Chapter 279

Lin Zhao's fist clenched tight.

The one who stole Zhiqianbao in the original book, and nearly kidnapped him this lifetime.

Enemies are bound to meet.

This debt must be settled.

The woman called Xia Fen Jie noticed the gaze fixed on her, turned, and met a pair of exceptionally beautiful starlike eyes.

She paused, then offered a warm smile—so simple, so genuine.

The place wasn't right, otherwise…

Xia Fen Jie felt a pang of regret.

Lin Zhao saw that smile and felt a chill crawl up her spine.

Disgusting.

The most wicked, cruel person pretending to be honest.

She watched around Xia Fen Jie and noticed a girl seated inside, strangely motionless.

She didn't look like she was asleep.

Anyone who's sat on hard seats knows how uncomfortable they are. Sit too long, and your shoulders, waist, and buttocks ache unbearably—you have to shift constantly.

Yet that slender figure hadn't moved for half an hour—what else could it be but unconsciousness?

Lin Zhao acted as if she noticed nothing and slipped away from the crowd.

After leaving the carriage, find a way to locate the train conductor.

"Comrade, there's a human trafficker!"

The train conductor in green uniform, with red stars on hat and clothes, stiffened slightly.

"You're sure you didn't mistake her?" blurted the young conductor, eyes sharp.

He'd only just started working; he spent his days handling trivial matters on this train and was weary of it all. Hearing of a major case, he felt both anger and a flicker of excitement.

Lin Zhao spoke calmly: "Carriage X, Seat X. The woman has a mole on her forehead—check and you'll know."

The older conductor studied her for several long moments, not rushing. "What evidence do you have? Without proof, we can't just investigate ordinary citizens."

"The girl beside her—the one who hasn't moved for ages—is the evidence," Lin Zhao said with certainty.

The moment she saw that woman, her instincts screamed: this was Xia Fen Jie—the very person she'd been hunting.

Damn it.

If only there weren't so many people, she'd have taken her down herself!

Lin Zhao saw the conductors still doubted her, so revealed her status as a military family member.

"My husband is a soldier; I'm his wife. I wouldn't lie about something like this. That woman is almost certainly a trafficker—I've crossed paths with her before. My little son nearly got kidnapped by her, but we had a dog at home, so we escaped unharmed."

"If you don't believe me, arrest her and interrogate her—she'll know Diao Diao Tuozi. Oh, Diao Diao Tuozi is also a trafficker—he was arrested last year and is already dead."

Lin Zhao spoke with such conviction, it didn't sound false.

Her status as a military family member also helped.

The two conductors' distant, wary expressions softened; their gazes toward her now carried respect and warmth.

Even if she weren't military family, they'd still take citizen reports seriously—it was their duty!

"Comrade, rest assured—if what you say is true, we will catch her," said the older conductor, his tone grave.

The younger one added: "Yes! My master is incredible—no criminal can slip past his eyes. We'll catch him!"

His master, overhearing his apprentice's bragging, shot him a disdainful glance.

"Move. Stop boasting."

I'm not that great.

The young conductor hurried after him, muttering, "I didn't brag—I'm just telling the truth. My master is amazing."

The master and apprentice talked as they walked toward the carriage Lin Zhao described.

As mentioned before, Xia Fen Jie had an uncanny sixth sense, especially for danger. After locking eyes with her chosen "merchandise," she felt a deep unease—stronger than ever before.

Bad.

Those two words flashed in her mind. Xia Fen Jie glanced at her lifeless prey beside her, eyes flickering with conflict.

After less than half a minute of hesitation, she adjusted the girl's posture, turning her face toward the carriage wall, stood up, casually scanned her surroundings, straightened her collar, called "excuse me," and moved toward the restroom.

When the two conductors arrived, the location reported by the informant was empty.

They walked over.

Tapped the short-haired girl who appeared asleep.

Once, twice, three times… no matter how hard they tapped, the girl lying face-down didn't react.

Had she not still been warm, still soft, the conductors might have thought her dead.

"Master? Is she really unconscious?!" the young conductor blurted.

Passengers nearby turned to watch, curious.

"Unconscious?!"

"What's going on? This girl never moved—so she was unconscious? And her companion said nothing!"

"Hey, where's the other person? Haven't seen her in ages."

Hearing the passengers' unguarded remarks, the two conductors exchanged glances.

They'd truly encountered a human trafficker!

The informant hadn't filed a false report.

The older conductor gave his apprentice a look, signaling him to carry the unconscious girl to their rest room and find a physician, while he continued searching for the woman with the mole on her forehead.

After returning to her carriage, Lin Zhao's thoughts remained fixed on her enemy—she couldn't settle.

Xiang Yubao sensed her unease, squirmed over, and pressed his small body against her shoulder.

"Mom, are you unhappy?"

Lin Zhao snapped back to the present, smiled. "No, aren't you hungry? Why aren't you eating?"

Xiang Yubao: "Mom eats too."

"Knock knock knock!" A tapping came from outside the door.

"You two eat first," Lin Zhao told her sons, then walked to the door and slid it open.

Standing there was the young conductor she'd met earlier.

"Did you catch her?" Lin Zhao asked.

The young conductor shook his head. "When we got there, the person you described was already gone. My master is searching every carriage now—I'll help too. Lin comrade, rest assured—we'll find her!"

The girl they'd carried to the rest room had been examined by a doctor—she'd been drugged. The dose was heavy; without intervention, she'd have slept for two full days and nights.

Heartless human traffickers!

Strange—Lin Zhao had somehow expected this.

"Thank you, comrade."

The young conductor: "It's our duty."

With that, he adjusted his cap and turned to leave.

Lin Zhao had a faint feeling—she and her enemy would meet again.

She didn't enter the carriage. Standing at the door, she told Tong Zhang Saozi: "Tong Zhang Saozi, close the door."

Tong Zhang Saozi walked over, puzzled. "Why? Aren't you coming in?"

"Not yet. There's a human trafficker on the train." To ensure she took it seriously, Lin Zhao let slip a little more.

Tong Zhang Saozi's face paled; she grew instantly alert.

"What? A human trafficker?!" Her voice dropped, laced with fear. "What do we do? We've got several children in this carriage—what if they're targeted?"

She glanced at Lin Zhao's youthful, beautiful face and thought, even this elegant girl might be a target for traffickers.

Dangerous.

Too dangerous!

Tong Zhang Saozi grabbed Lin Zhao's wrist, trying to pull her inside.

"Lin comrade, get in quick! Lock the door and pile luggage against it—if that trafficker tries to come in, I'll smash his head in!!" Her tone was fierce.

Lin Zhao flipped her arm, effortlessly breaking free.

"You stay hidden. I'll guard the door."

Seeing Tong Zhang Saozi's disapproval, about to argue again, she added: "I know some martial arts—I'm strong. I need to help the conductors."

Otherwise, when would she ever avenge Zhiqianbao?

That Xia Fen Jie was slippery as an eel—miss her now, and who knew when she'd appear again?

"Tong Zhang Saozi, lock the door. Stack luggage against it like you said. Have the children lie on the upper bunks."

Tong Zhang Saozi saw Lin Zhao was resolute and stopped arguing.

"Alright. I'll watch the children. Be careful."

Before closing the door, she added: "Think of your two boys. If there's danger, don't rush in—know when to hide. We're good citizens—we help, but don't get hurt."

Lin Zhao's gaze warmed. "I know."

Tong Zhang Saozi sighed, slid the door shut, then piled luggage against it.

Seeing this, Xiang Yubao and Hengbao stopped eating and rushed to the door, trying to stop her.

"Don't lock it—Mom hasn't come in yet!" Xiang Yubao frowned.

Just as Tong Zhang Saozi struggled for a reply, Lin Zhao's voice came from outside.

"Xiang Yubao, Gu Hangbao, hurry and eat, then go sleep on the top bunk—I'll come in soon."

Gu Hangbao blurted out: "Why?"

"Adults' business is none of your concern. Go eat," Lin Zhao said sternly.

The carriage fell silent.

After a moment, Xiang Yubao licked his lips and ventured, "Mom, are you… bored? Can I come out and keep you company?"

As he spoke, he nervously fidgeted with his hands.

Aunt Che didn't speak. She hoped Lin Comrade would be persuaded inside by the children—anything involving a trafficker was too dangerous to imagine.

"Xiang Yubao, listen to me. I'll come in soon. Stay quiet with your brother. Don't make me worry."

Xiang Yubao always obeyed his mother. He immediately replied: "Okay, but Mom, you have to come in early, okay?"

"Understood." The instant Lin Zhao finished speaking, she lifted her eyes and spotted the disguised Xia Fen Jie.

Her gaze darkened.

"Stay put. Don't come out."

Saying this, Lin Zhao moved silently toward her target.

As she brushed past her enemy, she sidestepped and kicked out at Xia Fen Jie's leg.

Xia Fen Jie had been committing deadly crimes for years without ever being caught—because she had some skill.

Sensing the rush of air, she instinctively dodged.

She'd barely avoided that blow when another struck straight at her face.

Lin Zhao's fist landed squarely on Xia Fen Jie's nose.

Xia Fen Jie cried out in pain, her nose stinging so badly tears welled up.

Before she could react, her right leg was kicked out from under her—with a thud, she dropped to her knees on the floor.

Lin Zhao didn't soften her grip. She grabbed Xia Fen Jie's hair and yanked her head up, then slammed two punches into her face.

Xia Fen Jie reeled from the blows, her body numb with pain.

She struggled to lift her head, staring at the woman who'd attacked her without a word—she couldn't recall ever crossing paths with someone like this.

"... Who are you? I'm going to report you—to the Public Security Bureau."

"Who am I?" Lin Zhao sneered, leaning down slightly, then driving a heavy punch into Xia Fen Jie's stomach. "Do you remember Diao Diao Tuozi?"

Xia Fen Jie's eyes flickered several times.

The twin babies from Fengshou Team?

She remembered them all too well.

Back then, she'd barely escaped—if she'd been a second slower, she'd have spent a year in prison!

After she fled, she learned that the Wuzhuang Force and Public Security had been searching everywhere for her.

So that's where the root of it all lay.

"I don't know who you mean. I've never heard of Diao Diao Tuozi," Xia Fen Jie gasped, voice strained. "You've got the wrong person..."

The noise of Lin Zhao's one-sided beating drew passengers over.

Seeing how badly the victim was beaten, some stepped forward to intervene.

"Why are you fighting? What happened?"

"Yeah, look at you—you've knocked her down and she can't even get up. You look so young, but you're brutal."

"Comrade, talk it out. Don't hit her. The train guards will be here soon."

Xia Fen Jie herself was no innocent—she dreaded dealing with train guards or Public Security. While Lin Zhao was distracted, she plotted her escape.

Yes, she'd planned to jump from the train—but her luck was terrible. She'd run into a madwoman who attacked without warning.

Lin Zhao shoved aside the well-meaning passengers pulling at her, her focus locked on her enemy.

She kicked the woman on the ground without expression. "This is a trafficker—and my enemy. Stay back. I don't want to hurt anyone by accident."

At this, the interveners erupted.

"What? She's a trafficker?" An old woman stared wide-eyed at Lin Zhao. "Girl, are you serious? Is she really a trafficker?!"

She crouched down, scanning the battered woman up and down, left and right, then concluded: "She doesn't look like one."

"..." Lin Zhao was speechless.

She explained patiently: "Traffickers don't have 'trafficker' written on their faces."

"She is one." Her tone was absolute.

"We'll find out for sure when the train guards arrive and take her in for questioning." Lin Zhao looked down at her enemy, pressing her foot harder onto the woman's hand, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

The trafficker who once held others' fates in her hands—now this.

Let you feel what it's like to be the fish on the chopping block!

"That's true," the old woman nodded.

No one knew who was right or wrong. The onlookers didn't know who to support, so they did nothing.

Not long after.

A voice came from the adjacent carriage.

"Everyone make way—the train guards are coming!"

At the sound, everyone turned.

Now was the moment.

Xia Fen Jie, who'd been gathering strength, suddenly surged up, pulled a small spring knife, and slashed hard across Lin Zhao's arm. Then, as Lin Zhao staggered back, she sprinted toward the nearby window.

She meant to jump.

"Ah—she's going to jump out the window!"

"She has a knife! She hurt someone! She really is a trafficker!"

"Catch the trafficker!!"

The onlookers surged forward.

Lin Zhao reacted fastest. Ignoring the blood gushing from her arm, she lunged forward in three strides, grabbed Xia Fen Jie by the waist as half her body was already out the window.

She yanked her back by the hair.

With a bang, Lin Zhao slammed the window shut.

Damn. Thank God the window was closed—she'd taken seconds to open it. Otherwise... she might've been watching her enemy's smug grin through the glass.

Just thinking about it made her furious.

Lin Zhao didn't dare be careless. Pretending to reach into her pocket, she actually pulled a special item from her storage ring, and under the guise of a slap, slipped it into her enemy's mouth.

"Slap! Slap!"

"Still trying to run?" Lin Zhao delivered two more slaps.

"Cough... cough..." Xia Fen Jie felt something slide down her throat. She tried to cough it up—useless.

She glared at Lin Zhao with venom. "What did you give me?"

She, the mighty Jianghu Xia Fen Jie, reduced to this humiliation—if she escaped, this woman's entire family would pay!

Lin Zhao ignored her. Her uninjured hand gripped Xia Fen Jie's arm and wrenched it backward with all her strength.

A crack echoed. The arm snapped, hanging limp.

"AHHH!!" Xia Fen Jie hadn't expected such a sudden move—she screamed, sweat breaking out on her brow.

Lin Zhao's lips curled coldly.

You hurt my arm? You'll pay.

As Xia Fen Jie screamed, the train guards finally arrived.

"We're here! Where's the trafficker?" The young guard wiped sweat from his forehead, forcing a path through the crowd.

Seeing Lin Zhao, he stammered: "L-Lin Comrade, what are you doing here?"

The older guard immediately noticed the blood on Lin Zhao's arm. "You're injured..."

His gaze shifted right—the bloody spring knife lay on the floor.

"Take Lin Comrade to get treated!" the older guard ordered his apprentice.

He pulled out iron handcuffs and clamped them tightly around the criminal's wrists.

He applied the cuffs with brutal force, pretending not to see the injuries on Xia Fen Jie's body.

Assaulting a military family member? That's an aggravating offense!