"Don't worry, the leaders and Chief Gu are both fine. You should go home first; they might not be able to get back tonight." After saying this, Xiao Li handed Zhang Hongmei a note, smiled, and ran away.

Zhang Hongmei returned to the car with a worried expression. She opened the note and saw that it was written in Zhang Shouyi's handwriting, with just two words: "Rest assured".

"Wang Ying, let's go home."

Zhang Hongmei didn't eat dinner and was a little worried about them, but Zhang Shouyi reassured her that there shouldn't be any major problems. So why was martial law still in effect?

The next morning, when they still hadn't returned, Uncle Li came over and said, "Hongmei, don't worry, the curfew has been lifted."

"Well, there's no use worrying. Aunt Li, you can make the dough and steam meat buns for lunch. If they're not back for lunch, I'll go and bring them their food."

"Okay, I'll get ready if there's nothing else."

Zhang Hongmei was anxious and couldn't do anything, pacing back and forth in the living room. Wang Ying didn't know how to comfort her, but she just felt that they were not in danger.

Zhang Hongmei sat dejectedly on the stool, unable to think of any solution. "Wang Ying, I'm going to get the results."

Zhang Shouyi and Gu Chuanming did not leave Zhou Shixiong's official residence until nine o'clock.

Zhang Shouyi was a little anxious. Xiao Li came back and told him that he saw Zhang Hongmei talking to the guards outside the cordon, wanting to come in and find him. You can imagine how anxious she was.

They hurriedly returned to Xinyuan. Uncle Li heard the car and opened the door. Just as Zhang Hongmei ran to the door, Zhang Shouyi got out of the car.

Seeing Zhang Hongmei rushing towards him, Zhang Shouyi felt his heart melt. The feeling of being waited for and cared for was bittersweet and heartwarming.

Zhang Shouyi also went over and hugged Zhang Hongmei tightly, saying, "I told you not to worry, look at your dark circles."

Zhang Hongmei finally felt relieved when she saw that Zhang Shouyi hadn't changed at all and that Gu Chuanming had gotten out of the car.

"I was just worried. Neither of you came back, and I was really anxious. Let me go, honestly."

"Alright, let's go inside." Gu Chuanming took the lead and entered the courtyard.

Zhang Shouyi did not let go of Zhang Hongmei, but instead picked her up like a child.

"Let me go right now, this is so weird."

"I won't let you go, I'll just carry you inside. Be good!"

Zhang Hongmei could feel Zhang Shouyi's arms trembling. "Let go of me! I'm not a child anymore. You can't carry me. I'm heavy. Don't drop me."

Zhang Shouyi just smiled and put Zhang Hongmei down after entering the living room.

Uncle Li and Little Li had already prepared the bathwater. Zhang Hongmei wanted to help Aunt Li cook, but was refused, so she could only sit in the living room and wait.

Ten minutes later, Zhang Shouyi returned to the living room and sat down next to Zhang Hongmei.

"Hongmei, you have to have faith in me. I assure you, there will be absolutely no danger."

"Okay, I understand," Zhang Hongmei replied obediently.

Aren't you going to ask me why?

"As long as you're all alright, that's all that matters. You all have your own things to do, and even if I knew, I wouldn't understand. Just remember to protect yourselves."

Zhang Shouyi sighed, "She's really my good girl."

Gu Chuanming came in at this moment, and Zhang Hongmei walked to his side. "Grandpa, didn't you retire? Why do you still care about their affairs?"

"Hehe, it's okay. I'm just bored. Nothing will happen. Nobody will dare to do anything to me."

The meal was ready, but none of the three had an appetite and only drank porridge.

With both of them back, Zhang Hongmei felt relieved and, feeling exhausted, lay down on the bed and soon drifted off to sleep.

Zhang Shouyi and Gu Chuanming had a private talk for a while, and Gu Chuanming also rested. After all, he was getting old and couldn't deny his age.

Zhang Shouyi arrived at Zhang Hongmei's door and gently pushed it open. He could only hear her soft breathing, knowing that the girl was asleep.

Upon entering the room, Zhang Shouyi turned around and closed the door. Seeing Zhang Hongmei lying obediently in bed, he smiled, took off his coat, got into bed, and hugged his beloved girl through the blanket. He closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Zhang Hongmei was woken up by the heat. Feeling extremely tired, she opened her eyes and saw Zhang Shouyi lying on her bed, hugging her. She really wanted to slap him, but seeing his sweet sleeping face, she ultimately didn't wake him. After watching him for a while, she fell asleep again.

Zhang Shouyi was truly amazed. Looking at the sweet little girl, he revealed his most genuine smile.

When Zhang Hongmei woke up again, Zhang Shouyi said he didn't know when he had left, so he was smart enough to leave.

Dinner was dumplings, filled with tender squash and pork. Zhang Hongmei had initially thought the filling wouldn't be very tasty, but after taking a bite, she was completely won over by its delicious flavor.

Unable to restrain himself, he ate a bowl. Zhang Shouyi went even further, eating three large bowls.

After dinner, the three of them strolled in the garden to digest their food. "Hongmei, how are your grades?" Gu Chuanming asked casually, mainly because the girl was looking at him without even glancing at him, like he was a child.

Still number one.

"Hehe, my granddaughter is really something. Didn't you go to school this morning?"

"Yes, I went and picked up the admission notice. I was worried about you, so I took leave and came back."

"Silly girl, don't worry about us. We've been through thick and thin, how could anything happen to us?"

"But I just can't help worrying."

You'll get used to it.

Zhang Shouyi followed behind Zhang Hongmei without saying a word, but Zhang Hongmei could sense his good mood.

"Hongmei, when are you leaving? I think you should get ready and leave the day after tomorrow. I've also prepared the truck you requested."

"Grandpa, why are you in such a hurry to get me to leave? Is something not going well between you two lately?"

Zhang Shouyi came over and put his arm around Zhang Hongmei's shoulder. "There are some things, but they will definitely not endanger the two of us. It's just a bit troublesome, and we may be very busy."

"Are you sure there's no danger?"

"I promise!"

"I promise!"

"Alright, in that case, let's set off tomorrow. I don't want to become a weakness for either of you. You trust me too. To put it bluntly, even if something happens to Wang Ying, I'll be safe. Do you believe me?"

"Yes, I believe you."

"Hehe, of course I believe my granddaughter. In that case, let Chengzi and Wang Ying go and get the car; there's still half a truckload of rice in it."

"I understand, Grandpa. You can't drink alcohol while I'm away, understand?"

"Okay, I won't drink." Gu Chuanming smiled, sometimes being disciplined is a kind of happiness.