Free Web NovelChapter 141: Chapter 141: A Job Offer
Ah Hua’s eyes were fixed on the White Rabbit creamy candy in Wen Ci’s hand. She swallowed hard and asked, "Sister, is this for me?"
"Mhm," Wen Ci nodded.
The middle-aged woman chimed in with a word of caution, "Young lady, you must be careful when you’re away from home. Don’t get too close to strangers; they might be bad people."
Ah Hua tilted her head, confused. "But ma’am, haven’t we only known each other for a day? You said you were going to take me to Beijing to find a job. Does that make you a bad person?"
Wen Ci: "..."
At these words, Wen Ci’s gaze shifted to the middle-aged woman. She narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her. The woman was dressed simply.
’She doesn’t look like someone who could get people a job.’
"Ah Hua, don’t you go making false accusations against a good person!"
Wen Ci remained silent and started putting on an act, pretending she was also going to Beijing to look for relatives. She and Xiao Hua had a pleasant chat during the day.
Ah Hua’s full name was Li Huahua.
She was heading to Beijing because her younger brother needed money for school, and her parents were trying to marry her off to an old man. Her brother had stolen a few hundred yuan from home to give to Ah Hua so she could run away.
Ah Hua had heard that Northern China was known for heavy industry, so she hoped to settle down in Beijing.
After hearing Ah Hua’s story, Wen Ci let out a soft sigh.
’It’s true that the North is big on heavy industry, but those factories only hire people with diplomas. Besides, the North’s heavy industry has nothing to do with Beijing.’
’Beijing is the Capital; there’s hardly any heavy industry here.’
Suddenly, the middle-aged woman sitting across from them spoke up. "I have connections at a factory. My grandfather’s brother is the deputy director. When we get to Beijing, why don’t I introduce you two to a job?"
A crafty glint flashed in Wen Ci’s eyes. ’After talking all day, she’s finally showing her true colors,’ she thought. ’There are many people like her on these trains.’
’They usually trick and abduct naive, clueless young girls.’
’They lure them in with promises of jobs or other things.’
Wen Ci feigned ignorance and asked, "But I heard you need at least a high school diploma for a factory job?"
"My grandfather’s brother *is* the deputy director, you know."
Ah Hua squeezed Wen Ci’s hand. "Sister, please come with me! We can go work at the factory together. We’ll be colleagues and we can be friends, too."
Wen Ci smiled. "Alright."
「The next morning.」
Under the pretext of going to the restroom, Wen Ci found the train police. A train police officer had the same authority as regular police, and this one had a pistol holstered at his waist.
Wen Ci glanced back. ’I can’t tip them off.’
She walked up to the officer’s side and said, "I need to report a human trafficker on this train."
"Miss Wen, are you sure?"
Before she had boarded, Xu Jinghe had specifically asked the railway authorities to look out for Wen Ci, informing them of her status as a military wife. Naturally, the train police believed what she said.
"I’m positive."
"Alright. I’ll have my colleagues make the arrest after you get off the train."
They couldn’t just arrest someone on the train based solely on Wen Ci’s word; they needed solid evidence.
Wen Ci proposed, "I’ll follow them when we get off."
"Okay."
That afternoon, aboard the green-skinned train to Beijing, an announcement crackled over the PA system: "Dear passengers, the train is now approaching our final destination, Beijing Station. Passengers who are disembarking, please gather your belongings and prepare to exit the train..."
Ah Hua’s eyes shone with excitement as she gazed out the window, her voice full of yearning. "So this is the Capital? Can we go see the great square tonight?"
Tiananmen Square. A place countless people longed to visit.
A flash of displeasure crossed the middle-aged woman’s eyes. Suppressing her irritation, she said, "We can go to the square anytime. Let’s get the job situation settled first."
