Chapter 79: Finally Arriving at the Aviation Base

But before voicing her doubts, she first answered Chen Rongying, “Indeed.”

“Forcing one’s own ideas onto others without their knowledge.”

“In the end, the one who suffers is still oneself.”

After speaking, she finally voiced the doubt in her heart, “But from what Comrade Li just said, are those people trying to capture the little one also human traffickers?””

“And are they connected to the group on the train?”

Before Chen Rongying could say anything, Song Chaoxu, who had been contemplating countermeasures, snapped back to attention and took over the conversation.

“They’re definitely the same group!”

“From what Third Brother implied, both groups are managed by that woman, and she holds considerable power.”

“The reason they’re distributed across different cities is to acquire more ‘fresh goods.'”

Perhaps feeling this explanation was too vague, he quickly added,

“The ‘fresh goods’ those people refer to are women and children.”

“It’s strange, isn’t it? Among so many groups—men, women, children, the elderly—they specifically target women and children.”

“Who knows if the person behind this was born without a brain when his mother gave birth to him? It’s utterly despicable.”

Seeing Song Chaoxu’s clenched fist with bulging veins, Chen Rongying patted the back of his hand to soothe him.

“Don’t be angry. No matter how furious you get, it won’t help.”

“Those people are like rats in the sewers. It’s unrealistic to catch them all at once.”

“We’re all ordinary people. We can’t intervene in this matter; the only thing we can do is manage ourselves.”

“As long as we don’t cause trouble, the state will eventually deal with them.”

Hearing the couple’s conversation, Shen Yi’an nodded in agreement. “Comrade Chen is right.”

“As long as we don’t cause trouble, those people will be caught sooner or later.”

“Isn’t it said that ‘justice has long arms’? There will surely be a day when the clouds part and the sun shines through.”

After responding, she couldn’t help but sigh, “When we truly achieve ‘a world without trafficking,’ the streets will be filled with children running around.”

Hearing this, Song Chaoxu nodded quite approvingly.

“That’s exactly the truth.”

“However, regarding this matter, I still want to thank Comrade Shen.”

“If it weren’t for your alertness, Third Brother and the others wouldn’t have tracked the traffickers at the hospital and managed to wipe out the hidden trafficking ring in Xincheng in one fell swoop.”

“Just thinking about it is such a gratifying and joyous event!”

Although she had already heard from Li Beizhao that the trafficking rings in both locations had been eradicated, Shen Yi’an couldn’t resist asking, “I wonder what kind of punishment those people will face.”

“After all, they’ve destroyed countless happy families, and the resulting spiritual and material losses are immeasurable.”

“If they only end up serving a few years in prison, it would be far too lenient for them.”

Chen Rongying fully agreed with her statement.

“Yes, a few years of free meals in prison is still too lenient for them.”

“If possible, I really wish they could be executed outright.”

“Although death might be a quick release, it could serve as a warning to others, so no one would dare enter this trade in the future.”

The three of them found high common ground on this topic, and their voices inevitably grew louder.

Overheard by people in nearby seats, they too eagerly joined the conversation.

Some say human traffickers should be sentenced to death directly—such people don’t deserve to live at all.

Others say human traffickers should be sent to labor camps, making them endure both mental and physical punishment.

There are also those who say everyone is human and should be given a chance to repent.

No matter which argument it is, there will always be people who echo and agree.

But regardless of the discussion, it shows that everyone is paying close attention to this issue.

As long as the attention remains, the group of human traffickers will be firmly nailed to the pillar of shame, unable to escape even after thousands or tens of thousands of years.

Listening to the discussions around them, Shen Yi’an and the others, who had sparked the topic, quietly listened without joining in again.

For the rest of the time, their attention was focused on the two children.

First was Song Yao.

Although he had already escaped the control of the human trafficking ring and returned to his family, aside from the overwhelming joy of reuniting with his loved ones yesterday, he had now returned to a state of extreme tension.

Sitting beside his father, with his mother and sister across from him, he still kept looking around from time to time.

The vigilance in his eyes was heartbreaking to see.

Knowing that such a situation would take time to slowly heal, Song Chaoxu simply played with his hair without saying a word.

To distract herself from the discomfort in her heart, Chen Rongying turned to teasing the quietly sitting Song Shu.

“Xiao Shu, Auntie is already tired from carrying you all this way.”

“How about letting Mommy hold you for a while?”

The little one didn’t speak, but her eyes remained fixed on Shen Yi’an.

Seeing her like this, Chen Rongying couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Comrade Shen, what should we do? It seems this little girl has taken a liking to you.”

“Even though she only met you for the first time yesterday, today she’s sitting in your arms and won’t leave.”

“In just a short while, I’m really curious about how you two got along yesterday.”

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an pinched the little girl’s still chubby cheek and smiled. “Maybe it’s fate between us.”

“If I were a few years older, this little girl might not be someone else’s daughter.”

Although she said it in a joking tone, she could actually guess the real reason.

It was most likely the work of the Spirit Spring Water.

Even though it was diluted Spirit Spring Water, the taste in the mouth was truly different from ordinary water.

That refreshing sweetness was something words couldn’t fully describe.

Moreover, given the little girl’s special circumstances, she might have sensed the benefits the Spirit Spring Water brought her, which was why she couldn’t forget it after just one taste.

And because she had closed herself off and couldn’t speak, she could only convey her needs through her eyes.

But this was something only she knew and couldn’t be revealed to anyone.

So, in response to Chen Rongying’s question, she could only brush it off with a joke.

Then, seeing the little girl’s eager gaze, she picked up the water cup from the small table and brought it close to her mouth. “Are you thirsty?”

“This is Auntie’s cup. If you don’t mind, you can take a small sip!”

Hearing it was Auntie’s cup, Song Shu opened her mouth without hesitation.

Feeling the familiar taste in her mouth, she squinted her eyes contentedly.

Seeing this, Chen Rongying helplessly poked her little forehead.

“Little greedy cat!”

“Is Auntie’s water really that delicious?”

Even as she said this, the amusement in her eyes was unmistakable.

Watching the scene unfold, Song Chaoxu and Song Yao across from them couldn’t help but break into smiles.

“It’s good that the girl (younger sister) is willing to interact with people—that means the situation isn’t too severe.”

“With the psychiatrist’s treatment, she might return to her old self by the time we’re back in Jingshi.”

Shen Yi’an had no idea what the Song family was thinking, as she had already made her own plans.

Although meeting the Song family was accidental, it revealed that the Song and Li families were old friends.

She would soon enter the Li Family’s household, meaning she would inevitably interact with the Song family again.

Since interactions were unavoidable sooner or later, it was better to build a good relationship from the start.

Of course, this didn’t mean she would endlessly supply diluted Spirit Spring Water.

At most, until Luochuan.

Once they disembarked at Luochuan, regardless of how much the little girl had recovered, the supply of Spirit Spring Water would stop.

One can be kind, but kindness must have its limits.

Besides, she would have her own children and family in the future.

Coupled with her relatives still in Lancheng, there were already plenty of people she needed to protect.

Unless absolutely necessary, it was best not to let too many people come into contact with the Spirit Spring Water.

The reason she used it on the little girl was not only because she was ill but also because she was young and unlikely to remember.

If it were a child as old as Song Yao, she would have to think twice.

For the rest of the journey, except for trips to the restroom and washing up, the group remained in their seats.

The dining car on the train was mobile, so there was no need to wander around and invite trouble.

Thus, time flew by until they reached their destination.

By the time the announcements came one after another, Shen Yi’an and her companions were already prepared.

Their luggage and personal belongings were all packed.

As soon as the train stopped, they slowly moved with the crowd toward the exit.

Since their destination was the same, they managed to hail a taxi right outside the train station.

After a forty-minute ride, they finally saw the entrance to the Air Force Aviation Base.

The heavy metal gate, the striking military emblem, the inscribed motto “Go all out to annihilate the invading enemy,” and the ginkgo tree-lined path.

Shen Yi’an and the others instinctively softened their footsteps.

They were afraid that any unintentional noise might disrupt the tranquility of the moment.

If not for the appearance of the sentry at the guard post, they might have stood there like lifeless wooden stakes.