Chapter 11: Consider Joining the Propaganda Department?

“Being cautious when out and about is essential, especially for children. If grassroots-level propaganda was more effective, there wouldn’t be so many children abducted every year.”

The elderly man, Xue Lao, furrowed his brows tightly, unable to suppress a sigh.

Manman nodded solemnly, “Mom says that a child as delicate as me might get sold by traffickers, but not every child is as lucky as I am. Some kids are turned into tools for profit, possibly having their legs broken to beg or even having parts of their bodies removed. Some might even be sent to circuses, stuffed into small vases to perform.”

Everyone in the compartment listened in horror, their breaths quieted.

Manman, despite his young age, had an unexpectedly strong sense of empathy.

Unlike him, other children weren’t so fortunate, and some might not have been saved by their mothers in time.

Thinking about the tragic fate that could await them filled his clear eyes with tears.

With the pure and innocent words of a child, he spoke firmly, “When I grow up, I want to be a police officer and catch all the human traffickers.”

“Such ambition!”

Someone started clapping, and soon the entire compartment erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Jiang Ningning:!!

Her son had just become the center of attention.

“Little one, your mother must have taught you very well.” Xue Lao said with a beaming face.

A strong nation depends on strong youth!

“That’s right! So, my mom is the most amazing mom in the world!”

As soon as he heard praise for his mother, Manman became even more energetic. Now, he was a proud mom’s boy, wanting everyone in the world to know how great his mother was.

“My mom says traffickers are always improving their tricks. They lure kids with candy, and they tell young girls about high-paying jobs. Traffickers usually operate in groups, and you need to be extra cautious with those who try to get close to you. The ones who approach you for no reason and seem overly kind and honest are the ones to be most careful of. They might even try to steal children when the train doors are about to close…”

As Manman spoke, a woman in the corner of the compartment grew increasingly frightened. By the time he finished, she rushed out in panic, heading for another compartment to warn others.

No one paid much attention to the fact that she had left.

Manman spoke so passionately that his throat went dry, but he still hadn’t finished when he stopped, reluctantly.

Jiang Ningning scooped two large spoonfuls of honey and mixed it with warm water to make sweet water. Children’s throats are delicate, so it’s important to keep them nourished.

The brother and sister sat side by side on the sleeper beds, holding the sweet drink. Their little legs happily swayed back and forth.

Sunlight streamed through the train windows, bathing the family in a soft, warm glow. The scene felt peaceful, the years flowing quietly by.

Xue Lao, with a smile, asked, “Comrade, how do you know so much about all this?”

Jiang Ningning gave a faint smile, answering casually, “My health isn’t the best, so I don’t go out much. I spend my time reading the newspaper. As they say, propaganda at the grassroots level speaks directly to the people, and it’s the Party that leads the way.”

Xue Lao silently repeated the last sentence. His eagle-like gaze grew sharper and more focused. “Comrade, have you considered joining the Propaganda Department?”

“No way!”

“Mom, no!”

The two soft, childish voices responded in unison. Even Xiaxia, who was usually shy, stood firmly with her brother, protecting Jiang Ningning.

“…”

Xue Lao suddenly realized.

With her kind appearance, the way she had approached them so willingly, and even talking about a job without reason… she had unintentionally embodied all the traits of a con artist! The three main elements of a scam, and she had ticked them all.

Clang… Clang…

The train had reached the station, and the sound of the green train’s whistle echoed as it began to roll forward on the tracks toward the next stop. Outside the window, the scenery passed by in a blur.

Jiang Ningning’s heart finally settled.

At this point, the Huo family should have already arrived at the police station.

At the Qu County Public Security Bureau.

When they received the summons from the police, the Huo family felt as if the sky was falling.

How could Huo Jianjun, who had just been trying to find Jiang Ningning to settle scores, suddenly be arrested as a human trafficker?

“The police are mistaken! Jianjun is not a human trafficker, he is Manman’s second uncle.”

Of all the people in the family, it was only Tian Cuifen who quickly thought on her feet. With her eyebrows furrowed, she looked like a simple, ordinary woman.

“My daughter-in-law is lazy and greedy. Not only did she spend all the money her husband sent home, but she also sent the two little ones out to scavenge.”

“Jianjun has always favored Manman. He was just planning to take the child to the state-run restaurant for a meal, but somehow, this misunderstanding happened.”

“Bullshit!”

Before she could finish speaking, a mouthful of spit hit her face.

Aunt Zhu stood with her hands on her hips, “Back when there was a famine, there were cases of familiar people committing crimes—evil mothers-in-law selling their granddaughters, second uncles selling their nephews, it was all over the street propaganda.”

Tian Cuifen was disgusted but didn’t back down. She looked up and saw her rival’s angry expression and slammed the table, “Why are you like this? It’s always you, that Zhu family, doing dirty tricks behind everyone’s back!”

“Everything you’ve done these years, the neighbors have seen it all. Ningning was such a good child, but you bullied her so badly that she’s bedridden, and your two grandsons have to scavenge for a living. A social scum like you should be shot.”

Aunt Zhu’s voice was loud, and the people in the hall began to look over and whisper.

“The police are in charge here, why are outsiders interfering?” Huo Weiguo, the head of the Huo family, looked like a scholarly man, the kind you’d expect from an intellectual.

He had worked for ten years as a secretary at the grassroots commune before being promoted to director of the county garment factory. Over the years, he had been well respected.

The police officer in charge, a man with a square face, showed no respect. His voice was stern: “Aunt Zhu is here to help us take the statement. Huo Jianjun kidnapped a child in the street, and that is a fact. Whether you are family or not, without the mother’s consent, this is illegal behavior.”

Tian Cuifen was furious. “Police officer, there must be some misunderstanding! If you don’t believe me, let Jiang Ningning come and confront us directly.”

She had planned it all out—her eldest daughter-in-law was soft-hearted, and if she threatened her with Jianjun’s imprisonment, she would surely drop the charges.

But what she didn’t expect was that as soon as Jiang Ningning was mentioned, the atmosphere in the room froze.

The eyes of those around them burned with fury.

Tian Cuifen felt a chill run down her spine. She gruffly said, “What are you staring at?”

Someone couldn’t hold back, and spoke up quickly: “Jiang Ningning was driven away by you, the evil mother-in-law, and left the family compound with her children at noon.”

“What?”

The Huo family members’ faces turned as pale as if they had eaten a fly.

Jiang Ningning must have deliberately found a place to hide, with the aim of getting Jianjun imprisoned.

Her heart is truly ruthless!

Wasn’t it just about her having to give up her job and her house? What did it matter to ruin Jianjun’s future? Those were just things—Huo family provided her food and clothes, and she didn’t have to serve her in-laws. What wrong had she done to them?

“Jiang Ningning can’t even carry a basket, let alone take care of two kids. Don’t tell me she ran away with someone?” Huo Chunhua’s eyes darted around, and she maliciously said.

She couldn’t wait for Jiang Ningning to never come back.

This way, the older brother’s subsidy would all go to the family, and she could finally buy the Braggi fabric she’d been eyeing at the department store.