Through the series of events involving finding the lost child and capturing human traffickers, Yan Ming developed great admiration for Gu Yu’s abilities. Upon learning that Gu Yu had once been a soldier, he became even more familiar and talkative.

On the way back, Yan Ming chattered incessantly, his voice growing exceptionally loud when he got excited. The noise made Gu Yu’s ears ache, but he still exercised patience and engaged in the conversation.

Within just a few minutes, Gu Yu had already gathered a rough understanding of Yan Ming’s age, military unit, rank, and his relationship with Lin Xiuzhu.

Hearing movement at the cabin door, Xiuzhu quickly turned her gaze toward the two men.

Noticing Yan Ming’s expression, which could never hide anything, she immediately guessed that they must have found the child.

Her delicate face was full of curiosity, and her bright eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at Yan Ming expectantly, making her thoughts clear without needing to say a word.

Gu Yu, watching from the side, found it amusing. He thought to himself—she’s really young, unable to hide her emotions, her expression changing from moment to moment.

Yan Ming didn’t keep them in suspense and quickly explained what had happened. “It was Gu Yu who deduced that the boy had likely run toward the dining car because he got upset about not getting the braised pork he wanted.”

“So, we traced his route from his original cabin toward the dining car, searching along the way.”

“Any place that could hide something, we checked. In the end, we found the child in an abandoned restroom.”

It turned out that the boy was simply unlucky. The trafficker had been on the way to get food when he happened to see the child wandering alone. Since he hadn’t made a successful capture all day, he seized the opportunity, lured the child to a secluded spot, and then stuffed him into a bag.

Still puzzled, Xiuzhu asked, “But what if the trafficker had taken the child in the opposite direction, away from the dining car?”

“That was unlikely,” Gu Yu explained patiently. “The child had only been missing for a short time before his family noticed. By then, passengers were already on high alert. Moving around with a child would have been too risky. The safest method was to hide him first and wait until the chaotic moments during disembarkation to take him out of the station unnoticed.”

“Oh, that makes sense! You’re really smart—you’d make a great police officer!”

Her soft, sweet voice carried a childlike innocence and trust as it reached Gu Yu’s ears.

He thought to himself—well, she actually got that right.

Remembering the remaining ten yuan, he pulled it out and handed it to her.

Xiuzhu had already forgotten about it. Seeing the money, she suddenly recalled, “You should keep this ten yuan. My compensation was just ten yuan—this is your reward for finding the child.”

These days, people emphasized mutual aid and selfless contributions.

Gu Yu found her unique perspective rather refreshing.

Why should people be expected to sacrifice selflessly for strangers?

His comrades had sacrificed themselves selflessly, giving their lives, but who had ever given anything back to their families—their parents, wives, and children?

“Alright,” Gu Yu replied, taking the money with a complicated expression.

After all the commotion, both of them were feeling drained, and their stomachs began to rumble with hunger.

Yan Ming reached into his cloth bag and pulled out a sugar bun that Lin Xiuzhu’s mother had made, generously offering one to Gu Yu.

Gu Yu didn’t refuse, thanked him, and took it. He finished it in just a few bites, though his movements remained refined.

He had been starving—after all, he had only eaten an apple that evening.

Seeing that the two men were indeed famished, Xiuzhu thought about how just one bun wouldn’t be enough for two grown men.

So, she reached for her bag of snacks from the bed.

Thinking back to how she had previously refused Gu Yu’s offer to exchange food, yet he still helped her deal with that foul-mouthed old witch without holding a grudge, Lin Xiuzhu felt a bit guilty.

She handed over the portion meant for Yan Ming and then, carrying her small bag of snacks, gracefully walked over to Gu Yu.

“Just now, I wanted to thank you for helping me. The reason I didn’t exchange food with you before was that I don’t like interacting with strangers.”

“But now, we’re not strangers anymore! You can pick anything you like from these; I’ll give them all to you.”

“My name is Lin Xiuzhu. I’m 18 years old and taking the college entrance exam after the New Year. Nice to meet you.” (A little note from her brain: Don’t mind the age.)

Her expression was soft and coy, the corners of her lips slightly upturned with a hint of playfulness.

Up close, her features were even more delicate—her skin flawless, smooth as porcelain, with a small red mole just below her right ear. Every detail seemed to align perfectly with his preferences.

Gu Yu rubbed his fingers together, raised an eyebrow, and his phoenix-like eyes gleamed with intrigue. In a warm voice, he replied, “Gu Yu, nice to meet you.”

For some reason, he didn’t feel like mentioning his age in front of her.

“We’re not strangers anymore, so does that mean we’re friends? If so, can you pick out your favorite snack and give it to me?” His voice carried an unmistakable teasing lilt, deep and mesmerizing.

The simple-minded Xiuzhu thought back to how he had stood up for her earlier. He seemed just like her father and Uncle Yan—someone who would protect her.

Suddenly, she curved her lips into a faint smile. “Sure!”

“These biscuits were sent by my grandpa. They’re my absolute favorite, and I haven’t even touched them yet. They’re all yours now!”

When it came to her “own people,” Xiuzhu was always generous.

“Thank you. Since you’re giving me your favorite food, I’ll give you these apples and this box of chocolates in return.” Gu Yu’s slender fingers carried the food over and handed it to her.

Her fair, delicate hands reached out to take them. As her fingertips accidentally brushed against his palm, it was like a spark ignited—hot, tingling, leaving behind a faint numbness.

Xiuzhu gazed at the apples in her hands, feeling fireworks explode in her heart. Her smile bloomed like a flower, pure and sweet, touching the hearts of those around her.

She had grown up in comfort and luxury, and her naturally generous personality saw nothing wrong with this kind of exchange.

Yan Ming, watching the precious food Gu Yu had just given away, couldn’t help but sigh. Not only was this guy smart, but he was also kind and generous. Truly, a good person.

He had completely forgotten the impression he initially had of Gu Yu when they first met…

At that moment, Chen Yuling stared at the food in Xiuzhu’s hands, filled with jealousy.

But she didn’t dare say anything.

She remembered the look Gu Yu had given her before leaving the compartment—dark, ominous, like a venomous snake poised to strike. It sent a chill down her spine.

That man was terrifying. She was smart enough to understand that, despite her unwillingness, she was no match for him.

Seeing the conflict unfold in the compartment, she had merely wanted to teach Lin Xiuzhu a lesson. That girl was insufferable, always carrying herself with arrogance, on top of being dangerously beautiful. Chen Yuling loathed her to the core and wished nothing more than to trample her underfoot.

Even now, she didn’t feel that she had done anything wrong. All she had done was add a little fuel to the fire.

But as for Gu Yu, she no longer dared to provoke him.

He had rejected her over and over again, looking at her as if she were something filthy.

That’s fine.

They all looked down on her now, but one day—one day—she would make them regret it.