The next day, before work hours had even begun, the area outside the small dark room was already bustling with activity.
People came and went, their footsteps hurried and chaotic, and from time to time, shouts could be heard.
Zhou Hai was determined to carry out a thorough purge this time.
During breakfast, someone brought them steamed buns, porridge, and pickled vegetables. The person didn’t say a word, just set the food down and left.
It was likely Zhou Hai who had sent it.
After eating, Pang Fu clamored to go outside for some fresh air. The little wild child, used to roaming freely in the mountains, couldn’t stand being cooped up in such a small space.
Fourth Brother Fu tried everything to keep Zaizai entertained—telling stories and playing games—and finally managed to keep the little one inside. It was too chaotic outside today; they couldn’t risk going out.
The day passed without incident.
On the fourth day of their stay in the small dark room, two people arrived early in the morning to notify the Fu Family to get ready—they were about to depart for their destination.
The Fu Family was overjoyed. Zhou Hai had indeed kept his word.
There wasn’t much to pack. The food was all gone, and Pang Fu was already wearing one of the outfits Zhang Jianguo had brought. The remaining two pieces could be worn by the others.
They didn’t consider throwing the clothes away. Nowadays, it was hard to come by food and necessities. Although these clothes were old, they were just right for the countryside and much needed.
Stepping out of the pitch-dark small room, they saw the morning sun just rising above the horizon, its fiery glow heralding a new beginning.
“Let’s go,” said Zhou Hai, who had come personally to see them off. The wounds on his body had festered over the day, looking even more gruesome than before, but he acted as if nothing was wrong. His expression appeared calm, not at all like someone in the midst of a ruthless purge.
He drove a truck for them, and the Fu Family sat in the cargo bed, which was padded with some straw for comfort—a thoughtful gesture.
The Fu Family had always traveled by car before, so riding in a truck felt quite novel. Strangely, their mood was calm, without much fluctuation.
Zhou Hai had bought them train tickets for 9 a.m. They arrived at the train station at exactly 8:30, just in time to board.
However, due to their special status, the Fu Family didn’t go through the ordinary channels. Zhou Hai personally handed them over to the person in charge on the train.
It was unclear what he said to that person, but the way the train official looked at the Fu Family—initially like they were prized sheep—became noticeably more restrained.
After speaking, Zhou Hai approached and handed Fourth Brother Fu a large bundle. “There are some food and supplies inside. It’s not much, just a token of my gratitude. This bag of snacks is for the little one.
Once you leave here, it’s beyond my control. From now on, you’ll have to rely on yourselves.
However, I can still help with small tasks like running errands or passing messages. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything.
After all, the little one saved my life. We should stay in touch.”
Fourth Brother Fu naturally wouldn’t pass up a potential connection. “Director Zhou, I’m honored by your kindness. I may have to trouble you in the future.
As it happens, there’s something I’d like to ask of you right now, if that’s alright?”
Zhou Hai nodded. “Go ahead.”
“My eldest brother has a student named Zhang Jianguo. I’d like to trouble you to look into his background.”
Upon hearing this, Fu Laoda glanced up at Fourth Brother Fu but said nothing, lowering his head again.
Zhou Hai knew someone had visited them while they were detained, likely this Zhang Jianguo.
His subordinates had also reported the broken steamed buns and dead rats.
There were plenty of people hoping for the Fu Family’s demise.
“And after the investigation?”
Fourth Brother Fu replied, “Just let us know what you find out.”
Zhou Hai didn’t decline. “Alright, I’ll write to you when there’s news.”
As he spoke, he patted Pang Fu’s chubby head. “Little one, don’t forget your uncle.”
Pang Fu had no time to pay him any mind. The little country bumpkin was utterly captivated by the grandeur of the big city, staring around with wide-eyed fascination.
Zhou Hai didn’t mind, smiling indulgently.
The Fu Family boarded the train. They had no seats, only a designated corner. Though there was no dedicated guard, they weren’t allowed to move around freely, and someone would come by to check on them from time to time.
Their destination was an extremely remote mountain valley in the southern province.
The train journey would take three days and three nights, followed by a bus ride and then walking. Altogether, it would take about four or five days of hassle.
This place was chosen by the Fu Family themselves—far enough, remote enough, allowing them to recuperate peacefully, where no unsavory characters could reach them.
The early autumn weather wasn’t cold, and the family huddled in the corner felt quite comfortable. At least it wasn’t like the front carriages, packed with people, with no room to sit, forced to stand.
There were also chickens, ducks, geese, and all sorts of animals gathered together, the smell assaulting their senses.
Their spot could be considered a private space.
It was Pang Fu’s first time on a train, and she was so busy looking around that her big eyes couldn’t take it all in. Nestled in Fourth Brother Fu’s arms, she tilted her head left and right, her little neck almost twisting itself thin.
Baba, however, was utterly disdainful. Not to mention compared to the interstellar era, even compared to Ancient Earth thirty or forty years later, this was far from satisfactory.
【Little master, study hard. Later, Baba will teach you all kinds of interstellar technology. You’ll definitely be able to design transportation tools a hundred times better than this.】
“Study hard,” the chubby head nodded perfunctorily. A little illiterate, she had no idea what studying even meant.
Fourth Brother Fu heard it clearly and couldn’t help but laugh. “Our Fufu is so amazing, already knowing to study hard at such a young age?”
The little baby didn’t even know what she had said. Hearing Fourth Brother Fu’s praise, she gave him a confused look before continuing to gaze around.
In the dark room, the Fu Family had been on edge and hadn’t rested well.
Once on the train, half their worries eased, and drowsiness set in. Not long after the train departed, they began to doze off.
Old Second Fu, toughened by army training and with the best stamina, said, “You all sleep. I’ll keep watch.”
Though they had nothing of value, they couldn’t afford to be careless and all fall asleep.
The others didn’t stand on ceremony with him, sitting on the floor, finding comfortable positions, and closing their eyes.
Fourth Brother Fu let Qingqing Yin lean against his leg and placed Pang Fu in her arms, so both mother and daughter could sleep comfortably.
Pang Fu, nestled in her mother’s embrace, found it cozy and didn’t resist. She tilted her chubby head to look at the novelties around her, watching until she fell asleep.
Children sleep lightly, and when Pang Fu woke up, the others were still asleep.
She wriggled her little bottom, trying to get up to pee.
Old Second Fu’s long arm reached out and pulled the little one into his arms. “Fufu, there are bad people everywhere on the train who snatch children. You can’t run around.” The stern man’s attempt at a gentle voice sounded awkward.
Pang Fu squirmed her chubby body in protest. “Gotta pee-pee.”
“Pee-pee? No rush, Second Uncle will take you.”
The chubby baby stopped squirming. “Hurry up then.”
Old Second Fu couldn’t help but laugh. How do you “hurry up” to pee?
The toilet wasn’t far, just a few steps away.
Old Second Fu sent Pang Fu into the toilet and closed the door. The little chubby baby was quite capable and could pee by herself without adult help.
After peeing, Pang Fu wandered around the carriage, poking here and touching there, or standing on her little chubby legs to watch the mountains, rivers, and trees flashing by outside.
Old Second Fu relaxed his guard when he saw she was behaving well and not running around.
But in the blink of an eye, Pang Fu toddled on her short little legs, wobbling here and peeking there, and slipped into the passenger car ahead.
The passenger car also had people standing, though not many, so her small frame could easily weave through.
【Little master, don’t wander too far. I’ve heard that in these times, there are many kidnappers on trains.】
“Kidnappers?” Pang Fu half-understood, standing on tiptoe and hobbling along as if imitating the word, finding it amusing and giggling happily.
Baba…