“Officer come quickly There are child traffickers here”
The woman who had tried to report them earlier shouted out. The carriage erupted in commotion. Sounds of struggle came from the carriages behind confirming that the gang had more accomplices. Su Wan held the rescued child close scanning the area vigilantly. A man in a plaid shirt glared furiously at Lu Linzhou drew a concealed knife from his waist and lunged toward his unguarded back.
“Watch out behind you” Su Wan cried out sharply.
Lu Linzhou turned dodged the blow and delivered a powerful kick sending the man crashing against the carriage wall with a pained cry. He tried to rise but was swiftly pinned down by Wang Bing. The railway police arrived and order was restored. Su Wan let out a breath of relief. She checked the child pulse confirming he had been drugged and was under its influence.
“Stand up properly” an officer commanded.
“It is not that I will not stand” the woman pleaded trembling. “I truly cannot” Her face had gone pale with fright and her limbs felt completely weak.
Su Wan stepped forward and inserted another silver needle into the base of her neck. “Try now”
The woman moved her arms and legs looking thoroughly astonished. “I can move again”
Su Wan spoke coldly. “I advise you to confess everything truthfully at the police station. Otherwise I will not hesitate to show you what it feels like to be completely unable to speak or move”
The woman shivered and nodded submissively.
“Commander who is that woman Is she an undercover officer” Wang Bing whispered as he escorted the suspects watching Lu Linzhou who was gazing intently at Su Wan.
“No she is Comrade Su Wan from Hongqi Village”
Wang Bing stared in disbelief. That plainly dressed middle aged woman was Comrade Su Wan He looked utterly confused.
“Comrades we would like to ask you to accompany us to the station police station to give statements” the officer said.
Su Wan carried the child and followed Lu Linzhou to the station. In total three traffickers were apprehended on the train and eight more accomplices were arrested elsewhere. Four children aged between two and five were rescued all of them having been sedated with drugs.
“They have all been drugged and need immediate medical examination” Su Wan said handing the little one to a female officer her eyes filled with anger and pity.
Lu Linzhou noticed the slight redness around her eyes and his expression softened. “This is an organized gang operating across several regions. Local authorities requested our assistance because of limited manpower. We are very glad the mission was successful”
Su Wan composed herself thinking of her own lost child. She then noticed blood seeping through the tear in Lu Linzhou sleeve. “You are injured”
Lu Linzhou glanced down. “I was grazed by the knife. Fortunately your warning came in time or it would have been far worse”
“I will dress the wound once we finish”
“Thank you”
Lu Linzhou smiled faintly. They gave their statements and the boarding announcement was heard. The officers thanked them and saw them back onto the train. Su Wan retrieved her medical supplies.
“Please sit” she gestured to Lu Linzhou.
He sat down and she knelt to tend his injury dressing it quickly and skillfully. Lu Linzhou glanced at Wang Bing and then at the passenger beside them. Wang Bing understood immediately. The commander wanted the passenger to move so Su Wan could sit comfortably. Everyone had witnessed their bravery and the passenger stood up willingly.
“Please take my seat Comrade”
Su Wan thanked him and Wang Bing led the passenger to another seat.
“Shall I move further in” Lu Linzhou asked.
“There is no need I am nearly finished”
She finished bandaging him and sat beside him. Lu Linzhou looked at her disguised face with a gentle smile. “Do you always travel in disguise”
“Yes” Su Wan replied arranging her belongings. “I did not expect you would recognize me so easily”
“Clothing can change appearance but it cannot change the way you look” Lu Linzhou said softly.
The carriage was noisy and Su Wan leaned closer. “What did you say”
Their faces were suddenly very close. Lu Linzhou caught the faint scent of herbal medicine rising from her and his heart skipped a beat. He had felt strangely drawn to her from the very first moment they met. Even now with her features disguised he could pick her out instantly from a crowd. He shifted his gaze slightly and repeated his words.
Su Wan sat back. “Comrades are you both undercover officers” asked the woman who had raised the alarm.
Su Wan smiled. “I am not”
“But you must be a doctor then” Li Cuilan said with certainty.
Su Wan smiled and did not deny it.
“That was terrifying” Li Cuilan said. “I knew something was wrong with that child and tried to find help but they threatened me with a knife”
“You have very sharp instincts” Su Wan said.
“I have worked at Jiangcheng City Peoples Hospital for six years” Li Cuilan replied.
Jiangcheng Peoples Hospital That was exactly where she was heading. Su Wan paused.
“Do you know Nurse Liu Xiumei in the Maternity Department”
“Of course I know her. Are you related”
“Not exactly” Su Wan said eagerly. “My cousin gave birth there and Nurse Liu was in charge of her care”