Chapter 12: I Saw Him Again—Should I Go Find Him?

Opportunities wait for no one. Last time, she hesitated for a moment and was blocked by Qin Lulu and Yu Yanjiao, missing her chance to ask them. She couldn’t afford to lose it again.

Since she knew those two might have special identities, she had to change her disguise first.

She told Zhao Yuan, “Yuan Yuan, I’m going to the bathroom.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

“I’ll go with you, Jingjing. I’m afraid there might be bad guys. I’ll stand guard outside,” said Chen Mingxu.

“You should worry about yourself.”

Yu Jingjing got up and went to the bathroom. Once she locked the door, she entered her space and quickly put on makeup and changed clothes.

Outside, Lu Yunxiao and Hu Dong had already caught the middle-aged man and brought him to the interrogation room in Car No.1, which was actually the crew’s usual resting room.

“Zhang Changzheng, hand it over quietly,” Hu Dong said.

Zhang Changzheng denied it, “I don’t have what you’re talking about. I’ve never betrayed my country or my party.”

Lu Yunxiao said, “Stop wasting time, search him.”

But they only found some money, tickets, cigarettes, and a lighter on him. Nothing they were looking for.

“Where did you hide it?”

“I already said I don’t have what you’re looking for. I haven’t even seen it.”

Hu Dong grabbed his collar. “You traitor! You want to give away something others worked so hard to develop, and still deny it?”

“I said I haven’t seen it, and I mean it.” Zhang Changzheng stood firm.

Lu Yunxiao gave Hu Dong a look. “Forget it. Let him go.”

“Old Lu…”

“We must not disrespect a scientist. Without evidence, we can’t restrict his freedom.”

Hu Dong let go of Zhang Changzheng. Zhang straightened his collar and glared fiercely at him before leaving the interrogation room.

Lu Yunxiao said, “Follow him. Let’s see if he’s hidden the item somewhere.”

“Mm. I knew you wouldn’t let him off that easily, Old Lu.”

“You played along well.”

The two of them continued tailing Zhang Changzheng from a distance. He left the interrogation room in Car No.1 and soon arrived at the carriage where Yu Jingjing was supposed to be, only to find her seat empty.

The train hadn’t stopped during this time, so the girl had to still be on board. Maybe she went to the restroom. He didn’t dare linger and decided to check back later, heading to the rear cars instead. Hu Dong and Lu Yunxiao quietly followed.

Just as Yu Jingjing, now dressed as a bucktoothed girl, stepped out of the restroom, the train came to a stop. Many passengers with luggage boarded. Yu Jingjing glanced around—people on both sides. She decided to go forward to look for Hu Dong and Lu Yunxiao.

She walked along the carriage aisle, quickly drawing the attention of passengers on both sides. One male passenger couldn’t take his eyes off her face.

“What are you looking at? Never seen an ugly girl before?”

“I have… but never one this ugly.”

“Well, now that you’ve seen me, you can die in peace.”

Yu Jingjing bared her big buck teeth and gave him a wide grin. The man: “……” He might as well go claim his lunch box in the afterlife now.

Yu Jingjing walked all the way to Car No.1 but didn’t see Hu Dong or Lu Yunxiao. She thought maybe her eye-scanning function wasn’t strong enough and had missed someone, so she went back to check again.

Maybe they had gone to the restroom like her.

She retraced her steps but still didn’t find them.

If they weren’t in the front cars, she’d search the ones behind.

Meanwhile, in the crew’s rest area in the last car, Zhang Changzheng had once again been caught by Hu Dong and Lu Yunxiao. This time, they tied up his hands and feet.

“I told you, I never took that thing. Why won’t you believe me?”

“We just don’t believe you. Believing you would make us fools,” said Hu Dong.

Lu Yunxiao said, “He won’t talk now, but he will eventually. This place isn’t suitable for rough methods. After two more stops, we’ll escort him off the train.”

Outside—

Yu Jingjing had searched the last car and was making her way back, still finding no sign of Hu Dong or Lu Yunxiao.

She couldn’t help but wonder—had they gotten off the train while it stopped earlier?

She had been away from her seat for quite a while and worried that Zhao Yuan might be concerned, so she decided to change her clothes and return.

Just then, the train stopped again. The doors and windows of the carriage were open, and new passengers were boarding.

Yu Jingjing glanced casually outside and saw a sign that read “Jingshi Railway Station.” So, they had already arrived in the capital.

On the platform were several young people carrying luggage, likely educated youths going to the countryside.

Among them, one girl stood out. While the others were dressed plainly, she wore a beautiful bulaji (a type of dress), leather shoes, and had her hair tied with a silk ribbon shaped like a bow. Even her crossbody bag and suitcase looked exquisite.

Surrounding her were several people, seemingly there to see her off.

There were two young men, a middle-aged woman, and an elderly man with graying hair. Though aged, the old man stood tall and straight, though his face bore signs of illness.

He covered his mouth with a handkerchief as he coughed and instructed the girl in front of him, “Xiao Rui, once you’re in the countryside, we won’t be around anymore. You must take care of yourself.”

“Grandpa, don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

“You’re our cousin—our only little sister. Once you’re there, if you’re short on anything, remember to call or write to Second Brother. He’ll send things to you,” said one of the young men.

“Thank you, Second Brother.”

“And me, and me too! Rui Rui, Third Brother will send you things too. If I have time, I’ll even come visit you,” said another young comrade.

“Thanks, Third Brother.”

Gong Fanrui put on a very obedient and gentle front. Her going to the countryside as an educated youth was actually a way for her to build credentials. Her father had arranged everything so that she would go to a brigade that lacked a barefoot doctor. Once she passed the assessment, she could become one, without suffering too much. When she returned to the capital, she would land a job as a doctor in a top hospital.

“Xiao Rui, Mommy’s going to miss you so much.” The middle-aged woman hugged her tightly.

“Mom, I’ll take care of myself.”

“Mm.”

“The train’s about to leave. Hurry and get on.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll walk Ruier to the train.”

As soon as Gong Fanrui boarded the train, she spotted Yu Jingjing standing across from her. The girl in front of her was stunningly beautiful, instantly stirring a tinge of jealousy in her.

Still, she walked further in, followed by those seeing her off.

Yu Jingjing wanted to return to her seat, but the train was crowded. Gong Fanrui’s third cousin, Gong Qi, accidentally bumped her with a suitcase and immediately apologized, “Sorry, comrade. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Second cousin Gong Yan was supporting the elderly Mr. Gong behind them when suddenly the old man coughed heavily and started to fall backward. Luckily, Gong Yan caught him in time, or he would have collapsed right in the carriage.

“Grandpa!”

The old man was gasping for air, his face pale, and he clutched his chest tightly.

Gong Fanrui quickly turned around. “Grandpa, are you alright?”

She immediately began administering first aid, instructing Gong Yan to lay the old man flat on the carriage floor. She attempted CPR, but it was no use—he still seemed to be in severe discomfort.

“I’m sorry, Grandpa. It’s all my fault for not studying medicine well enough.”

“No, it’s not your fault.” Even at that moment, the old man was still trying to comfort her.

“What should we do? Is there a doctor on this train? Attendant! Attendant!” Gong Yan shouted anxiously.

They were far from a hospital. He could only hope someone on board could provide emergency treatment.

“I’ll find the attendant and a doctor.” Gong Qi hurried off.

Yu Jingjing hadn’t yet returned to her seat. In fact, she had been watching closely ever since she noticed the old man’s condition. Now, seeing that the girl couldn’t help the old man, she stepped forward.

“I know medicine. May I take a look at him?”

“Please, take a look at my grandfather,” Gong Yan responded without hesitation.

Yu Jingjing knelt down to examine the old man.

Gong Fanrui realized who she was and tried to stop her. “Do you even know what you’re doing? What if you make my grandpa worse?”

“You think I’d joke about something like this? If you delay any longer, your grandpa really will be in serious trouble.” Yu Jingjing pushed her aside. “Please step back.”

How could a granddaughter be so hesitant when her grandfather was in danger?

Yu Jingjing took his pulse and began performing CPR using her own method. She then removed the silver needles wrapped around her wrist and instructed Gong Yan, “Guard this area. No one is to come near me or Grandpa.”

“Understood.”

The surrounding passengers, witnessing the scene, sensibly made space for her to treat the old man.

Yu Jingjing inserted the silver needles into the corresponding acupuncture points. After a few minutes, the old man stopped struggling, his breathing steadied, and he slowly opened his eyes.

Seeing the girl in front of him, he said gratefully, “Young lady, you saved me.”

“Grandpa, how are you feeling now?”

“Much better, much better.” The old man sat up with Gong Yan’s help.

“Young lady, thank you so much. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know if I would’ve survived.”

“Grandpa, please don’t say that. You’re blessed and bound to live a long life,” Gong Fanrui quickly interjected.

She didn’t want her grandfather looking at another girl with such affection—it felt like her love was being taken away.

But the old man kept his gaze on Yu Jingjing. Even when Gong Fanrui tried to block his view, he continued talking to her.

“Young lady, what’s your name? Where are you from?”

“I’m Yu Jingjing, a zhiqing headed to the countryside in the Northeast. I don’t know yet exactly where I’ll be assigned.”

“Ah, life in the countryside is tough. Coincidentally, my granddaughter Ruier is also going to be stationed there. Perhaps you’ll end up in the same place.”

Yu Jingjing glanced at Gong Fanrui. She definitely didn’t want to be assigned with her. “Who knows?”

Gong Fanrui also had no desire to end up in the same brigade as Yu Jingjing.

The old man signaled to Gong Yan. “We don’t have much to repay the young lady. Do you have anything on you?”

Gong Yan quickly pulled out what little money and ration coupons he had, clearly embarrassed—it was all he’d had left after giving most to Gong Fanrui.

Yu Jingjing declined, “It was just a small favor. I won’t accept any gifts.”

The old man turned to Gong Qi, who reluctantly took off his watch. Gong Fanrui quickly tried to stop him, “Third Brother, I picked that watch for you. You must keep it safe.”

Gong Fanrui’s mother, Liu Xiangzhi, remained silent throughout, showing no sign of gratitude toward Yu Jingjing.

Yu Jingjing hastily refused again, but the old man then took off his own watch and handed it to her. “Child, you saved this old man’s life. I’d feel bad not showing some gratitude. You must take this, or I’ll get upset. And when I get upset, I—”

Yu Jingjing found him rather amusing. “But this is too valuable.”

“I’m getting upset—”

“Alright, alright, I’ll take it.”

Yu Jingjing saw that it was a Rolex, an imported luxury watch. The old man was truly generous.

Liu Xiangzhi frowned. “Dad, you’ve worn that watch for decades.” He was being too generous to that girl.

“It’s fine.”

The old man quickly shoved the watch into Yu Jingjing’s hands, afraid she might change her mind if he hesitated.

Gong Fanrui was fuming but had no choice but to stew in silence. Snatching the watch back now was clearly out of the question.

The old man was feeling much better. Once Gong Qi got Gong Fanrui settled, it was time for them to get off. The train had just arrived at the next stop, and the rest of the family disembarked.

Yu Jingjing tucked the watch into her space and prepared to return to her seat, only to be blocked by Gong Fanrui.

“How could you shamelessly accept something my grandpa has worn for decades? That watch means a lot to him. He only gave it to you in the moment because he panicked and didn’t know how else to thank you.”

Yu Jingjing could clearly sense the hostility. She had no intention of returning the watch. “If Grandpa wanted to give it to me, then it was his decision. Who are you to override that?”

“How about this—I’ll give you twenty yuan for it. That watch belongs to our family. I hope you’ll agree.”

“No matter how much you offer, I won’t trade. Unless Grandpa himself comes to ask for it.”

“He already got off the train.”

“Then there’s no way you’re getting it back.”

Yu Jingjing walked off. Gong Fanrui was furious. She huffed. In any case, Grandpa would never see that girl again. So what if the watch was gone? It was Grandpa’s to begin with.