Chapter 90: Chapter 90: Arriving in the Capital, Running into an Old Acquaintance

Just as she was about to look away, Gu Qinghuan suddenly noticed, with her sharp eyes, that the young man who had been sleeping on the bunk above Wang Xiaowei was actually following right behind her.

If it was just a coincidence, then why did he stop whenever Wang Xiaowei stopped, pretending to tie his shoelaces?

Gu Qinghuan had a bad feeling—Wang Xiaowei was in danger. Since she’d already helped her once, she might as well see it through to the end.

She quickly told Xu Huai’an to go ahead and follow them to check out the situation.

Then she herself slowly came out with the two children.

Both Dabao and Beibei were older now, and after witnessing that harrowing incident with the human traffickers, and receiving a stern lesson from Gu Qinghuan, they were on their best behavior. No matter who offered them food, they shook their heads, and they refused to go anywhere with strangers.

Gu Qinghuan had a bag slung over her shoulder, holding one child in each hand, and slowly got off the train.

The three of them walked off the platform, ready to find Xu Huai’an.

Suddenly, a tentative voice called from behind, “Gu Qinghuan?”

Gu Qinghuan turned around in confusion and saw a face she remembered well.

To be precise, it was someone she hated to the core.

In her whole life, there had been very few people the original Gu Qinghuan had despised this much.

Gu Qingyue—originally named Chen Zhaodi—her half-sister from a different father and mother.

Gu Qingyue had changed her name after “marrying into” the Gu family, disliking her original name and choosing something similar to Gu Qinghuan’s.

But Gu Qinghuan only glanced at her for a split second, then turned away and kept walking.

Chen Zhaodi, however, refused to give up and chased after her. “Gu Qinghuan, why are you running? What, are you scared to see me? Weren’t you always so high and mighty before? What happened to you now? Whose kids are these? Don’t tell me they’re your illegitimate children? Didn’t you go to the Northwest? Why are you suddenly back?”

As she spoke, she deliberately shook out her new dress for Gu Qinghuan to see.

But even so, Gu Qinghuan, dressed in a simple jacket, still outshone her completely, making Chen Zhaodi grit her teeth in jealousy.

“Mind your own business. Does your family live by the sea? Why are you so nosy? Good dogs don’t block the way!”

Chen Zhaodi was about to curse back when she suddenly remembered something.

With a fake smile, she said, “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. Last month, I got engaged to Nianzhou-ge. Our wedding is in the middle of this month. Don’t forget to come witness our happiness!”

Nianzhou? Yun Nianzhou?

Gu Qinghuan remembered that name.

The original host’s ridiculous ex-boyfriend.

She wouldn’t want him even if he was given to her for free. She had no idea what the original host saw in him—her taste must have needed a serious reset.

Chen Zhaodi had expected to see Gu Qinghuan break down.

But instead, Gu Qinghuan just sneered, “What’s it got to do with me? Are you people even related to me? Move aside and stop bothering me.”

Gu Qinghuan walked away with the two children.

Chen Zhaodi stomped her foot in anger. This woman must be pretending! She used to care so much about Yun Nianzhou. When he broke off the engagement, she cried for ages. How could she not care at all now?

Gu Qinghuan’s reaction made her feel like she’d gone to all that trouble just to snatch up a pile of crap.

Meanwhile, Gu Qinghuan quickly reunited with Xu Huai’an.

Her instincts had been right—the young man was indeed up to no good.

Xu Huai’an had followed him and discovered that he’d drugged Wang Xiaowei and her son, dragging them into an alley. Luckily, Xu Huai’an arrived just in time, or the consequences would have been unimaginable.

They’d already called the local police and were waiting for them to handle it.

That young man seemed to be part of the same trafficking ring as before. Xu Huai’an had beaten him so badly that even his own mother wouldn’t recognize him.

After giving their statements, Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huai’an waited outside for the results, keeping an eye on Wang Xiaowei and her son.

This mother and son pair were truly unlucky, running into danger again and again—out of the frying pan and into the fire.

But they were also lucky, being saved by Gu Qinghuan time after time.

Having survived such ordeals, hopefully, better days were ahead for them.

The results of the interrogation soon came out.

It turned out the young man was the son of the old woman who’d been caught earlier.

They were part of a gang, but after his mother was arrested, the young man, both angry and vengeful, had set his sights on Xu Huai’an’s group.

But Xu Huai’an was too strong and alert, always keeping Dabao and Beibei close, so the young man couldn’t find an opportunity and had to go after Wang Xiaowei and her son instead.

He hadn’t expected Gu Qinghuan to catch him in the act, foiling his plans.

The case was solved, but now there was the issue of what to do with Wang Xiaowei and her son.

Fortunately, Wang Xiaowei woke up not long after.

From getting off the train until now, it was almost dark.

The police station didn’t provide overnight accommodations.

Wang Xiaowei, still shaken, stuck close to them. After everything that had happened, her trust in Gu Qinghuan had reached its peak.

Now that it was getting dark, she was worried about her safety and had no choice but to follow them.

Gu Qinghuan took her family to a nearby guesthouse for the night.

Nothing was more important than a good rest after days of exhausting travel.

Wang Xiaowei also got a room for herself.

Everything in the capital was expensive. If she couldn’t find her child’s father soon, she’d be out of money.

For safety, Xu Huai’an’s family only booked one room—after all, they were a legally married couple.

The guesthouse lady kept staring at Gu Qinghuan and the two kids, thinking, “My goodness, this girl is so young and already has two big kids!”

The room had two beds, just enough for them to squeeze in, but it was still far more comfortable than the train.

As for Wang Xiaowei, she had to stay in her own room. After all, they were just acquaintances by chance—Gu Qinghuan had no obligation to take responsibility for her life.

If, after all that had happened, she still hadn’t learned to be cautious, then all Gu Qinghuan could say was: she deserved whatever came next.

The night passed peacefully.

The next morning, after washing up and a simple breakfast, Gu Qinghuan planned to go check on Gu Lanting.

She’d originally intended to go alone, since it was inconvenient to drag the whole family and all their luggage.

Xu Huai’an wanted to go too, but was too embarrassed to say so directly, so he shot the kids a look.

Dabao immediately hugged Gu Qinghuan’s leg, “Mom, we want to go too!”

Gu Qinghuan could never resist the kids’ pleading.

“Alright, alright, we’ll all go.”

Since they’d finally made it to the capital, of course she had to take the kids out to see the sights.

After getting ready, the whole family set out, with Wang Xiaowei leaving at the same time.

Gu Qinghuan watched her get on the bus to the machinery factory, telling her which stop to get off at.

She hoped Wang Xiaowei could find her child’s father, but deep down, she knew it probably wouldn’t go smoothly.

Then, the family boarded a bus to the city center.

The old-style bus was crowded and cramped. Xu Huai’an, strong and tall, used his big hands to shield Gu Qinghuan and the two kids.

Gu Qinghuan didn’t even have time to care about how close they were—she was too busy trying not to get carsick from all the jostling."