The White Olive Tree

Chapter 57

Once December passed, the new year arrived.

However, in the Dongguo, Song Ran couldn't feel a hint of the New Year spirit.

On the second weekend of January, a large-scale conflict erupted between the government forces, rebels, and terrorist organizations in Cangdi, resulting in heavy casualties on all sides.

After the battle, Song Ran visited the frontlines, where she saw nothing but ruins and corpses scattered everywhere. She no longer knew when such days would end.

On her way back to the hotel, the streets were bustling with people. Many families, carrying their luggage, planned to flee. Among them, many had initially escaped from other cities and were already accustomed to a nomadic life.

Song Ran found a spot by the road to capture the fleeting shadows under the turmoil of war.

A wife stood in front of a car, complaining to her husband, wanting to take the beautiful white porcelain vase with them, which the husband deemed unnecessary.

A child crouched beside the car, tears welling up as he caressed his beloved dog; the dog, unaware it would be abandoned, placed its paws on the child's knees, comforting him, and wagged its tail eagerly.

An elderly person with white hair sat on the porch, looking at the street under the sunlight, his gaze calm yet vacant.

Midway, Song Ran's phone rang.Ran Yuwei called her, with the Spring Festival less than a month away, asking when she would return home.

Song Ran hesitated, "It's still early, we'll see."

"Have you seen Li Zan?" Ran Yuwei asked.

"I've made up with A Zan," she said, and then corrected, "Not made up, we never broke up."

Ran Yuwei had nothing to say, only reminding her to be safe.

After finishing her shooting, Song Ran had just returned to her place when she received a message from Li Zan. Their team was taking a few days off for camping training in the mountains and asked if she wanted to go. He added, "You could use it as material for your book."

Song Ran laughed. He didn't need to entice her with writing a book. A single call, and she would eagerly go.

Half an hour later, Li Zan came to pick her up.He wore sunglasses, revealing his prominent brow bones and high nose bridge, giving his face a rugged and slightly cool appearance.

Song Ran jogged over, looking at him with sparkling eyes.

Li Zan smiled, "Don't recognize me?"

"You look so cool with sunglasses," Song Ran said unabashedly.

"Aren't they all the same?" he turned his head away, looking aside, but he couldn't help smiling, his cheeks turning red.

"A Zan!" Song Ran moved closer to him, and he turned his head.

"Hmm?"

She lifted her head and kissed his cheek.

After the kiss, she quickly climbed onto the back seat of the motorcycle, wrapping her arms around his waist in one fluid motion.

Li Zan smiled faintly, turning back, "Are you seated properly?"

She tightened her embrace around his waist, "I am."

Li Zan started the motorcycle.

Driving along the broken cement road, they soon left the city heading west and quickly caught up with two military off-road vehicles. Riding side by side with the off-roads, the rear window of one vehicle rolled down, and Morgan, wearing sunglasses, greeted Song Ran, "Hi, Ruan Ruan!"