Throughout the trip, the family had been rather caring towards Yunyi because she had allowed them to use her bunk. As they were nearing the station, they made small talk with Yunyi and even gave her an address. The middle-aged woman named Guo Caixia smiled at Yunyi. "Do you want to come by our house to familiarize yourself with it before heading back to the county?"
Yunyi politely declined. "Not this time, I’m in a rush to report back. Next time I come to the city, I’ll definitely come visit." As they spoke, the train slowly entered the station.
They got off the train together and walked towards the exit. But as soon as Yunyi stepped out of the station, she saw Huo Jingrui standing out from the crowd. She couldn’t quite believe her eyes. "Why are you here?"
Huo Jingrui reached out to take her luggage. "I’m here to pick you up." He had wanted to surprise her, which was why he hadn’t called beforehand.
Yunyi was truly surprised. "How did you know I would take this train back?"
Huo Jingrui smiled. "Naturally, I got the news from the production crew." Yunyi then remembered that he knew the director.
The few people who had gotten off the train with Yunyi saw that someone had come to pick her up. After exchanging a few polite words, they tactfully left. Once they were gone, Huo Jingrui leaned in closer to Yunyi. "Were you surprised?"
Yunyi nodded with a smile. "Yeah, it was quite unexpected. Are you on a mission passing through, or did you come specifically to see me?"
Huo Jingrui led her to a car not far away and said as he opened the car door, "Get in first. I have something even more surprising to tell you later."
Yunyi was settled into the passenger seat. After storing the luggage, Huo Jingrui finally got into the car.
Yunyi tilted her head, waiting for him to speak. Her expectant expression clearly delighted Huo Jingrui. He decided not to beat around the bush, as he needed her cooperation. Having received approval from his superiors, he could reveal some details of his mission to Yunyi. "I’m here on assignment," he began, "currently serving as the deputy director of the county machinery factory." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⁂𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱
Yunyi, ever so perceptive, asked, "You’ve been on missions here before, haven’t you? Won’t someone recognize you?"
Huo Jingrui replied nonchalantly, "No. The people I interacted with last time were comrades sent in advance by our superiors—individuals who had proven their reliability. We were merely the mission executors and never made any public appearances."
Yunyi immediately asked, "But the people caught on the mountain saw you. Isn’t there a chance they could leak your information through some unknown channels?"
Huo Jingrui turned to her. "With a sharp mind like yours, it’s a shame you’re just a doctor." He then chuckled and explained, "Those individuals were all secretly transported back to the Capital. They’ll never have an opportunity to send out any messages."
What he didn’t mention was that those individuals wouldn’t have an easy time after returning to the Capital. Subjected to special interrogation methods, it would be impossible for them to conceal anything. Afterward, they would naturally meet the fate they deserved.
Hearing there were no lingering threats, Yunyi didn’t press further. As for the matters concerning the Ye Family, she didn’t mention them to Huo Jingrui either.
Truth be told, she didn’t dislike the members of the Ye Family. Of course, she knew not everyone would like her, and she could accept that.
The day she visited the Ye Family, nearly everyone was present. Only Ye Wenhui and Ye Wenjuan, who were in the countryside, were absent. Even her younger paternal aunt’s husband, Shao Guoping, who worked out of town, had spared no effort to return for the occasion.
When the Second Elder Grandfather of the Ye Family saw Yunyi, his eyes were filled with remorse. The welcoming gift he gave Yunyi was very precious: a complete set of jade jewelry. He presented it to her in a box, saying, "This is a small token from your Second Grandfather. You mustn’t refuse it."
Yunyi had wanted to refuse, but Elder Master Ye stopped her. "Accept it. It’s a heartfelt gesture from your Second Grandfather."