An Ran asked innocently, "Uncle, weren't you going to take Xiaohua to eat good food every day? What do you mean by killing me?"

The trafficker tied the person to one end of a rope and held the other end in his hand, saying, "Go quickly, I'll wait for you."

Anran quickly finished and reached out for a hug: "Uncle, hug me."

There were many people walking around, and the traffickers were afraid she would scream. But to their surprise, she didn't scream at all and even said to those people warmly, "I'm going to enjoy myself. Take your time."

The traffickers completely lowered their guard and threw the person back into the carriage, saying, "When you pass the next post station, remember to buy some fresh food, so the person doesn't get sick from eating it."

"Ah...oh"

The simpleton was puzzled, but he clearly bought very fresh ones; it could only be said that the child was not used to them.

Sure enough, when they arrived at the next stop, Hanzi got off the bus to buy food, and Biaozi reminded him, "Come back early, don't linger too long."

As long as she behaves well until evening, she can pay for the goods and get her money; she can do whatever she wants to others.

Anran was tired, very tired, but she didn't dare to sleep at all. So she said tearfully, "Uncle, can I go downstairs for a walk? My bottom hurts from sitting."

Given her obedient behavior, Biaozi carried her off the carriage and said, "Let's just wander around here for a bit, and we'll leave when your Uncle Hanzi comes."

An Ran nodded obediently, "Yes, I really want to get to my new home soon, and I want to wear new clothes."

Biaozi ignored her, and she didn't make a fuss; she just kept counting ants on the ground.

...

"Giddy up, giddy up..."

Two horses appeared on the road and then stopped next to their carriage.

It was Su Yi who should have been in the carriage. The slow carriage made him uncomfortable, so he decided to let the other officials walk slowly while he took Changbai back first.

Changbai said, "Master, I'll go buy some food first."

Su Yi glanced at the sky and nodded, "Go."

Su Yi led the horse aside to graze and noticed a child on the ground staring at his horse.

He was dressed in dirty clothes, but his face was very cute. He didn't think much of it, after all, many children in Nanchang County were like that because of the earth dragon's transformation.

Why are you taking so long to buy something?

Su Yi looked over when he heard the question and saw a fierce-looking man staring disapprovingly at another person.

“If the food my child eats isn’t clean, it can easily upset their stomach. I’ll wait for the restaurant to make fresh food for them.”

Biaozi said impatiently, "Then let's go."

Anran stood up and said, "Uncle, let's finish eating before we go. I don't feel comfortable eating while the carriage is moving."

Biaozi found it troublesome, but he didn't refuse: "Eat quickly, or we won't be able to get home before dark."

As An Ran ate, she looked at the two large horses in front of her, wondering if their owners could save her.

When Su Yi saw the child staring at him again, he simply ignored him.

Changbai brought the steamed buns he bought. "Master, here you go."

Seeing the two eating steamed buns, Anran dared not take any risks, afraid of losing the opportunity. She could only loudly say to Hanzi, "Uncle, do you think I can change into pretty clothes when I get to the new house? Will my new mother give me a bath? I feel so uncomfortable."

Changbai was drawn by the sound and glanced over casually.

The simpleton said, "Yes, as long as you're good, you'll have everything you need."

Anran said very loudly, "I will definitely be good, Uncle, please let me go to that filthy place."

Upon hearing this, Biaozi glanced around warily and said, "What are you saying? Okay, let's go, it'll get dark soon."

An Ran gave Su Yi a deep look, then obediently let him carry her into the carriage.

Biaozi looked terrible. "Hanzi, hold her. I need to speed things up. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can go home."

The simpleton nodded, stuffed the half-eaten steamed bun into his mouth, and said, "Let's go."

Outside, Su Yi watched the carriage slowly drive away, recalling the little girl's eyes and words from earlier, and then mounted his horse.

"Changbai, catch up with that carriage from earlier."

"Yes!" Changbai, not understanding why, still did as instructed.

They quickly stopped the carriage a short distance away. The driver, Biaozi, asked in a soft tone, "Two gentlemen, is there something you need?"

Changbai, expressionless, uttered: "Robbery."

Biaozi was speechless. "We are just an ordinary family. We went to Hongdu Prefecture to seek refuge with relatives because of an earthquake. We beg you to show mercy."

Anran was very nervous inside the carriage. If she couldn't go back this time, she would never be able to see her mother and brother again.

So she asked, "Uncle, what's going on outside?"

The simpleton quickly covered her mouth, "Don't speak."

Changbai looked inside and asked, "Why is there a child's voice?"

Biaozi said sadly, "She is my niece. My older brother and sister-in-law passed away, and I took her to stay with relatives."

"Bring it out so I can see it."

Biaozi lowered his head, a hint of ferocity flashing across his face, before quickly looking up.

Smiling, she said, "Alright, Hanzi, give me the little flower."

An Ran landed safely in Biao Zi's hands, looking nervously at Chang Bai. Biao Zi reassured her, "Little Flower, don't be afraid. Tell these two uncles where we're going."

An Ran looked at Su Yi and said, word by word, "I...I'm going to the new house." After she finished speaking, her lips closed, and Su Yi looked away expressionlessly.

"Since there's nothing else, let them go."

Biaozi lowered his guard and prepared to send the child inside, saying, "Thank you, sir..."

Before she could finish speaking, the child was already in Su Yi's hands.

Biaozi's eyes were fierce. "Give me back the child."

Su Yi glanced at the child and then at him, "Are you sure this is your child?"

"Changbai, take it."

Changbai tied the two up effortlessly. Biaozi looked at Anran and said, "Xiaohua, quickly tell this uncle that we are going to see our relatives."

An Ran wrapped her arms around Su Yi's neck and looked at Biaozi and the other man. "I'm not called Xiao Hua, I'm called An Ran. My mother isn't dead. You're human traffickers. You want to sell me. Uncle, please save me."

An Ran was crying with tears streaming down her face, and Su Yi felt his heart skip a beat.

"Over there, Brother Chu, isn't that it?"

A large group of officers and soldiers rushed over, and An Ran saw the leader crying pitifully, "Uncle Chu!"

Chu Xuan loosened his grip on Su Yi and dismounted, reaching out to An Ran with heartache, "An Ran, Uncle is here. Don't be afraid, Uncle will take you home."

With his arms loosened, Su Yi felt a sense of emptiness.

Chu Xuan comforted An Ran and handed her to a subordinate whom An Ran also knew, saying, "Uncle Linzi, would you like to hold me? I'll take you home after I'm done."

An Ran nodded obediently. Chu Xuan turned to look at Su Yi and the other person. He was about to thank them when he was surprised to find that the people in front of him looked a little familiar.

"Su Yi? You're Su Yi?"

Seeing that Su Yi still didn't recognize him, he smiled and said, "I'm Chu Xuan, have you forgotten? Huangshi Town Academy, Qingyang County, remember?"

The person in front of me overlapped with the person in my memory. "Chu Xuan, what are you doing here?"

Chu Xuan smiled and said, "Alas, a lot happened back then, and it's hard to explain all at once. Where are you going? Thank you for saving An Ran."

Su Yi nodded, "It's alright, I'll leave this person to you."

He turned to leave, but Anran, in Lin Zi's arms, called out to him, "Uncle in black!"

Su Yi turned around, and his hand was immediately taken by the little one. "Hug me."

For the first time ever, Su Yi picked her up, and An Ran clung to his neck, nuzzling him. "Thank you so much, Uncle, for saving my life. I have no way to repay you but to be your servant in my next life."

Chu Xuan chuckled to himself, "An Ran, how do you know all this?"

"That's what my mother said. She must be terribly worried. Let's go find her quickly."

The little girl in his arms left again, waving goodbye to him, and happily hugged Chu Xuan's neck as they went home.

Changbai hesitated and said, "Master, let's go."

Su Yi asked, "Isn't it cute?"

Changbai nodded. "Yes...cute."

Su Yi smiled gently, "Your wife used to be just as adorable."