His gaze was open and sincere, full of respect and attentiveness.

Song Ran's heart inexplicably skipped a beat. For a moment, her mind went blank, and she nearly forgot what she was going to ask.

She hurriedly looked down at her notebook, the pen in her hand underlining the first question twice as if to relieve her stress. She asked again, "What were your main responsibilities in this operation?"

Li Zan answered, "Mine clearance, bomb disposal, and explosion prevention."

"What does mine clearance entail, specifically?"

"Clearing a path through a minefield."

"A layman's understanding of mine clearance might be completely clearing all the mines from a minefield."

"In practice, that's very difficult, so we usually don't do it that way. The cost of planting mines is low, while the cost of clearing them is high, requiring a significant investment of manpower and resources. Generally, just clearing out a safe zone is enough." When he answered her questions, he looked at her very seriously, his gaze never wavering for a moment. He was a little more solemn than the usual gentle, smiling Ah Zan.

Song Ran met his gaze, trying hard to focus her attention.

"How high would you say the danger level for this task is?"

"You could say it's simple, but you could also say it's dangerous. Once you're proficient in the procedure, you just need to follow the steps. But the process of finding mines is long and tedious, making it easy to become complacent and careless."

She nodded, her arm a little sore from holding the microphone up the whole time. "Besides these, are there any other types of missions you've carried out during your peacekeeping duties in Dongguo that you can disclose?"

"Mainly protecting civilians, Doctors Without Borders, the Red Cross Society..." Li Zan was halfway through his answer when he glanced at the microphone in her hand. He shifted his posture slightly and smoothly took the microphone from her, holding it by his side. "Investigating internal security threats in the city, such as bombs, suicide attacks..."

He performed this series of small actions very naturally, his eyes still fixed on her as he calmly continued his account.

But her heart was like the surface of a lake brushed by a gentle breeze, rippling slightly. She lowered her head to look at her notebook again. After a brief moment to compose herself, she looked up at him once more and proceeded to the next question.

The interview wasn't long, nearing its end after seven or eight minutes.

Only the last question remained. "Will you participate in the war?"

"It's hard to say for certain right now; it depends on how the situation develops. If we were to participate, we would need authorization from the Dongguo government. At this stage, we are still focused on international aid and peacekeeping matters."

After he finished answering, he met her gaze calmly for two seconds, then slowly smiled. Relaxing, he pointed to the notebook in her hand and said, "If I remember correctly, that was the last question?"

"You have a great memory. Yes, it's over." Song Ran relaxed her shoulders. "Thank you for your cooperation."

"You're welcome." He handed the microphone back to her. She took it and switched it off.

"That's all. You can go now," she said, turning to cap her pen, close her notebook, and coil the microphone cable.

Li Zan didn't leave. He pointed at the tripod and camera, saying, "Does this need to be put away?"

Song Ran felt a bit embarrassed and quickly said, "I can pack it up myself."

Li Zan pointed to a button. "Turn it off here?"

"...Mm," she nodded.

He turned off the camera, put on the lens cap, and picked up the camera with one hand and the tripod with the other. Seeing this, she went forward to help. "Turn it clockwise..."

She accidentally brushed against his hand and immediately pulled back as if she'd received an electric shock.

He seemed not to notice, quickly separating the equipment from the stand.

Song Ran took the camera and put it in her bag. Li Zan folded up the tripod and asked casually, "Can I interview you for a moment?"

His words caught her off guard, and she stared blankly. "What?"

"Are you the only one from your station in Galuo?"

"That's right."

Li Zan thought for a moment and said, "On TV, I see the studio switch to an on-location shot, a live connection. You'd need two people for an outdoor report, right? One to film and one to speak."

"One person can manage," Song Ran said with a laugh. "You just have to set up the camera angle. It's pretty much like taking a selfie."

"So you're the on-screen talent and the director."

"Mhm." Song Ran finished packing up the microphone, voice recorder, and other miscellaneous items. "Camerawoman, editor, satellite transmission... that's all me too."

He finished folding the tripod, handed it to her, and suddenly smiled. "You're not quite what you seem."

She paused. "How am I different?"

But he didn't say, just smiled.

She finished packing her large backpack. He returned the chair to its original position, and they said their goodbyes at the door.

"Goodbye."

The two went their separate ways.

She had walked some distance before she unconsciously glanced back. His figure was receding further and further into the sunset.

The air was still hot, and the sunlight on her skin still had a fiery strength.

Song Ran put on her hat and mask and walked silently toward the hotel, carrying her huge bag.

The streets were bustling with people and traffic. Galuo City was lively in the evening, and shops were open to welcome customers.

Six months ago, a foreigner like Song Ran would have attracted a lot of attention, but now, with reporters and volunteers from all over the world flocking to the country, the locals were used to it.

Passing a grocery store, she was surprised to find apples. She hadn't seen fruit in a long time. When she went up to ask, they were actually twenty US dollars each.

It was just a very ordinary apple, not even a particularly good variety.

"Can you make it a little cheaper?"

"No can do. If this were in Ale City, it'd be a hundred dollars."

Song Ran stood in front of the shop agonizing for a long time before finally buying one.

Back at the hotel, she ran into Sasin. Seeing the apple, Sasin exclaimed dramatically, "Wow! A rich Chinese person."

As soon as Song Ran returned to her room, she started organizing her footage. From the mine clearance in the field to the debriefing of the small training exercise, Li Zan on camera always appeared patient and serious. Even at noon when he was sweating profusely from the heat, there wasn't the slightest hint of impatience or slackness.

When she got to the interview part, she noticed that after Li Zan took the microphone, he held it low by his leg, keeping it out of the shot.

So thoughtful.

She felt she was becoming obsessed; the smallest detail was enough to romanticize him.

She finished editing the video that same night and took it to Luo Zhan for review before sending it back to her home country.

Early the next morning, she went to the base, deliberately taking a detour around the training grounds, her head lowered the whole way as if she didn't want to see anyone.

Luo Zhan was quite satisfied after watching the video. There was nothing that needed to be changed or cut, except for one small detail. "His title is military officer, not police officer. To be more specific, it's Second Lieutenant Li."

"My apologies." Song Ran was mortified, not expecting to have made such a basic mistake.

Luo Zhan didn't mind at all. After watching the last short segment of Li Zan's interview, he even joked, "If this part airs, I'm afraid a bunch of young girls will be asking about him."

Half a month ago, one of Song Ran's videos featured a good-looking officer, and the TV station received many calls after it was broadcast. It had become a running joke.

In the video at that moment, Li Zan was upright and handsome, approachable and gentle. The station's phone lines would probably be flooded, but it would be useless. 'He has a girlfriend,' Song Ran thought.

She quickly sent the video files back to her country. Before long, she received a reply from her editor-in-chief, saying the content was excellent.

With this week's regular assignment completed, she had a few days' breathing room.

For three days straight, Song Ran didn't go to the base, not even once. She even avoided the streets near it.

On the weekend, she went out on the streets to relax and also to find material for her Chronicles of Dongguo.

Since it was the weekend, there were many pedestrians on the streets. Shops big and small were open for business. The Bazaar was piled high with fabrics, spices, perfumed powders, and handicrafts, a riot of color that assaulted the pedestrians' senses.

Song Ran wandered among the stalls and found that prices had doubled since a month ago. The merchants, seeing a foreign face, were all eager to attract her business—the locals could hardly afford daily necessities anymore.

However, Song Ran was a poor foreigner and could only take photos. The vendors didn't mind; they even mugged for the camera, winking and laughing heartily.

Song Ran left the Bazaar and passed a temple. Inside, many people were kneeling in prayer, some chanting scriptures. She couldn't understand the words, but she took off her shoes and went in anyway, sitting on the smooth, multicolored stone floor with her chin in her hands, frowning in thought.

The magnificent hall, the pillars covered with murals, the devoutly praying civilians... Outside the high dome were dilapidated residential buildings.

Song Ran realized she was an observer. Perhaps she could appreciate the solemnity and sorrow of this moment, but she could not empathize with the weary waiting and despair beneath their calm lives.

Or, as Sasin had said, she was like those other foreigners, more of an "experiencer"—experiencing their desperation, observing their suffering, pitying and sympathizing, and then going home to continue living happily. That was all.

The coolness of the stone floor seeped into her legs. She got up and left.

Stepping out of the temple, the glaring sun hit her face like needles. She rubbed her cheeks vigorously and looked up to see a splash of blue-green camouflage in the gray bleakness ahead.

A few patrolling Chinese peacekeepers were standing in a shady spot, drinking water, chatting, and taking a short break.

Song Ran recognized Li Zan's figure among the silhouettes at a glance.

He stood casually at an angle, which made his legs look even longer. He held a half-finished bottle of mineral water in one hand, while his other hand toyed with the cap, tossing it lightly and catching it. He was watching his comrades, listening to them talk. When he heard something interesting, he laughed, revealing his white teeth.

Midway through his laugh, he casually glanced back down the street and saw Song Ran. He tilted his head slightly to get a better look at her. Perhaps because he was in a good mood, he smiled and gave a slight nod of his chin in greeting, waving at her with the small bottle cap held between his thumb and finger.

Such harsh sunlight, such an oppressive and dreary city, yet his smile was like the only splash of color in a black-and-white world.

Song Ran was completely unprepared. Her heart felt as if it had been struck by something warm and powerful, a solid impact she couldn't escape.

But she wanted to flee, to pretend she hadn't seen him, to turn and walk away. But the whole group had spotted her and were waving. "Reporter Song!"

Song Ran had no choice but to smile and walk over.

"Reporter Song, what a coincidence," Li Zan asked with a smile.

Song Ran smiled back, her gaze sweeping over everyone. "Just out for a stroll."

"Strolling with such a heavy bag?" Li Zan pointed to her back.

She looked up to meet his eyes, pursing her lips. "Just in case I need it... What are you guys doing here?"

"Our patrol brought us here. Taking a little break," said the soldier Jiang Lin. "Reporter Song, how come we haven't seen you these past few days? Where'd you run off to?"

"I had other interview assignments... and a lot of articles to write."

"Really? We've missed you after not seeing you for a few days," Jiang Lin joked.

Song Ran was amused and chuckled. "Nonsense!"

"It's true," the young soldiers all chimed in good-naturedly. "Come hang out with us more when you have time."

Li Zan stood to the side, slowly drinking his water, not saying anything.

After a few more words, the soldiers gathered together, ready to continue their patrol.

Everyone said goodbye to Song Ran one by one. Li Zan was at the back of the group. As he passed by her, he said:

"We're off."

He handed her an unopened bottle of water. Song Ran caught it reflexively, and before she could say thank you, he had already walked past her. He glanced back and added, "Don't wander into any unfamiliar places."

Song Ran cradled the water and said, "Oh."

She was indeed thirsty. She twisted open the cap and drank more than half the bottle.

Looking back, she saw that Li Zan hadn't gone far.

He was carrying a mineral water bottle and walking in the direction of the temple when a small begging child walked towards him, looked up, and said something. The little one didn't even reach his thigh.

Li Zan stopped and bent down to ask what he wanted.

The child was barefoot, his hair a messy nest, his clothes ragged. He stretched out a grimy little hand and pointed at the water bottle in Li Zan's hand.

Li Zan gave him the water and walked away.

After taking a few steps, he looked back and saw the child standing there, struggling to twist the cap off.

He walked back and unscrewed the cap for him.

The child held the bottle with both small hands, tilted his head back, and gulped down the water.

Song Ran looked up from her camera and only saw Li Zan's retreating back.

Her heart was quiet. She turned to leave, when suddenly a man darted across her path, nearly running into her.

She jumped in fright, but the man didn't apologize. Instead, he shot a fierce glare back at her before quickly getting into a van parked by the roadside.

That look frightened Song Ran; her intuition told her something was wrong.

But the van was already heading toward the temple. There were high stone steps at the temple entrance, and also Dongguo patrol soldiers from Galuo City. But... past the temple in that direction was the Grand Bazaar, which was full of people.

Song Ran was afraid she was being too sensitive, but if...

She watched the van drive away. In her urgency, she yelled out in the middle of the street, "Officer Li! The van!"