“Not chasing after them?”
“But we’ve suffered such a huge loss!”
“Let’s get out of here fast! If we get caught, we’ll be in deep trouble.” The man behind him spoke again.
In this era, criminals faced severe punishment—at minimum, hard labor; at worst, execution.
Human traffickers like them? Who knows how many lives they’ve taken. If they were truly caught, there’d be no escaping death!
“Let’s go!”
The two turned and fled. Su Nian’an watched their retreating figures, feeling unwilling—those traffickers were nearly in her grasp, only to slip away.
She hadn’t gotten a clear look at the person they’d kidnapped; the victim had been stuffed inside a burlap sack.
If she couldn’t rescue them, then this entire trip had been for nothing!
Just as Su Nian’an was thinking this, help finally arrived at the alley entrance.
At the sight of the military uniform, Su Nian’an’s heart lifted—the kidnapped person would be saved!
“Comrade Public Security! Over here!” Su Nian’an waved at the officers rushing over.
“Comrade, did you report seeing traffickers and calling for help just now?” one of the officers asked, slightly out of breath.
“Yes, that was me! I led two traffickers this way. They got scared their crimes would be exposed and ran off—they haven’t gone far! Hurry and chase them!” Su Nian’an said urgently.
“Right! Move, move, move! If that child goes missing, we’ll all answer for it!” The officer signaled his team and hurried deeper into the alley.
Hearing their words, Su Nian’an had a hunch: the traffickers’ latest abduction target was no ordinary person.
Should she stay at the scene? She hesitated.
Well, she’d come this far—she might as well stay and see it through!
Su Nian’an hurried after the officers into the alley.
When she caught up, she found the whole group gathered around a child, checking on him with great concern. Su Nian’an stood there, utterly confused.
What on earth was going on? Where had the traffickers gone?
She stepped forward hesitantly, spotted the officer she’d spoken with earlier, and asked quickly, “Comrade Officer—what about the kidnappers?” Using the word “kidnappers” carried far more weight than mere “traffickers.”
“They got away. By the time we reached this spot, they’d vanished without a trace,” the officer replied.
“Thank goodness the Commander’s young grandson is safe… otherwise…” one officer muttered under his breath.
“Shh! Watch your tongue!” The lead officer snapped sharply, silencing him instantly.
The atmosphere turned icy cold.
The men who’d kidnapped the Commander’s grandson were still at large. If higher-ups investigated, every last one of them would face severe consequences.
“Sister… was it you who came to save me just now?” Suddenly, the little boy at the center of the group spoke up.
Su Nian’an turned her full attention to him.
He appeared to be about five or six years old. From his fine clothing and dignified bearing, it was clear he came from no ordinary family.
Perhaps fearing retribution against such powerful kin, the traffickers had changed plans and abandoned taking the boy after all.
Su Nian’an walked over to him and asked gently, “Were you the one inside that burlap sack?”
“Yes, that was me. You’re so brave, Sister—daring to stand up to all those men alone.” The boy looked up at her, his eyes shining with gratitude and admiration.
To have someone step forward when all hope seemed lost—his feelings toward Su Nian’an were truly special at this moment.
“I want you to walk me home,” the boy said.
The officer glanced at Su Nian’an, then spoke apologetically to the child: “Forgive us, young master, but we cannot take strangers to your home. We hope you understand.”
The boy didn’t press the officers. Instead, he looked up at Su Nian’an once more and asked, “What is your name, Sister? You saved my life. I’ll make sure Grandfather thanks you properly.”
Hearing this, Su Nian’an’s mind turned thoughtfully.
This family held immense power—his grandfather was the Commander. If she could earn their gratitude and leave them owing her a favor…
“There’s no need. I helped you because I wanted to. No thanks are necessary,” Su Nian’an replied, her demeanor radiating kindness and grace—almost as if a halo glowed above her head.
Children were so pure of heart, it seemed. He looked at her with glowing, earnest eyes. “You’re so kind, Sister. But truly—may I know your name? Where can I come to visit and play with you?”
Su Nian’an sighed softly before answering. “My name is Su Nian’an. My father is Su Aiguo of the Su family. We live on Nanyang Street. There aren’t many Su households there—ask anyone, and they’ll know where to find me.”
“Wonderful! I’ll come visit you soon, Sister! And my name is Fu Tingzhou—everyone calls me Zhouzhou.”
It was plain to see the boy had taken an instant liking to her. Su Nian’an wasn’t surprised—children had always warmed to her easily, ever since she was little.
“I’ll remember that, Zhouzhou,” Su Nian’an said with a smile.
She had refused any reward from the Fu family for a very deliberate reason: she was setting a trap for the Su family.
The officers who witnessed everything would surely report every detail to the Commander.
This boy was clearly the Fu family’s beloved treasure—they would never let Su Nian’an’s kindness go unrewarded. But by the time their messengers arrived, Su Nian’an would already be sent down to the countryside. And Su Nianxi—foolish, greedy Su Nianxi—would surely claim the credit and seize the reward meant for her.
Su Nian’an could picture exactly how the Su family would act.
When she returned to the capital city with the Gu family later, she would settle every score with them, one by one.
That was her plan. Only time would tell if things unfolded exactly as she hoped.
But never had she imagined that a simple act of kindness would lead to saving the Commander’s grandson. Truly—one never knows when doing good deeds might bring you face-to-face with a great leader’s grandchild.
Still… the Su family would pay. Su Nian’an was determined to avenge the original owner of this body.
And besides—earning the Fu family’s gratitude was worth infinitely more than any material reward they might send.
Which meant those gifts would end up in the wrong hands, not hers.
Even though the traffickers had escaped, Su Nian’an’s spirits remained high.
She made her way to a large department store not far from the marketplace—far more upscale, with bolts of cloth and ready-made clothing available for purchase.
Su Nian’an wanted to dress modestly. After all, she was bound for the countryside; dressing too finely would only draw unwanted attention and invite accusations.
The Gu family had already been exiled for political misdeeds. If she appeared dressed in fancy, eye-catching clothes alongside them, their punishment would surely grow worse.
And so the question remained: what kind of outfit was modest enough to avoid suspicion… yet still charming enough to capture the hero’s heart?