Filled with uncontrollable rage and growing panic, Chen Ke stormed into Chen Zhuo's office, only to be told that Chen Zhuo had gone on a business trip early that morning.

Chen Ke then remembered what Chen Zhuo meant when he left home that morning by telling him to go straight home after the company and not to go to the police station. He had thought that Chen Zhuo was coming back for lunch and that was why he was being told to go straight home, but he hadn't expected that Chen Zhuo had left this morning.

He doesn't even need to think to figure out what he'd do if he left now.

Unable to find Chen Zhuo and Chen Ke, I had no choice but to go home. I don't know if it was just my imagination, but on the way back, I felt that the pedestrians on the street were in a hurry and looked anxious, as if they knew something was about to happen.

As Chen Ke approached the gate of his home, he heard Zhou Shuya's voice, which was trembling with tears, "I don't want to go. You're all here, what am I going to do abroad? I'll be in an unfamiliar place, and I'll be so lonely."

Chen Ke pushed the door open and went in. "Is Ya Ya going abroad? When did you start making the preparations?"

In later accounts of Zhou Shuya, it is said that she did study abroad, specifically in France, to learn translation. However, Chen Ke did not know the exact time. He never expected it to be now.

When Zhou Shuya saw Chen Ke, it was like she had found a savior. "Big brother, you're back just in time! I had no intention of studying abroad at all. It was just a sudden idea from my second brother that he asked Secretary Ding to talk to Mom and Dad. Big brother, please tell Mom and Dad that you've only just returned and I haven't even had a chance to get to know you yet. How can you suddenly go abroad like this!"

Ignoring Zhou Shuya, Chen Ke turned to Secretary Ding beside him and asked, "Where is Chen Zhuoren?"

Seeing Chen Ke's anxious expression, Ding Qing quickly shook his head. "I don't know about Minister Chen's itinerary. My task is to escort Miss Zhou to France."

Perhaps it was because Chen Ke's tone was too anxious and so different from his usual calm demeanor that the ever-smart Zhou Shuya immediately sensed something was wrong. "What's wrong, big brother? Has something happened to second brother?"

In these turbulent times, and with her second brother doing such dangerous things, Zhou Shuya has always been very worried.

“It’s nothing, Ya Ya. Your second brother is just away on a business trip. Listen to him and go to France. He’s already arranged a school for you there. We’ll have plenty of time to reunite when you return after you finish your studies,” Zhou Shanhuai, who had been sitting quietly to the side, suddenly said.

"Dad!" Zhou Shuya stamped her foot, her face pleading. However, Zhou Shanhuai rarely spoke on family matters and usually listened to Song Xiaowen. But once he made a decision, it was finalized and Song Xiaowen would not object.

As expected, before Zhou Shuya could even ask Song Xiaowen for help, Song Xiaowen spoke first, "Xiaoya, this is something your second brother and I discussed a long time ago, we're just telling you now. You're all grown up now, it's good that you're learning to live independently..." Song Xiaowen almost choked up when she said the last two words.

"Mom, you all clearly don't want me to go, so why are you sending me abroad? I'm not going." Zhou Shuya threw a tantrum, acting like a spoiled princess. "You three made this plan, but what about my older brother? Haven't you asked his opinion yet? Big brother, do you agree to send me abroad?"

Zhou Shanhuai and Song Xiaowen hurriedly looked at Chen Ke. This matter was discussed with them by Chen Zhuo before Chen Ke returned. At that time, they had actually given up hope that Chen Ke would be able to return. Now that the matter was urgent and Zhou Shuya was suddenly to be sent to France, Chen Ke was of course unaware of it.

Song Xiaowen was afraid that Chen Ke would misunderstand that they had excluded him without consulting him, so she quickly tried to explain. However, Chen Ke nodded and said, "Ya Ya, the outside world is vast. It's good for girls to go out and broaden their horizons. Besides, you don't need to be afraid. Secretary Ding will protect you."

As Chen Ke said this, he looked at Ding Qing. Ding Qing's heart skipped a beat, feeling as if he had been seen through. But looking at the girl's charming back, he clenched his fist and nodded, answering firmly, "Yes, I will protect Miss Zhou with my life."

Zhou Shuya was shocked that even Chen Ke agreed to let her go abroad. Already heartbroken, she felt no gratitude upon hearing Ding Qing's words, but instead blamed him for meddling. She turned around and glared at him fiercely, crying and scolding, "Who needs your protection! You're like a wooden stake, doing whatever my second brother says!"

Ding Qing didn't seem angry at being scolded. Instead, he pursed his lips awkwardly and remained silent, only a hint of loneliness appearing in his lowered eyes.

Seeing Ding Qing's reaction, Zhou Shuya became even angrier, and tears streamed down her face as if they were free.

Because she knew that no matter how much she resisted, this decision wouldn't change; she was leaving this home, leaving her doting and loving parents, her brother, her familiar friends… and going to that strange country where they spoke a foreign language…

"Waaaaah... I don't want to go... Why do I have to go abroad? I don't want to go, I don't want to see the world, I just want to be with you all... Waaaaah..."

Zhou Shuya cried her heart out, but Zhou Shanhuai and Song Xiaowen, though heartbroken and reluctant, gritted their teeth and instructed Secretary Ding to load all of Zhou Shuya's luggage into the car.

"Mom and Dad, how about we wait a few more days before we leave? My second brother is still away on a business trip. Can I wait until he comes back before I leave?" Zhou Shuya panicked when she saw Ding Qingzhen start moving her luggage. She thought she could at least stay for a few more days. How could she just leave like that?

Unable to hold back any longer, Song Xiaowen stood up and hugged Zhou Shuya tightly, tears streaming down her face. "My child, my child, God, please protect my child and keep him safe..."

"Mom, Mom, I don't want to go, I don't want to go... Mom..."

Zhou Shanhuai, who was sitting on the sofa, suddenly reddened his eyes. He wiped his face with a large hand and stood up. But with his hands behind his back, he looked ten years older in an instant.

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