With longing for my family and wife, I threw myself into work upon reaching my destination.

This assignment was unlike anything before—not only was it dangerous, but the most critical task was ensuring the quality of the covertly obtained footage.

Following all plans, my team and I started working together.

Time passed like that.

I stored all my personal belongings at our company’s branch office, including my phone.

There was no choice…these items could potentially expose our identities, so we had to abandon everything containing personal information.

After more than half a month completely cut off from the outside world, I finally found a safe moment to return to the branch and organize the hidden footage.

I turned on my phone and called Yumi.

Her voice was filled with concern for me, but she didn’t notice anything unusual. In my past jobs I often went dark like this.

Take my time in Africa as a war correspondent…the devastation wrought by conflict left cities without cell service.

We relied on satellite phones or walkie-talkies to communicate, though satellite phones were rarely used for security reasons. We feared foreign forces infiltrating the war zone might intercept signals and launch drone strikes with a “better safe than sorry” mentality.

During this mission, we came close to being exposed several times. Yet through my extreme caution and quick thinking, I managed to escape each peril unscathed.

A little over a month after I left home, I finally found another opportunity to return to headquarters late at night.

I turned on my phone to call Yumi, but despite multiple attempts where the call connected, no one answered.

With limited time, I had no choice but to power off my phone again and hurry back to my post.

Even though she didn’t answer, Yumi would definitely see my missed call. At least that way, I could let her know I was safe.

After nearly two months of living in constant fear, our mission was finally completed.

During that time, I only managed to call Yumi twice…the second call didn’t even connect.

Our team, filled with excitement, headed homeward with our findings.

Sitting in the car, I recalled those two months of inhuman existence—the constant fear that kept me awake, the countless times I wanted to quit.

But thinking of my home and my beloved wife Yumi, I kept telling myself: persevere, persevere, persevere.

In the end, I succeeded.

Seated in the car, the rest of our team remained unusually quiet. Those two months had been hellish, memories too painful to revisit. Everyone savored the rare stillness.

Slumped in my seat, watching the scenery rush past the window, my longing to return home grew ever more intense.

For security reasons, until all work was completed and fully handed over to the company, all our phones had to remain off…no contact with the outside world.

There was no choice; we feared leaks from insiders. For a news media company, confidential materials are its lifeblood.

As the team leader, I had to set the example.

Countless times, I wanted to turn on my phone and tell Yumi I was back, but I had to hold back.

**

After two full months, I finally returned to our city. 

Some team members couldn’t help but shed tears…those two months had been unbearably difficult.

Several times, we truly believed we wouldn’t make it back, feeling as if we’d narrowly escaped death.

We all rushed straight to the company.

Upon arrival, I led my team directly into the conference room and simultaneously notified senior management.

Since we’d completely severed external contact, the executives had no idea we’d returned.

When our team presented all the materials to senior management using multimedia, they were deeply moved. They understood exactly what these materials signified and their immense value.

By the time this private meeting concluded, night had fallen. The other members went home to rest, granted a few days’ special leave by the company to recover.

But I was summoned to the executive office.

When the appointment letter for Director-in-Training was placed in my hands, my heart trembled uncontrollably.

Had the senior leaders not been present, I would have leaped for joy on the spot.

With this appointment letter, becoming department director was merely a matter of time—once the current director retired.

The company’s top leadership approved a 100,000 yuan cash bonus as an initial reward for me, and the rest of the team would receive bonuses upon their return.

Truthfully, the appointment letter itself meant more than any amount of money, but the bonus was a welcome extra.

After leaving the company, I didn’t head straight home.

Instead, I went directly to a jewelry store and bought a diamond ring, spending half my bonus. I didn’t feel the slightest bit of regret, because this was a promise I owed Yumi.

When Yumi and I got married, my circumstances weren’t good, and I never fulfilled my promise of a diamond ring.

Now, I finally had the funds to buy her one.

Even though it cost tens of thousands, my heart was filled with joy.

After buying the ring, I returned to the office to finish some tasks ahead of schedule.

My boss had granted me a week’s vacation to rest properly.

This time off was precious to me, so I decided to take Yumi on a short trip. It wouldn’t be long, but it would be enough.

On the way home, I kept picturing myself as the department director in the future…everyone would address me as “Director,” and that feeling would be amazing.

I glanced at the time; it was already past nine in the evening.

Yumi and Jihoon were probably asleep by now.

I had intended to call Yumi beforehand, but I wanted to surprise her. The appointment letter and diamond ring in my hands were the biggest surprises.

Arriving at my building, I checked my watch. It was nearly ten o’clock.

Looking up at my floor, all the lights were out.

Yumi and Jihoon must be asleep.

Before leaving home, I’d had a heart-to-heart with Yumi. She’d agreed that to avoid upsetting Jihoon, she wouldn’t sleep with him anymore.

She said she hadn’t thought much about it before. So right now, I wasn’t worried.

At the door, my footsteps were light.

I took out my key, gently inserted it, turned it, and opened the door.

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