Ningzhong City.
Although winter had arrived, Ningzhong City was still bathed in bright sunshine.
As soon as they stepped off the plane, a cold wind blew in from outdoors, yet the sunlight felt warm on their skin.
"Ningzhong City has changed so much," Huo Rou squinted, looking at the sun in the sky. "The sunlight is so good."
This place was not as harsh as it used to be. Previously, it was a typical remote and poor mountainous region, considered isolated and desolate.
Now, it was completely unrecognizable from its former self.
She sighed softly, a hint of regret in her tone.
Zou Xiaoxiao walked up from behind. Seeing Huo Rou's somewhat lonely figure, she couldn't help but speak, "Ningzhong City was just made out to be more frightening than it really was."
She had visited this place with her grandfather. Ningzhong, a small area, encompassed most of the terrain and landforms of the region.
The fruits here were sweet and sour, and the vegetables from the mountains were much tastier than those from other places.
However, due to the inconvenient transportation in the past, rumors had spread, turning it into a place with a harsh environment and sparse population in people's minds.
Huo Rou looked at the bustling city in the distance, her smile fading considerably. That person must be quite comfortable staying here!
Hmph, she had only been away for a few years, and the place had become like this.
Qin Ningyi could sense the unusual emotion in Huo Rou's tone, but he couldn't figure it out. He had asked Huo Rou before, and she said she had only briefly visited once and didn't remember much.
"Let's go, I've already contacted the strawberry farm. We'll go pick strawberries and eat them!"
Zou Xiaoxiao grabbed Huo Rou's wrist and pulled her outwards.
Zhao Hengyu called out from behind, "Hey!"
He shouted loudly, not minding the crowds at the airport.
Zou Xiaoxiao turned back at him with a disgusted look. "What is it now??"
"The patient is still here!" Zhao Hengyu grumbled. "I told you we were coming here for me to relax, why are you arranging your own activities and running off?"
Zou Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes at him. "Stop pretending!"
She wasn't stupid; she could tell how much of Zhao Hengyu's grumbling was genuine and how much was fake.
If she hadn't heard him say Huo Rou would be coming, she wouldn't have bothered to follow.
Ever since Huo Rou left the project team, she felt like something was missing. Having this opportunity to meet again, she certainly wouldn't refuse.
Besides, the strawberries here were truly delicious!
Qin Ningyi looked at Huo Rou, who was being led away by Zou Xiaoxiao, with mixed feelings. He couldn't help but glance at Zhao Hengyu.
"You're dating, so why are you following me?"
Zhao Hengyu's foxy smile froze on his lips. He jumped a little and said, "Dating? Old Qin, you can't just say things like that."
Qin Ningyi observed Zhao Hengyu's evasive gaze and the unconcealed smile at the corners of his mouth. The so-called master of romance, how could he be afraid to admit his feelings at this point...
"I'm here to protect you," Zhao Hengyu tilted his head to the side. "It was Zou Xiaoxiao who insisted on coming. I'm doing this for you!"
"Since you went to that project team, your name has been leaked and many people are targeting you, don't you know that? I'm here to protect you even though I'm sick. You won't find many subordinates like me, even if you look with a lantern!"
"You're accusing me falsely, but you need to look at the facts. Look at that 'Missy,' do you think I can control her? Am I, Zhao Hengyu, someone who would fall for it?"
Qin Ningyi's lips curved into a smile. "You're quite talkative today."
"I..." Zhao Hengyu wanted to retort, but thinking about it along with Qin Ningyi's words, he realized he might have overreacted a bit.
"I can't be bothered talking to you," he let out a sigh and moved aside.
"Hey!"
As he moved a couple of steps to the side, a scream came from behind him.
Following closely were the cries of an elderly person, "My dear! My dear!"
"Help! Help!"
The airport, which had been orderly, became chaotic with the loud shouts.
Everyone turned to look in their direction.
Some kind-hearted people rushed over to offer assistance.
Zhao Hengyu frowned and touched the tools in his pocket. He didn't have any suitable weapons on him yet. He hoped no one would make a move at this time.
Qin Ningyi shook his head and walked to his side, looking towards where the crowd was gathering.
An old woman had fallen to the ground, her face pale, foam coming from her mouth, and she was convulsing uncontrollably. Her condition was very serious.