Qiao Yuewei stood in the passage connecting two train carriages, pretending to be a passenger with a standing ticket.
She glanced casually at the middle-aged woman, quickly looking away each time to avoid detection.
The woman didn’t interact with anyone else, so she likely had no accomplices.
Within ten minutes, Qiao Yuewei saw a train attendant arrive with a train police officer. She quickly glanced at the woman still in her seat and nodded toward the attendant.
The attendant visibly relaxed. After whispering to the police officer, the officer gave Qiao Yuewei a surprised look and then nodded.
The two of them approached the middle-aged woman, one following the other, while Qiao Yuewei stayed put.
The officer stopped beside the woman. “Comrade, please show your ticket.”
The woman wanted to refuse, but seeing the officer’s uniform, her eyes flickered with fear. She forced a sincere smile. “Comrade, what’s the matter? I’m taking my grandson to Nancheng to see his parents.”
Although afraid, she maintained her composure. This child had been picked up at a previous station—there was no way they had tracked her so quickly.
The officer took the ticket, glanced at it, and then looked at the child. “Routine check. Is the child asleep? What’s their name? How old?”
“Yes, a child this age must be sleepy. His name is Gou Dan, three years old,” the woman said, baring her teeth as she spoke.
The officer casually examined the ticket and asked, “Full name?”
The woman blurted out, “Wang Er.”
The officer nodded. “There’s a more spacious carriage over there where the child can be comfortable. Follow me.”
Before she could refuse, the officer grabbed her and took the child, handing him to the attendant.
The woman froze, then collapsed to the floor, slapping her thighs and wailing.
“This is outrageous! Kidnapping in broad daylight! I said I don’t want to go! You’re staff, you can’t force me! And you took my child—damn you!”
Passengers turned to look.
“What’s going on?”
“Comrade, if he doesn’t want to go, leave it be.” Although she didn’t understand why the woman would refuse comfort, she couldn’t be forced.
“Exactly!”
Many passengers sided with the woman.
The woman’s eyes darted, and she pointed at the officer and attendant. “Are you really staff? You’re human traffickers, aren’t you?”
The crowd’s gaze shifted.
The officer, caught off guard by her counterattack, turned red with anger.
“What nonsense! Is this child yours?”
He reached for her, but the woman flailed her hands.
Smack!
A sharp slap landed on the officer’s face.
The onlookers immediately went silent.
“小 Zhou, are you okay?” the attendant asked, glaring at the woman with concern.
“Comrade, please cooperate with our investigation!”
“Investigation? Give me back my child! You’re traffickers! Arrest them! Someone disguised as a police officer is abducting children!”
The woman jumped up, screaming. Nearby men, hearing “trafficker,” immediately restrained the officer.
The woman grinned, reaching for the child in the attendant’s arms. A chaotic struggle ensued.
She clawed at the attendant’s face with long, black nails. If she succeeded, it could leave scars.
The attendant’s eyes widened in alarm but held the child tightly.
Just as her nails were about to scratch his face, the woman screamed in pain.
The attendant opened her eyes and saw Qiao Yuewei restraining the woman. Her pale face regained color, and she gratefully nodded at Qiao Yuewei.
Qiao Yuewei twisted the woman’s attacking hand outward, holding it firmly.
“Comrades, this woman is the real trafficker. They are train staff, I can vouch for them!”
Everyone looked at Qiao Yuewei in confusion. Where did this young, beautiful girl come from?
“Please believe me. I am a military dependent and won’t lie. This woman is a trafficker. This child isn’t her grandson.”
Hearing she was military-affiliated, the crowd visibly relaxed.
“Is there a doctor? Can someone check if the child is just asleep or drugged?”
“I’m from the clinic. I’ll take a look,” said a bespectacled young man.
Qiao Yuewei nodded. “Please check on the child.”
He examined the child and grew serious.
“This child isn’t asleep,” he said sharply, looking at the woman. “He has been drugged.”
The woman trembled, almost falling, but Qiao Yuewei held her hand to prevent her from falling.
Qiao Yuewei pressed her lips and asked, “Will the medicine affect the child?”
He shook his head. “Not sure. If it’s a small dose and sent to a hospital in time, there should be no problem. A large dose could be dangerous.”
Qiao Yuewei glared at the woman.
The crowd, especially those who restrained the officer, quickly let go.
Surprised, they realized she was the real trafficker. Apologetically, they looked at the officer. “Sorry, comrade.”
The officer shook his head. “I’m glad everyone cooperated. Just remember to stay vigilant and not follow blindly.”
The crowd blushed. “You’re right, officer. We were reckless. We’ll improve.”
The officer smiled, taking the trafficker from Qiao Yuewei’s hands.
Qiao Yuewei asked the attendant, “How long until the next stop?”
“The next station is Jiangcheng, about half an hour away.”
Qiao Yuewei nodded and followed the attendant to the special carriage.
She retrieved some spirit spring water from her space, hoping it would help the child.
“Comrade Qiao, thank you for looking after this child. I’ll contact the next station to prepare a vehicle to take him to the hospital.”
Qiao Yuewei agreed, and the attendant thanked her.
After the attendant left, Qiao Yuewei locked the door, took out the spirit spring water, and carefully fed the child. His complexion visibly improved.
Afterward, she opened the door. When the attendant returned, she handed over the child and returned to her own berth.
“Hmm, the child looks much better than before,” the attendant remarked.
The next station arrived quickly. Qiao Yuewei watched as the child was taken by staff and the trafficker arrested, confident they would soon find the child’s real parents.
Looking up, she realized it was already 5:30.
Having eaten recently and slept most of the day, she wasn’t hungry or sleepy, so she took out the snacks Uncle Ren had bought.
Soon, the train announcement rang.
“Welcome aboard this train. Please take care of your belongings and personal safety. Do not trust strangers easily.”
“Additionally, a human trafficking case was just handled on this train. Special thanks to Comrade Qiao Yuewei for her timely warning and assistance!”