“Professor, if possible, I would like to go with you.” Wen Ruan was the first to step forward and responded firmly.
Before coming, Wen Ruan had made plans, thinking that everyone would go directly to the war zone, but she did not expect that Oliver would give everyone a choice.
However, there are a few classic Chinese sayings that have stood the test of time. In many situations, simply uttering those four words can almost quell all conflicts and help one make many choices.
“Since we’re already here, and the wedding is already done, it’s the New Year, early in the morning, a holiday, and it was all just a joke. Don’t take it too seriously. He’s not a bad person, he’s just immature. Just make do, what else can you do? That’s just how he is…” Wen Ruan collectively referred to these as the “Since we’re already here” series.
At this moment, the fatigue from the long flight made it difficult for her to keep a clear mind, and she could only respond according to her most instinctive thoughts.
When Wen Ruan announced her decision, the other three senior brothers and sisters looked at her in shock, somewhat unable to believe that she had made such a quick decision, and such a courageous one at that.
“Very good, dear Wen, I believe you have made the right choice, but there’s no need to worry too much about safety. As long as we are careful and nothing unexpected happens, we will all be safe and sound.” Oliver said firmly.
Then his gaze fell on the other three. Although time was running out, Oliver did not urge them. Finally, a military green SUV arrived to pick them up, and Andy stepped forward.
“Professor Oliver, I would like to join you. I hope I can gain something from this trip,” Andy said bravely.
"I believe this journey will not disappoint you, dear warrior."
“Now, Wendy and Andy will be going to the war zone with me, while Cynthia and Orion will stay in the safe zone.”
"I'll be speaking with the Red Cross staff in a bit. Would you like to join them and do what you can? This is a very meaningful thing, and I believe you'll gain something from it. It will greatly benefit your professional development." Oliver showed no dissatisfaction with the group's choice and instead actively encouraged them.
Oliver spoke with the driver who came to pick them up, then headed ahead to catch up with the group of Red Cross personnel who had flown in on the same plane as everyone else. Oliver happened to recognize the person leading the group.
The two quickly communicated, and Cynthia and Orion followed the group, while Wen Ruan and Andy followed Oliver into the car.
The vehicle weaved back and forth between main roads and side streets. The road conditions were very bad and the ride was very bumpy. Even Wen Ruan, who never gets carsick, started to feel nauseous and uncomfortable under these conditions. Andy, needless to say, had already taken advantage of the driver's rest time to get out of the car and vomit.
After a bumpy four-hour journey, we finally arrived at a camp.
Wen Ruan initially thought that the group had finally reached their destination.
However, from the back of the car, the conversation between Oliver and the driver in the front seat seemed to indicate a different story.
According to the driver, the group would first arrive at a government army unit, and then follow one of the units to the war zone.
They were about to deliver food, drinking water and other supplies to civilians in the war zone.
Due to the various blockades imposed by the rebels, the lives of the civilians inside were extremely miserable, with medical care, food, and even basic drinking water being unavailable.
Along the way, the driver kept advising Oliver and his two companions not to go there, saying that it was dangerous and that life there was extremely difficult.
“We came here not to seek stability, otherwise wouldn’t it have been better for us to stay in our own country?”
"Here, the goal is to uncover the truth behind all sorts of things. We can't just stay in the study and immerse ourselves in theoretical learning. Without firsthand experience and observation, it's difficult to achieve anything meaningful..."
Although Professor Oliver was ostensibly responding to the driver, he kept glancing at Wen Ruan and Andy sitting in the back row through the vehicle's front-view mirror.
The two nodded in agreement without prior arrangement.
After the group arrived at the camp and got off the vehicle, the driver took them to the location of the unit's commander, and the two sides were introduced to each other.
The commander was not particularly surprised by the arrival of the three, as this was the second group of scholars he had received.
Surprisingly, the previous team of scholars also consisted of three people: a teacher and three students. They came here, joined a military hospital, and stayed for more than half a year. They have not left yet and have helped save many lives. Everyone is very grateful.
Therefore, when facing Oliver and his two companions, the commander was very polite. After listening carefully to their thoughts, wishes, and needs, he did not try to dissuade them. Instead, he told them to always remember to stay with the team when they were on missions.
A team is expected to enter the civilian area tomorrow morning, and the three of them can accompany them.
He then found a soldier and asked him to help find a place to settle and take care of the three of them, and to let them know in advance when they set off at dawn the next day.
The three were quickly settled in. Since there were no female soldiers in this camp, and Wen Ruan was the only woman, a separate tent was arranged for her.
Oliver and Andy were in the same tent, right next to Wen Ruan's tent.
After everything was settled, Wen Ruan was finally able to lie down. At this moment, listening to the sound of soldiers patrolling back and forth in neat steps outside, she felt no fear whatsoever, only endless peace.
Wen Ruan crossed her arms behind her head, her eyes fixed on the top of the tent in the darkness, thinking of her family far away, and gradually drifted off to sleep...
The next day, just as dawn broke, Wen Ruan was awakened by a series of hurried footsteps. She dressed herself and got ready to see what was going on.
As soon as I stepped out of the tent, I saw that Oliver and Andy also seemed to have just gotten up, their hair all sticking up. Oliver, who usually paid attention to his image, didn't care at all at this moment.
Just as the three were wondering what to do, the soldier who had entertained them the night before quickly ran over and told them to get ready and have breakfast as soon as possible before setting off for their destination.
After hearing the soldier's words, the three men perked up and hurriedly returned to their tent to pack their belongings.
After packing her belongings, Wen Ruan carefully washed her face, combed her hair, and then took out the small mirror she had brought from her luggage to examine herself closely.
I couldn't help but mutter to myself with a touch of self-deprecation, "Perhaps for a long time to come, today will be the cleanest and tidiest version of myself..."
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