So even as the year drew to a close, Qiao Jie and his brother didn't leave. It wasn't that they weren't in a hurry, but rather that they wanted to wait for their child to come back so they could go home together.

When Jiang Qiao appeared at their doorstep, the three elderly people felt as if they were dreaming.

They grabbed Jiang Qiao and wouldn't let go, wiping away tears, and asking her what had caused her to disappear for so long.

Gu Zhixuan's eyes reddened as he stood to the side. In this atmosphere, he actually wanted to cry too, but he was a man and couldn't shed tears.

Jiang Qiao hugged each of them. "Grandpas and grandmas, I'm back safe and sound. Nothing serious happened. There was a little trouble before, but it was resolved later. I just helped someone out with some things, and now I'm all done with it. How are you all?"

The old men nodded. "You're doing well. With your friends taking care of you, you don't have to worry about anyone trying to take advantage of you. You haven't eaten yet, have you? Let's get some food ready."

Deng Mei and Ma Liu were busy preparing food for Jiang Qiao, which gave Gu Zhixuan time to have a proper chat with his younger sister.

Jiang Qiao remembered her promise. "Brother, congratulations on getting into university. I wasn't even home, but I remember what I promised. This is for you—"

He took out the camera he had prepared beforehand from his bag and handed it to Gu Zhixuan.

Gu Zhixuan never expected that his cousin would actually keep her word. It was just a joke at the time, after all, this thing was very expensive and not something that ordinary people could afford.

He's been here for so long, and he's been to big shopping malls before. He's seen the price of this camera; it's very expensive. How could his sister just give it to him like that?

Jiang Qiao noticed her older brother's embarrassed expression. "Take it. Since I promised, I will definitely do it. Practice more in the future. I'm entrusting you with the family photos. Record more of the surrounding scenery. Maybe, many years later, they will be the most precious memories."

Qiao Jie smiled and nodded, "I think it's a good idea, Zhixuan, keep it. Your sister is giving it to you sincerely, listen to your sister."

The old man was most concerned about how Jiang Qiao had spent the past year. This girl had been wandering around outside for so long, and he wondered what she had been doing.

He usually only receives packages and letters, and doesn't write much, but he's genuinely curious.

Jiang Qiao washed up, then sat down to eat and chatted with everyone about what had happened outside recently. Of course, she didn't mention the dangers, but just talked about things that everyone would enjoy hearing.

"Grandma Deng, why don't you and Grandpa Li come back with us for the New Year?"

Deng Mei smiled and shook her head. "No need for that. My eldest brother and your sixth grandfather have been with us for a long time, and it's time for them to go back. Anyway, Zhixuan is here with us most of the time. You go back and have a good New Year. It's lively here too."

"Those children will be coming over to wish us a Happy New Year later, so you don't need to worry about us, the old folks."

Jiang Qiao is back, and the old man and the others can't sit still anymore, especially Gu Zhixuan. He's been away from home for half a year, and this is the first time he's been away from home for so long in his life. He's more anxious to go back than anyone else.

So, during dinner that evening, they started discussing when to go home. "We've bought almost everything. You should rest for a couple of days first, and then we'll set off again. Hurry up and go wash up and go to bed."

After Jiang Qiao finished showering, she wasn't in a hurry to go to sleep. She took out her radio and contacted Song Shutian to find out what was going on on the other side.

However, no one from Song Shutian replied to her.

"What happened? Those people kidnapped people?"

Just as Jiang Qiao was about to go to bed, Ma Liu, who was downstairs drinking tea and chatting, came over and called her.

"Girl, someone's looking for you downstairs—"

Jiang Qiao quickly got up, dressed, and came out. "Grandpa Liu, who is it at this hour?"

Ma Liu shook his head. "I don't know him either. He said his surname is Jiang. You should go down and take a look."

Jiang Qiao thought it was somewhat unlikely, but when she got downstairs and saw Jiang Jinyu, she was first taken aback. "Director Jiang, how come it's you? What brings you here?"

Jiang Jinyu looked her up and down, then teased, "Little girl, why can't I come? You're back now, of course I have to come and check on you."

"I didn't expect you to live in such a nice place. If I hadn't asked Song Shutian, I really wouldn't have been able to find it."

Jiang Qiao quickly gestured for everyone to sit down and introduced Jiang Jinyu to her family members.

After a brief chat, Qiao Jie and the others went back to their rooms to rest, leaving the space to Jiang Qiao and his group.

The three of them knew what Song Shutian did, let alone Jiang Jinyu. Such a high-ranking official had come all that way, so he must have something important to say to his child, involving classified matters. It was best for them to avoid him.

With no one else around, Jiang Qiao immediately asked Jiang Jinyu why she had come.

"Isn't it busy over there? Did the old devil get his things stolen? Also, have you checked if there's anything wrong with the people inside? How did they know the stuff was in my hands?"

Jiang Jinyu said with some emotion, "If you hadn't done this, we really wouldn't have known that we had a spy hiding within our ranks. You've really done us a big favor; a data clerk has been arrested."

Jiang Qiao looked at Jiang Jinyu in surprise, "Which side?"

"They're not from the Japanese side. As for Sato, everything is under control."

Jiang Qiao looked up and sized her up again, then suddenly laughed. "Alright, by the way, you didn't just come here to offer your condolences, did you?"

Jiang Jinyu smiled, then took a roll of paper out of her bag and handed it to Jiang Qiao.

"This was written for you by the old commander. Take a look. Now, shouldn't you start thinking about going back to school?"

Upon seeing the inscription, Jiang Qiao sighed and said, "How did he know I didn't want to continue my studies? The news spread way too fast!"

Jiang Jinyu couldn't help but laugh. "The old chief cares about you. He was chatting with me and mentioned your college entrance exam, so I just casually brought it up."

Jiang Qiao, let alone the old chief, even I don't agree with you giving up your studies. You're so smart, you can learn anything well. You're so young, why don't you take advantage of your prime years to learn more? What do you want to do in society so early?

Let me tell you, the difference in salary and benefits between a college graduate and a high school graduate is huge. You should think it through.

Besides, given the old commander's expectations, you can't let him down, don't you think?

Jiang Qiao knew how busy Jiang Jinyu was. For such a busy person to come over at this time to say such things to her, she could feel his sincerity.

Jiang Qiao said with a conflicted expression, "I've been thinking about this before. Now that I've passed the exam, what should I study? Traditional Chinese medicine, perhaps. But given the current situation, I really don't think it's worth wasting my time."

If I study Western medicine, I'm afraid I won't have time to focus on traditional Chinese medicine. You know, a person's energy is limited, so I'm quite conflicted. Initially, I was thinking of not going to university and staying home to practice medicine while studying.