Though Ye Xiaoqiong was certainly pitiful, there were many unfortunate people in the world, and Xia Xiaolan couldn’t take them all in. Her main goal was to stop the human traffickers; helping Ye Xiaoqiong was just something she did along the way. While emergency aid wasn’t the same as solving poverty, Xia Xiaolan’s loan of 100 yuan, given the current prices, would be enough for someone with working hands and feet to settle in Shanghai if they were willing to find ways to earn money.

If Ye Xiaoqiong repaid the money in the future, Xia Xiaolan would be pleased to have helped someone trustworthy. If she didn’t repay it, Xia Xiaolan would lose 100 yuan plus a train ticket – money she could write off, given her current financial situation. After lending the money, she put the matter out of her mind.

The couple sitting across, who had been very enthusiastic earlier, now seemed awkward after Xia Xiaolan’s actions. “Given our financial situation…” the older sister trailed off, implying they couldn’t just give away 100 yuan – it was more than a month’s wages.

“Sister, we’re all doing good deeds here. Some give money, others give effort – neither is superior to the other,” Xia Xiaolan said, which brightened the older sister’s mood again.

Zhou Cheng rubbed his temples, and Xia Xiaolan noticed immediately: “Still not feeling well? Why don’t you rest a bit more?”

Zhou Cheng shook his head: “I’m fine. I’ll just listen to you talk. I couldn’t sleep much longer anyway – the railway police will surely want to speak with us soon.”

Zhou Cheng was right. After temporarily detaining the two traffickers, the railway police returned. “Comrades, when the train arrives at the station, we’ll need to take up some of your time. Please come with us to the police station for the handover and to serve as witnesses.”

This was their duty, and even Zhou Cheng wouldn’t object. Though his leave time was meant for accompanying his wife and every moment was precious, doing good deeds with Xiaolan was equally meaningful.

“I’ll testify!” Xia Xiaolan declared. Having already identified them personally and being recognized by the suspects, she wanted to avoid future trouble and ensure their human trafficking crimes were properly documented.

During this wait, the train quickly arrived at Shanghai Station. Like all train stations, it was chaotic. Zhou Cheng protected Xia Xiaolan as they disembarked, along with the couple sitting across from them and Ye Xiaoqiong, the near-victim, following the police officers who were escorting the two traffickers to the station.

Xia Xiaolan insisted they were human traffickers: “They might have been committing crimes on multiple train routes. I encountered them previously on the train from Shangdu to Yangcheng. Officers, you need to investigate this thoroughly!”

The police officer’s expression grew serious. “If what you’re saying is true, this could be a major case.”

When they tried to trick Xia Xiaolan in ’83, it surely wasn’t their first crime. Now it was late July ’85, roughly two years later – how many times had they struck during that time? With so many trains crisscrossing the country, how many victims had they successfully trafficked on different routes, even if some like Xia Xiaolan had escaped their trap? Take Ye Xiaoqiong for example – if Xia Xiaolan hadn’t exposed them in time, this first-time traveler in desperate need of money would have fallen into the traffickers’ carefully woven trap.

Then there were their introduction letters. Either the letters were fake, or whoever issued them was suspicious – how could they travel so frequently between distant places without raising any red flags?

How the police would investigate was no longer Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng’s concern. At most, they received praise from the police for their “brave intervention,” who offered to notify their work units – Xia Xiaolan quickly declined, not wanting to gain attention at Huaqing this way, and Zhou Cheng, not needing such merit for his promotion, similarly declined the police’s goodwill.

Leaving the police station, Xia Xiaolan smiled at Zhou Cheng.

Zhou Cheng instantly understood: “Are you thinking about our first meeting?”

Xia Xiaolan nodded: “Yes, I thought you were truly being righteous, not knowing you were attracted to me.”

He had helped her take the hooligan to the police station, then wouldn’t let her go.

“Xiaolan, I wasn’t the only one attracted,” Zhou Cheng said.

Xia Xiaolan blushed immediately – why did he have to speak such frank truths?

After their brief flirtation, the enthusiastic older sister and her husband bid them farewell.

Ye Xiaoqiong, who had just been sternly warned by the police to be more vigilant and not give criminals any opportunities, came over with tears in her eyes: “Please keep the IOU safe. I won’t disappoint you – I’ll repay you. Thank you!”

Ah, such a crybaby.

Xia Xiaolan sighed: “Don’t look down – looking down makes you want to cry. When you’re sad, look up at the sky instead. The path ahead is made by people walking it, and no one’s future is predetermined. Even nobles and officials weren’t born that way! I believe you can repay my money, but your goal shouldn’t be limited to just repaying this small amount. You should aim to live better, understand?”

Wow –

This stirred up a hornet’s nest. Ye Xiaoqiong had been teary-eyed before, but now the floodgates truly opened. She left crying.

Xia Xiaolan had a headache.

She would have preferred to be harsh rather than gentle, for this very reason.

Such emotional scenes made her uncomfortable.

After Ye Xiaoqiong left, Zhou Cheng and Xia Xiaolan were alone again. Zhou Cheng took her hand: “My wife is so soft-hearted. That lesson you gave Little Ye was worth more than 100 yuan.”

Xia Xiaolan glared at him: “Little Ye said she was visiting relatives, but she seems more like a drifting water plant with no roots. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice! As they say, if you help someone, help them completely. Seeing how pitiful she is, don’t you think I should take her in?”

Zhou Cheng noticed something off in her tone.

Was she still thinking about Wei Juanhong?

Zhou Cheng maintained his composure: “I’ll follow my wife’s teaching – help in emergencies but not in poverty. No matter how pitiful she is, her situation isn’t necessarily worse than yours two years ago, and it pains me to think of all your hardships. Little Ye might not be as clever and determined as you, but how is that my concern? She must walk her path – I care about our future together.”

While he would help with injustices when encountered, Zhou Cheng wasn’t a saint who would shoulder every burden.

When Xia Xiaolan helped people, he tried to stay quiet, fearing Little Ye might get the wrong idea.

Xia Xiaolan’s lips curved into a smile – seems the Wei Juanhong incident had taught Zhou Cheng well. He finally understood what was important!

“I wonder if Nie Weiguo has received his due punishment back in Jiangcheng.”

“If you’re worried about that, just ask Ge Jian when we see him.”

…

In Jiangcheng.

Ge Jian walked boldly through the streets without disguise.

No one would rush to arrest him.

Because Nie Weiguo was already finished, having done many despicable things. He had previously escaped serious investigation and enjoyed protection, allowing him to act freely.

It was bad enough that he tyrannized the design institute, but he foolishly provoked Miss Xia.

Ge Jian had handled several matters for Xia Xiaolan, all with a clear conscience.

The people Xia Xiaolan wanted him to deal with were all villains – he merely helped ensure they were caught more quickly.

Not only did Ge Jian feel no guilt, he even experienced a sense of righteous satisfaction, which aligned perfectly with the principles of the Bai Martial Arts School!

He had considered what he would do if one day Miss Xia asked him to do something against his conscience… but that was impossible. Miss Xia had strong principles and never initiated harm unless provoked.

Junior Sister Bai introduced him and Senior Brother Li to Miss Xia precisely because she trusted Miss Xia’s character.

Ge Jian casually walked to the design institute’s residential area. There were many others like him coming to hear the gossip, as flyers about Nie Weiguo had been distributed throughout the city!

“That damned Nie Weiguo has finally been arrested. Heaven is just after all!”