Chapter Sixteen: Disrupted Return

Before long, reporters from the local television station arrived to cover the story. Xin Gan, accompanied by a small child and dressed in a style that clearly marked her as an outsider, was also interviewed by the reporters. Instinctively, she raised her hand to shield her face—the camera was almost pressed up against her. She herself didn't mind so much, but the boy, Asongli, had never faced such a spectacle before and was so frightened he hid behind her.

She had no idea what had actually happened and couldn't provide any meaningful answers, so in the end, the reporter, unable to get much from her, moved on to interview other passersby.

As dusk fell, Xin Gan asked a police officer to borrow a phone. She still remembered Cheng Jiu's number, so losing her phone wasn't a problem. When she called, it was Xiao Shi who answered.

Upon hearing her voice, Xiao Shi hurriedly asked, "Miss Xin? Where have you been?"

"I've run into a bit of trouble here. I'd like to speak to Cheng Jiu— is he available?"

"Brother Jiu, he..." Xiao Shi hesitated, as if there was something he couldn't say. Instead, he asked, "Is there something you need?"

Xin Gan hadn't wanted to call Cheng Jiu to begin with, but this wasn't the time for pride. "I need his help. I've lost my phone and wallet and can't get back to the inn. Could you lend me some money?"

Xiao Shi quickly said, "Give me your location, I'll come find you."

Xin Gan gave him the address and returned the phone to the officer, thanking him. She then waited with Asongli near the hospital entrance.

It was Xiao Shi who arrived, driving over. Seeing the crowds outside the hospital, he said, "Miss Xin, Brother Jiu was caught up with something and couldn't make it. Let me drive you back to the inn. Who is this child?"

"He got separated from his family," Xin Gan replied.

The details of the explosion were complicated, and Xin Gan didn't explain them to Xiao Shi. She simply wanted to return to the inn. Xiao Shi, aware that she and Cheng Jiu had had a falling out, did not press her further, and drove her straight back.

At the inn, Xin Gan thanked him politely. Xiao Shi scratched the back of his head and said, "No need to thank me—it's the least I can do. Here, take this phone for now. I'll get you a new one later."

"That's not necessary," Xin Gan said, "but thank you."

Xiao Shi didn't ask any more questions. He still had things to do, so after making sure she was safely inside, he left.

Bringing Asongli back with her disrupted Xin Gan’s plan to leave in three days; she had to settle the child properly before she could leave with an easy mind.

As for Cheng Jiu, she made no further attempts to contact him.

Asongli was taciturn and spent his days holed up in the room. At night, he suffered from nightmares and often woke up crying. Xin Gan, roused from sleep, would comfort him, murmuring, "It's all right, it's all right, I'm here."

She tried to ask about his family, but he always shook his head and seemed to know nothing. Repeated questioning got her nowhere.

The next morning, Shen Ruxin called to ask about her and Cheng Jiu. Xin Gan sighed, realizing it was only a matter of time before she had to talk about it, and confessed everything to Shen Ruxin.

On the phone, Shen Ruxin was emotional. "Xinxin, do you know if your parents ever found out you'd done something like this, they'd be furious!"

"I—" Xin Gan began.

"No, I need to talk to Cheng Jiu. If he really doesn't care for you and wants to break off the engagement, then I won't oppose it. But Xinxin, this marriage was arranged by both your grandfathers, personally and solemnly. If it is to be broken off, it has to be Cheng Jiu who says so; otherwise, you'll be the one to blame!"

Shen Ruxin sighed. "But it's true Cheng Jiu hasn't shown much interest in you. That's how it always is when there's no foundation of feeling. Xinxin, come back for now, and we'll talk about the rest later. By the way, I saw on the news that there was an explosion in your area a few days ago. Were you affected?"