Chapter 15: Arrested

The gatekeeper took one look and thought, “Well, no need to go call anyone.”

Song Yue lifted her head and saw several uniformed officers sprinting toward them. A hint of amusement flickered in her eyes.

That kid did his job fast.

The uniformed officers rushed over, but Song Tiezi and the others were still fighting, fists flying.

The officers stepped in, forcibly prying the four of them apart.

Each of them had taken a beating—faces bruised, lips split, blood visible.

Li Huijuan pointed at Chen Yun. “Comrades, you came just in time! This woman is a homewrecker! She’s seducing my son! Arrest her now!”

Chen Yun was so furious her lungs nearly exploded. Not to be outdone, she jabbed her finger at Li Huijuan.

“Comrades, arrest this old hag! She tried to sell her stepdaughter!”

The officers and the surrounding crowd: “!!!”

He Jiao was stunned. What did she just hear?

Song Yue: Well said!

Song Tiezi lost his temper. “Chen Yun! You stupid b*tch, shut the hell up!”

The officers shouted, “Enough! All of you, shut up!”

“Take it back to the station!”

Song Yue watched as the uniformed officers led the four of them away.

With this, those three probably weren’t getting out anytime soon.

Two were guilty of being homewreckers and suspected of human trafficking.

One was directly involved in human trafficking.

As for He Jiao, if she could convincingly claim ignorance, she might get out.

But He Jiao wasn’t the important one. The other three were.

Song Yue was in a great mood, humming a little tune as she headed to the state-run restaurant where she had arranged to meet Yang Duo the day before.

By the time she arrived, Yang Duo was already standing at the entrance, scanning the crowd anxiously.

The moment she spotted Song Yue, she ran over excitedly. “Yueyue! You’re finally here!”

“I waited so long my legs are about to fall off…”

She grabbed onto Song Yue’s arm.

Song Yue apologized, “Sorry, I overslept.”

Yang Duo waved it off. “No big deal, as long as you’re here.”

“Today, eat to your heart’s content. Whatever you want, it’s on me!”

She winked at Song Yue and patted the inner pocket of her jacket. “Big sis has both money and ration tickets.”

Song Yue chuckled. “Still, let’s take only what we can finish. No need to waste food.”

“Alright, let’s eat!”

Yang Duo dragged Song Yue into the state-run cafeteria.

It was just past eleven, not quite peak lunchtime yet.

There were diners inside, but only a handful of occupied tables. No need to wait in line.

Yang Duo pulled Song Yue straight to the ordering counter. “I’ll have Mapo Tofu, twice-cooked pork, cold-marinated crucian carp, and pork knuckle soup. Oh, and—”

Hearing the dishes Yang Duo was ordering, Song Yue froze for a moment.

Because… these were all the original host’s favorites.

Three dishes and one soup.

Seeing that Yang Duo was about to order more, Song Yue quickly stopped her. “Yang Duo, that’s enough. This is plenty.”

Yang Duo saw Song Yue’s serious expression and nodded. “Alright, just these then.”

She turned to the cashier. “How much?”

Before paying, she shot Song Yue a glare. “Don’t even think about paying. It’s my treat.”

Song Yue: “…”

Once the bill was settled, they carried their trays to a quiet corner table and sat down.

After finishing her meal, Song Yue set down her chopsticks and glanced at Yang Duo, who was eating like a little squirrel across from her.

Yang Duo’s complexion was pale—an unhealthy kind of white.

Something stirred in Song Yue’s mind. “Yang Duo.”

“Mm?” Yang Duo looked up. “What’s up, Yueyue?”

Song Yue pointed to the table. “Put your hand here.”

“Huh?”

Though puzzled, Yang Duo still followed instructions, placing her hand where Song Yue pointed.

Song Yue placed two fingers on Yang Duo’s wrist, checking her pulse. “Don’t talk.”

Yang Duo stayed quiet, even chewing her food more slowly.

After finishing the pulse reading, Song Yue took out a notebook and pen, quickly jotting down a prescription.

She tore off the page and handed it to Yang Duo. “Take this to the pharmacy and get the herbs. After a few doses, your health will improve.”

Yang Duo took it, folded it neatly, and tucked it into her inner pocket. “Okay.”

Song Yue watched her movements. “You’re not going to ask what it’s for?”

Yang Duo grinned. “No need. I trust you.”

Song Yue was momentarily stunned, warmth blooming in her chest.

Yang Duo wiped her mouth. “I’m done eating. Want to go to the supply and marketing cooperative and see if there’s anything you need?”

Song Yue replied, “I need to stop by the hospital first.”

Yang Duo’s gaze fell on the bandage around Song Yue’s head. “To change the dressing?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll go with you.”

They arrived at the hospital.

Registered, paid the fee, and found the doctor.

The doctor had Song Yue sit on a stool and began unwrapping the bandages around her head.

As the gauze came off, the stitched wound was fully exposed to both the doctor and Yang Duo’s eyes.

Yang Duo froze. The cut was that big?! How much must Yueyue have suffered?!

The doctor clicked his tongue. “Oh dear, comrade, how did this happen?”

“I fell.”

The doctor frowned. “Fell?”

Song Yue nodded. “Mm.”

Yang Duo reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of candy, unwrapping it. “Yueyue, it must hurt, right?”

Song Yue, not wanting her to worry, smiled. “Not—”

“Yueyue, open your mouth.”

Instinctively, Song Yue obeyed.

Yang Duo quickly popped a milk candy into her mouth. “With something sweet, it won’t hurt as much.”

The rich, creamy flavor of White Rabbit candy spread in Song Yue’s mouth.

Yang Duo grabbed a few more candies and handed them to the doctor. “Uncle, have some candy. Please be gentle while applying the medicine. Yueyue is afraid of pain.”

The middle-aged doctor chuckled. “Alright, I’ll be as gentle as possible.”

After the medicine was applied and fresh bandages wrapped, the two of them left the hospital.

Yang Duo looked at Song Yue. “It hurts, doesn’t it? How did you even fall like that?”

“I wasn’t watching where I was going and stepped into a pothole.”

Yang Duo sighed. “Be more careful from now on, alright? No more zoning out while walking.”

“Mm, okay.”

After leaving the hospital, Yang Duo still wanted to accompany Song Yue to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy necessities for her rural trip.

But Song Yue, thinking of Yang Duo’s weak health, made up an excuse about needing to buy a lot of things and that carrying them home would be exhausting.

She said she’d just buy them near her house and send them by mail.

Yang Duo was convinced and asked for Song Yue’s departure time, insisting she’d see her off.

The two parted ways.

On her way home, Yang Duo passed by a large pharmacy.

She stopped, looked at it for a moment, and then stepped inside.

When she came back out, she was carrying a big bag of medicine.

Song Yue didn’t go straight home. Instead, she headed to the black market.

She still had two properties left to deal with.

Approaching the area, she saw patrols of people wearing red armbands.

She carefully avoided them and slipped into the black market, finding a concealed spot first.

When she emerged again, her once fair face had turned sallow, resembling someone suffering from long-term malnutrition.

Carrying a basket and a backpack covered with black cloth, she kept a wary eye on her surroundings.

The people here had sharp instincts. They could instantly tell what someone wanted just by looking at them.

She had only walked a few steps when someone bumped into her.

Her reflexes kicked in—this was a pickpocket. She grabbed the person’s wrist in an iron grip.

The man gasped. This girl looked half-starved, but how was she so strong?!

And those sharp eyes… she was no ordinary person.

Lowering his voice, he asked, “Buying or selling?”