The group intercepting them was unusual; this was no longer a mere factional dispute. All parties recognized the importance of these individuals, and no one would willingly cripple their own strength. Therefore, this attack, disregarding their safety, must have come from an adversarial force.
It seemed her name was already known to multiple powers. The intelligence departments during wartime were truly all-powerful! She wondered how many of her colleagues would manage to escape alive.
Lin Yan carefully concealed herself. She was not entirely safe yet. Since these people had received information about them, they must have made thorough plans. Lin Yan believed she was undoubtedly the primary target, and they surely possessed her portrait or photograph. Although Lin Yan had escaped, they would undoubtedly send people to find her. She had to reach a safe place before they discovered her.
Lin Yan had picked up some martial skills, but even the best fighter is no match for many opponents, especially when guns are involved. She skillfully navigated through the forest, relying on her exceptional hearing to evade her pursuers.
"We received word from Hong Yan that they are preparing to evacuate Nanjing. She can come back now," a person in a khaki military uniform reported happily to their superior.
"Hong Yan can return! That's the best news we've had in a while. Did they say when she'll arrive? Has Comrade Lin been informed?"
The middle-aged man, who was reviewing the incoming reports, looked up in surprise and delight. Although Comrade Hong Yan had not yet arrived, her name was legendary in their base. Her talent was deeply admired, whether for new medicines or weapons. Especially impressive was how she had managed to send back so much intelligence from deep within enemy territory, saving them from considerable losses.
"Comrade Lin has also been notified. After so long, their family can finally be reunited."
"Comrade Hong Yan is a great contributor. Make sure her accommodation is prepared in advance. I heard she will have someone to look after her there. Also, arrange a few orderlies to attend to her daily needs so she can focus on her research."
"Yes, I will prepare it immediately. According to the news from that end, they are likely already on their way here."
It was on the sixth day after receiving the news of Lin Yan's evacuation that Old Fan and his group finally met her at the designated location. However, when they saw Lin Yan, they could barely recognize her. Their enduring impression of Lin Yan was that of a refined young lady, always dressed in perfectly tailored Western suits or qipaos. Even though she wore little jewelry while working on research, her hairstyle changed daily. She arrived and departed in cars, always accompanied by guards and a nanny. Even when visiting them at night, she wore what appeared to be expensive clothing. They had never seen Lin Yan like this before.
The Lin Yan before them was wearing a worn, patched floral cotton jacket over loose blue cotton trousers. Her hair was tied up with a blue cloth scarf. Her beautiful face had been altered with something, making her appear utterly ordinary. She carried a cloth-covered basket on her arm, looking like a rural woman coming to sell goods or make a visit. She truly resembled an ordinary village woman. Before she spoke, none of the four recognized her. It was only when she greeted them that they saw a flicker of familiarity in her face. Her confident eyes and the composed demeanor, as if she held everything in control, were not traits any village woman possessed.
"My intelligence might have been compromised by secret agents, so I was ambushed during my evacuation. My primary target was me, and I disguised myself while escaping," Lin Yan explained when they reached their temporary shelter.
"Comrade Lin, your disguise skills are truly remarkable!" Xiao Peng exclaimed.
"Then you should rest. We'll leave tomorrow. Leaving sooner will put our minds at ease! We've already contacted a boat and arranged to depart in a few days. Xiao Peng, go inform the boat captain immediately that we'll be leaving tomorrow." Old Fan decided their itinerary for the next day without hesitation.
"Leaving early is indeed better. However, you'll need to buy me some clothes. My current attire doesn't match yours," Lin Yan said with a smile. The group before her, though also in cotton clothes, looked significantly better than her. If she walked with them, any discerning person would immediately know something was amiss.
"I'll go buy them. Comrade Lin, do you have any specific requirements?" Meng Xian inquired. He knew that Comrade Lin had high standards for these things, hence he asked about her needs.
"Comfortable to wear is fine. Buy plenty, and preferably a few sets of men's clothing as well. All my clothes were lost, so I need to prepare anew. Besides, wearing men's clothing is more convenient on the road!" Lin Yan was direct, knowing that these people were here to escort her, and their job was to bring her back. They would fulfill all her requests.
"Just don't buy materials that are too fine; they'll be too conspicuous," she added as a reminder. These people had observed her life there and might think they needed to buy her good clothes.
"Alright, I'll go now." Meng Xian took the money and left.
"Then Comrade Lin, please rest. We should be departing very early tomorrow morning."
"Very well. I'll go wash my face first." Lin Yan took a small bottle from the basket she carried. Xiu Wen accompanied her to wash her face. Xiu Wen watched firsthand as Lin Yan removed her disguise, marveling at her almost magical skill. Her features hadn't changed significantly, yet she appeared like a completely different person.
"Comrade Lin, this trick is truly brilliant!"
"Do you want to learn? It's actually quite simple," Lin Yan said, drying her face.
"We can discuss it later when we get back. It's not entirely safe here yet. Please rest. I'll go prepare some food for you. You can eat after the clothes are bought," Xiu Wen replied.
"Thank you for the trouble!" Lin Yan expressed her gratitude.
"It's nothing; this is what we should be doing," Xiu Wen said before leaving.
Follow the son after the husband's death.
For the past few days, she had hardly slept while evading her pursuers. She spent a considerable amount of time shaking them off, then pawned the clothes she was wearing at a pawn shop to get money for new ones provided by the shop. Although the outfit was very worn, the person who wore it must have been quite diligent. The garment was washed clean, and every patch was mended securely. A small flower was even embroidered at the hem. After putting on the outfit, Lin Yan used her portable makeup kit to disguise herself, effectively escaping her pursuers. However, in such attire, she couldn't afford to stay in any decent lodging. She hadn't slept well throughout the journey. Now that she was here, Lin Yan could finally get a good night's sleep. As soon as she lay down on the soft bedding, exhaustion overwhelmed her senses, and she soon drifted into dreamland.