“This old woman’s entire routine is so practiced—she’s definitely a repeat offender. She must have cheated plenty of people before. One report to the police and it’ll all come out.”
As expected, the old woman immediately panicked when she heard “call the police.”
“That won’t do! It’s just a bracelet! Just pay me the money!”
Ruan Tinghe reached into her empty pocket and flipped it inside out. “Do I look like someone with money?”
“If you don’t have money, then leave the kids with me first! Go find the money! I don’t care if you borrow it or sell blood—you must pay!”
While speaking, the old woman’s greedy eyes were fixed firmly on the three children.
Ruan Tinghe immediately understood.
So her target was the children!
Was she a human trafficker?
“No way. Someone please gets the train staff—I’m reporting this to the police. I didn’t break that bracelet. Don’t even think about making me pay!”
Her tone turned sharp and firm.
In this era, although many people loved watching drama, there were still plenty of decent people. Someone had already gone to call the train security.
The old woman grew anxious.
“Calling them won’t help! You break something, you pay—that’s only fair! We’re almost at the station anyway. Get off with me, leave the kids with me, and once you get the money, I’ll return them!”
She suddenly stood up, grabbed Ruan Tinghe’s wrist with one hand and reached for the second child with the other.
Just as Ruan Tinghe was about to react—
Someone moved faster.
A beautiful woman in a cheongsam stepped in and shoved the old woman away.
“Old lady, I saw everything clearly. You smashed that jade bracelet yourself. Why are you framing this young lady?”
Her voice was soft and fragrant, and her graceful demeanor immediately made several nearby men dazed. Three of them even spoke up in agreement.
“Yeah, I saw it too.”
“I didn’t see exactly how it broke, but I clearly saw the girl holding the children the whole time—there’s no way she could’ve touched the bracelet.”
“Right, it must’ve been the old woman trying to scam her.”
The situation instantly reversed.
At that moment, train security arrived. Seeing the situation turning against her, the old woman turned and fled.
Ruan Tinghe tried to chase her, but her wrist was suddenly grabbed by the beautiful woman.
“Good sister, let it go. Let security handle it. You still have three children to look after!”
That brief delay was enough—the old woman disappeared into the crowd. In such a crowded carriage, could security even catch her?
Ruan Tinghe studied the woman carefully.
She wore an embroidered cheongsam, black leather shoes, a white handbag, heavy makeup, and curled hair that softened her slightly plump face into something attractive.
She was bold and lively, immediately pulling Ruan Tinghe down to sit.
“You’re clearly inexperienced from your first long trip. If you had chased her, someone might’ve taken your children instead.”
“Huh?” Ruan Tinghe looked frightened and confused, gripping the woman’s hand gratefully. “I didn’t know… thank you for stopping me. That would’ve been terrible.”
“Don’t mention it. We women should help each other out. My surname is Huang—just call me Sister Huang like everyone else. What’s your name? Why are you traveling alone with three kids?”
“I’m Shen He. Taking the children to the big city to make a living.”
The three children immediately looked up in confusion.
When did Mom change her surname to Shen?
They exchanged glances—none of them understood—but obediently stayed quiet, only their ears perked up attentively.
Meanwhile, Security returned shortly after, apologizing that they had failed to catch the old woman. During the pursuit, they had been tripped by a passenger and fallen, and by the time they got up, the woman was gone.
With the train about to arrive at the station, there was no time for a full search.
Ruan Tinghe showed no surprise.
After Security left, Sister Huang looked worried.
“How could they not catch her? That woman just got away like that?”
Ruan Tinghe simply smiled without answering.
Sister Huang continued, “Sister Shen He, you need to be careful. I think that old woman definitely has accomplices on the train. She might come back for revenge.”
Ruan Tinghe immediately looked frightened. “Ah? What do I do?”
“The train is about to arrive. Why don’t you take the kids and get off with me? Lay low for a couple of days, and I’ll buy you new tickets later. I do watch trading in Su City—you don’t need to worry about me being a scammer.”
She raised her wrist, showing off a sparkling diamond-studded watch.
“Pretty, right? I have plenty in my shop. I can even give you a few later.”
“Looks nice. Thank you, Sister Huang.”
While chatting casually, Ruan Tinghe quietly brushed the second child’s palm.
The second child’s eyes lit up instantly. He clutched his stomach and wailed loudly.
“Ow—my stomach hurts! Mom, I need to poop!”
The eldest and youngest immediately followed suit, crying out dramatically.
The carriage was instantly filled with their cries.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Ruan Tinghe shook off Sister Huang and said worriedly to the children, “Maybe breakfast upset your stomachs. Hurry and go to the bathroom—don’t poop in your pants!”
The three children ran off instantly.
Sister Huang tried to stop them but was too late.
“Hey! We’re about to get off, why go to the bathroom now? Wait until we get off!”
But in the next moment, the three children returned—dragging the train security officer with them.
“Security uncle, it’s her! She’s the bad person!”
Sister Huang’s expression stiffened, but she quickly forced a smile.
“Oh dear, child, I’m Aunt Huang. I just helped your mother catch a bad person!”
Then she turned to Ruan Tinghe.
“Sister Shen He, the child must’ve misunderstood me. I clearly helped you—how did I become the bad person?”
Ruan Tinghe looked at her coldly.
“You and that old woman is together. You’re a human trafficker too.”
“What nonsense are you talking about? I kindly helped you, and now you’re falsely accusing me?”
Tears quickly welled up in Sister Huang’s eyes as she looked wronged.
“Even if you used perfume to cover it up, you and that old woman has the same smell—a faint fishy odor.”
“This…” Sister Huang panicked. “Maybe we both just ate fish?”
“You also have animal hair on your clothes—same color and length as the old woman’s.”
Sister Huang hurriedly patted her clothes, trying to brush it off.
“Maybe I just have cats at home! That doesn’t prove anything!”
Even the security officer hesitated. “Yes, young lady, maybe you misunderstood. If she’s a trafficker, why would she help expose the old woman just now?”