Chapter 230: Not Even a Minute Before She Got Slapped in the Face
Ning Xiyue glanced at Comrade Li. After receiving his nod, she led the woman out of the stone chamber and stopped only when they reached the cellar outside.
“You can say whatever you want now.”
She knew this woman was a human trafficker. Ning Xiyue wondered whether she should use a Truth Talisman on her as well.
“I have a list of enemies,” Sister Hua said anxiously, afraid Ning Xiyue wouldn’t believe her. She even revealed her identity, speaking earnestly:
“It’s true. I used to be part of that organization. Now I just want to turn myself in, make amends for my crimes, and earn a lighter sentence—so I can still take care of my daughter. Is that possible?”
That question wasn’t something Ning Xiyue dared to answer. She had no authority for that—and even if she did, she wouldn’t agree. It wouldn’t be fair to the families and children Sister Hua had once hurt.
But there was another way to make her talk nonstop.
Should she use the Truth Talisman?
At that moment, Comrade Li answered instead, “Where is it?”
Sister Hua fell silent. She knew the things she’d done deserved a heavy sentence. But if she was imprisoned, what would happen to her daughter? She still wanted to fight for a chance.
Her decision to surrender was already calculated—these officers had found this place, which meant they already had enough information. She’d be discovered sooner or later. Better to turn herself in voluntarily—at least the sentence might be lighter.
All she wanted now was to take care of her daughter and go back to their hometown to live a normal life together.
“Not going to talk?” Comrade Li’s face darkened. The little goodwill he had for her voluntary surrender disappeared completely.
“It’s not like that,” Sister Hua said quickly, waving her hands anxiously, her face twisting in sorrow as she began to cry, playing the pity card.
“I just want to be with my daughter. She can’t live without me. She just had a baby—how can a young girl survive something like that? Please, I’m begging you all.”
Ning Xiyue: System, use the Truth Talisman on her.
Trying to use moral manipulation, huh? As if she didn’t realize her daughter ended up like this because of her own sins—she spun her own cocoon.
“Ding, Truth Talisman used on Sister Hua.”
Hearing the system’s voice, Ning Xiyue smiled slightly, took Sister Hua’s hand, and said sincerely, “If that’s not the case, then please tell us. Being able to contribute to our country is an honor.”
Comrade Li, playing the “bad cop,” said with a dark expression, “Say it straight. Don’t waste our time.”
“In… in the crack of my bed,” Sister Hua blurted out after a moment’s hesitation.
“Let’s go. Show us.” Comrade Li motioned for her to lead the way.
The three returned to the stone chamber.
After retrieving the list from under Sister Hua’s bed, Comrade Li took two officers and headed toward the study that Lao San had mentioned.
Meanwhile, Ning Xiyue and the others organized the rescue of the girls and women still inside the chamber.
They retreated into the cellar, bringing along the last group of children.
Ning Xiyue carried Gou Dan in one arm and the little girl she had met on the train in the other. The women and girls who came out with them also helped carry the rest of the children. Under the guidance of two comrades, they were escorted to the Armed Forces Department.
Everything went smoothly—they arrived safely.
Ning Qingyuan was already there, waiting anxiously.
When he saw Ning Xiyue walk in safely with two children in her arms, all his worry melted away. He rushed forward and took one of the children from her arms.
“Sis, are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Everything’s okay. Once we’re done here, we should be able to go home.” Ning Xiyue smiled gently, her eyes reassuring.
“That’s good. I’m relieved.”
Now that he knew everyone was safe, Ning Qingyuan finally had the mood to talk about his feelings.
“Sis, you don’t know how scared I was seeing one bad guy after another go in there. My heart was about to leap out of my throat! Every movement outside had me on edge.”
“I was nervous one moment, worried the next, then excited, then happy—but I couldn’t show it because I was afraid of getting caught. I nearly went crazy holding it all in!”
As he spoke, his expressions were so exaggerated that Ning Xiyue couldn’t help but laugh.
She suddenly thought—the whole family really had a talent for acting. They were all drama kings and queens.
By now, they had arrived at the temporary care area of the Armed Forces Department where the rescued children were being treated. The officers there were feeding the children the antidote. Ning Xiyue set Gou Dan down and helped feed the medicine.
Ning Qingyuan also put down the child he was holding to help.
All fifteen children were given the antidote and slowly regained consciousness.
But the moment they woke up—headache. One after another, they began to cry.
“Waaaah! Mama, where are you? Wuuu…”
“Brother, I’m scared! Waaaah!”
Waves of crying filled the room. Some called for their parents, some for siblings or grandparents. Others cried and begged for forgiveness on the spot.
Once all fifteen were awake, their cries joined together in a thunderous chorus that could have lifted the roof. Each child sobbed their heart out, snot bubbles and all.
No one could calm them down—not even close.
The noise was deafening.
The comrades present were on the verge of a headache-induced breakdown.
One officer frowned, covering his ears, and ordered his subordinate:
“Quickly contact the local police stations in every area—find these children’s families! We must get them back into their families’ loving arms as soon as possible.”
“Yes, sir!” the subordinate said, almost fleeing as he rushed to carry out the order—clearly very passionate about his work.
The officer turned back to face the wailing children, his expression pained.
“I should’ve volunteered to go arrest traffickers,” he muttered. “This kind of babysitting job is not for me.”
Then, accepting his fate, he started trying to soothe the children, shouting, “Comrades Ning, both of you, please help calm them down!”
“No problem, of course,” Ning Qingyuan replied cheerfully. Then he scratched his head and started acting like a monkey to make the kids laugh.
Ning Xiyue smiled faintly and turned to comfort the children, starting with the ones she knew best. She had faith in Gou Dan.
If she couldn’t manage the others, surely she could handle him.
But the moment she got close, Gou Dan—who had only been quietly whimpering—saw her, and immediately threw himself into her arms, hugging her thigh tightly and crying out loud.
The more he cried, the more wronged he felt, and the louder his sobs became.
Ning Xiyue, at a total loss: What do I do now? I can’t handle this!
Not even a minute later—slap in the face.
The child she thought she knew best was crying even louder than all the others combined.
Ning Xiyue gently stroked his head, her voice soft and soothing:
“Gou Dan, don’t be scared. The bad guys are gone. Sister’s here now. I’ll take you home. Don’t be afraid anymore.”
“Waaah—Sister Xiyue, hic, I… I’m scared, waaah—”
Still clutching her tightly, Gou Dan kept crying, his voice hoarse with fear and heartbreak.
