Life is like a mirror – even when shattered, it must be pieced back together to continue looking forward.

Before long, Sheng Nanzhou went abroad.

No one knew where he had gone. Some said they saw him on the streets of Paris, France, while others said he had become an international organization volunteer, retracing every place Hu Qianxi had visited.

In any case, he had currently lost contact with everyone.

Zhou Jingze finished his leave and returned to the base, while Xu Sui continued working at the hospital. Although they were at different posts, they were always doing the same thing – doing their utmost to save every life.

During lunch break, Xu Sui sat in the office staring blankly at her computer screen, her mouse hovering between confirm and print, hesitating for a moment, so much so that she didn’t even hear Han Mei’s knock when she entered.

Han Mei walked in carrying a cup of coffee, one hand braced on the desk as she leaned over, looking surprised: “You’re resigning?”

Xu Sui snapped back to reality, pressing her index finger to her lips in a “shh” gesture as she replied: “I haven’t submitted it yet, please keep it secret for now.”

Han Mei looked her up and down, hardly believing that Xu Sui would give up such a stable job with unlimited prospects, especially when she was in the ascending phase of her career.

“Are you pregnant or marrying into wealth? How could you suddenly give up such a good job?” Han Mei asked with a puzzled tone, joking.

Xu Sui smiled, propping her cheek with her hand as she tapped her face with her index finger: “No, I just figured some things out and want to change work environments.”

Seeing that her mind was made up, Han Mei didn’t say more. She immediately put down her coffee and wrapped her arms around Xu Sui’s shoulders, saying: “I’ll miss you.”

“I haven’t left yet.” Xu Sui laughed and patted her back.

After submitting her resignation, the first person to approach Xu Sui was her teacher, Director Zhang. Director Zhang, representing both the hospital and himself, made every effort to retain her, analyzing the negative impacts of her resignation from all angles.

In short, he believed resignation was an impulsive act of young people’s hot-headedness.

Xu Sui spent over an hour in his office. The director talked himself hoarse and drank an entire pot of tea, but still couldn’t change her mind in the slightest.

“Child, why are you so stubborn?” Director Zhang sighed.

Xu Sui put her hands in her pockets and spoke sincerely: “Teacher, you said I lacked compassion as a doctor. Now I’ve found my answer…”

After hearing her out, the director let her go.

In the end, Xu Sui successfully resigned from Puren Hospital, but she still had to work there for a while until she properly handed over her duties before leaving the hospital.

She didn’t tell anyone about her resignation.

Since her mother’s discharge from the hospital, Xu Sui had been fighting a protracted war with her mother about her relationship with Zhou Jingze, seizing every opportunity to educate her mother about how good and reliable Zhou Jingze was.

Over time, her mother seemed less vehemently opposed than before.

During a holiday, Xu Sui returned to Liying to visit the elderly. That evening, she and her mother stood in the kitchen making dumplings. Under the kitchen’s fluorescent light, Xu Sui pinched a plump dumpling and, seemingly joking but actually testing her mother, said:

“Mom, I really want to marry him. If you don’t agree, I’ll really become a nun on the mountain.”

Her mother was earnestly rolling dumpling wrappers when her movements paused. Without looking at her, she smiled and said: “Then Mom can’t let you become a nun.”

Xu Sui was stunned for three seconds before reacting. Her voice filled with delighted surprise as she immediately rushed over with flour-covered hands to hug her mother’s neck: “Mom, mom, you’re agreeing to let me be with him?!”

In a relationship, what Xu Sui wanted most was the blessing of her family and friends.

“If I don’t agree, you’ll probably disown me as your mother,” her mother laughed, brushing off her flour-covered hands and giving her a helpless look. “But how can a girl be so unrestrained, constantly clamoring about wanting to marry him.”

“You need to keep the initiative in your hands.”

Xu Sui was in a great mood. She even licked some flour off her finger and grinned: “He really likes me now!”

Her mother tapped her head and scolded with a laugh: “Shameless.”

When going to bed, Xu Sui hid under her blanket and told Zhou Jingze about this. Holding her phone, her tone slightly smug: “How about that? Ms. Ge finally agreed to let us be together after my persistent persuasion. Aren’t I amazing?”

Zhou Jingze chuckled on the other end, tapping the cigarette between his fingers as ash fluttered down. His voice lowered: “Mm, my wife is incredible.”

What Xu Sui didn’t know was that her mother’s agreement to let them be together was because Zhou Jingze had formally visited her mother the previous weekend.

The day before departure, Zhou Jingze was still biting on a cigarette, wearing military boots as he went around the base borrowing suits and white shirts. His teammates teased him:

“What’s this about? Is Captain Zhou going to be a groomsman?”

Zhou Jingze snorted with laughter, the cigarette in his mouth dropping ash as he tugged at the corner of his mouth:

“Groomsman my ass, this is for meeting my mother-in-law.”

For this formal visit, he had to dress formally too. He couldn’t just throw on a tactical jacket and dress like a hoodlum – how could Xu Sui’s mother feel comfortable entrusting her daughter to him like that?

A colleague laughed, took the cigarette from his mouth and threw it in the trash, saying: “You should also shave your stubble. Suit and white shirt must be paired with a tie – reliability factor increases tenfold.”

“Got it.” Zhou Jingze chuckled quietly.

When Zhou Jingze emerged wearing the suit and leather shoes, his colleagues couldn’t laugh anymore. Someone pointed at him and laughed while cursing: “If I didn’t know you, looking at you all dressed up like this, damn it, I’d want to marry my daughter to you.”

Zhou Jingze still felt uncomfortable, tugging at his tie with a casual tone: “Are you insulting me or complimenting me?”

“Obviously complimenting!”

Just like that, a man who never wore shirts and suits dressed up properly for Xu Sui.

When actually visiting Xu Sui’s mother, Zhou Jingze still felt a trace of anxiety inside. He had never been this nervous even during his first flight.

Her mother opened the door and showed a flash of surprise when she saw Zhou Jingze, saying: “Come in.”

Her mother brewed a pot of tea and poured him a cup. Zhou Jingze sat on the sofa, leaning forward to accept it as he asked: “I’ve been busy recently and had to handle some matters, so I didn’t have time to visit you. Are you feeling better?”

Her mother blew on the hot air from her teacup, holding it with her elbow resting on her knee, saying: “Much better. I still haven’t thanked you for your help at the hospital last time.”

Zhou Jingze was momentarily stunned, then replied: “It was what I should do.”

Perhaps because of Xu Sui’s serious illness and their protracted war, Zhou Jingze felt her mother’s attitude was much gentler, not as rigid as before.

“Auntie, I came today to discuss… Xu Sui’s matter. This might sound insincere, but I hope you can feel comfortable entrusting your daughter to me.” Zhou Jingze spoke sincerely.

Her mother set her teacup on the table, looked at him, and coughed several times, the fatigue on her face obvious: “You should know why her father passed away, right? Your profession is so dangerous – how can I feel comfortable giving my daughter to you?”

After speaking, her mother’s coughing became more severe. Her frail frame hunched over like a thin flag, and once she started coughing, she couldn’t stop. Zhou Jingze quickly poured her a cup of plain water.

After drinking several sips, her mother’s complexion recovered slightly, though her voice remained hoarse: “And with my health condition, her grandmother is getting old too. When I’m gone in the future… how can I feel at ease leaving her alone in this world?”

Her mother’s thinking was like most ordinary parents – hoping her child would be healthy, find someone who loved her, and have simple, ordinary happiness.

“I understand your concerns,” Zhou Jingze spoke slowly, taking out two documents from behind him and placing them before her mother. “But I still hope you’ll feel at ease. I will take good care of her.”

Her mother accepted the documents, her tone surprised: “What are these?”

“This is my physical training record. Originally as a pilot, my physical condition already met standards, but I recently started training again.” Zhou Jingze explained.

Her mother took the thick stack of records and began looking through them. Zhou Jingze had started weight training two months ago – a series of numbers all demonstrating his commitment.

Monday 5:00 AM – 5km weighted run 6:00 AM – Rope pulls 5-10 sets, bench dips 5-10 sets Tuesday 7:00 PM – Core strength and HIIT for one hour 8:00 PM – Barbell lunges 5-10 sets, leg extensions 5-10 sets Wednesday …

The thick physical training record conveyed one message from beginning to end: he wasn’t playing around – he was serious.

“I’ll continue exercising in the future, maintaining a healthy physical state. When she’s old, eighty years old and can’t walk, needing a wheelchair, I’ll still be able to carry her. I’ll be responsible for Xu Sui’s entire life – I will definitely outlive her.” Zhou Jingze spoke word by word, his tone serious.

Zhou Jingze took a sip of tea, pausing his tone: “If by any chance… something really happens to me, this is a property transfer document I’ve signed. If I’m gone, she’ll live comfortably for the rest of her life. My family will also protect her and won’t let her suffer any grievances.”

“She’s more important than my life.” Zhou Jingze said.

This was Zhou Jingze’s complete sincerity and heartfelt intention.

Her mother held the two documents, feeling their weight and heaviness, while also breathing a sigh of relief. Her daughter was truly cherished by the man before her.

“A grown daughter can’t be kept at home.” Her mother smiled and finally relented.

Three months later, at China’s First Aerial Flight Rescue Base.

Zhou Jingze had just borrowed a set of Chinese chess from Old Zheng who was fixing planes, planning to play after work in his dormitory that evening.

Wearing the navy blue rescue uniform with his hands in his pockets, he leisurely chewed mint candy as he walked toward the office.

Just as he reached the office door, he instinctively sensed the commotion inside.

A group of rough men were shaving in the office, slicking back their hair, each seriously grooming themselves to an extreme degree.

A newly arrived teammate was rushing out, saying he needed to borrow face wash from the logistics team. Zhou Jingze leaned against the doorframe, and when the person passed by, he grabbed the front of his uniform. The young man nearly stumbled as the man asked unhurriedly:

“Where are you going?”

“To borrow face wash.”

Zhou Jingze snorted with laughter, his tongue pushing the candy to his left cheek as he said leisurely: “Why are you all suddenly acting so effeminate?”

“Hey, Captain Zhou, you don’t know – tonight there’s a girl group coming to the base for a consolation performance, all with big chests and long legs,” the team member glanced at what he was holding. “Why are you still playing chess? The girl group is here!”

Zhou Jingze released him, laughing: “Get lost.”

The new team member walked away scratching his head in confusion. Zhou Jingze had just sat on the sofa when Xiao Jiu, manually shaving his beard, got annoyed seeing their captain acting like it was none of his business, detached and playing on his phone.

“Captain Zhou, there’s a girl group tonight, beautiful women! Won’t you even look? You should spruce yourself up.”

“Does this face need fixing up?” Zhou Jingze’s voice was low and indifferent, his gaze still on his phone, tone casual: “Besides, they’re not as good-looking as my wife.”

Xiao Jiu felt like this single dog had been stabbed: “Fine, I’ll shut up.”

The sofa beside Zhou Jingze sank as someone sat down, hand on his shoulder, tone teasing: “Captain Zhou, three months without going home – aren’t you afraid your wife will run away?”

Zhou Jingze looked down at his phone, thumb paused on the screen, opening his mouth: “The person who belongs to me can’t run away.”

A group of men in the office were primping themselves when Leader Li appeared at the office door at some unknown time, holding a stack of blue documents and knocking on the door, coughing:

“Let’s have a brief meeting.”

The group immediately dropped what they were holding, took out pens and notebooks, and sat properly on small stools in the empty space beside the long table. Xiao Jiu immediately went to find the remote to turn on the projector.

The PPT displayed, Leader Li stood in front of the projector, speaking concisely: “Our Zhonghai Transportation Department First Rescue Team belongs to China Aviation. With strong national support, our team has grown stronger, and everyone has completed emergency rescue missions excellently time and again – this has been recognized by higher authorities.”

“But our country’s rescue system still isn’t perfect enough, especially in aviation medicine. Market demand is large, and frequent natural disasters include earthquakes, floods, forestry, and fisheries. In terms of personal health, our country has up to 380 million cardiovascular patients, with stroke and hypertension patients numbering in the hundreds of millions. Whether it’s high-frequency natural disasters or critical patient treatment needs, they all require our aerial rescue team.”

“The country is committed to building an aerial medical rescue system, so it’s sending an excellent young medical team to join us for joint helicopter rescue in the future.” Leader Li looked toward the door, smiling: “Come, welcome them to join our First Aerial Flight Rescue Team.”

Zhou Jingze was biting a pen, casually looking up toward the door following Leader Li’s gaze. A group of medical personnel in white coats walked in.

He glanced carelessly, but when he saw the face of the second woman from the left, the pen in his mouth fell to the ground with a “clatter.”

Xu Sui wore a white coat with her hair in a low ponytail, exposing a section of her fair neck, appearing openly in the aviation medical team.

Leader Li gestured for Zhou Jingze to stand up, smiling: “You can get acquainted with each other. This is Captain Zhou Jingze of our First Rescue Team.”

Xu Sui walked up to Zhou Jingze. His gaze clung tightly to the person before him, desperately suppressing the excitement and trembling in his heart, his throat tightening:

“How did you come here?”

Xu Sui put her hands in her white coat pockets, tilted her head thinking of an answer, then looked up at him: “I’ve always been confused about this world, until you told me the world is beautiful. Now I’ve come to submit my answer sheet.”

Because you are honest and upright, forever facing the sun, I’m willing to follow you and support you from behind.

I’m here, Zhou Jingze.

Xu Sui looked at him, extending her hand with a smile spreading across her face: “Hello, Medical Rescue Team’s Xu Sui.”

Zhou Jingze stood before her, slowly smiled, and extended his hand to shake hers: “Hello, Aerial Rescue Team’s Zhou Jingze.”

Hello, my love, my comrade.

However, they had barely exchanged pleasantries for ten minutes when the office emergency hotline rang. Xiao Jiu ran to answer, his expression grave: “We’ll be right there.”

“Captain Zhou, a fishing boat caught fire in the south-central part of Zhonghai. Over twenty people on board are calling for emergency rescue.”

Zhou Jingze looked up, his thin eyelids like blades as he swept his gaze over everyone: “All personnel, deploy!”

“Roger.”

“Roger.”

“Roger.”

The previously relaxed team members immediately raced against time to change clothes and boots. Zhou Jingze ran to the cabinet to get winch rope and safety gear.

In less than two minutes, the entire team assembled and ran swiftly and powerfully toward the helicopter. The medical personnel followed behind. Xu Sui looked up at the man walking at the front – tall, with a section of neck visible under his blue military collar.

Suddenly her blood boiled.

After boarding the helicopter, the aircraft urgently circled overhead, flying toward Zhonghai.

Xu Sui sat behind the pilot, watching Zhou Jingze in the front seat operating and piloting the aircraft. Soon, the helicopter circled over Zhonghai.

Due to strong downdrafts with fierce wind speeds, it was difficult to locate the target. Zhou Jingze sat in the main pilot seat, using the GPS navigation in the helicopter’s maritime rescue system to conduct wide-range searches and signal capture. After finally narrowing down the area, they began response strategies.

Looking down from the sky, the trapped fishing vessel was located on the southeast side. The boundless blue sea was like a wild beast trapping the ship, stirring up ten-foot waves. Flames licked the cabin and spread in all directions, igniting a raging fire that seemed ready to devour everyone.

Zhou Jingze hovered in mid-air, trying to find a point of leverage, but the wind was too strong now. The rescue rope, when lowered, fluttered in the wind and could hit the fishing boat at any moment, becoming an obstacle.

But his voice remained calm and composed, logic clear and powerful: “After the rescue harness is secured, signal the trapped personnel to comfort their emotions. The winch operator will quickly perform emergency rescue and pull them into the cabin. As for the exhausted personnel at the bow, have them put on life jackets, gather at the lifeboat, then perform deck hoisting.”

“The key is speed – saving people comes first, not one less, understand!”

“Understood!”

All those waiting for rescue on the fishing boat were extremely anxious. Children’s crying and women’s screams intertwined as flames licked closer, causing everyone to panic in fear.

Someone took advantage to snatch a woman’s life jacket while the child in her arms wailed. Others began crying in despair: “I’m still so young, I don’t want to die.”

The injured dragged a bloody wounded leg, sitting on deck wailing.

Everyone was on edge as human weaknesses began to show, with pushing, shoving, and angry arguments among the crowd.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd let out a roar, shouting toward the sky: “What’s all this noise for? China’s Aerial Rescue Team is here!”

Everyone stopped and looked up. A white helicopter marked with the five-starred red flag circled in mid-air. Flight personnel in blue uniforms stood at the cabin door lowering equipment, with medical personnel inside preparing stretchers.

A tremor rose in their hearts as someone wiped away tears and shouted: “They’re here! We have hope!”

“Yes, China’s Aerial Rescue Team is here.”

Then, signal broadcasts echoed through the air, spreading to every corner of Zhonghai waters. Despite the strong winds and chaotic noise, their voices still clearly reached the ears of every trapped person on the fishing boat. Two voices crossed over – one male, one female – strong and powerful, coming against the wind:

“China’s First Aerial Flight Rescue Team, G350, we will escort you, supreme glory.”