The people around her hesitated, unsure if they had made a mistake.
Su Su’s expression was serious as she said firmly, “Better to arrest the wrong person than to let a trafficker go. Whether you’re human traffickers or not, the police will find out soon enough!”
Soon after, the train arrived at the station, and the police, having received the report, immediately rushed over with notices in hand.
After verification, it was confirmed that the two were indeed serial human traffickers, especially skilled at disguises, which had made capturing them very difficult.
The police praised Su Su:
“Young lady, your alertness is impressive! Well done!”
“Everyone should learn from her—always report suspicious people to the authorities. It’s better to be wrong than to let criminals go!”
Applause broke out in the carriage. In this era, people hated traffickers deeply because they often destroyed the hope of an entire family.
Back in her berth, Su Su lay down to rest. Wang Defang was still clutching her son tightly, looking pale with fear. She hadn’t expected the two really were traffickers.
If her son had led that wretched old woman to the restroom… she didn’t even dare to imagine what could have happened.
After a while, she awkwardly nudged Su Su and handed over a new set of bedsheets.
“Little sister, thank you for today!”
“I’m sorry about earlier… I don’t know what came over me. I’m usually not like that.”
Su Su smiled and accepted the apology. She knew that in the original story, she was set up as the “villainous side character,” so people would instinctively dislike her, while kindness was reserved for the heroine.
Wang Defang sighed and continued:
“I had this naughty child when I was 29, so I spoiled him. He ruined your sheets, so I bought this new set in a Shanghai department store as compensation.”
She pulled her son over.
“Quick, apologize to your sister!”
The boy pouted, tears still on his cheeks, and said,
“Sorry, sister.”
Seeing this, he actually looked obedient. Su Su smiled and didn’t take the sheets.
People in this era were straightforward and sincere, willing to love and hate openly, and very grateful for help. Wang Defang also felt reluctant to force it—seeing Su Su didn’t want the sheets, she didn’t insist. She then seemed to open up, asking warmly:
“My name is Wang Defang. Just call me Sister Fang.”
“Girl, what’s your name? Do you have a boyfriend?”
“You’re heading to Black City, right? I’m from there. I just came to Shanghai to visit relatives. My husband is in the army, so if you need anything, come to me—I’ll help if I can!”
Army? Su Su’s mind sparked. This woman might know Qin Xutao. Previously, Wang Shu had her send a letter to Qin Xutao in advance, but she had no idea of his address. She had planned to find out once she reached Black City, but now, meeting someone from the army directly, following Sister Fang could definitely lead her to him.
Su Su smiled. “Sister Fang, do you know Qin Xutao?”
“Of course. He’s my husband’s superior. Why do you ask?” Sister Fang asked curiously.
“My name is Su Su, and I’m Qin Xutao’s fiancée.”
“What!? You’re that dramatic little capitalist lady?” Sister Fang’s eyes went wide, and she quickly covered her mouth.
“Oh, my mouth just talks too much!”
Su Su smiled lightly. Sister Fang wasn’t wrong—according to the original story, she really was a dramatic little capitalist lady.
The original Su Su had been betrothed to Qin Xutao the year her mother died. Her grandfather had arranged it despite her opposition. He had long seen through Zhao Guoxiang’s true nature and sensed that future policies might change.
Worried that the original Su Su would be left alone after he passed, he looked for a suitable match for her. Qin Xutao caught his attention at that time.
Qin Xutao came from a clean family, with three generations in the military. In this era, that meant he was perfectly loyal and politically reliable. He was also young but held a high position in the army, with a promising future. On top of that, he was upright and honest, meaning even if he didn’t have feelings for Su Su, he would never treat her poorly.
As for marrying a wealthy young lady, whether it affected his promotion wasn’t something the grandfather worried about—he only wanted his granddaughter to have a happy life.
He even paid for all of Qin Xutao’s mother’s medical expenses, on the condition that Qin Xutao would marry Su Su. Qin Xutao agreed.
But the original Su Su reacted fiercely when she learned the news. In her eyes, Qin Xutao was silent and unromantic. He didn’t even know how to use a knife and fork in a Western restaurant. More importantly, marrying him meant moving to the remote Black City and enduring hardship. She couldn’t bear the thought of not having pretty clothes to wear.
So she stormed into his army camp, complaining to his subordinates, cursing him as a toad trying to eat swan meat, criticizing the environment of the military housing—refusing to relent until the marriage was canceled.
Qin Xutao merely wrote a letter to her grandfather explaining her whereabouts and then half-forcibly put her back on the train to Shanghai.
Before leaving, he looked at her calmly and said,
“Next time, I’ll cancel the engagement.”
Then he left without another word.
Su Su felt slightly guilty. In the eyes of those around Qin Xutao, she was just an ungrateful, spoiled capitalist lady. She wasn’t even sure if going to Black City to find him was the right decision. But the arrow had been released—she was already on the train, and now she could only take things step by step.
Wang Defang examined Su Su carefully again. Looking at her face and figure, she was undeniably beautiful, and her personality didn’t match the rumors! Who had been gossiping behind her back all this time? Qin Captain was lucky!
Thinking this, Wang Defang became even more enthusiastic.
“Little sister, since you’re the fiancée of Captain Qin, then we’re family! Once we get to Black City, come with me—I’ll take you to find Captain Qin!”
Su Su immediately nodded in agreement.
In the original memory, information about Qin Xutao’s address was already very vague. She had been worrying about how to find him in Black City.
Along the way, Su Su learned a lot about Qin Xutao from Wang Defang. She might be living with him in Black City for the next few years, so gathering information in advance could prevent many conflicts.
The train kept moving. Outside, the temperature dropped, and the windows fogged up with condensation. Su Su wiped a small clear spot and looked out at the passing scenery, seeing patches of snow that hadn’t melted yet.
When the train arrived, Su Su gathered her luggage, put on the army green overcoat she had prepared in advance, wrapped a thick red scarf around her, leaving only her beautiful eyes exposed.
Stepping off the train, water droplets quickly formed on her long, thick eyelashes.
“I’m freezing! Why hasn’t my husband come to pick me up yet? When I get home, I’m going to scold him so badly he won’t know which way is north!”
Wang Defang, carrying a sack and holding her son’s hand, looked around anxiously.
There were many people coming and going outside the station, some holding signs advertising lodging and hot water. Su Su watched in curiosity as they enthusiastically recruited customers as if they were in a fight.
At that moment, a military-green car pulled up in front of them, the window slowly rolling down.
“Captain Qin? You’re the one picking me up!?”