Chapter 33: Can I Get a Banner of Commendation?

Song Kexing moved like the wind, delivering a swift kick to the nearest bandit.

Before the bandit could react, he was sent flying.

Another bandit saw this and immediately lunged toward her, engaging in a close fight.

Almost at the same moment Song Kexing made her move, a tall and fierce figure rushed out from behind Fatty.

He punched the bandit who had spoken earlier unconscious and began battling the bandit leader.

At the scene, aside from the two bandits holding Song Tian and the elderly woman hostage, there was still one more lurking at the edge.

Seeing that someone was disrupting their plan, that bandit’s expression turned vicious. He pulled out a dagger from his pocket and slashed at Fatty.

Though Fatty looked round, he was incredibly agile, dodging the attack like a cat teasing its prey, effortlessly outmaneuvering his opponent.

Han Che no longer hesitated either. He immediately charged at the bandit holding Song Tian.

Only the elderly woman was left without help. Terrified, she cried out:

“Help! Why isn’t anyone helping me? Wuwuwu…”

A few train police officers stationed at the train junction were momentarily stunned.

They had assumed those lingering passengers were just curious onlookers—who would’ve thought they were actually here to help?

Hearing the elderly woman’s cry for help, a young officer turned to the older one and asked, “Uncle Wang, should we…?”

The old officer shook his head. “Don’t be hasty. The situation is nearly under control. We’ll wait until it’s over.”

Those bandits were ruthless and skilled in combat. Even the police had failed to apprehend them during their previous encounters.

But now, these enthusiastic civilians were even more formidable.

Better not to create more confusion and risk making things worse.

Before long, Song Kexing subdued the bandit she was fighting.

She glanced toward Song Tian’s side and saw that Han Che had already rescued her.

Except for the elderly woman, the rest of the bandits had been taken down by the other two young men.

The bandit holding the elderly woman began to panic. He gripped her neck tightly with one hand and flailed a dagger with the other.

“Don’t come any closer! One more step and I’ll kill this old hag!”

“Aaaah! Help!” the elderly woman screamed in terror, eyes pleading as she looked at Song Kexing.

“Young man, I won’t ask for compensation anymore. Just please save me, I’m begging you!”

Song Kexing didn’t spare her a single glance.

This old woman had cursed her so harshly earlier—she wasn’t about to go asking for trouble.

Besides, there were others around. No matter what, someone would rescue her.

In the end, the elderly woman suffered only superficial injuries and was eventually saved.

Just then, the train arrived at the station. The police, who had rushed over, tied up the captured bandits and took them away for interrogation.

Since Song Kexing and the others were directly involved, they needed to go to the local police station to make a statement.

Because there were many of them, the police sent a tractor to pick them up.

On the way, Fatty cheerfully introduced himself:

“Hi everyone, I’m Hu Laibao from Beijing. You can call me Fatty.”

He grinned at the group and continued,

“Today was intense! I didn’t expect you all to be so impressive. Let’s all get to know each other?”

Yan Chen, with his icy expression, said, “I’m Yan Chen. I know Fatty.”

Fatty puffed out his chest proudly. “That’s right, this is my boss! We both served in the military!”

Hearing they were soldiers, Han Che’s reserved demeanor softened slightly.

“I’m Han Che, from Beijing. I’m a sent-down youth headed to Hunan.”

Song Tian nervously said, “I… I’m Song Tian, also a sent-down youth. I’m going to the same place as Comrade Han.”

She still hadn’t fully recovered from the fear of being held hostage, her face pale.

Song Kexing added, “I’m Song Kexing, also a sent-down youth, headed to Hunan as well.”

“Hey! What a coincidence! My boss and I are going to Hunan too!”

Fatty slapped his thigh in excitement and asked for their exact destination.

They soon realized—they were all headed to the same county.

Only Fatty and Yan Chen would be working at the county public security bureau, while the other three were assigned to the countryside.

“This is fate! We should definitely get together sometime!” Fatty exclaimed joyfully, clearly thrilled.

He had been a bit uneasy about moving to an unfamiliar place with just his boss, but now, with so many fellow townsfolk around, how could he not be happy?

Yan Chen raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment.

If not for the events on the train, he might have disapproved of Fatty’s enthusiasm.

But what had just happened proved that these people had good character, so he didn’t mind staying in touch.

“Sure, we’re all friends now.”

Han Che, who came from a military family, deeply respected soldiers and was happy to befriend the two men.

At that moment, Song Tian’s attention was completely on Song Kexing.

When they had first boarded the train, they had only exchanged names and hadn’t talked much.

Who would’ve thought that the fragrant, elegant woman from earlier was going to the same village as her?

The moment she learned this, Song Tian’s heart filled with joy.

She had always been sensitive and could keenly sense others’ emotions. She could tell when someone was genuinely kind.

Song Kexing gave her a sense of safety—she truly liked her.

For the first time, Song Tian felt hopeful about her future in the countryside.

Everyone else had varying expressions, while only Song Kexing remained calm and composed.

To her, this was just another mission. Whether or not she made friends didn’t matter.

She never felt lonely anyway—because she was used to it.

Maruko: 【Big hug, I’ll be with you from now on～】
Song Kexing: 【Mm, having you is enough.】

……

At the police station, after finishing their statements…

The officers expressed their gratitude and said they wanted to award them some prize money.

Yan Chen and Fatty declined immediately. They were people’s servants, and it was their duty to save others.

Han Che also declined: “My family has served in the military for generations. My grandfather taught me from a young age to love the Party, the country, and the people. Saving others is something I should do.”

Everyone at the scene nodded approvingly at his words and then looked at Song Kexing.

Song Kexing said to the officers, “I don’t want money. Can I ask for something else?”

Her words stunned everyone.

She didn’t want the money? Was she planning to ask for something outrageous?

Han Che frowned, a flash of disdain appearing on his face.

He had misjudged her—he thought she was a true hero, but apparently, she was just greedy.

Still, since she had spoken, it wouldn’t be polite to deny her request.

So the officer asked, “Comrade, what would you like?”

Song Kexing smiled slightly. “Can I get a banner of commendation? I just really like those.”