Chapter 25: Encountering Human Traffickers on the Train

Gu Wennuan left the Great Green Mountains. Hearing the familiar howl of wolves, she knew the task had been accomplished.

She had no intention of letting the wolves devour them; she only wanted to frighten them. Hiding nearby, she watched the group scramble down the mountain before recalling the pack into her spatial dimension. She also tripped "Fifth Master," causing him to tumble down the slope—a fall that cost him his leg. After this incident, Fifth Master withdrew from the black market, and his superiors sent someone else to take his place.

Gu Wennuan only learned of this later, by which time she no longer needed to sell grain for money. Seeing that the grain hadn't been traded, she decided to take it to a nearby province to sell. Her household had too many expenses lately, and she needed to save money for emergencies.

Upon returning home, she informed everyone that she was heading to Shan Province. Hu Ailian was quite pleased, assuming Gu Wennuan had finally come to her senses and intended to visit Zhou Sinian.

"Nuan'er, I’ll pack your things in a moment. Once you reach the military base, have a good talk with Sinian. Stop arguing; no resentment between husband and wife should last overnight."

Hu Ailian rambled on for a long time before Gu Wennuan could interject. "Mother, I’m not going to see Zhou Sinian. I’m going there on business. It’ll only be for a few days, so there’s no need to pack anything."

At the mention that she wasn't visiting her husband, Hu Ailian’s shoulders slumped instantly. "You’re not? Since you’re already in Shan Province, go see him. You two haven’t seen each other in years."

Gu Wennuan had no interest in Zhou Sinian and didn't want to waste time visiting a man who didn't care for her. "Mother, I’m going on business; I truly don’t have the time. Enough talk, I’m going back to my room to sleep. I have to catch the train early tomorrow morning."

After Gu Wennuan left, Zhou Qing noticed her mother’s unhappiness. "Mother, don't get involved in their affairs. Everything Wennuan does now is for our family; let’s not add to her burdens." Zhou Xi and Zhou Siyue treated their sister-in-law better than their own brother now. It was their sister-in-law who ensured they were well-fed and clothed. Though things were difficult before, they were living exceptionally well now, and the past was best left behind.

"Sigh, fine, I won't interfere. You’re all capable now and don't need this old woman anymore."

The three Zhou siblings watched their mother walk into her room, her back hunched. They knew she had their best interests at heart, but they couldn't control Gu Wennuan. In the end, they led the two younger ones to bed, choosing to ignore the troublesome affairs of that couple.

Back in her room, Gu Wennuan entered her spatial dimension and weighed herself. She had lost forty pounds in the month since she arrived. At this rate, she would be a beautiful young girl again in two months. She truly had no intention of visiting Zhou Sinian. A man who hadn't returned home in five years, not even when the original host gave birth, was not worth her time.

The next morning, Gu Wennuan set off for the train station with her pack, wondering if this trip would bear fruit.

***

Traveling by train from Hei Province to Shan Province took two days. Gu Wennuan had hoped for a sleeper berth, but only hard seats were available. She took food from her space, placed it in her bag, and joined the flow of passengers to board.

Just as she sat down, an old woman in a blue floral cotton-padded jacket sat opposite her, trembling as she leaned on a cane. As the train slowly pulled away, Gu Wennuan closed her eyes to rest, but the old woman began to strike up a conversation.

"Girl, why are you sleeping as soon as you get on the train? It’s boring, chat with an old woman."

Gu Wennuan was annoyed; the old woman lacked social awareness and clearly didn't see she was trying to sleep. "I’m tired, so I’m going to sleep. Go talk to someone else."

The old woman’s eyes darted around, landing on the young man nearby. "I slept too much at home yesterday; as you get old, you sleep less. I thought we could be companions on this trip. When we arrive, I’ll have my son pick us up."

Gu Wennuan stopped responding, but the old woman continued to ramble. "Girl, why bring all these things on a trip? You have everything at home. Don't sleep; talk to me, and when we arrive, I’ll have your brother make you some braised pork."

Gu Wennuan found it increasingly strange. She didn't know this woman—why was she trying to act familiar? Could she have run into human traffickers? Gu Wennuan remained silent. At noon, as she was about to eat, the old woman produced a lunchbox. "Girl, have some dumplings. I made them fresh this morning—meat and egg dumplings."

The moment the dumplings were revealed, the middle-aged woman sitting nearby stared with such intensity it was as if she were begging for a bite. Gu Wennuan pushed the lunchbox away and took out a flatbread from her bag. "I don’t want them; you eat them. I don’t know you."

The old woman lowered her head, shedding tears. "If you don't like the taste, I’ll make a different filling next time."

Gu Wennuan realized her scheme. The woman was trying to get close to her to kidnap her. It seemed this woman’s hands were not clean, so she wouldn't be polite. "Old woman, I don’t know you. If you bother me again, don't blame me for what I do."

The surrounding passengers had assumed they were mother and daughter. Seeing Gu Wennuan’s harsh tone, they began to criticize her. "You young girl, your mother has been speaking to you humbly since you boarded, how can you be so ungrateful?"

Gu Wennuan looked at the meddling woman. "Who said she’s my mother? Do you see me acknowledging her? Mind your own business and stop spouting nonsense."

***

Seeing that others were siding with her, the old woman seized the opportunity to solidify their relationship. "Girl, don't be angry, it’s all my fault. When we get off the train, I’ll have your brother take you to buy some clothes."

Gu Wennuan was truly provoked. "I said, I don’t know you! Stop with those thoughts, or I’ll make you regret it."

Gu Wennuan’s attitude caused the surrounding people to point fingers and shun her, but she found the quiet to be a relief. She ignored them for the rest of the journey, though the old woman and the meddling bystander began discussing her. The old woman painted a picture of a disobedient daughter, convincing everyone they were mother and daughter. Seeing things progressing smoothly, the old woman caught the eye of the man nearby as they approached the station.

Gu Wennuan pretended not to notice, keeping her eyes closed while calculating how to deal with them.

Upon arriving in Shan Province, Gu Wennuan grabbed her pack and got off the train, trying to shake off the old woman. The old woman chased after her relentlessly. "Girl, don't run! Your brother will be here to pick us up soon. Don't go running off with that hoodlum—Mother is doing this for your own good!"

The old woman portrayed herself as a heartbroken mother, earning the sympathy of passersby who blocked Gu Wennuan’s path. "Girl, go back with your mother; a parent’s heart is always for their child."

As the crowd clamored around her, the old woman seized the moment to smear a sedative on her hand and cover Gu Wennuan’s mouth. Having secretly held a mouthful of spiritual spring water, Gu Wennuan pretended to faint to see what their next move would be.

"Thank you all. This brat got pregnant before marriage and ran off with a hoodlum; I had no other choice."

The old woman called over a young man to carry Gu Wennuan away. The bystanders, believing they had done a good deed, watched the three of them depart.

Gu Wennuan kept her eyes closed as she was loaded into a vehicle. The old woman removed her headscarf, her voice turning gruff as she spoke to the driver. "After this job, take everyone to Master Liu’s place tonight."

Shortly after, another man arrived, carrying a young boy on his back. "This kid clearly comes from a wealthy family. Look at this gold lock; it’ll surely fetch a high price."

Hearing that they had others in their clutches, Gu Wennuan decided to lie in wait and dismantle their entire den.