The departure grew nearer, and he was terribly restless, deciding to take a cold shower to calm himself.
Halfway through his wash, Tong An'an knocked from outside, "Jing Yu, I'm coming in to grab something."
Jiang Jing Yu casually opened the door. Before he could ask what she needed, Tong An'an slipped inside, giggling as she locked the door.
She looked at him with a smile, pulling at her t-shirt, "Husband~"
Jiang Jing Yu's eyes darkened instantly.
Lying on the bed after things had quieted down, neither of them could sleep. Jiang Jing Yu played with her small hand, and Tong An'an asked him.
"This counts as me owing you a favor. When I get back, what compensation do you want?"
Jiang Jing Yu thought for a long time. "I lied before. Actually, I still hope to have a child with you, preferably a girl, like you."
Tong An'an thought the same, "I want a child too, preferably a boy, like you."
"Then one boy and one girl."
"Okay. When I get back, I'll definitely try my best for IVF."
Jiang Jing Yu kissed her, "It's okay if it doesn't work out. I'm happy to raise them with you. If not, we can adopt."
Tong An'an had completely let go of the matter now, even able to joke about it.
"President Jiang, do you have anything else on your mind besides having and raising children?"
"No, I'm just a common man with no great ambitions, only wanting my wife, children, and a warm hearth."
At the airport, just past six in the morning, there weren't many people. Jiang Jing Yu accompanied her all the way into the waiting room, where they waited, leaning against each other.
He repeated survival skills for emergencies to her again and again, until the announcement for passengers to board disrupted the atmosphere, which suddenly turned somber.
He grasped Tong An'an's shoulders, looking her sternly in the eyes.
"There's something that's been on my mind for a long time. I never told you because I was afraid of scaring you, but now I have to."
"Tong An'an, remember this: if a situation arises where they don't want money, only sex, do not resist."
"Always keep a few condoms nearby. In such a situation, the only requirement is that the other party must use them."
"I don't care about anything else, as long as you can come back safely. Do you understand?"
He had always been very supportive of her going to South Africa, and Tong An'an had a simple mindset, so she hadn't truly grasped the severity of the situation.
Until this moment, she was genuinely a little panicked, truly realizing she was about to enter a very terrifying place alone, feeling a solid fear.
She shook her head in panic, "Don't tell me these things, I'm scared..."
Seeing the panic in her eyes and her trembling voice, Jiang Jing Yu was firm and stern.
"No crying. You're not a three-year-old child. From the moment you made this decision, you should have envisioned every possible scenario. Since you've decided to go, do your job well, and don't embarrass me."
"Husband..."
"It's no use regretting it now. Remember to call me every day. If anything happens, tell your colleagues first, or tell me. That's it, you can go."
Growth requires a price.
Some prices must be paid and experienced personally by venturing through them.
Tong An'an knew deeply that Jiang Jing Yu could not protect her forever. Even though she was panicking, she had to be strong.
Only when the moment of separation truly arrived could she feel how reluctant she was to part.
Glancing back step by step, step by step, she reached the staff at the gate, but couldn't help but rush back.
Jiang Jing Yu walked a few steps to meet her, and they hugged each other tightly. She choked back a sob.
"I'll do a good job. I won't back down, and I won't embarrass you. Wait for me."
"Okay. Good girl, go."