Sang Zhi didn’t know that a crowd of people, driven by curiosity and the desire to watch the drama unfold, was making its way there. She only felt the night heavy and the cold wind howling menacingly. But to be honest, she was also a little happy. Ever since she had saved the child, the system finally sent the long-awaited notification, reminding her that she had completed the novice task and that relevant permissions were unlocked.
If not for the presence of outsiders, she would have immediately asked about her younger brother’s whereabouts. The child she had painstakingly saved was conscious but had a defiant, almost superior attitude. Normally, someone who had just escaped death would feel fear or joy, but he displayed none of it. Nearby, the ruined and desolate land temple loomed; Wu Guan had gone off and not returned, and the boy still said nothing, which made her a little uneasy.
She nudged the little boy lying on her lap. “Don’t you feel this place is really eerie?” The only response was a weak, half-hearted hum.
After thinking it over, she decided to leave this dangerous place—but of course, she would take the “gold nugget” with her. After all her effort and energy to save him, she wasn’t about to let someone else take the credit. Although only ten years old, the boy was not light. When Sang Zhi first carried him, it felt like carrying a mountain.
The night path was difficult, and she was already exhausted. Wei Lingdong, being carried, tumbled three times along the way. Up and down, back and forth, he felt sure he would be thrown down again at any moment. Over the few-hundred-meter journey, it took at least twenty minutes with stops and starts.
Having suffered so much and seen how treacherous people could be, the boy was wary of Sang Zhi, the self-proclaimed savior. “If you want money, just tell my parents. There’s no need to treat me like this…” His voice was hoarse from just escaping death. He wanted to go, but she wouldn’t let him; she carried him yet dropped him several times. Not exactly “abuse,” what else could it be?
“It’s not abuse. If it were, I’d just leave you there. Wolves and wild dogs out at night love kids with tender skin like you. You’ve eaten too much, always thinking in conspiracies. I understand why you might dislike some people after what happened, but don’t generalize—there are still good people in the world. For example, me…”
Wei Lingdong rolled his eyes at her from her back.
After walking about a hundred meters, she saw several flickering flashlight beams and heard the sound of hurried, disorganized footsteps. The reinforcements had finally arrived. She set the boy down to fix her hair, and a few people reached them.
“This is Comrade Sang Zhi. At a critical moment, she turned the tide and saved Comrade Wei’s life,” Wu Guan praised her nonstop, practically comparing her to Hua Tuo reborn. But the couple, both over fifty and consumed with worry over their son’s safety, were too anxious to pay attention. Seeing their son standing safely before them, the mother, gathering all her strength, could no longer hold back and burst into tears. The family embraced, a tear-jerking and heartwarming scene.
The other overseas Chinese, seeing that the boy was truly alive, nodded in relief. They still didn’t quite believe traditional Chinese medicine could be so effective—they leaned toward thinking there had been a mistake, and the boy had never been in danger.
Sang Zhi was pleased, not just because the family was reunited, but also because she had “secured” the credit for the rescue. She even allowed herself a few tears of joy.
Lost in the happiness, she noticed a scrutinizing gaze and looked up to meet Jiang Yan’s eyes. Since witnessing his special abilities, she found his face oddly approachable. She happily walked over, rubbed her reddened nose, and said, “It’s so cold!”
Her skin was fair and radiant, her delicate nose red from the cold, and her sweet little dimples bloomed. She looked both charming and timid, a perfect mix of brightness and innocence. Naturally, she drew the attention of many men, including the overseas Chinese. But Sang Zhi didn’t care. After speaking, she used her cool fingers to lightly touch his hand to prove she hadn’t lied.
Jiang Yan, trying to avoid impropriety, moved his hand behind his back. Seeing her pout in a slightly wronged expression, he compromised and took off his coat for her. Well, given her major contribution, he would indulge her this once. Sang Zhi put on his coat like a child trying on adult clothes. The warmth remaining in the fabric made it feel much cozier. She beamed a huge smile. Ice cubes, rejection, whatever—he went out, she went in.
Once the family had calmed, several of the overseas Chinese colleagues asked Wei Lingdong what had happened. They asked, and occasionally glanced at the group, whispering among themselves. Their words didn’t acknowledge her as the savior—they suspected the scene was staged.
Wei Lingdong had come close to losing both his face and his life. Now, everyone here seemed like his enemy.
“I was just leaving the guesthouse when someone drugged me with a cloth. After that… I don’t remember anything.”
He was telling the truth, but in the hands of others with ulterior motives, the story had been distorted. Their eyes fell on Wu Guan—full of suspicion, appraisal, doubt, and realization. This really looked like a staged act.
The Chinese are shrewd. Fearing they wouldn’t invest, they thought to use such means.
“Director Zheng, we are very grateful for your invitation to tour the area. But after a full day’s inspection, I am convinced that it is still a place as backward, ignorant, and uncivilized as it was a hundred years ago. Therefore, we will depart tomorrow. Of course, if you are considering going abroad, I sincerely invite you and your family to come with us.”
Nowadays, Chinese people tend to think the grass is greener abroad and scramble to live a better life. He thought he was being very sincere.
Director Zheng was the head of the City Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. He waved his hands repeatedly, refusing, but inwardly sighed. See, he had long suspected it would turn out this way. It wasn’t surprising that people would think this way—after all, even the Wei couple, who had the strongest investment intentions, abandoned the idea after their son went missing, let alone others.
Wu Guan was still basking in the sense of accomplishment from saving a precious life. He hadn’t understood the malicious speculations around him. It wasn’t until he overheard the low-voiced conversations that he realized what people had misunderstood. He tried to explain, but under a barrage of continuous questioning, he stammered and didn’t know how to respond. Others also ruthlessly attacked him in English.
Sang Zhi took it all in. She had a lot of flaws, but she was fiercely protective. These soldiers could handle guns in battle, but she wouldn’t let them be verbally bullied. She stepped up to him. “Mr. Ji, right? Welcome.”
Her beauty and friendliness caught the previously complaining man off guard. He smiled charmingly and shook her hand. “Thank you.” From his demeanor, it was clear he still had the air of a suave romantic. Sang Zhi’s sudden behavior naturally drew the attention of others. Her sweet, captivating smile could easily make people assume she had lofty ambitions abroad. Jiang Yan frowned slightly.
Then Sang Zhi shifted topics. “Chinese cuisine is so diverse. I heard you love pork. You could try Dongpo pork, braised pork, shredded pork in Beijing sauce, taro-braised ribs, or Nine-Turned Large Intestines…” At first, he managed a faint smile, but soon he began to gag. Director Zheng repeatedly waved his hands, urging her to end the topic. He simply couldn’t eat pork.
The man stepped back several times. “Dear, where did you hear this mistaken information? I can’t even tolerate pork, let alone eat it.”
“Oh?” Sang Zhi feigned confusion. “It seems you can’t trust hearsay. Earlier, you recklessly speculated and insulted my companion. I thought you had some real evidence.”
The man’s expression turned embarrassed. Although internally dismissive, his Western education made him maintain his composure.
“I was careless; this is my compensation.” He took a few bills from his wallet and, without hesitation, handed them to Wu Guan. He had heard that Chinese wages were low, and the tip he gave equaled nearly a month’s salary. Wu Guan was furious, face turning red; the other soldiers clenched their fists.
At that moment, Sang Zhi pushed the money back. “In our civilized country, we don’t quibble with guests who have traveled far. But you’re different. Didn’t I just offend you? This money is my compensation for any loss you think you’ve suffered.”
If anyone had wondered about her earlier strange behavior, they would understand now. She had defended the soldier’s honor, and the method was clever. As a guest, the leaders couldn’t contest it. This female comrade had turned the situation to her advantage, maintaining the army’s dignity while subtly giving the foreign guest a gentle lesson.
With the small incident resolved, the couple prepared to take their child home. Passing by Sang Zhi, they sincerely thanked her, whether or not they had any doubts in their hearts. “It’s too late today. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone deliver gifts to express our gratitude. Thank you again to both of you.”
Sang Zhi understood their intent—angry, but not forcing it. As they passed, she added, “The young master’s life was just hanging by a thread. It wasn’t due to abuse or assault—he had an epileptic seizure and airway obstruction.”
The son had epilepsy, unknown to outsiders, especially someone like her who had never seen him. Apparently, the young master did have some skill. Wei Jingrui nodded in acknowledgment, continuing on his way.
“If I were you, I wouldn’t take him yet. In ten minutes, he could have another seizure, and besides me, no one else could save him!”