Chapter 81

Chapter 81

Tang Qingqing didn’t say a word the whole way, walking with her head down.

Su Rong and Tang Jixue understood her mood at the moment. After offering a few words of comfort, they did not disturb her further.

As soon as the three of them arrived in town, Tang Qingqing saw Wang Heizi by the roadside.

Wang Heizi leaned against a jeep, and upon seeing Tang Qingqing and the others, he hurried over to greet Su Rong and Tang Jixue before saying,

"I borrowed a car. I’ll take you directly to the city to catch the train, so you won’t have to transfer back and forth. Come on, get in quickly."

While helping Tang Qingqing with her luggage, he led them towards the jeep.

The commune doesn’t have a train station; one needs to go to the city for that.

The direction to the city is different from the commune, and there are no direct buses from the town to the city. Therefore, they would need to make a detour and change vehicles, which would be very time-consuming and tiring.

If they could go straight to the train station, it would be much more convenient.

Not only were Su Rong and Tang Jixue surprised, but Tang Qingqing was also taken aback.

"Why didn’t you mention this earlier?"

"At the time, the car was out, and I wasn’t sure if it would come back. Besides, isn’t this a surprise for you?"

Wang Heizi smiled at her and urged Su Rong and Tang Jixue to get into the car.

Su Rong hesitated. In those days, most cars were owned by public entities, and borrowing such cars was strictly prohibited. Even their Machinery Plant had cars, but Tang Jianguo, as the plant manager, was very principled and never used public resources for personal use.

He strongly opposed such behavior and had explicitly forbidden it. If anyone used a public car privately, he would punish them severely.

Seeing her hesitation, Tang Qingqing said, "Get in the car. Blackie is reliable."

Su Rong asked, "Whose car is this? Is it okay for us to use it like this?"

Wang Heizi understood her concern and smiled, "Auntie, this car is not a public one; it’s a private car. Everything is above board, so we’re not taking advantage of public resources."

Su Rong and Tang Jixue were astonished. "A private car?!"

Although there were no regulations prohibiting private ownership of cars, it was still very difficult for individuals to buy them. The automobile industry hadn’t yet reached full capacity, and cars were primarily allocated to government entities first.

Moreover, cars were extremely expensive. Owning a car was something ordinary people could hardly imagine.

Everyone cherished small cars, especially in remote areas where even riding in one was considered a luxury.

In town, it was even rarer to see small cars. Although Wang Heizi parked the car in a relatively secluded area, it still attracted many curious glances.

"Yes, the owner of the car has business dealings with me, so I don’t owe him any favors. You can ride with peace of mind. The driver is experienced and often runs routes to the city, driving very steadily. I’ll follow behind in another vehicle."

Tang Qingqing looked at him, "Are you going to the city too?"

"There’s an issue with a batch of fabric at the Second Textile Factory in the city. The patterns are blurred, but the quality of the fabric is fine. They’re selling it at a discount, and I plan to buy it all. This should net me a few thousand yuan."

Although Tang Qingqing wasn’t involved in Wang Heizi’s business, she knew roughly what he did every day.

Over the years, his network had expanded to the city, and much of his goods came from there, even some from the south.

Even though Zhai Hongyi had left, he sometimes still helped Wang Heizi connect with new opportunities.

Wang Heizi himself was capable and, despite his young age, could handle things independently.

He had grown taller and dressed maturely, and his demeanor was impressive after years of doing business.

If one didn’t know better, they might think he was around Tang Jixue’s age, and Tang Qingqing should call him brother.

Hearing Wang Heizi’s explanation, Su Rong was shocked. She never imagined that someone so young could earn thousands of yuan in one trip, making it sound like nothing significant.

She always thought Red Star Commune was poor, and Rongshan Brigade even more so, where farmers could barely save twenty or thirty yuan a year.

Now, her perception was completely overturned, and it seemed unlikely to be false, given the car right there.

This car alone was worth tens of thousands of yuan. Although it wasn’t Wang Heizi’s, the fact that he could borrow it showed he was capable.

Earning thousands of yuan from one deal was indeed not insignificant.

In their factory, such deals would be considered minor, but for an individual, it was a big deal.

Su Rong looked back and forth between Wang Heizi and Tang Qingqing, sensing a close relationship between them.

Tang Qingqing noticed her gaze and said, "Let’s get in the car. Blackie is my brother, so there’s no need to be formal with him."

Tang Jixue asked, "Your brother?"

"Yes, we’re sworn siblings. He’s actually a year younger than me."

Wang Heizi added, "That’s right. Sister Qing is just like my real sister."

Tang Jixue was stunned. "You, how old are you to be doing business on your own?!"

And doing it on such a large scale!

How could the difference between people be so great?

Wang Heizi waved his hand. "My little business is nothing. You haven’t seen my older brother. He’s the one who introduced me to all this. He’s now back in the capital, studying economics at Renmin University, and knows many influential people. His business is much bigger."

Tang Jixue was speechless. He had only heard about making money from others, but this was his first close encounter with someone truly successful.

Especially since Wang Heizi was so young and from a small place, it made him even more surprised.

He immediately grabbed Wang Heizi's arm: "Buddy, tell me everything, including that big brother you mentioned!"

Seeing Tang Jixue acting this way, Su Rong couldn't help but frown, but it wasn't the right time to say anything.

Tang Qingqing knew that Wang Heizi was supporting her, wanting her birth parents to realize that she had influential people backing her.

They needed to take her seriously and not think of her as just a poor, unsophisticated girl from the countryside. She had plenty of capabilities.

In reality, Wang Heizi wouldn't make as much money as he claimed, mainly because settling various relationships required spending money, and there was also the risk of not being able to sell the goods. Doing business was never easy.

But if they did make a profit, it would be substantial.

Su Rong was seated in the front passenger seat, while Tang Jixue pulled Wang Heizi to sit in the back with him, eager to learn how this young brother managed to set up his business.

Even when they encountered waiting trucks along the way, Tang Jixue didn't want to let Wang Heizi go, wanting to talk more with him.

Wang Heizi stayed and started chatting with Tang Jixue. Three people could fit in the back seat.

Initially, Su Rong wasn't very happy. She had always disagreed with Tang Jixue doing business, believing that he should focus on getting into university and then securing a job through official channels.

That would be more respectable and stable, with opportunities for advancement and a different social status compared to individual entrepreneurs.

Now that things were opening up, who knew what the future held? Despite making a lot of money, if they were labeled as engaging in capitalism, it could cause serious trouble.

Tang Jixue had failed the college entrance exam three times in a row and stubbornly quit his previous job. Recently, he even tried to sneak away.

Fortunately, someone discovered him and informed them, allowing them to bring him back.

At that time, Tang Jixue had already reached the train station and almost boarded a train to escape.

On that day, Tang Jianguo beat Tang Jixue with a stick. Tang Jixue had been beaten many times as a child for being naughty, but it rarely happened after he grew up.

This time, Tang Jianguo was so angry that he would have beaten him to death if not for being restrained.

As a result, Tang Jixue lay in bed for several days, and the relationship between father and son hit rock bottom. They barely spoke now.

Tang Jixue was still being stubborn. He hadn't passed the college entrance exam this year and spent his days idling around, clearly trying to make them give in.

Cutting off his financial support didn't stop him; he continued to wander around and even escaped through windows when locked up.

Because of Tang Jixue, their family had become a laughingstock at the Machinery Plant.

So, when Su Rong came back to pick up Tang Qingqing, she brought him along to find something for him to do.

Initially, Su Rong hesitated to interrupt due to the courtesy of riding in someone else's car, but as she listened, she thought it might be good if Tang Jixue took Wang Heizi's advice.

Wang Heizi supported Tang Jixue's desire to do business, but wasn't as supportive of his plan to go south.

"Yang City is such a big city with many opportunities. Why do you need to travel so far south? Yang City is your turf. If you're only doing business for money, isn't it better to stay in your own territory where you have an advantage? Do you have any technical skills, education, or connections with Hong Kong businessmen down there?"

"There are indeed many opportunities down south, but if you haven't seized the opportunities right here, how can you be sure you'll succeed in an unfamiliar place?"

"Why are your brothers only talking about vague ideas without any concrete plans? Going there unprepared is no different from waiting for money to fall from the sky."

Wang Heizi regretted that Tang Jixue, being in a big city like Yang City, didn't utilize his resources and advantages properly.

"In big cities, policies are much more open, making it easier to do business than in small places like mine. Here, we often face inspections, and sometimes we have to give up the money we earn. Moreover, our market is much smaller, and people in small places have limited purchasing power."

"Your father is the plant manager of the Machinery Plant. He doesn't need to abuse his authority; just knowing some policy trends would be enough to benefit you greatly. Doing business is much safer and offers more opportunities for you than for us."

Hearing this, Tang Jixue couldn't help but say, "I don't want to rely on my father. I want to make a name for myself."

"If you want to do it on your own, go ahead. If you don't want to wear a shirt, take it off. The problem is when you have nothing to wear but still want to. That's truly difficult."

"If you want to go south, it's not impossible, but I think it's better to seize local opportunities first. Once you feel ready or know what you need, then you can venture out. Going there blindly without a clear purpose is like a headless fly. Business requires drive, but also a clear plan."

"Your friends sound like drinking buddies. True friends should support each other like Yi Ge and Qing Jie, reminding each other when mistakes are made. Good relationships aren't built on eating and drinking, but on actions. Such friends aren't reliable, and I've almost been tricked by these types before."

"To be honest, your chances of encountering scammers are much higher than finding opportunities."

Although Su Rong didn't approve of Tang Jixue doing business in Yang City, she feared the consequences if it became known. However, Wang Heizi's words made Tang Jixue less impulsive about going south, which was reassuring since having him nearby meant they could still manage him.

If he went away, they wouldn't be able to help him if something happened.

Thus, Su Rong remained silent throughout the journey, hoping Wang Heizi could convince Tang Jixue not to pursue his dream of going south.

The drive from the town to the city took over ten hours. Wang Heizi arranged all the meals along the way.

They ate at a household instead of a rest stop, where the food was better and reasonably priced.

Wang Heizi paid the bill, leading to a brief tussle with Tang Jixue until Tang Qingqing told Tang Jixue not to worry about it, ending the dispute over the bill.

When they arrived in the city, it was already past nine in the evening.

Tang Jixue was still energetic, feeling like he could talk to Wang Heizi forever.

They shared a room, while Tang Qingqing and Su Rong shared another.

Su Rong had many things she wanted to discuss with Tang Qingqing, but after a long day of travel and recent奔波, she was too tired and fell asleep quickly.

The next morning, Wang Heizi took them to a nearby restaurant for breakfast.

"The chef at this restaurant has ancestors who served as imperial chefs. He inherited their skills and specializes in breakfast dishes."

Wang Heizi led them directly into a private room. Even though it was early morning, the restaurant was bustling with customers, and the business was thriving.

The restaurant's decor was distinctly Chinese, with every detail meticulously crafted, and the various ornaments had significant meanings.

Although it wasn't opulent, it exuded an air of simplicity and refinement, yet it wasn't overly imposing, making one hesitant to enter.

Su Rong felt uneasy: "It's just breakfast; there's no need for such trouble."

She never imagined she would feel awkward in front of a country girl. She wasn't inexperienced; she had been to places like this before—sometimes on business, sometimes at her own expense.

But the surprise was too much, and she hadn't prepared herself mentally.

"Auntie, let me express my gratitude. I owe everything to Sister Qing. You're leaving, and who knows when we'll meet again? I don't know how else to show my appreciation except by ensuring you eat well before you go."

Wang Heizi looked genuinely sincere, and Su Rong couldn't bring herself to say more.

The breakfast was very sumptuous. Although Su Rong initially had little appetite, she ended up eating quite a bit.

While there were no expensive ingredients like bird's nest or abalone, the food was fresh and tasted particularly refreshing.

Tang Jixue had already become very close to Wang Heizi, treating him not as a teenager but as an adult of similar age.

It was unclear how Wang Heizi managed to convince Tang Jixue, but now he was particularly interested in Zhai Hongyi, mentioning him several times during the meal and expressing a strong desire to make his acquaintance.

Tang Qingqing: "If you can get into Renmin University, you'd be able to meet him."

Wang Heizi: "I was lucky to meet him early. Otherwise, given his future development, I wouldn't have been able to connect with him. If only studying didn't feel like torture to me, I would definitely try to go to university to find Brother Yi."

"Brother Yi has met many talented people at university. I heard he's involved with computers or some foreign technology, something really impressive. When he does business, it won't be small-scale like ours; it will be big business that benefits the country and its people!"

Hearing this, Su Rong's impression of Wang Heizi improved even more.

Tang Jixue was smart and had a good foundation.

He simply lacked the motivation to study, which is why he couldn't even pass the vocational school entrance exam.

Especially this year, due to a quarrel with his family, he scored only a few points in his best subjects, math and physics! It was clear he had no intention of studying seriously, always dreaming of venturing out.

This time, Tang Jixue did not object. Usually, when told to study, he would almost tear up his books in defiance, but this time he remained silent, lost in thought.

After breakfast, Wang Heizi sent them off to the train station.

According to their original plan, they would stay overnight in the county, then take a bus to the city the next day, staying another night there.

Now, going directly to the city saved them a day.

Wang Heizi also helped change their train tickets, upgrading them from seats to berths.

Given Tang Jianguo's capabilities, he could have arranged berths for his family.

However, he was a principled man who wouldn't take advantage of his position or use his connections for personal gain.

Moreover, berth tickets were much more expensive, and Su Rong was reluctant to spend that much.

Their family was indeed better off than most, but they earned their income honestly without exploiting their positions.

Thus, they weren't wealthy, and they still counted every penny.

Su Rong wasn't a pampered factory director's wife; she needed to set an example and maintain a frugal lifestyle, so she usually took hard seats.

Wang Heizi repeated: "Tang Qingqing is like my sister. I owe her for keeping me on the right path. You are her family, and thus my family. I don't have much else to offer, but I hope you can travel comfortably."

Tang Jixue observed that despite his young age, Wang Heizi was very decisive and reliable, with clear ideas and plans.

He was older by a few years but was still treated like a child, always worrying about causing trouble. This was the difference!

Tang Qingqing stepped in, telling Su Rong and Tang Jixue not to worry and accepted Wang Heizi's kindness.

Who wouldn't want to travel more comfortably? Su Rong was secretly envious of the berth.

Each trip lasting dozens of hours left her with a sore back and swollen feet, making her shoes feel tight.

Honestly, she often resented her husband's excessive principles, which made life harder for their family.

Many families at Tang Jianguo's level lived much more comfortably.

Factory cars were used freely, and the fuel costs were covered by the company, making their lives much more carefree.

"Thank you so much. Come visit us anytime," Su Rong said sincerely.

Wang Heizi smiled: "Auntie, don't thank me. My sister's kindness towards me is immeasurable. Once I develop further, I'll definitely visit Yang City."

His words conveyed a clear message:

I am capable and wealthy.

Tang Qingqing is my sister; think about it.

Tang Jixue sighed: "Little brother, I really connect with you. I don't want to leave."

"Goodbyes are for better reunions. Perhaps we'll meet again in business."

Hearing this, Tang Jixue laughed heartily and patted Wang Heizi's shoulder.

"I love your spirit!"

The three chatted animatedly at the station, unaware that Tang Qingqing had quietly slipped away, heading in another direction.

Tang Qingqing walked through the bustling train station, filled with people from all walks of life.

Whenever in a crowded place, she habitually surveyed her surroundings.

Unexpectedly, this glance revealed something unusual.

She was immediately drawn to someone and saw that person about to leave. She hurriedly followed them.

So focused was she that she didn't even remember to tell anyone, slipping away from the group quietly.

Wang Heizi was the first to notice, his face turning grim.

Su Rong, however, wasn't as worried. After all, Tang Qingqing wasn't a child anymore and wouldn't run off recklessly.

She had just been right under their noses. Although the train station was chaotic, it wasn't likely that someone would be abducted in broad daylight.

"Qingqing probably went to the restroom?"

Wang Heizi's expression was stern. "If she were acting normally, she would have said something before leaving. The fact that she left without a word means she must have noticed something suspicious and followed someone."

Tang Qingqing had a bad habit of getting so absorbed in her work that she would forget everything around her.

In the dead of winter, if no one reminded her, Wang Heizi sometimes feared she might freeze to death in the snow.

The more complex the case, the worse this habit became.

When she got serious, she would forget to eat or sleep, and now she had developed the habit of always having a piece of candy in her mouth to avoid hypoglycemia.

"Auntie, please wait here for us. Third Brother and I will go find Sister Qing."

Wang Heizi's expression was grave, causing Su Rong's heart to skip a beat. She urged them to hurry and find her.

Tang Jixue didn't understand why Wang Heizi was so certain that Tang Qingqing had followed a suspicious person, but he trusted him implicitly.

They had talked all night, discussing business and their unbreakable friendship.

They had been through life and death together, forging a bond unlike any other.

They understood each other deeply, knowing what the other was thinking from a single look or gesture.

As they searched for Tang Qingqing, they spotted a commotion at a nearby bus stop.

Wang Heizi quickly called out to Tang Jixue, rushing over.

A crowd had gathered at the bus stop, and they could hear someone shouting:

"You can't leave! This child isn't yours; you can't leave!"

"What nonsense are you spouting, crazy woman? Let go of me! Someone help, there's a madwoman trying to take my grandson!"

"If you want to prove you're not a kidnapper, come with me to the police station. Driver, don't let this person on the bus; she's a kidnapper!"

Wang Heizi and Tang Jixue recognized Tang Qingqing's voice and pushed through the crowd.

"Young lady, how dare you accuse me of being a kidnapper! This is my grandson. How can you say such things? You're shameless! Everyone, judge for yourselves. This crazy woman grabbed me and accused me of being a kidnapper. Who knows what her intentions are! Let go, or I won't be gentle!"

It was at this moment that Wang Heizi and Tang Jixue rushed in. They saw a middle-aged woman holding a child, who seemed kind, but Tang Qingqing insisted she was a kidnapper.

The woman, agitated, tried to kick Tang Qingqing.

Both men pulled Tang Qingqing aside, dodging the kick.

But in doing so, Tang Qingqing lost her grip on the woman, who took the opportunity to run away with the child.

"Stop her! She's a kidnapper! We can't let her get away!" Tang Qingqing shouted.

The onlookers were initially hesitant, unsure whether to believe Tang Qingqing.

Wang Heizi then yelled: "Whoever catches this person gets ten yuan!"

With such a reward, people were more willing to act. It seemed like the situation might be real.

No one hesitated now. A stout woman who had been watching the scene caught the kidnapper, holding her firmly.

The kidnapper tried to resist, but the crowd overwhelmed her.

The stout woman swiftly took the child from her arms.

Holding the child, the woman noticed something was wrong.

"Why isn't this child waking up? Has he been drugged?!"

Those who had been worried about making a mistake now lost all hesitation, demanding that the woman claiming to be the grandmother be taken to the police station.

Tang Qingqing and the others followed closely.

Upon hearing the situation, the police immediately took action, shaking the child and realizing something was amiss.

"Quick, take the child to the hospital!"

At this point, Tang Qingqing, Tang Jixue, and Wang Heizi stepped back, avoiding the chaos.

Tang Qingqing said, "This kidnapper is the same one who abducted children from the neighboring village. I think she has more than one child, and there must be accomplices involved."

"Alright, I'll handle the rest. You two should head into the station and catch your train."

"Write to me when you have time, and don't do anything reckless alone!"

After these words, Tang Qingqing pulled Tang Jixue away quickly.

Tang Jixue was still in shock, not fully understanding what had happened.

"Did you recognize that kidnapper earlier?"

"No."

"How did you know this trafficker was the same one from before?"

If Tang Qingqing were particularly sensitive and could determine that someone was a trafficker through the child's unusual behavior, Tang Jixue would marvel at her keen observation skills but wouldn't be overly shocked.

However, for Tang Qingqing to recognize the trafficker without having seen them before was simply unbelievable.

"She left many footprints. I identified her based on those."

"Can you really recognize someone just by seeing their footprints? Is this world too crazy, or am I too stupid?"

Tang Jixue felt dizzy. He had heard from Wang Heizi about Tang Qingqing's abilities, but hearing about it and witnessing it firsthand were two different things!

Moreover, during their conversation, his focus was mostly on business. He remembered Tang Qingqing as very capable, often invited by the Public Security Bureau for help, but he didn't realize she was this impressive.

After all, his conversations with Wang Heizi had been brief, leaving many details unmentioned.

"I haven't found the trafficker yet, but their footprints are etched in my mind. I will never forget them. So when I saw that person pass by me just now, I felt familiar. After careful observation, I confirmed it was her."

Tang Qingqing sighed as she mentioned this. Once she entered her own mental world, she easily forgot other matters.

Furthermore, she had been spoiled over the years. Whenever she investigated cases, she usually had bodyguards around, so she didn't need to worry about external issues. She could focus solely on studying footprints and catching criminals sooner.

But if there were no bodyguards protecting her in the future, encountering similar incidents in crowded areas might still be manageable.

However, if she followed the criminal into secluded corners, she might not catch the criminal but end up dead herself.

She had suddenly become alert earlier and stopped the woman instead of getting into the car with her.

Otherwise, who knows what might have happened.

Tang Jixue still couldn't wrap his head around it. "This is too incredible. How can you tell just by looking at footprints? How do you do it?"

"Footprints reveal a lot of information: height, weight, gender, age, walking posture, physical condition, and more. With enough experience, one can roughly sketch out the appearance of the person who left the prints."

"When I followed the trafficker unconsciously, my mind was matching everything, confirming whether it was the person I thought it was, which is why I forgot my surroundings."

Tang Jixue was at a loss for words. "Have you ever had your eyes checked? Are they different from ordinary people's?"

Tang Qingqing laughed. "It's just a forensic skill. Practice makes perfect; there's nothing special about it. The Public Security system has many talented individuals. Reading internal publications, I see many skilled people."

"For example, there's a portrait artist who can draw an old person from a young face, using bone structure to create portraits, incredibly talented!"

Tang Jixue felt his worldview being shaken these past few days. He used to think he was quite capable, even though he never passed the college entrance exams. He believed it wasn't because he couldn't pass but because he found it boring, so he never studied seriously.

He found living a routine life too dull.

Regardless of whether the college entrance exams were reinstated, his life was already set.

Without the exams, he would be recommended to the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University, like his two older brothers.

After graduation, he would be assigned to a factory, work hard like his father, and climb the ranks slowly.

His life had just begun, yet he felt he could see its end, which was terrifying.

Therefore, he wanted to change, to live a different life from his parents and brothers.

These thoughts stemmed from great self-confidence.

But now, he began to doubt himself. There were so many talented people in the world! He felt insignificant.

Zhai Hongyi aside, his family's good conditions made it less surprising that he was smart.

But Wang Heizi and Tang Qingqing grew up in a small village and achieved so much at such a young age through their own efforts, making him reevaluate himself.

"Sis, you make me feel like an idiot."

"There are always many capable people. You just haven't reached that level to see the view from above, leading you to believe you're at the peak."

Tang Jixue fell silent, pondering deeply.

Tang Qingqing didn't disturb him. She found Su Rong, explained the situation briefly, and they entered the train station together.

Wang Heizi had bought them excellent tickets.

Two lower berths facing each other and one middle berth.

Tang Qingqing preferred the middle berth, while Su Rong and Tang Jixue took the lower berths. Having only their own people in the lower berths made things much easier.

When not sleeping, they had a place to sit or lie down.

Wang Heizi also prepared rare and expensive instant noodles and other food for the journey. Su Rong had never experienced such a comfortable long-distance trip.

Usually, she prepared everything, including for Tang Jianguo's business trips. Now, with everything arranged, she just needed to follow along, feeling much more relaxed.

Su Rong sensed Tang Jixue's silence and curiosity but didn't say much.

The train shook for over forty hours. Thanks to the sleeper berths, they could freshen up in the restroom before getting off, avoiding looking too disheveled.

Unlike when Su Rong and Tang Jianguo returned, exhausted and swollen, with greasy hair, especially in winter, which would be worse in summer.

Tang Qingqing remained fresh and vibrant, having slept well and eaten well throughout the journey.