Over the past two months since returning to East Asia, Song Ran’s life had become exceptionally vibrant and fulfilling. Every day, she absorbed new knowledge and experiences like a sponge. One day, as she shared with Jiang Lin the simple joy of rinsing her hair with rice water outdoors, an unexpected figure, Li Zan, quietly appeared in her line of sight.
Song Ran looked up in surprise, her eyes meeting Li Zan’s. She hadn’t anticipated encountering him at this moment. Li Zan approached her with a gentle smile, softly asking if she needed a comb. This sudden act of kindness warmed Song Ran’s heart like a soothing stream.
Under Li Zan’s guidance, Song Ran entered his dormitory. The room was simple and tidy, exuding a sense of masculine order and discipline. Li Zan took out a brand-new towel from the cabinet, intending to hand it to Song Ran. However, Song Ran hesitated, not wanting to trouble him with her presence. She softly declined the towel, only asking to borrow a comb, fearing she might accidentally dirty it. Li Zan smiled and nodded, handing her the comb.
As Song Ran combed her wet hair, she curiously asked Li Zan why he was here. Li Zan explained that he hadn’t yet completed his required volunteer hours and had only taken a temporary break. Now, he had returned to this challenging yet opportunity-filled place to continue fulfilling his mission.
Hearing Li Zan’s explanation, Song Ran felt a surge of admiration for him. She quickly gathered her things and prepared to leave. Seeing Song Ran in a hurry, Jiang Lin asked with concern what was wrong. Song Ran smiled and shook her head, saying she was fine.
The next day, Song Ran followed Li Zan and his team to a demining operation. Jiang Lin worriedly reminded Song Ran to be careful and not to venture onto unmarked paths. Li Zan, on the other hand, joked that if anything happened, it would be Jiang Lin’s responsibility. Jiang Lin chuckled helplessly and assigned Song Ran to Li Zan for the day, entrusting her safety to him.
During the demining mission, Li Zan demonstrated exceptional professionalism and composure. He敏锐地 discovered a grenade hidden beneath a landmine and quickly directed his teammates to retreat. Song Ran nervously documented the scene, while Li Zan meticulously disarmed the grenade. Noticing Song Ran filming, he smiled and took the camera, personally capturing this tense yet precious moment for her.
As they worked, a doctor rushed over, explaining that she needed to enter the village to retrieve serum to save a patient. However, Jiang Lin firmly opposed, as the area was still being cleared of explosives and entering would be too dangerous. The doctor anxiously explained that the hospital had run out of serum, and the only supply was in the village clinic. She estimated it would take her ten minutes to retrieve it, but if she couldn’t get it within half an hour, the patient’s life would be at risk.
Hearing the doctor’s plea, Li Zan immediately stepped forward, offering to help retrieve the serum and asking for the patient’s name. Song Ran quickly handed him a notebook, and the doctor wrote down the name. Recognizing Song Ran’s identity, the doctor introduced herself as Pei Xiaonan, a physician.
Suddenly, an explosion echoed in the distance, causing Song Ran’s heart to tighten. However, Jiang Lin calmly explained that it was likely Li Zan disarming another explosive. Shortly after, Li Zan returned safely with the serum. Pei Xiaonan gratefully thanked him, and an elderly man approached, expressing his gratitude to Li Zan for saving his life and offering snacks as a token of appreciation. Although Li Zan didn’t particularly enjoy snacks, he accepted them, knowing it would make the old man happy.
During a break in the demining operation, Song Ran noticed two children playing. A young girl named Xiya approached her for help, explaining that a boy had taken her ring. Song Ran patiently listened, learning that the ring was a wedding gift from Xiya’s mother and held great sentimental value. However, the boy insisted the ring was his, leading to a heated argument.
Xiya told Song Ran that she wanted to learn demining because her dog had been killed by an explosion. Coincidentally, Li Zan had found a stray dog and given it to her as a comfort. When Xiya asked Li Zan if he would miss the dog, he gave her his badge as a token, telling her she could always find him with it. Song Ran silently observed this exchange, her admiration for Li Zan deepening.
Meanwhile, the team leader expressed his desire to go to East Asia to the director. At the same time, Song Ran was preparing an interview plan, aiming to speak with a demining expert. Jiang Lin suggested interviewing Li Zan, but Song Ran, feeling shy and nervous, hesitated to take the initiative.
