Chapter 89: Chapter 89: Unlucky Wang Xiaowei

A helpful bystander quickly found the police from the train station nearby, and the human trafficker was immediately apprehended.

The well-meaning but clueless woman who had intervened earlier also slipped away, embarrassed—her good intentions had ended up causing trouble.

Thinking about it, if Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huai’an hadn’t been there, the trafficker might really have gotten away with the child.

Sometimes, everything hinges on a single moment’s decision.

After giving their statements, they came out.

Wang Xiaowei hugged her child, thanking them profusely.

“Big brother, big sister, I don’t even know how to thank you. We hadn’t even set off yet and I almost lost my child. If I really lost her, I wouldn’t have the face to go on living. Please, let me treat you to a meal.”

Gu Qinghuan quickly waved her hands. “No need, we’ve already eaten. But what about you? Have you eaten yet? You still have to nurse your child on the road, so you need to keep up your strength.

Let me say one more thing. Aside from the trafficker’s evil intentions, your own vigilance was far too weak today.

When you’re out and about, you can’t trust anyone except yourself. Even if you go to the bathroom, you have to take your child with you.

There are a lot of good people in this world, but there are plenty of bad ones too. Don’t risk your child’s safety.

And in situations like just now, if you can’t explain yourself and no one believes you, then make as big a scene as possible—don’t be afraid to escalate until someone calls the police to help you.

If you ever run into something like this again, don’t panic. Panicking will only keep you from thinking of the best way to save your child.

Stay calm—there are many ways to prove the child is yours.

For example, you can breastfeed your child. If that’s not enough, does your child have any unique features only you know about?

Or maybe you have photos of your child, or family pictures? There are lots of clues you can use to prove your relationship.

But instead, you just kept explaining over and over that the child was yours, which only gave the trafficker an opening.”

Wang Xiaowei lowered her head in embarrassment and shame. “I’m from the countryside, I’ve never traveled far before. This time, my child’s father went back to the city and I haven’t heard from him in ages, so I wanted to go find him.

I understand now. Even if knives were falling from the sky, I’d never hand my child to anyone. Big sister, thank you for speaking so honestly with me.”

Gu Qinghuan felt a little embarrassed after saying all that.

She’d assumed this was common sense for everyone, but forgot that in this era, rural people with little experience were often at the mercy of others. Traveling far from home was no easy feat.

And from what Wang Xiaowei said, it sounded like she’d been abandoned by a city-returned educated youth.

Truly pitiful.

Just as they finished talking, a reporter named Xu Li came over with a big smile.

“Hello, I’m Xu Li, a reporter from People’s Daily. I was lucky enough to witness the whole incident. Could I trouble you for a few minutes for an interview?”

This time, it was Gu Qinghuan’s turn to be surprised. The main victim was right there—why interview her instead?

Dabao and Beibei, realizing their mother was about to be in the newspaper, looked at her with excitement and nervousness.

“Well… alright, but let’s keep it short. I’m in a hurry.”

Xu Li had already observed the whole process and taken notes, so he focused on asking her about her experience, judgment, and how she handled the situation.

Gu Qinghuan explained things clearly and simply, drawing on classic cases she knew from her previous life, and described many different trafficking methods and how to counter them.

Her answers were vivid and compelling, keeping everyone riveted.

Human traffickers were rampant in those days, and Xu Li believed these cases and solutions would serve as a wake-up call, helping prevent many child abductions.

As he wrote furiously, Xu Li could already imagine his promotion and raise once the article was published.

“Comrade Gu, your experience is truly impressive. If I didn’t know your background, I’d almost think you were a trafficker yourself! How did you come up with so many cases? Amazing!”

“Don’t get me in trouble! I’m a law-abiding citizen. These are just things I’ve picked up from traveling around—nothing special.”

Gu Qinghuan really was in a hurry, so after exchanging contact information, they went their separate ways.

Wang Xiaowei was taking the same train to Beijing as them.

She’d originally bought a hard seat, but after what happened, the railway authorities kindly upgraded her to a sleeper berth as a form of comfort and compensation.

By coincidence, they ended up in the same small compartment.

There were four beds in the compartment, two upper and two lower bunks.

Xu Huai’an took the lower bunk with Dabao, while Gu Qinghuan took the upper bunk with Beibei.

It was a bit cramped, but given the circumstances, they had to make do. At least they could lie down for a while, which was better than a hard seat.

Wang Xiaowei and her child took the opposite lower bunk.

Seeing the couple again, Wang Xiaowei felt an unprecedented sense of security.

After some small talk, the train finally set off.

Dabao and Beibei watched out the window for a while, but soon sleepiness overtook them and they drifted off.

With the rhythmic clatter of the train, Gu Qinghuan couldn’t sleep, so she told Xu Huai’an to get some rest while he could—he’d be on night duty, after all, with two kids and so much luggage to watch over.

She started chatting idly with Wang Xiaowei.

She learned that Wang Xiaowei was going to Beijing to find her man, Chen Fulai, an educated youth who had recently returned to the city. He’d supposedly taken over his father’s job at a machinery factory.

Wang Xiaowei was clearly full of hope and anticipation for her trip to Beijing, and Gu Qinghuan didn’t have the heart to dampen her spirits.

But as for this Chen Shimei—oh, no, Chen Fulai—he probably wouldn’t acknowledge her and their child anymore.

In this era, stories like this were all too common.

Gu Qinghuan looked at her with pity. At dinner, she had Xu Huai’an get an extra meal for Wang Xiaowei.

Wang Xiaowei tried to pay her back, but Gu Qinghuan refused. This girl’s days ahead would be tough—better to save her money for the journey home, just in case.

That night, with Xu Huai’an keeping watch, Gu Qinghuan slept soundly, and even Wang Xiaowei across from her got a good rest.

The upper bunk above Wang Xiaowei was occupied by a young man who’d barely made his presence known since boarding, just sleeping quietly up there.

During the day, Xu Huai’an caught up on sleep and took night shifts. After who knows how long, they finally heard the train announcement: the next stop was the final destination—Beijing Railway Station.

After two days of poor sleep and food on the train, everyone was exhausted. Hearing that announcement was like music to their ears.

Gu Qinghuan perked up, waiting for the train to arrive.

Wang Xiaowei said her goodbyes early and hurried to the door—she couldn’t wait to find her man.

Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huai’an weren’t in a rush. They planned to wait until most people had gotten off before leaving—no need to squeeze with the crowd.

Through the window, Gu Qinghuan watched Wang Xiaowei, smiling brightly as she rushed toward what would become her own execution ground."

"Chapter 90: Arriving in the Capital, Meeting an Old Acquaintance

Just as she was about to look away, Gu Qinghuan suddenly noticed something out of the corner of her eye—the young man who had been sleeping on the bunk above Wang Xiaowei was now following closely behind her.

If it was just a coincidence, then why did he stop whenever Wang Xiaowei stopped, pretending to tie his shoelaces?

Gu Qinghuan’s instincts told her something was wrong. Wang Xiaowei might be in danger. Since she’d already helped her once, she might as well see it through to the end.

She quickly told Xu Huaian to go out first and follow them to see what was going on.

Then she slowly led the two children off the train.

Da Bao and Bei Bei were older now, and after witnessing the harrowing incident with the human traffickers—and getting a stern lecture from Gu Qinghuan—they were on their best behavior. No matter who offered them food, they shook their heads and refused to go anywhere with strangers.

With a backpack on her shoulder and holding a child in each hand, Gu Qinghuan slowly made her way off the train.

The three of them walked off the platform, planning to meet up with Xu Huaian.

Suddenly, a tentative voice called out from behind, “Gu Qinghuan?”

Gu Qinghuan turned around in confusion and saw a familiar face from her memories.

To be precise, it was someone she absolutely loathed.

There weren’t many people in the original host’s life who could make her feel such intense disgust.

Gu Qingyue—real name Chen Zhaodi—her half-sister from a different father and mother.

Gu Qingyue had changed her name after “marrying into” the family, disliking her original name and choosing one similar to Gu Qinghuan’s.

It all happened in a flash. Gu Qinghuan didn’t spare her another glance and turned to keep walking.

But Chen Zhaodi wouldn’t let it go and chased after her. “Gu Qinghuan, why are you running? What, are you afraid to see me?

You used to be so high and mighty. What happened to you now?

Whose kids are these? Don’t tell me they’re your illegitimate children?

Weren’t you supposed to be out in the Northwest? Why are you suddenly back?”

As she spoke, she deliberately shook out her new dress for Gu Qinghuan to see.

But even so, Gu Qinghuan, dressed in a simple jacket, still outshone her completely, making Chen Zhaodi grit her teeth in frustration.

“None of your damn business. Is your house by the sea? Why are you so nosy? Good dogs don’t block the way!”

Chen Zhaodi was about to retort when she suddenly remembered something.

With a fake smile, she said, “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. Last month, I got engaged to Nianzhou-ge. Our wedding is in the middle of this month. Don’t forget to come witness our happiness!”

Nianzhou? Yun Nianzhou?

Gu Qinghuan remembered that name.

The original host’s ridiculous ex-boyfriend.

Even if someone gave him to her, she wouldn’t want him. She had no idea what the original host saw in him—her eyes must have needed a good rinse.

Chen Zhaodi had expected to see Gu Qinghuan’s composure crack.

But instead, Gu Qinghuan just scoffed, “What’s it got to do with me? Are you people even related to me? Move aside, don’t bother me.”

With that, Gu Qinghuan walked away with the two children.

Chen Zhaodi stomped her foot in anger. This woman had to be faking it! She used to care so much about Yun Nianzhou—she even cried for ages when he broke off the engagement. How could she not care at all now?

Gu Qinghuan’s reaction made her feel like she’d gone to all that trouble just to snatch up a pile of crap.

Meanwhile, Gu Qinghuan soon met up with Xu Huaian.

Her suspicions had been correct—the young man really was up to no good.

Xu Huaian had followed him and discovered that he’d secretly drugged Wang Xiaowei and her son, dragging them into an alley. Fortunately, Xu Huaian arrived just in time, or the consequences would have been unthinkable.

The police had already been called and were handling the situation.

That young man seemed to be part of the same trafficking gang as before. Xu Huaian had beaten him so badly his own mother wouldn’t recognize him.

After giving their statements, Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huaian waited outside for the results, looking after Wang Xiaowei and her son in the meantime.

That mother and son really were down on their luck—trouble just kept finding them.

Out of the frying pan, into the fire.

But they were also incredibly lucky, having been rescued by Gu Qinghuan time and again.

Having survived such ordeals, perhaps good fortune awaited them. Hopefully, they’d make it through this unscathed.

The results of the interrogation soon came out.

The young man turned out to be the son of the old woman who’d been arrested earlier.

They had been working as a gang. After his mother was caught, the young man, angry and vengeful, set his sights on Xu Huaian’s group.

But Xu Huaian was too strong and vigilant, always keeping Da Bao and Bei Bei close, leaving the young man with no opportunity. So he targeted Wang Xiaowei and her son again.

But Gu Qinghuan had seen through him, and he failed.

The case was solved, but now the question was what to do with Wang Xiaowei and her son.

Fortunately, she soon woke up.

From getting off the train to now, it was almost dark.

The police station didn’t provide overnight lodging.

Wang Xiaowei trailed after them, her trust in Gu Qinghuan now absolute after everything that had happened.

With night falling, she was worried about her own safety and could only stick with them.

Gu Qinghuan found a nearby guesthouse for her family to stay in.

After all, nothing was more important than a good rest—they were all exhausted from the journey.

Wang Xiaowei also got herself a room.

Everything in the capital was expensive. If she couldn’t find her child’s father soon, she’d be out of money.

For safety reasons, Xu Huaian’s family only booked one room—after all, they were a legally married couple.

The woman running the guesthouse kept staring at Gu Qinghuan and the two children, thinking, “My goodness, this girl is so young, how does she already have two kids this big?”

The room had two beds, just enough for them to squeeze in. Still, it was far more comfortable than the train.

As for Wang Xiaowei, she had to make do with her own room. After all, they were just acquaintances by chance—Gu Qinghuan wasn’t responsible for her life.

If, after all that had happened, she still hadn’t learned to be cautious, then all you could say was: she deserved it.

The night passed uneventfully.

The next morning, after washing up and a simple breakfast, Gu Qinghuan prepared to check on Gu Lanting.

She’d planned to go alone—it would be too much trouble to drag the whole family and all their luggage.

Xu Huaian wanted to go too, but was too embarrassed to say so, so he signaled the two children.

Da Bao immediately hugged Gu Qinghuan’s leg, “Mom, we want to go too.”

Gu Qinghuan could never resist the kids’ pleading.

“All right, all right, we’ll all go.”

After all, it wasn’t every day they came to the capital—she should take the kids out to see the sights.

Once the family was ready, Wang Xiaowei also headed out.

Gu Qinghuan watched her get on the bus to the machinery factory and told her which stop to get off at.

She hoped Wang Xiaowei would find her child’s father, but deep down, she knew it probably wouldn’t go smoothly.

Then, the family boarded a bus to the city center.

The old-style buses were crowded and cramped. Xu Huaian, strong and tall, used his big hands to shield Gu Qinghuan and the two children.

Gu Qinghuan didn’t have time to dwell on how close they were—she was too busy trying not to get carsick from all the jostling."

"Chapter 91: Sister and Brother Reunite