Chapter 9: Captain and Second Uncle Xu Wu

After the old woman was caught, the train police immediately interrogated her. At first, she denied everything, but under mounting pressure and faced with evidence, her psychological defenses collapsed. In the end, she revealed the child’s hiding place.

Following her confession, the train police quickly took action and found the missing child in a concealed compartment of the train. The child was unconscious but thankfully safe, with no life-threatening injuries.

However, the matter didn’t end there. Digging deeper along the trail, the police discovered that the old woman was part of a large human trafficking ring. This group had been roaming across regions, abducting dozens of children and young women. The police launched a full-scale pursuit, and after much effort, they successfully dismantled the entire gang, rescuing all the abducted victims.

Of course, all of that unfolded more than a month later.

—

Back on the train, after Xu Huaian and the police recovered the child, the parents wept tears of joy, thanking them repeatedly. The officers also expressed their gratitude to Xu Huaian.

Xu Huaian shook his head. “This wasn’t my credit.”

The officer gave a knowing smile. “It was that young woman earlier, wasn’t it?”

Xu Huaian nodded with pride. “Yes, she’s my fiancée. We’ll be getting married soon.”

Caught off guard by this sudden display of affection, the officer was momentarily speechless: “…”

He cleared his throat, covering his awkwardness, and said with a smile, “That’s wonderful. Congratulations to you both. You’re brave and righteous people.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Leave your address—we’ll make sure your fiancée receives a commendation banner and a cash reward.”

Xu Huaian was slightly taken aback, then smiled. “Alright, thank you.” He carefully wrote down the address.

—

Two days later, at 8 p.m., the train arrived in Fengshan City, Western Province. Shi Qingqian and Xu Huaian stepped off the train with their luggage. Not far away, they spotted Fang Yi and Su Feifei walking toward them.

Su Feifei still looked embarrassed—after all, so much had happened on the train. Fang Yi broke the awkward silence first, smiling.
“What a coincidence, didn’t expect we’d all get off at the same stop.”

Xu Huaian gave a polite nod. “It is quite the coincidence.”

Seeing that Xu Huaian and Shi Qingqian had no intention of inviting them along, Fang Yi led Su Feifei out of the station first.

“It’s too late to catch a bus back to the village. Let’s stay at the guesthouse tonight,” Xu Huaian suggested.

Shi Qingqian agreed immediately—she had been thinking the same. In her current state, it wasn’t the right time to meet his parents.

They checked into the guesthouse with their luggage. Since Xu Huaian’s marriage report hadn’t been approved yet, they couldn’t register their marriage, so they had to take separate rooms.

After a night’s rest, Shi Qingqian got up early the next morning. She carefully did her makeup, put on a fashionable dress with a pair of little leather shoes, and stepped out looking radiant.

When she walked into the lobby, Xu Huaian was already waiting. The moment he saw her, his eyes lit up, stunned by her beauty. He walked up and said warmly:
“Qianqian, you look beautiful today.”

Her cheeks flushed pink. “You look handsome too.”

They checked out and went to a state-run restaurant for breakfast.

As they ate, Xu Huaian said, “Once my marriage report is approved, we’ll register right away. Today, you’ll come home with me. We have extra rooms.”

He continued, “The brigade leader in Xiangyang Village is my second uncle. I’ll talk to him so you won’t have to stay at the educated youth point, and you won’t need to work in the fields. I’ll take care of you.”

Shi Qingqian smiled. People often said men’s promises weren’t to be trusted, but hearing them was still sweet.
“I’m not that easy to take care of. I already told you—I won’t work in the fields, won’t do laundry or cook, and I definitely won’t live on coarse food. While we haven’t registered yet, you still have the chance to regret it. Once we’re married, you’ll be locked in with me.”

Xu Huaian took her hand, looking at her with firm resolve.
“Qianqian, I won’t regret it. From the moment I chose to be with you, I was ready to take care of you for life. You won’t need to farm, cook, or do laundry, and I’ll never let you suffer hunger. I’ll do my best to give you the best life I can.”

“That’s more like it.” Shi Qingqian lifted her chin. “One day you’ll see how right your choice was today.”

Xu Huaian gazed at her confident demeanor, his eyes full of affection. He smiled. “I’ve always believed in my choice.”

—

After breakfast, Shi Qingqian dragged Xu Huaian to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some brown sugar, tobacco, and wine. Then they headed to the station to catch a ride to Yangning Town.

From the town, there were two ox carts daily, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, to Xiangyang Village. But when they arrived, they found that today’s ride wasn’t an ox cart at all—it was a tractor.

In the nearby villages, only Xiangyang had a tractor. Except for special duties like transporting grain or fertilizer, the tractor was usually treated like a treasure.

Standing by the tractor was Xu Wu, the brigade leader. Xu Huaian called out, “Second Uncle!”

Xu Wu turned and smiled when he saw him. “Huaian, you’re back!”

“Yes, I’ve got twenty days’ leave to visit family,” Xu Huaian explained. “Uncle, what made you bring out the tractor today?”

Xu Wu frowned. “It’s those educated youths again. A new batch just arrived. I didn’t want to hear them complain, so I drove the tractor out to fetch them.”

At that moment, Xu Wu noticed the pretty young woman beside him. “And this is…?”

“Second Uncle, she’s not only one of the educated youths sent to our village—she’s also my fiancée. We’re about to get married.”

“Married?” Xu Wu was instantly intrigued, though skeptical. “Say that again—who is she, and what are you about to do?”

Xu Huaian repeated solemnly, “Uncle, this is Shi Qingqian, my fiancée. As soon as my marriage report is approved, we’ll get married.”

Xu Wu’s eyes widened as he looked Shi Qingqian up and down, his expression complicated. Pulling Xu Huaian aside, he lowered his voice.

“Huaian, this isn’t a small matter. Think carefully. This girl looks delicate and pampered. Can she really handle life in our village?”