang Jingyu wanted to use his privilege to let her skip the line, but Tong An'an didn't want to.
"Are you in a hurry to get back to the company? If not, stay with me for a while? I just want to lean on your shoulder. Even if we're just waiting boringly, it feels interesting."
Indeed, being able to spend time with the person you like, even if it's just boring waiting, doesn't feel tedious.
They sat there, waiting for their number to be called. After being questioned by the doctor and undergoing a gastroscopy, no problems were found. Then, she was told to go to the obstetrics and gynecology department.
"Obstetrics and gynecology?"
The doctor urged, "Yes. Married women of childbearing age should be screened for pregnancy. Only after ruling out pregnancy can other examinations be performed. Hurry up, or the department will close."
They went to the obstetrics and gynecology department, looking bewildered. The doctor asked her to provide urine and blood samples.
Half an hour later, the good news arrived: Tong An'an was pregnant.
They were both very shocked.
They had had check-ups at this same hospital before, and the doctor had clearly said her chances of conceiving naturally were very slim, and they were almost arranging for IVF.
The doctor explained, "Human bodily functions can change with the influence of various factors. Perhaps her condition was not good a while ago, and it has adjusted back after some time. There's no absolute certainty."