However, it wasn’t until seeing him off that she discovered Zhi Hua Lin Wanping was going with him.
“Why didn’t you tell me she was going too?”
He spoke casually, “I didn’t think there was anything to say about it. Wanping is going to Hong Kong to visit relatives. We’re just traveling together.”
She wasn’t one to make unreasonable scenes, but watching their backs walk into the customs together, an inexplicable sourness and unease rose in her chest.
The next day, a official vehicle from the International Criminal Police Headquarters in Lyon, France was attacked by a bomb. The four police officers aboard couldn’t escape and all perished, including three who were Shi Xuan’s father and two brothers.
That thunderous explosion instantly shattered a corner of Shi Xuan’s world, instantly depriving her of all her beloved family.
Huang Yingzhang and Jiang Zhiqi accompanied her to identify the bodies. During her most vulnerable moment, they were by her side day and night, comforting her devastated soul.
Her relationship with An Zhang was also cracked by that thunderous explosion.
“Do you have to go?”
“Yes, I must go.”
“What if I ask you not to go and stay?”
During those days in Hong Kong, An Zhang was busy handling her father’s company matters and didn’t know about her family’s incident until he returned.
Not being by her side during her most painful time, he was already full of regret. When she decided to leave without consulting him, he could sense that if she left like this, their relationship would essentially be over.
“I’m sorry, I can’t agree to that.” Her father and two brothers all worked as international criminal police. Recommended by her father’s superior, she was exceptionally allowed to train at the International Criminal Police Headquarters. She would never give up this opportunity.
“Is this the love you swore to me?” Seeing her unwilling to change her mind, he, who usually had high EQ and rarely lost his temper, was unusually angry.
“My feelings for you and my desire to become an international criminal police are two different things. It’s a rare opportunity, and I must go. I want to personally catch that bomb terrorist. He must pay for his actions.”
The International Criminal Police Headquarters discovered that the person who bombed the official vehicle was a internationally notorious hitman. No one had hired him to kill; he did this only to provoke the International Criminal Police Organization and showcase his assassination capabilities, demonstrating he could easily eliminate four international criminal police officers.
“You think you can do anything alone? Someone will naturally come to punish him. Stay. I won’t let you go.” He didn’t even want to discuss how dangerous the international criminal police work was. Once she became an international criminal police officer, they would be apart most of the time – had she even considered this?
“I must go. I want to become the best international criminal police officer. I want to catch those lawless terrorists.” She said with determination.
“You don’t mind being separated for a long time?”
“I…” She loved him deeply. He knew better than anyone. Her feelings for him over these past two to three years had penetrated her bones. Every cell in her body was inscribed with his name An Zhang. Besides him, there was no room in her eyes for anyone else.
“I will endure. After the training ends, I’ll come back. Will you wait for me?” She choked, looking at him, “Zhang, I must personally catch the person who killed my father and brothers. Every time I think about identifying their bodies, seeing their fragmented remains, you don’t know how much pain I’m in. I can’t let them die in vain.”
“To catch the criminal, you don’t need to become an international criminal police. I can find a way through connections to have someone catch him.”
“Thank you, Zhang, but I really don’t want to give up this opportunity. I’ve thought about this carefully before making my decision. I believe my father and brothers’ spirits in heaven would be happy that I’m following in their footsteps.
If I say that we’re done if you leave this time? Seeing that she was still stubborn and unwilling to change her decision, he resorted to a drastic measure.
“I’m only going for two or three years. Can’t you wait for me?” Shi Xuan felt her throat tighten, and for the first time in their three-year relationship, she was going against his wishes, yet he could actually say such a final statement.
An Zhang coldly said, “You’re too naive. Do you think this is just a two or three-year trip? Once the training is over and you become a formal staff member, your busy work will leave you no time to come back.”
“I…” She hadn’t considered this point and was provoked by his cold tone into anger. “You’re so selfish. I just want to pursue my dream. Why can’t you send me off with blessings? Why do you have to be so aggressive? I love you, but if you’re going to threaten me with a breakup, I won’t compromise.”
“So, you’re determined to go?” His indifferent gaze was like an ice blade cutting towards her.
It wasn’t just him who was displeased. Shi Xuan was also full of grievance, and with the grief of losing three close relatives, she was unwilling to back down. She spoke with a firm tone, “That’s right. I must go. If you can wait for me, I’ll be happy. If you don’t want to wait, I won’t force you.”
Seeing that she would rather lose him than change her mind, An Zhang was angry for the first time in his life.
“Fine, very well. I wish you a smooth journey.” He angrily swept his sleeve and left.
“…” Shi Xuan opened her mouth to call him back, but tears flowed before she could speak.
Not yet recovered from the grief of losing her father and brother, her beloved boyfriend not supporting her decision, a mix of bitter emotions surged up, and tears instantly streamed down her face, blurring her vision as she watched him walk out of her sight.
She loved him, loved him so much, but becoming an international criminal investigator was her dream. Couldn’t love and ambition coexist?
Did she have to choose between the two?
“Dad, tell me what I should do?” In the Shi family living room, she looked blankly at her father’s portrait.
“Are you really going to leave An Zhang like this?” Huang Ying-zhang asked in surprise as he saw her off.
Jiang Zhi-qi couldn’t help but chime in, “Yes, you worked so hard to get together with him. Once you leave, I’m afraid it won’t be long before he falls into another woman’s clutches.”
Huang Ying-zhang’s girlfriend, Xie Man-yue, also added, “That’s right. He’s such a great catch. There have never been fewer people admiring him over the years. Aren’t you worried about him being stolen by someone else?”
“If he doesn’t want to wait, can’t resist temptation, then… I have nothing more to say.” Since their falling out that day, they hadn’t seen each other or spoken on the phone.
Through Ah-zhang and the others, she indirectly let him know when she was leaving, but he wouldn’t even come to see her off. Shi Xuan thought to herself that they were probably truly finished.
Her heart ached, but she could only endure it. If their relationship was so fragile, there was no point in clinging to it.
Jiang Zhi-qi shook his head, seeing her struggle. Not wanting to make her more miserable, he said with a cheerful smile, “Don’t worry. For the sake of our friendship, I’ll keep an eye on him and report his situation to you anytime. How’s that? Considerate enough, right?”
Xie Man-yue also held her hand and said, “Yes, Shi Xuan, take care of yourself from now on.”
“Thank you,” she managed a forced smile.
“If you can’t handle it, just come back. Don’t push yourself,” Huang Ying-zhang patted her shoulder.
“Mm.” Waving to them, Shi Xuan resolutely walked towards the path she had decided on.
