Paris is a world-renowned metropolis, but many people probably haven't even heard of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.
But one photograph drew everyone's attention to what was happening in the city.
It wasn't a military fortress, nor was it a battle between two armies; it was a terrorist attack, a brutal and inhumane terrorist attack targeting civilians.
The impact of this photo was so enormous that, a year later, the name Ni Jingxi once again stirred up a storm in China.
Her Weibo account has not been updated since her marriage to Huo Shenyan was made public.
This was her first update since her marriage, but no one expected it to be such a photo.
"My God, when did Ni Jingxi become a war correspondent?"
"Waaaaah, goddess, please stay safe! Please come back safely!"
"I was shocked by many reports from foreign journalists before, but this time it is finally Chinese journalists who have brought us shock."
"Goddess, I don't like your husband anymore, I've decided to like you."
Many people are amazed that she would be willing to give up her comfortable life in China to go to such a dangerous place; perhaps many people cannot understand her choice.
But seeing it now, I can't help but feel admiration.
Because sometimes giving up is harder than choosing.
However, compared to the overwhelming admiration for her online, her friends were more worried about her safety.
Hua Zheng sent her several voice messages early in the morning, and her voice sounded a little sad.
"Lord Ni, you must be safe. Although I think this photo of you is particularly good, I still hope that you can return home safely."
Tang Mi, like Hua Zheng, was also deeply worried about her situation.
“Boss Ni, our studio has started to turn a profit, so we don’t need to risk our lives in such a dangerous place anymore. Let’s go back to China soon and share the fruits of my labor with you.”
Fortunately, Ni Jingxi was abroad at the moment and could not feel the sensation of the explosion.
However, when she got up and went to the newspaper office in the morning, all the other colleagues who were already in the office stood up and applauded as soon as she entered.
Old Bai gave her a thumbs up and said, "Jingxi, I think you're much better at taking pictures than me."
"Don't say that, or the boss will make you pack your things and go back to China later," said Xiao Song, who was younger and used to joking around with Lao Bai, with a smile.
A short while later, Qiao Muheng came over and called Ni Jingxi over. After listening to Ni Jingxi tell the story behind the photo, he pushed up his glasses and also felt uncomfortable.
Even though journalists are used to seeing these things, their hearts have never hardened because of it.
On the contrary, they still harbored compassion.
Qiao Muheng told her that several domestic media outlets wanted to do a special report on her and interview her about the life and work of a war correspondent.
Ni Jingxi frowned slightly, but did not refuse.
Finally, Qiao Muheng looked at her expression and asked, "Jingxi, is there something you want to tell me?"
"Team Leader Qiao, I've been here for a year now. Is it time for me to be rotated back to China?" Ni Jingxi asked softly.
This time, Qiao Muheng was completely stunned.
According to convention, she could indeed return to China, but Ni Jingxi had never brought it up before, so he didn't expect her to say something like that.
He said, "May I ask why?"
Ni Jingxi thought for a moment and then truthfully replied, "It's because of my husband."
Qiao Muheng looked slightly surprised. Although they all knew who Ni Jingxi's husband was, this was the first time she had mentioned her very famous husband.
Ni Jingxi looked at him and said, "We had some misunderstandings before, so I wanted to go further and try to see my own heart clearly. But I don't care if I put myself in danger here, I'm afraid that I will cause him to fall into danger again and again because of me."
As long as she remains in Israel, Huo Shenyan will come looking for her again and again. This time she is in Lebanon, and perhaps next time she will be on another front line.
She knew that, given his personality, he would still come looking for her without hesitation.
Yes, she didn't ask him to come, but he came because he loves her.
Therefore, she could not continue.
She couldn't selfishly leave everything to him to bear.
Qiao Muheng looked at her calmly and finally nodded: "I understand your choice, Jingxi. Don't think of yourself as someone running away for your life. Leaving here is not cowardice. On the contrary, you are very brave and able to make a clear choice. This is also a kind of courage that is enviable."
Ni Jingxi looked at the man she had always admired and finally bowed deeply.
She said, "Thank you, senior."
Half an hour later, Ni Jingxi's beat-up car drove to the most luxurious hotel in the city, where Huo Shenyan was staying. He hadn't stayed at her home last night, but had instead stayed at this hotel.
He told her his room number, though he didn't say it explicitly, but Ni Jingxi knew he was waiting for her choice.
If she chooses to stay here, he will come again, time and time again.
Ni Jingxi knocked on the door until it was opened from the inside.
She reached out and hugged Huo Shenyan, pressing her cheek tightly against the crook of his neck. "Shenyan, I know I was very cowardly before, and I chose to run away when I encountered problems. You always tolerated me time and time again."
"With my imperfections, are you still willing to continue loving me?"
She clung to his neck so tightly until she heard his voice.
"I love you, and that has never changed."
Author's Note: Waaaaaah, you're so gorgeous! Mommy loves you too!
*
Chapter 59
Shanghai, Pudong Airport.
When Ni Jingxi stepped off the plane, it was a bright and sunny spring day in Shanghai, and the sunlight overhead felt warm and comforting.
The place where she was born.
I left this place when I went to university, but the feeling was different.
Returning from the Middle East this time felt like a brush with death; scenes she had only ever seen on television or the news were now vividly unfolding before her eyes.
She had only heard about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the evening news since she was a child, but this time she actually reported on it.
She stood on the Gaza border, watching the hatred between Palestinians and Israelis, how war after war had deepened the enmity between the two sides.
But as she stood on the tarmac, she took a deep breath.
The air here is calm.
Huo Shenyan turned to look at her solemn and serious expression, and couldn't help but chuckle, "What's wrong?"
"The air in Shanghai is sweet."
Ni Jingxi tilted her head back and made an expression of enjoyment.
It wasn't until Huo Shenyan reached out and pinched the tip of her nose, chuckling as he said, "Take it easy, the air quality index in Shanghai has exceeded 100 today."
Ni Jingxi turned her head and glared at him.
But when this person stood next to her, he was backlit, and a golden halo enveloped him.
The short black hair was clean and neat, almost too good-looking.
Ni Jingxi gasped, suddenly feeling a sense of being struck by his handsomeness.
So she took his arm. She rarely took the initiative to get close to him in public. In the past, she didn't want to expose their relationship, but later it seemed to have become a habit.
At this moment, Huo Shenyan turned his head and looked at her hand resting on his arm.
Her soft, white fingertips stood out against the navy blue shirt.
As the two of them emerged from the VIP passage, Ni Jingxi immediately spotted Tang Mian waiting outside.
As they approached Tang Mian, Ni Jingxi smiled broadly and greeted him, "Tang Mian, long time no see."
Tang Mian also smiled, not too surprised that Ni Jingxi had returned.
I'm genuinely happy for my boss.
After all, life isn't easy for someone who looks for their wife on the "Waiting-for-Wife Stone" (a metaphor
Tang Mian smiled and said, "Madam, welcome back."
"Didn't expect Ni Hansan to be back, did you?" Ni Jingxi tilted her head, her tone teasing.
Tang Mian was stunned when she said that, but Huo Shenyan, who was next to her, coughed lightly when he heard her making fun of herself: "Don't be naughty."
After they got into the car, Ni Jingxi greeted the driver, Lao Xu. Although a year had passed, the people around Huo Shenyan hadn't changed.
He's actually quite sentimental.
As the car drove along the elevated highway in Shanghai, Ni Jingxi looked at the scenery on both sides of the road. Although she hadn't been back for a year, Shanghai hadn't changed much.
The biggest change was in her state of mind.
Ni Jingxi peered out the window for a long time, and Huo Shenyan glanced at her and chuckled softly, "Is it beautiful?"
"Shanghai is such a big city."
Ni Hansan sighed from the bottom of his heart.
It's not that she's being pretentious, but think about it, what major cities in the Middle East can compare to Shanghai? Dubai is nice, but the place she lives in is some distance away from Dubai.
Over the past year, I've gotten used to seeing a sea of earthen-yellow buildings every time I look up.
Looking at the tall buildings on both sides of the elevated highway now, I feel a strange sense of novelty.
The person next to her listened to her sigh and nodded. Then, he moved closer without making a sound and pinched her earlobe with his fingertips. He had been liking to pinch her ears like this lately; they were soft and would turn bright red when touched.
"Will you leave again in the future?"
He didn't say it as a question, but rather as a murmur, which instantly made Ni Jingxi feel guilty. What's more, Huo Shenyan was looking at her with his eyes slightly lowered, his gaze filled with tenderness, which made Ni Jingxi's heart flutter.
She immediately shook her head.
But Huo Shenyan just smiled and didn't say anything.
The car drove all the way from the airport home. When they arrived at the door, Ni Jingxi got out of the car and blinked as she looked at the lush flowers in front of her house.