Chapter 64: No Drugs After All?

“Though this might sound like I’m overstepping, I still want to mention it.”

“Could that little girl and her parents be evacuated before the operation begins?”

Recalling the look in the little girl’s eyes when she tugged at her clothes, Shen Yi’an felt deeply unsettled. “I don’t know if I’m overthinking it, but the girl seems to be showing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.”

“Both her gaze and her movements leave me with an uncomfortable feeling when I think back.”

Li Beizhao had expected her to seize the opportunity to make excessive demands—like asking for a job or even a matchmaking arrangement.

After hearing her actual request, he felt a twinge of embarrassment.

Of course—someone who’d immediately reported such critical information ought to be a person of considerable integrity.

He’d been too narrow-minded!

After a brief silence, he promptly replied, “Rest assured, Comrade. We’ll relocate the girl and her parents before launching the operation.”

“But you must also take care of your own safety.”

Their earlier conversation had piqued his curiosity about the family of three.

What could have driven them to set such a risky trap rather than trust the police?

After all, they weren’t dealing with a lone trafficker but an organized gang.

One misstep could endanger all four family members.

But any further questions would have to wait until he met them in person.

For now, his concern was this female comrade’s safety.

Relieved that her request wasn’t rejected, Shen Yi’an nodded firmly. “Don’t worry, Comrade!”

“Since I’ve agreed to help, I’ll see it through.”

As she reached the duty office door, she turned back to Chief Conductor Xu, who was watching her. “Ahem, Chief Conductor Xu, could I buy some snacks from the train?”

“If I’m gone this long, I’ll need a plausible excuse when I return.”

It was only at the doorway that she remembered she’d originally followed those people while hidden in her Space.

Now that she had to return openly, she needed a legitimate reason.

Though no one had questioned her missing luggage, she was certain the Female Boss had noticed.

This was her chance to address it directly.

It would seem more natural if she claimed she’d left her luggage with a travel companion and slipped out to fetch some snacks.

Understanding dawned on Chief Conductor Xu after a moment’s surprise.

Of course—she couldn’t return empty-handed.

If this small detail compromised their entire plan, all their preparations would be wasted, and they’d be forced to improvise under pressure.

This female comrade was remarkably meticulous—no wonder she’d reported the intelligence immediately.

With a quiet sigh of admiration, he directed Conductor Li beside him to fetch snacks from the dining car.

The snacks sold from trolleys on the train were stored in the dining car when not being circulated.

As Conductor Li departed, Xu gave Shen Yi’an a thumbs-up.

“You’re quick-witted, little comrade!”

“I hadn’t even considered that potential risk until you mentioned it.”

“Thank goodness you caught it early!”

“If this detail had exposed tonight’s operation, our entire afternoon of preparations would’ve been for nothing.”

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an shook his head in disagreement. “It’s not that my mind works fast; it’s mainly because you all planned everything so carefully.”

“If you hadn’t thought of everything that needed to be considered, I wouldn’t have insisted on nitpicking the details.”

The two openly exchanged polite remarks, making Li Beizhao, who was standing nearby, shake his head helplessly.

“You two can stop now!”

“Credit belongs to whoever deserves it; saying more won’t change anything.”

“Once this arrest operation is over, I’ll report the situation truthfully to the higher-ups.”

“At that time, the commendations and honors will find their rightful owners.”

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an and Chief Conductor Xu exchanged a glance and smiled.

Just as the conversation among the three was winding down, Conductor Li, who had gone to fetch snacks, returned.

Not only did he return, but he also brought a cart full of snacks.

“I wasn’t sure what to bring.”

“If I brought something you didn’t like, pretending to enjoy it would probably be a struggle.”

“How about you choose for yourselves?”

Shen Yi’an agreed with this idea.

When it comes to snacks you don’t like, no matter how much you force yourself, it’s hard to pretend to enjoy them.

After a brief exchange, he selected two bananas and an orange from the cart.

He initially intended to pay, as taking advantage of public resources is hardly a respectable act.

But Chief Conductor Xu firmly refused.

“No need to pay!”

“The smooth execution of tonight’s operation is all thanks to your proactive reporting.”

“Besides, the two bananas and an orange you took are essentially props. Why pay for props?”

After saying this, he sought Li Beizhao’s opinion. “What do you think, Comrade Li?”

To this, Li Beizhao had no choice but to nod in agreement.

After all, it was the truth—if he had any objections, he’d be the one with a problem.

Seeing both of them react this way, Shen Yi’an didn’t refuse further. He took the two bananas and the orange and left the conductor’s duty room.

As he approached his seat, he noticed that the spot where the family of three had been sitting was now empty.

Only the table and the floor were left, scattered with sunflower seed shells.

After a moment’s thought, he realized they had likely been taken away.

If there had been any arguments or conflicts, the people in the nearby seats wouldn’t be sleeping so soundly.

Although he didn’t know what excuse was used to take them away or how the Female Boss in the back row hadn’t grown suspicious, Shen Yi’an couldn’t help but admire the execution and decision-making of his future third brother-in-law.

It’s wonderful that the country has people like him standing guard!

After a brief moment of reflection, he quickly returned to his seat.

As he sat down, his eyes met those of the Female Boss sitting opposite him.

Maintaining the demeanor of an ordinary passenger, Shen Yi’an held the half-eaten banana in his mouth and offered the other unpeeled banana to her. “Want one?”

“I suddenly felt a bit hungry, so I went to my friend to get some snacks.”

As he spoke, he took a moment to tighten his clothes. “During the day, it felt hot on the train, but I didn’t expect it to get chilly at night.”

“Luckily, my suitcase was over there too, or I’d probably catch a cold tomorrow without a jacket.”

Seeing her completely unsuspecting demeanor, the Female Boss smiled.

“I wondered where you went when I came back—I didn’t see you in the restroom either.”

“So you went to get snacks.”

She then took the banana.

“Aren’t bananas almost out of season?”

“I remember they start selling them as early as June.”

Regardless of whether there was any probing intent in the words, Shen Yi’an directly stated her opinion, “That’s not necessarily true. The ripening period of bananas also depends on their place of origin.”

“Some places can have bananas as early as April, but most regions don’t ripen and hit the market until August or September.”

“My friend’s hometown is in Bagui, where bananas typically ripen from September to January of the following year.”

“The large temperature difference between day and night makes the bananas grown there particularly sweet. Here, try one.”

After giving this explanation, she finally ate the remaining banana with a satisfied expression.

Hearing this, the Female Boss just smiled while looking at the banana in her hand.

“I’ve never been to Bagui before. I’ll make a trip there when I get the chance in the future.”

“I imagine they have more than just bananas there.”

The two were speaking in lowered voices.

Their conversation didn’t bother the surrounding passengers much, but it had a greater impact on those sitting close to them.

Especially the Female Comrade sitting next to Shen Yi’an, who drowsily opened her eyes amidst the discussion.

When she saw the banana in the Female Boss’s hand, she complained with slight dissatisfaction.

“How come you didn’t call me when you’re eating something good?”

“We’re practically acquaintances at this point. Would it hurt to wake me up for a couple bites?”

Catching the underlying meaning in her words, before Shen Yi’an could explain anything, the Female Boss handed her the banana.

“Here, you have it!”

“The young woman only brought back two from her friend.”

Hearing this, the Female Comrade didn’t care whose banana it was – she took it, peeled it, and took a bite.

“Mmm, it’s really good!”

“So sweet and soft. Are you sure you don’t want a bite?”

Despite saying this, she made no move to return it.

Seeing this, a playful glint flashed in the Female Boss’s eyes.

No drugs were added after all?