35 Where will my future path lead me?

Pei Qiang is 48 years old and has been an investigative reporter for 25 years.

He was born and raised in Jingping. After accidentally joining a newspaper, he has been working in Nancheng ever since.

To him, this career is more important than anything else in life. The unique nature of his job means he never has a moment to relax, completely dedicating himself to his work to the point of not having enough energy for his family. Furthermore, his undercover work has brought him trouble. While divorce is a matter for both parties, he ultimately faces the most problems.

Pei Qiang had long since decided that wandering was his destiny, and he also hoped that the end of his life would be on the road, but he never thought that one day he would get sick.

From this we can see that people cannot be too confident in themselves. Everything is like water overflowing when it is full, and after reaching the peak, it will fall infinitely. This is the so-called law of life.

At the same time Tao Wanjia and Zhao Kuo entered the room, Pei Qiang's ex-wife, who had finished her busy work at the bedside, turned around and brought a chair for each of them.

She looked haggard. Seeing a customer coming, she washed the fruit, glanced at the hanging IV drip, and then naturally closed the door and left. "I'm going to the pharmacy to get some medicine. You two can have a good chat."

As a family member of an investigative journalist for so many years, I have always maintained these standards.

Tao Wanjia wanted to call him back, but when he turned around and saw the door was closed, he gave up. He turned back to look at Pei Qiang, who was lying on the bed in his hospital gown, but he didn't have the courage to look up.

Six months had passed since they'd last met. Pei Qiang was now emaciated, and his once signature, slicked-back hair had become dry and sparse. His face was pale and sallow, and Tao Wanjia didn't dare look him in the eye. She was afraid she'd burst into tears if their eyes met. She didn't want to feel so heavy.

But the atmosphere still fell into an eerie silence, and finally Pei Qiang spoke first.

"It's not even the memorial service yet, both of you, lift your heads up!"

He took the apple from the bedside table and threw it to the two of them, his eyes fixed on Tao Wanji's face, "Are you feeling better?"

Zhao Kuo also told him about the danger last time, but Pei Qiang was still worried when he saw her. He originally wanted to let her go home for peace and quiet, but he didn't expect that she would still be chased.

"I'm fine." Tao Wanjia's voice was a little hoarse. "But you, why did you hide such a big thing from me?"

If she had known he'd already been ill last winter when they were investigating a pyramid scheme together, she would have chosen to risk her own life rather than let Pei Qiang go with her. Feeling overwhelmed with guilt, Tao Wanjia almost hated herself for being so completely focused on her work. If she'd paid a little more attention, perhaps she would have noticed something was wrong with him sooner.

Urge him to get a physical examination earlier so that he won’t be too desperate once the disease is discovered.

"Why should I tell you? You can't perform surgery, and you can't feel the pain for me. What's the point other than making you anxious too?"

Pei Qiang said this with a strong attitude and smiled.

He has known his body very well for a long time, and there is nothing he cannot figure out. He has no regrets in life, except that there are still many things he has not completed.

"You don't have to worry about me. But you, even though you're injured like that, why don't you give up and investigate?"

Pei Qiang looked at Tao Wanjia. It wasn't that he didn't understand this disciple; it was precisely because he knew her so well that he knew she was just like him. So what if the department was disbanded? So what if they were retaliated against? Their progress never stopped because of any obstacle.

Tao Wanjia was in no mood to talk about work anymore. He looked up and saw that there was almost no liquid left in the IV bottle, so he quickly stood up and pressed the call bell.

After the nurse changed the medicine, she left. Zhao Kuo received a work call and left as well. They were the only two left in the ward. Pei Qiang took out the leather envelope that he had prepared in advance from under his pillow.

"He Qunshan, the editor-in-chief of the social news department of the Beijing News, is my schoolmate. They're in need of investigative reporters. Ahem—"

Pei Qiang's spirit, which had been maintained for a long time, finally relaxed. It felt like someone had put a knife in his throat, and every time he coughed, it was covered with blood.

He slowed down his pace and said, "This is my letter of recommendation. If you have time, go meet him."

Tao Wanjia was stunned. She looked at Pei Qiang, whose face was flushed from the violent coughing. She rarely showed her emotions, and all the way to Jingping, she had repeatedly told herself not to cry in front of him, no matter what. But as she looked at the envelope being handed to her, a myriad of complex emotions surged in her heart, and her eyes welled up with steam.

"You are in this condition, why are you still worrying about me?" She felt uncomfortable. She was more worried about Pei Qiang's health than where her future would go.

Pei Qiang took the cup of water that Tao Wanji handed to him to hide his tears. After swallowing it, the pain became even more intense. It felt like there were tens of thousands of silver needles running through his internal organs with the blood. The pain got worse with every breath.

But looking at Tao Wanjia in front of him, he still smiled.

"You are my apprentice, of course I am concerned about you."

After saying this, he waved his hand and sent her out.

"Okay, you've finished looking at me, grab your things and go."

Pei Qiang covered his mouth and nose with a tissue, not wanting anyone to see him spitting blood. Tao Wanjia, preserving his master's "stubborn" pride, turned and left.

When Zhao Kuo came back after hanging up the phone, Tao Wanjia gave him a look to signal him not to go in.

Pei Qiang's painful voice could be heard clearly from the ward through the door. The two stood by the dark wall and lowered their heads at the same time.

In the busy corridor, the two of them were silent as death.

After a long while, Tao Wanji picked up the envelope in his hand and said, "This old man is really something. He's still trying to find an opportunity for me at this time."

Zhao Kuo met her eyes and took out the tissue from his pocket.

"He's always worried about you. Every time we meet, he asks me about your situation. Even after the revenge incident, he didn't dare contact you. He always feels that it was because he insisted on doing that project that you ended up in this situation."

Tao Wanjia choked up. To be honest, if Pei Qiang hadn't been there all these years, she would have definitely not been able to do it. Others said she was reckless and only cared about herself, but every time there was any doubt, Pei Qiang told her not to care. He also told her that if even news became a timid and hesitant thing, then the world no longer needed truth.

All the vivid memories of the past have turned into silent tears at this moment.

The next morning, Tao Wanjia went to the Beijing News for an interview.

She didn't even have to think about it for too long; she had already made up her mind the moment she received the letter from Pei Qiang. Research would be her lifelong pursuit, and she would continue to move forward, carrying the weight of Pei Qiang's heart with her.

But Tao Wanjia never expected that he would be shocked by the editor-in-chief's aura when he first met him.

"I'll tell you what I have to say."

The man looked to be about the same age as Pei Qiang, but his expression was obviously not as gentle as the latter.

He looked away from the time on his watch and met her gaze sharply.

"I won't give you extra attention just because a friend introduced you. I see your ability. Things are different now. I don't care if you were a chief reporter or something else. We don't have so many titles here. Everyone speaks based on their ability. If you come in, you'll have to start from scratch, and your salary and benefits will be reduced. Can you accept that?"

Tao Wanjia hadn't expected such directness. He quickly digested the meaning of this statement and thought about how to respond. The man across from him quickly added, "But there's one thing I can promise you: I won't limit your investigation space, just like Pei Qiang did. As long as you feel—"

"I can!"

She blurted out, lowering her head slightly when she realized she had interrupted the conversation, "Sorry."

He Qunshan looked at her quietly, his sharp hawk-like eyes glimpsing her determined expression, but he still couldn't hold on. The serious mask was removed, followed by a kind smile.

"No wonder Old Pei is always so proud of having such a good disciple."

He smiled, stood up, and formally extended his hand. "I'm a bit annoying, and I always make this joke every time I interview new members. What I just said is indeed true, but don't worry, I will never let my subordinates sleep in the open."

"Welcome to the Jingxin News."

The two had a very pleasant conversation, and before leaving, He Qunshan took Tao Wanjia for a tour of the office.

She stood aside and watched the people busy and hurriedly coming in the cubicle. Past memories were awakened, and her heart, which had been silent for a long time, suddenly warmed up.

"I still have some things to deal with. Do you think the reporting time can be postponed for another two weeks?" Tao Wanjia seemed to have just remembered He Yu at this moment. Although he didn't know how to tell him, it would always be a good idea to buy more time.

He Qunshan, assuming she hadn't recovered yet, considerately agreed and then bluntly told her that everything would be up to her. Tao Wanjia was respectfully escorted out the door. The sun was warm outside, and the spring breeze was mingled with the fragrance of flowers and plants. She relaxed as never before, and the uncertainty about the future finally settled.

But the next second, she saw a familiar figure on the road outside the door.

Across the street, He Yu's eyes, which had darkened in an instant, were still caught by her at the first moment. She looked back. At a distance that was neither too long nor too short, his gaze was like a sharp sword, piercing through her.