Jiang Cong thought he had seen the darkness of the world, but he never expected that what he had heard and seen before was just the tip of the iceberg.
In places he didn't know, countless people were struggling under the pressure of life, desperately seeking a way out. The saying that "pitiable people must have something hateful about them" made sense.
Jiang Cong wasn't a man with blind sympathy. He never made hasty conclusions before knowing the whole story.
Seeing wasn't necessarily believing. In the end, good would always prevail over evil in this world.
Three days later, Jiang Cong left the village and returned to the hotel.
"Jiang Cong, I heard you came here three days ago. Why did you come so early?" Zhao Xian, one of Jiang Cong's superior leaders, was greeting the relevant participants who had come from all over the place in the hotel lobby. Out of the corner of his eye, he happened to see Jiang Cong strolling in from outside.
Jiang Cong didn't put on airs. He shed his usual coldness and showed more sincere closeness to Zhao Xian. "I just had some private matters to deal with."
To Jiang Cong, Zhao Xian was not only his superior but also his mentor.
Because Jiang Cong was too young and highly capable, a person like him was a highly sought - after talent wherever he went.
The leaders took good care of Jiang Cong, which was criticized by some ill - intentioned people who maliciously spread rumors.
Jiang Cong wasn't a perfect being. He had also been negligent. Due to a moment of carelessness, his mistake was widely publicized, and there was a strong momentum to pull him down.
When everyone was eager to push him down when he was in trouble, it was Zhao Xian who, under great pressure, protected Jiang Cong. During that period, Zhao Xian worked day and night writing various certification reports.
It could be said that if it weren't for Zhao Xian back then, there wouldn't be the capable Jiang Cong today.
So even though Jiang Cong was a cold and aloof professor and expert who was highly regarded outside, in front of Zhao Xian, he was always that inexperienced young man who didn't understand the ways of the world.
Zhao Xian didn't ask further. He trusted that Jiang Cong was a sensible man. He patted Jiang Cong on the shoulder with relief and introduced him to the participants with pride. "This is Jiang Cong, the famous criminal psychology professor. You must learn from him!"
Everyone was smart. Seeing that Zhao Xian valued Jiang Cong so much, they naturally stepped forward one by one to introduce themselves and try to please him in the hope of winning Jiang Cong's favor.
Since it was Zhao Xian who started the conversation, Jiang Cong couldn't ignore everyone in front of Zhao Xian. So he simply nodded slightly as a greeting in response.
Before long, all the participants had arrived, and the relevant research activities were carried out in an orderly manner.
Jiang Cong further sorted out and analyzed the materials he had collected in the village, and the corresponding project report was thus generated.
Far away in Beicheng, Chen Er was busy preparing for the college entrance examination while occasionally calling Lin Meifeng to learn about the latest development of the situation.
When she heard that Jiang Cong was investigating the criminal incidents that had occurred in and around the village, Chen Er was a bit stunned.
Jiang Cong had always been a man who hated evil as much as he hated enemies. He was cold - faced but warm - hearted. This time she had managed to avoid Jiang Cong's investigation, but what about in the future? Would she always have to hide and be afraid that one day the truth would come out?
Chen Er didn't dare to imagine whether Jiang Cong would still be with her without any reservation after learning about her dark past.
Chen Er clenched her fists, and the tip of her pen made a heavy mark on the paper. She would do her best to block Jiang Cong's investigation.
This time, she would guard this hard - won happiness well. No one could stop her!
"Chen Er, Chen Er!" Her deskmate nudged her arm. Seeing that she didn't respond, the deskmate nudged her harder and finally brought back Chen Er's thoughts.
"What's up?" Chen Er turned her head. Following her deskmate's hint, she saw Qiangzi standing at the door.
Walking to the classroom door, Chen Er leaned lazily against the wall behind her and asked casually, "What's going on? You have the leisure to come and see me today?"
The training camp officially ended a month after Jiang Cong left. Chen Er returned to her original class and continued her review as usual.
Because Qiangzi's grades were too poor, the head teacher tactfully advised him to repeat the grade. Qiangzi knew he couldn't keep up, so he simply agreed to the teacher's suggestion.
So when Chen Er returned to the class and didn't see Qiangzi, she was a bit surprised. After hearing her deskmate's explanation, she understood what had happened.
For ordinary families like theirs without a background or strong economic strength, the college entrance examination was the best way out.
It was good for Qiangzi like this. At least he had an extra choice and wouldn't have any regrets in the future.
Qiangzi looked at Chen Er in front of him as if he had passed through time. He roughly calculated in his mind that the two of them had hardly had a good conversation since they celebrated Chen Er's birthday last time.
"It's been a long time since we last met. I came here to catch up, lest you, a busy person, completely forget about me. I'd be so sad." Qiangzi pretended to wipe away his tears. There was no longer infatuation in his eyes but instead, uprightness.
It seemed that Qiangzi, who used to be on brother - like terms with Chen Er, was back.
Chen Er punched Qiangzi lightly on the chest. "Stop being so glib. Study hard, and don't do those useless things."
Qiangzi readily agreed, looking as if he would obey Chen Er's every order.
The class time was coming soon. Just as Chen Er was about to turn around, Qiangzi suddenly said behind her, "Chen Er, we're the best friends, right?"
Chen Er nodded with a smile, showing two cute tiger teeth and a slight dimple. "Of course, forever!"
After saying that, Chen Er entered the classroom. A moment later, the teacher also walked in.
Qiangzi lay on the window at the back door, took a look at Chen Er sitting upright and listening attentively, and couldn't help taking out his phone to take a picture.
Then, Qiangzi also walked towards his classroom on his floor.
My best friend, we should work hard together!
The train of time was speeding forward. Passengers on the train got on and off, over and over again.
Chen Er was concentrating on preparing for the college entrance examination, while Jiang Cong was indulged in his research work. The two hardly had any contact.
Either one was free while the other was collecting materials everywhere, or one was busy doing various practice questions while the other had a moment to catch a breath.
However, their relationship didn't become estranged because of the decreasing contact.
Because they clearly knew that the other was also engaged in their own beliefs and principles.
Not disturbing each other but sending timely care when the other was tired was the tacit understanding between Chen Er and Jiang Cong.
Jiang Cong thought it would be great if they could always be so in sync.
However, time never waited for anyone.