The White Olive Tree

Chapter 44

On December 1st, the Imperial City was shrouded in heavy smog, with the PM2.5 index breaking 500.

After taking Ran Yuwei for a hospital check-up and returning home, Song Ran immediately turned on all four air purifiers. "Why not just go back to the countryside in the south for a while? The smog in the Imperial City during winter, it's cancer-inducing even for the healthy."

"I can't just leave. Besides, it's damp and cold there in winter. Wouldn't want my lung condition to improve only to catch rheumatism."

Knowing she couldn't persuade her mother, Song Ran didn't insist further. She filled the humidifier with purified water and plugged it in.

Two months earlier, Ran Yuwei had been stabilized and discharged from the hospital. Since then, she had been following her treatment plan and had improved a lot, already returning to work. However, Song Ran kept a close eye on her, insisting on dragging her out of the office for check-ups.

Sitting on the sofa and sipping water, Song Ran habitually turned on the TV to watch international news.

Country A and B were quarreling over mad cow disease and beef import quarantines; Country C and D were accusing each other of safety hazards in car manufacturing; Country E and F were blaming each other for raising agricultural tariffs.

And as for Dongguo, "...after one year and four months of war, the government forces have finally reclaimed 60% of the historic and cultural stronghold—Ale city, planning to complete the recapture of the city soon. With Ale as the dividing line, if the defense succeeds, the government will reclaim more than half of the country's territory, including all the affluent areas in the south. The rebels will be forced north into the desert to compete for territory with extremist organizations. Last week, the extremist group publicly executed fifty-eight government soldiers and civilians, releasing the video on..."

The TV screen displayed a mosaic-covered video.

Ran Yuwei looked towards Song Ran, who was watering the houseplants, then went to the balcony to collect the laundry, gathering a big pile on the sofa to fold.

Ran Yuwei asked, "You two haven't been in contact?"

"Yes."

"This time you're planning to go to Dongguo, and you didn't tell him?"

"Yes."

Ran Yuwei sighed, "I don't see what there is to be stubborn about. If he were a regular office worker and you a war correspondent. If he thought Dongguo was dangerous and didn't allow you to go, would you stop? You've stepped on mines and been in explosions; isn't that dangerous? I'm your mother, and how many times have I told you not to go, did you listen? He's a soldier; if he had to consult with you over every mission, fretting like an old lady, what good would that do? Men can love women, but they can't always follow a woman's lead. The same goes for women. Neither should be dependent on the other; listen to your own heart. If your hearts align, you're the best match; if not, it's better to part ways early and not harm each other."

Song Ran was folding clothes, frowning, "I know. You don't have to tell me."

"What's the fuss? You both know it anyway."

Song Ran remained silent.

The day she had taken Li Zan to the airport was two or three months ago.

At that time, her emotions were too unstable, with various emergencies hitting her all at once, making her actions inevitably impulsive.

She stayed up all night, imagining how he would react to her message ten hours later, and ended up crying again out of heartache. She waited until the plane landed, hoping for some kind of response from him. She thought that, given his personality, even if he didn't comfort her, he would at least say something. She was so tender-hearted, she surely would have...