Dawn was just breaking when Hong Jiaxin awoke.
Her mood was very bad, something Luo Yang could understand.
All night long, Hong Jiaxin tossed and turned, likely suffering from insomnia.
Luo Yang spoke softly, "Squad leader, what's wrong? Can't sleep?"
Hong Jiaxin just hmm'd softly in response.
If he knew where Hong Zhong couple specifically were, Luo Yang was willing to accompany Hong Jiaxin on the journey.
Currently, they could neither see the Hong Zhong couple nor call them.
Many mysteries troubled Luo Yang.
He had wanted Hong Jiaxin to lie down quietly, but then she spoke.
"I want to go out and look for my dad and mom," Hong Jiaxin suddenly said.
Upon hearing this, Luo Yang was taken aback.
In Hongyun Town, as long as Luo Yang was there to protect Hong Jiaxin, she should be safe.
If they left Hongyun Town, Luo Yang wasn't sure he could protect her.
With Luo Yang's skills, he was better than some but not enough to stand above others.
The outside world was wonderful, but also full of dangers.
"Squad leader, there's no need to rush. When we have time, I'll accompany you," Luo Yang urged.
All he could do was to try to comfort Hong Jiaxin as much as possible.
After all, he knew very little about many matters.
As for what secrets were hidden within, it was still a mystery.
Sometimes, helping someone wasn't so simple.
Unless one understood the whole situation well, then it would be manageable.
From Luo Yang's perspective, Hong Jiaxin's situation likely had to do with past grievances of the older generation.
As to the nature of that grudge, perhaps the Hong Zhong couple knew.
Unfortunately, he couldn't ask them now, leaving Luo Yang completely in the dark.
After a moment of silence, he heard Hong Jiaxin say again, "No, I still have to find my parents."
Her voice sounded hoarse but her tone was quite determined.
It appeared that persuading her would be difficult.
For Luo Yang, that was not good news.
"Squad leader, it's very dangerous for you to go outside now," Luo Yang reasoned with her.
The problem was that beauties often do not act logically.
After all, beauties are creatures of emotion.
Though they whispered quietly, An Yuying, who slept nearby, also awoke.
After listening for a while, she knew Hong Jiaxin wanted to find her parents and Luo Yang was trying to persuade her.
"Jiaxin, don't go, it's very dangerous outside," An Yuying said softly.
"Sister An is right, squad leader. You don't have to rush. Didn't your dad tell you to follow me? Your parents will come back. What's there to worry about?" Luo Yang spoke reassuringly.
Hong Jiaxin did not respond.
After a while, Hong Jiaxin said, "You can't understand what I'm going through."
Indeed, even though Luo Yang cared for Hong Jiaxin, it was hard for him to fully understand the pain in her heart.
"Squad leader, listen to me. If you want to go, I agree," Luo Yang said.
This was a strategic retreat.
Hong Jiaxin was a top female student and also very competitive.
Using conventional methods, it seemed unlikely that Luo Yang could persuade her.
Only by taking a contrary approach might he see some effect.
There are times when, faced with no other options, one must resort to unconventional strategies to triumph.
Upon hearing Luo Yang's words, An Yuying gently shook Luo Yang's arm, signaling him not to encourage Hong Jiaxin to venture far.
An Yuying did not grasp Luo Yang's intention.
As it was not convenient to explain then, Luo Yang also shook An Yuying's hand in response, indicating she need not worry.
An Yuying had no choice but to let Luo Yang take the lead.
Hong Jiaxin then said, "First, I need to buy a map."
Luo Yang felt like laughing but refrained.
Ready to venture into the outside world without even knowing its extent, only a tomboy would dare to do so—certainly not an ordinary beauty.
"Squad leader, I'll buy you a map of the whole country, one that's detailed down to every township, alright?" Luo Yang offered opportunely.