Xiao Huaidong bent down, scooped Xiao Nanchu into his arms with one hand, and followed Fang Zhiguo’s pace.
Xu Huaying greeted Director Liu and followed them into the factory.
On the way, Xu Huaying looked at Xiao Huaidong with admiration.
“Brother Dong, I didn’t expect you could even drive. When I get the chance, I’ll buy you a car.”
Xiao Huaidong smiled. “Alright, then I’ll wait to drive a new car!”
The country had not yet undergone reform and opening up. Aside from officials, ordinary people simply couldn’t buy domestically produced cars.
Imported cars were strictly controlled—without a quota, you couldn’t buy one even if you had money.
He didn’t take her words to heart.
A few minutes later, Xiao Huaidong drove the factory’s Hongqi sedan and stopped at the factory gate.
Seeing how skilled Xiao Huaidong was at driving, Director Liu couldn’t help but praise Xu Huaying’s good judgment.
Xiao Huaidong’s looks were impeccable—fair-skinned and tall, nothing like someone who grew up in the countryside.
He was also very polite and refined.
If one hadn’t seen him personally knock Wu Peng down, it would be hard to believe he had such strong combat skills.
He truly was a hidden gem.
Once this matter was resolved, no matter what method he used, Director Liu was determined to keep him.
After sitting in the passenger seat, Director Liu said in a commanding tone, “Quick, head to the train station as fast as possible.”
Xiao Nanchu muttered inwardly—this was her dad’s first time in the city; he didn’t even know where the train station was, and there was no navigation.
Yet she saw her dad step on the gas, and the car shot forward with a “whoosh.”
“Comrade Fang, please help look after my Little Bean Sprout.”
Fang Zhiguo, sitting in the back seat, glanced at the little girl smiling sweetly at him and instinctively responded, “Mm.”
“I didn’t say this earlier because I was afraid it would cause unrest in the factory. Now that it’s just the two of you, I’m not worried about leaks. There’s an enemy agent in our factory—his name is Wang Feng. I noticed something was off about him months ago. After investigating, we found he had been deliberately collecting confidential factory information. To avoid alerting him and to lure out bigger fish, we didn’t expose him. But I didn’t expect him to choose today to run.”
Director Liu sighed deeply. “Before we set off, I already called the county public security bureau. They’ll send people to the station to arrest him with us. Wang Feng is at the train station right now—he must be planning to escape by train.”
After speaking, he added to Xiao Huaidong, “It’s inconvenient for you to bring a child. When we get there, you and your daughter should stay in the car.”
The train station was in the eastern part of the city, and it would normally take at least half an hour to drive there from the steel factory.
But Xiao Huaidong got there in just twenty minutes.
Even after getting out of the car, Director Liu was still impressed—Xiao Huaidong was truly talented, even his driving skills surpassed the factory’s other drivers.
After the two men walked away, Xiao Nanchu couldn’t help asking, “Dad, how did you know the train station was here? Isn’t this our first time in the city?”
Xiao Huaidong inwardly cursed—this was bad.
He hadn’t expected a child to be so observant.
As for his rebirth, he figured that even if he told her, she wouldn’t understand. He didn’t know how to explain it.
So he made up a lie.
“I came here when I was younger.”
Xiao Nanchu gave a half-believing “oh,” then asked again, “Then when did you learn how to drive?”
Xiao Huaidong: “……”
His daughter was usually quiet—why was she suddenly so sharp now?
“Ahem, I drove tractors in the village. This kind of car works on a similar principle. Once I touched it, I got the hang of it. Little Bean Sprout, don’t you think your dad is a genius?”
Xiao Nanchu’s lips twitched. He clearly thought she didn’t understand and was trying to fool her.
But if it wasn’t as he said, how could he explain knowing the city’s routes so well and driving like an experienced driver?
Could it be… her dad had been reborn?
Thinking back to all the unusual things that had happened since he was discharged from the hospital, Xiao Nanchu’s peach blossom eyes widened, just like her father’s.
“Kids who think too much won’t grow tall.”
Xiao Huaidong ruffled her curly hair, changing the subject. “You insisted on coming with me today—do you think Aunt Xu might be unhappy?”
Xiao Nanchu: “……”
She really hadn’t thought that far at the time.
Now that her dad mentioned it, she realized—rejecting Xu Huaying in front of so many people might make others think her stepmother treated her poorly.
That was a huge misunderstanding!
“Dad, when we get back, you have to comfort Aunt Xu. I really have nothing against her. I was just worried…”
She trailed off.
When would she be able to openly tell her dad that she could divine fortunes and was a master of mysticism?
As the father and daughter talked, several gunshots rang out in the distance. People inside the station panicked and ran outside.
Then a group of officers, holding weapons, rushed past their car.
The father and daughter exchanged a glance.
Xiao Huaidong’s expression turned serious.
Xiao Nanchu’s small face also became solemn, her eyes fixed on the station entrance.
Ten minutes later, three men ran out of the station.
One had a full beard and carried an old brown leather bag.
Another wore a linen long robe, looked refined, had glasses, and also carried a leather bag.
The man in front had messy hair, wore a faded suit, carried a briefcase in one hand, and held a revolver in the other.
As he ran, he looked around nervously.
When his gaze landed on the Hongqi sedan parked by the roadside, his eyes lit up as if he had found a lifeline.
“Quick, this is our factory director’s car. If we take the driver hostage and make him drive us out of the city, we’ll be safe.”
The three of them rushed toward the car.
Xiao Huaidong didn’t recognize Wang Feng, but seeing that they were heading straight for him, he immediately sensed something was wrong.
Just as they reached the car, a group of officers chased after them, followed by Director Liu and Fang Zhiguo.
“Quick! Open the car door!”
Wang Feng knocked urgently on the window with his revolver.
The other two quickly moved to the other side of the car as the police approached.
“Dad, don’t open the door. These people might be the spies the director wants to catch.”
Xiao Nanchu wasn’t afraid—in fact, she felt a slight excitement.
She had a vague feeling that these spies were connected to her father’s future.
“Little Bean Sprout, don’t be afraid! Even if they are spies, I won’t let you get hurt. Hide under the seat—don’t lift your head unless I call you.”
Just as Xiao Huaidong finished speaking, several gunshots rang out outside the car.
A familiar scream followed.
Though Xiao Nanchu didn’t see who it was, she recognized the voice—it was Director Liu.
Before coming, she had already seen dark energy over his head, a sign of mortal danger. Without intervention, today would likely have been his death day.
She could only hope that her presence would become the variable that changed fate—and help him escape this disaster.
Of course, the premise was that her father would not be affected.