The green-skinned train clattered and swayed along the tracks. Li Luoyu pulled out the bundle from under her seat. The package Qi Xiaofei had given her was neatly wrapped—obviously packed by Qi’s mother. Inside were steamed buns, mantou, pastries, and two boxes of braised pork.
At the very bottom lay a neatly stacked 500 yuan. The ration coupons were bundled with a rubber band, with national grain coupons and cloth coupons clearly sorted.
“Qi’s mom is so kind. She knows I love her braised pork, so she packed me two boxes,” Li Luoyu said as she slipped the money and coupons into her canvas bag—though in reality, she stored them in the small cash box inside her space.
The package from Wei Jianguo was huge: ten pounds of cotton, five sets of clothes suitable for elderly men, one outfit for a young girl, plus two sets of undergarments and menstrual cloths for the girl. At the bottom, there was also 500 yuan and some coupons.
Li Luoyu packed everything away and sighed, “Aunt Wei is really gentle and thoughtful.”
Old Master Li saw it all and felt a pang of emotion. As an old man, he truly wasn’t suited to raising a child—especially a girl.
“Yes, your Aunt Wei and your mother were close friends back when they were young ladies.”
After putting the bundles away, Li Luoyu set the buns and braised pork on the table and opened them.
“Grandpas, Grandma Xu, have something to eat. Don’t hold back—I have money. If we’re hungry, we’ll just buy more.”
Old Master Li picked up a bun first.
“That’s right, eat more. You probably haven’t had a proper hot meal these past couple of days.”
The elderly men all bore bruises and injuries of varying degrees. Over the past few days, they had been tormented terribly.
Old Cui took a big bite of a bun.
“That’s true… we’ve been treated so badly these days we barely got to eat.”
The others had already been moved to tears by Li Luoyu’s earlier words, but their empty stomachs won out. The rich aroma of braised pork and meat buns drifted straight into their noses, and they all began eating.
There was no need to voice their gratitude. Once this difficult time passed, they would give the girl the worldly possessions they no longer needed.
The other passengers in the carriage swallowed their saliva at the smell, but after Li Luoyu’s righteous speech earlier, no one dared approach to beg. Otherwise, they’d likely be drowned in the scorn of the crowd.
In these times, most people were still simple and honest. Truly despicable individuals were, after all, a minority—otherwise, what meaning would there be in the sacrifices made by those who fought to protect the country?
Southwest Military Region — Commander Huo’s Office
Commander Mo Yan, Mrs. Mo, their son Mo Qianbai, and daughter-in-law Zhang Huixin stood anxiously by the telephone, their faces drawn and eyes swollen with tears.
After crying all night, Zhang Huixin’s eyes were puffed like a frog’s. She beat her chest in self-blame.
“If I hadn’t trusted my family so blindly, Xiao Yu wouldn’t have gone missing. It’s all my fault! If we can’t find him, I’ll make those heartless people pay with their lives!”
Mo Qianbai supported her, letting her lean against his shoulder.
“Huixin, Huo Jin has already gone after them. We have to trust his ability. Our Xiao Yu will be fine—Captain Huo will definitely bring him back.”
Mrs. Mo wept angrily.
“Huixin, once Xiao Yu comes back, you must cut ties with that family. Our family has only one male heir in three generations—we can’t afford their harm! If anything happens to Xiao Yu, how will we go on? How will the old master live?”
Zhang Huixin clenched her fists, her eyes filled with cold resolve.
“Don’t worry, Mom. That family should have faced consequences long ago. Dad, they must have committed plenty of crimes over the years—don’t spare them for my sake. Punish them as the law dictates. From now on, I have no maternal family—only my husband’s family!”
Mo Yan nodded approvingly.
“You should have done this long ago. They’re not good people. If they hadn’t taken you in and raised you, we wouldn’t have compromised again and again.”
Thinking of her in-laws’ kindness, Zhang Huixin felt deeply moved. But because of that debt of upbringing, she had always hesitated. Now that her son had nearly been harmed by them—how could she not hate them?
“Qianbai, this time you must not show leniency. They must pay the price!”
He gripped her hand firmly and nodded.
Commander Huo, having just finished reviewing documents, also tried to reassure them.
“These traffickers are getting more and more brazen. This time, we’ll wipe them out completely and restore peace to the Southwest!”
Ring—Ring—
The sudden sound of the phone cut through the room. Commander Huo quickly picked it up.
Huo Jin spoke concisely:
“The traffickers have been detained. The two children were given a large dose of sleeping pills—doctor says they’ll be fine after resting.”
“That’s great!” Commander Huo shot to his feet, turning excitedly to the Mo family.
“Huo Jin says both children are safe. The doctor says they’ll recover after they wake up.”
Mrs. Mo reacted first, slapping Mo Yan’s shoulder repeatedly with trembling hands.
“Xiao Yu’s been saved… he’s safe now!”
Mo Yan nodded vigorously.
“Yes, yes! Xiao Yu has been rescued—he’s fine!”
“Huixin… Xiao Yu… he’s been saved. He’s okay.” Mo Qianbai hugged his wife tightly, his voice choked with emotion.
Zhang Huixin clutched his clothes as if grasping a lifeline. Tears streamed down, yet she let out a broken, trembling laugh.
“Yes… Xiao Yu’s been saved…”
Commander Huo continued on the phone:
“What? The lead was discovered by the Li family girl? … She rescued Xiao Yu? … She knocked down the old trafficker with one kick—and even dislocated her jaw? … She saved two children and captured three traffickers? … You want to recommend her for merit? Of course! … What? She likes money—so reward her with cash?”
He sighed in admiration.
“That girl from the Li family—truly a heroine among women! How is Old Master Li?”
Huo Jin replied,
“He’s doing well. Xiao Li is very protective—she’s kept him completely safe.”
“That’s good. I’ll have a word with him when you return—help him worry less.”
Zhang Huixin, still dazed, asked,
“Two children? We only have one… whose child is the other?”
Commander Huo quickly followed up,
“The other child—whose is it?”
“Not identified yet,” Huo Jin said. “The old woman claims he’s also from the Southwest. Check for a boy with a large bluish birthmark on his buttocks.”
“These traffickers are something else—snatching children from the Southwest and taking them north. Interrogate them thoroughly—no mercy!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Return once you’re done.”
“Not yet. The old woman provided many leads—we might be able to destroy their entire network this time.”
“Understood. Stay safe. If you need more personnel, I’ll send them.”
“Yes, sir!”
After hanging up, Commander Huo finally relaxed.
“They’ve located the traffickers’ base. Huo Jin won’t be returning for now.”
Mo Qianbai suddenly stood at attention and saluted.
“Commander Huo, I request permission to go support them!”—and bring Xiao Yu home.
“Approved. Take a team with you. Depart before dawn tomorrow. Uproot that entire trafficking ring.”
“Yes, sir!”