Chapter 9

He had no choice but to act now—seeing a soldier and immediately abandoning the “son” to flee only made him look even more suspicious.

Besides, that little boy, with his soft skin and delicate looks, was a rare prize. He alone could fetch a high price.

If he lost such a lucrative “money tree,” the scrawny man simply couldn’t accept it.

“Uncle soldier, he’s not my dad—I don’t even know him!”

“Comrade soldier, don’t you think the boy looks nothing like him?”

The two voices rang out in Xu Shaojun’s ears simultaneously. After a moment of contemplation, he made a swift decision. He stepped in front of Jiang Yao, blocking the scrawny man’s ill-intentioned gaze.

Based on his observations, the man in front of him was absolutely not the child’s real father.

“No matter whether he is or isn’t the boy’s father, we can’t just hand the child over without evidence. He needs to prove the parent-child relationship first.”

After saying this, he turned to Jiang Yao, a hint of gentleness in his eyes. “Comrade, please come with me and bring the child. Don’t be afraid, I’ll protect you both.”

He then addressed the scrawny man. “Comrade, you’ll need to come with us as well. Whether you’re this child’s father or not, we’ll find out soon enough.”

The scrawny man panicked upon hearing that. Regretful that his greed had attracted suspicion from a soldier, he turned and bolted.

But Xu Shaojun was faster. After only a few steps, the man was caught by the collar and pinned to the ground.

Their scuffle quickly drew a crowd. Xu Shaojun’s fellow soldiers rushed over, surrounding him.

“Captain, what’s going on?”

Before Xu Shaojun could respond, the scrawny man began wailing on the ground.

“This is outrageous! A soldier using his uniform to beat up an innocent citizen in public!”

“A heartless soldier conspiring with a young woman to trick my son into denying me as his father—now they want to accuse me of being a kidnapper! I’m innocent!”

While he wept and pleaded his innocence, Xu Shaojun exchanged glances with his comrades.

Understanding the plan, one soldier took over restraining the man, pulling his hands behind his back and pressing him firmly to the ground. Then, in front of the crowd, they began a back-and-forth argument with the man to draw more attention.

“That guy being held down by the soldier sure sounds pitiful. Imagine—his own son won’t acknowledge him, and now he’s being treated like a kidnapper.”

“Use your brain! Would a soldier wrongly accuse someone like that? What use is a child who won’t acknowledge you? Take him home just to eat your grain?”

In those days, food was scarce. Families were doing well just to feed themselves.

Who would bring home an unrelated child to use up their already limited food supply? Even relatives’ kids staying a few days meant carefully counting the rations.

The man who spoke scoffed at the supposed “kidnapper’s” claims, believing they could only fool naive youngsters.

“With this many soldiers gathered, I’d bet it’s a joint army-police operation to bust a kidnapping ring and bring peace back to our county!”

The onlookers loudly speculated and discussed the scene, unbothered by who overheard.

Meanwhile, Xu Shaojun had already led a small group into the dark alley beside the restaurant and managed to catch another accomplice of the scrawny man.

Xu Shaojun brought the group, along with Jiang Yao and the boy, to the Public Security Bureau. After a lengthy discussion, the kidnappers were handed over to the authorities.

Jiang Yao had already given a full account of her involvement to the police. Not long after stepping out, an officer came over with an envelope and saluted her.

“Comrade Jiang Yao, the information you provided regarding the human trafficking gang in Yanjun County was extremely valuable. This man was a key figure on the wanted list. Here is the 300-yuan reward listed on the bounty. Please accept it.”

The officer handed her the envelope and returned to his post without further conversation.

Holding the envelope filled with 300 yuan, Jiang Yao was stunned. Just like that—she had 300 yuan?

As she was preparing to leave, the little boy still followed her closely.

Every step she took, he hurried behind her with his short legs, staying just a few paces away—not as clingy as before, when survival instinct had him latched onto her leg.

While they stood awkwardly, a couple dressed in matching Zhongshan suits came running into the station. They rushed to the child behind Jiang Yao and pulled him into a tight embrace.

“Son, Mama finally found you!”

The woman was teary-eyed as she held her son like a long-lost treasure.

Seeing that Jiang Yao was about to leave, she quickly handed the boy to her husband and ran to grab Jiang Yao’s hand.

“Little sister, thank you! You saved my child. He’s my only one—if I lost him, I wouldn’t know how to go on.”

The police had told them everything when they were summoned to retrieve their son.

If not for this girl’s vigilance—if she hadn’t held onto their boy and sought help from a soldier—he would’ve been taken by those heartless kidnappers, possibly sold off to some faraway region. They’d have been separated from their only son forever.

So many children had gone missing in recent years, and very few ever reunited with their families. Parents had no idea where to search.

Fortunately, heaven showed them mercy—their son had met a savior who gave them this chance to be together again.

“Comrade, I don’t deserve such credit. Your son was clever enough to escape from the kidnappers. I just helped bring him to the soldier.”

Jiang Yao observed the couple’s refined bearing. It was clear they weren’t average dual-income workers—they were likely small-time officials.

Thinking it never hurts to have more connections, Jiang Yao added confidently, “Anyone would’ve done the same when faced with something so suspicious.”

Her humility only impressed the couple more.

“Young lady, what’s your name? I work at the textile factory. My name is Su Cuizhu, just call me Sister Su. Our house is in the county government compound. From today, you’re like my own little sister.”

Su Cuizhu affectionately addressed Jiang Yao, already treating her like a benefactor. If they hadn’t only just met, she’d have offered to formally recognize her as family on the spot.

“My husband, Sun Yangwen, is the deputy secretary of the county committee. If you ever need anything, just come to the county compound and ask for Su Cuizhu—they’ll bring you to our house.”

Suddenly, Su Cuizhu changed her mind, deciding it would be best to personally take Jiang Yao home and properly introduce her to their family.