"Shen Tingzhou? Are you there?" Lin Wanqiu called out in a low voice, feeling a little nervous.
"I'm here." Shen Tingzhou's voice came from behind the tree. He quickly walked out, holding a flashlight. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
When Lin Wanqiu saw Shen Tingzhou, a wave of grievance and unease washed over her: "This morning I met a strange man at the village entrance. He said he was a distant relative of Grandpa Wang, named Lao Zhao, but Grandpa Wang said he didn't know him at all. He also asked me if beans were easy to buy, and avoided the topic of you. I felt something was off about him; it was like he was testing me."
Shen Tingzhou's expression immediately turned serious: "Old Zhao? What does he look like? What clothes is he wearing?"
Lin Wanqiu described Old Zhao's appearance and clothing in detail. After listening, Shen Tingzhou frowned even more: "I know this person. He's an informant for enemy agents, and he's been tracking my whereabouts. Luckily, you didn't say much to him, or you would have been in danger."
"An informant of enemy agents?" Lin Wanqiu was startled. "Could he be a threat to us and Grandpa Wang?"
"Not for now. He hasn't confirmed my identity yet, so he won't act rashly," Shen Tingzhou reassured him. "However, we need to be more careful in the future. Try not to act alone and don't talk to strangers. Don't worry, I'll have someone keep an eye on him and won't let him harm you."
Lin Wanqiu nodded, still somewhat worried: "So what are you planning to do next? Will you continue to hide your identity?"
“Well, it’s not time to reveal our identities yet. I need to investigate the enemy agents’ conspiracy and find the mastermind behind it all.” Shen Tingzhou looked at Lin Wanqiu with a guilty look in his eyes. “Wanqiu, I’m sorry that you and Nian’an have suffered.”
"I'm not wronged. As long as my family is safe and sound, I'm not afraid of anything." Lin Wanqiu looked at Shen Tingzhou with a determined expression. "If anything happens in the future, you must tell me, and we'll face it together."
Shen Tingzhou grasped Lin Wanqiu's hand; it was cold, yet strong. He nodded emphatically, "Alright, we'll face this together. It's getting late, you should go back now, lest Nian'an wakes up and can't find you."
Lin Wanqiu nodded and turned to walk back. Shen Tingzhou watched her figure disappear into the night, his eyes filled with determination—he would find out the truth as soon as possible, so that Lin Wanqiu and Nian'an could live a peaceful life, and he would never let them suffer any more injustice.
A gentle night breeze rustled the old pine needles, as if cheering on the couple who had weathered many hardships together. Lin Wanqiu walked home, still somewhat worried, but also more confident—with Shen Tingzhou by her side, and with their joint efforts, they would surely overcome all difficulties and usher in their own bright future.
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