Chapter 66: Entering the Game Once Again

When his cousin secured the land for the private restaurant through the Li Family’s connections,

The brothers had said that once they made something of themselves, the relationship between the Song and Li families would grow stronger.

The stronger the relationship, the closer the ties between the younger generations would become.

The term “family friends” wasn’t just a symbol of connection—it represented lineage and status.

When he joined the market supervision department, he believed the time when both families would stand as equals was drawing nearer.

The Li Family shone in military and political circles, while their Song Family would dazzle in political and business spheres.

But reality didn’t allow it.

Especially after his son went missing.

He became increasingly aware that the Song and Li families were already worlds apart.

It was only his own blindness and foolishness that made him think they could soon stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Li Family.

In the end, it was all a joke.

Seeing the expression of mingled self-mockery and resignation on his face, Li Beizhao threw a fierce punch.

“What the hell are you talking, you idiot!”

“That ‘worlds apart’ nonsense is all bullshit!”

“Did the Li Family ever say that? Did the Li Family ever think that?”

“It’s all your own damn foolishness—don’t drag our Li Family into this!”

Watching Song Chaoxu’s expression gradually clear after the punch, he shook his wrist with a hint of sarcasm.

“Got your head straight now?”

“Can you talk properly?”

Hearing this, Song Chaoxu worked his jaw and touched the corner of his mouth with displeasure.

“No respect for your elders!”

“Is this how the military trained you?”

“Assaulting your elder brother recklessly—you deserve to be confined!”

Hearing the familiar tone, Li Beizhao finally returned to his normal expression.

“Back to business.”

“Brother Xu, what intel have you gathered?”

“Do you know how many women and children those people have?”

Seeing him instantly revert to soldier mode, Song Chaoxu’s mouth twitched as he replied.

“Not sure yet.”

“I just made contact with their leader when you called me over.”

He then grew curious.

“What, you’ve had them under surveillance?”

“If I’d known you were taking action, I wouldn’t have put your sister-in-law and Xiao Shu at risk.”

“They’ve suffered a lot these past days because of it.”

Li Beizhao shook his head slightly in resignation.

“It wasn’t us who discovered them.”

“Someone reported their suspicious behavior.”

“Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known you were on this train either.”

After exchanging information, both sides understood Shen Yi’an’s crucial role in the matter.

Song Chaoxu’s reflections particularly emphasized her significance.

“I knew that female comrade was good!”

“You have no idea how excited Xiao Shu was when she saw her clothes.”

“She not only grabbed onto them but held on tightly.”

“If I weren’t worried about dragging her into this, I would’ve bought the clothes for Xiao Shu to hold.”

Mentioning Xiao Shu again, Li Beizhao’s expression turned serious.

“Xiao Shu’s condition is a psychological issue.”

“After this is over, I’ll take you to see Fourth Brother.”

“He’s a pilot—the base has specialized psychologists who can help Xiao Shu recover.”

Song Zhaoxu hesitated briefly.

“Is that really necessary?”

“Once we find A Yao, Xiao Shu’s condition will naturally improve.”

“It’s not worth troubling Beichen with this matter.”

They had just finished discussing the events of these past days when Li Beizhao came up with an idea right after hearing it.

Although it sounded like a good idea, going to the military for help was troublesome…

Before Song Zhaoxu could fully consider the idea, Chen Rongying, who was holding Song Shu beside him, grew anxious first.

“Beizhao, we’ll leave it to you!”

“Although we’re in a hurry to find A Yao, Xiao Shu’s health is just as important.”

“Ever since she saw her brother being taken away, this girl has become more and more withdrawn.”

“Since there’s hope, I still want to give it a try. We can’t have this girl run into problems just as we find A Yao.”

Hearing this, Li Beizhao nodded seriously.

“Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I’ll take care of this.”

“No need to be polite with me!”

After saying this, he glanced at Song Chaoxu, who looked somewhat embarrassed beside him. “Unlike some people who always treat me like an outsider.”

Once this matter was settled, the conversation naturally shifted to the case of the human traffickers.

This time, it was Song Chaoxu who spoke first.

“Logically speaking, since I’ve already been safely extracted, I shouldn’t get involved again.”

“But even a female comrade could step forward when seeing injustice. As someone directly involved, I naturally can’t stand idly by either.”

“I have to go back!”

After stating his thoughts, he quickly added.

“Of course, besides keeping those people in check, I can also protect the safety of the female comrade this time.”

“Even though I failed the military selection back then, I’ve built up some strength over the years from training.”

“I can’t just let a female comrade charge ahead while I, a grown man, hide behind and let her protect me.”

Hearing this, Chen Rongying responded enthusiastically.

“Yes, let him go!”

“His son was kidnapped. As a father, he should do his part.”

“Xiao Shu and I will wait here for your triumphant return.”

With the husband and wife echoing each other, Li Beizhao, who had initially been somewhat hesitant, no longer objected.

“Alright, then you go back first!”

“Our people have already entered the train carriage in plain clothes.”

“When the operation officially begins, just remember to protect yourself and the female comrade who stepped forward.”

After all, everything was under control.

If they could protect one person, they certainly had the capacity to protect two.

And by ‘they,’ he meant the task force from the Heilongjiang Military Region.

The reason he was on the train this time was because he was leading a team on a mission.

Once the mission was completed, he naturally had to return.

Although encountering a group of human traffickers was unexpected, he wasn’t the least bit afraid.

As soldiers, their mission and responsibility were to protect the country and its people.

Now, the very people they were meant to protect were facing a crisis. Stepping forward was their only choice.

It wasn’t like they were dealing with armed insurgents.

With just their physical strength, subduing a group of untrained rabble would only take a moment.

It was precisely because of this confidence that he agreed to Song Chaoxu’s request.

As for his brief hesitation, it was out of concern for Chen Rongying and her daughter.

Since the parties involved had no objections, he naturally wouldn’t oppose either.

With nothing else to discuss, Song Chaoxu returned to his original seat in the train carriage, holding a handful of White Rabbit Creamy Candy.

No doubt about it, it was still sponsored by the train conductor.

As the conductor put it, as long as they could completely wipe out those damned human traffickers, he wouldn’t mind donating the entire snack cart.

It was also because of his support that Song Chaoxu got free White Rabbit Creamy Candy.

When he appeared, the first to react was the Female Boss facing him.

“Back so soon?”

“Where are your wife and child?”

The reason for asking this was that when the soldier disguised as a train attendant came to fetch them, the excuse used was that there was a traveling doctor on the train giving out free sugar pills.

Sugar pills were medicine to prevent polio.

Although Song Shu was six years old, she looked like just a small bundle when held in the arms.

Moreover, the Female Boss and her group didn’t know that sugar pills were meant for children under four.

So when they saw Song Chaoxu’s inquiring look, they didn’t think much of it and agreed.

Since the little girl was already her possession, ensuring she stayed healthy was the most important thing.

So she let the family of three go.

Now, seeing only him return, it was natural to ask.

To this, Song Chaoxu’s answer came just as easily.

“There are way too many kids on the train!”

“My wife and daughter are waiting in line over there. I came back to apologize.”

As he said this, he gestured with his eyes toward Shen Yi’an’s direction.

“My child doesn’t know any better. She got this comrade’s clothes dirty not long ago.”

“So, I bought a handful of White Rabbit Creamy Candy.”

“I figured I should at least apologize, otherwise it’d be too much.”

Hearing this, the Female Boss raised an eyebrow, showing a look of approval.

“Good!”

“If you did something wrong, you should apologize!”

After saying this, she signaled with her eyes for him to hurry up.

Seeing this, Song Chaoxu nodded and walked over to Shen Yi’an’s side.

“Comrade, my daughter didn’t know any better earlier.”

“Here, this is the White Rabbit Creamy Candy I just bought. If you accept it, it means you accept my apology.”

“How about it? Pretty sincere, right?”

Hearing this, the Female Boss couldn’t help but twitch the corner of her mouth first.

What did he mean by “Pretty sincere, right”?

Who adds that line when apologizing?

What should have been a perfectly good start was completely ruined by that one sentence!

Shen Yi’an, who had her head lowered, didn’t know the reaction on the other side, because she was completely startled by the sound of his voice.