The group returned to the train.

The carriage instantly erupted in excitement.

When the passengers saw the two men return unharmed, with the unconscious kidnapper in tow, they burst into enthusiastic applause.

The mother, carrying her child and a bag full of snacks, squeezed through the crowd and insisted on putting them into Xu Xinghe's hands. "Girl, thank you so much! My child would have been in danger if it weren't for you! Take these snacks and eat them on the way!"

The little boy timidly tugged at Xu Xinghe's sleeve and whispered, "Thank you, sister."

Xu Xinghe couldn't refuse, so she had to accept it. She had just said thank you when Jiang Linchuan grabbed her wrist tightly. He didn't look at anyone and pulled her straight towards the soft sleeper compartment.

Upon arriving at the location, he slammed the door of the private room shut, blocking Lian Xiao, who wanted to follow him in.

Lian Xiao touched his nose and leaned against the wall in the corridor.

He knew that Jiang Linchuan wanted to deal with Xu Xinghe alone.

Well, this little girl is getting bolder and bolder, she needs to be taught a lesson!

Jiang Linchuan pressed Xu Xinghe down onto the bed, leaned down and bit her lip, the force carrying a punitive meaning, "Xu Xinghe, you really deserve to be beaten!"

"Hmm..."

After a long while, Jiang Linchuan finally released her, his eyes still blazing with anger. "You actually dared to volunteer to be a hostage. Do you know how worried I was just now?"

"I know what I'm doing. Those two kidnappers clearly have no training. They only have a small knife and they're not very capable," Xu Xinghe said softly, rubbing her sore lips.

"You can't get away with not being capable!" Jiang Linchuan interrupted her, then suddenly raised his hand and lightly slapped her bottom twice.

"Ah! Jiang Linchuan, what are you doing!" Xu Xinghe's eyes widened instantly, her face full of shock.

No one has ever hit her like that before!

It doesn't hurt, but it's extremely humiliating!

Jiang Linchuan slapped her again, his tone firm and unyielding, "If there's a next time, I'll hit you again! Xu Xinghe, let me tell you, if you dare to put yourself in danger again, I won't let you off!"

Seeing the worry in his eyes, Xu Xinghe's heart softened. She quickly reached out and hugged his waist, smiling ingratiatingly, "I know, I won't do it again, okay... Please don't hit me, okay? It's really... so embarrassing!"

She's so old, and she still gets spanked. If word got out, people would laugh themselves to death!

As soon as Xu Xinghe finished speaking, the anger in Jiang Linchuan's eyes faded away as if doused with warm water, leaving only an intense and unyielding worry.

He leaned down and gently kissed her bitten lip, his touch so gentle it was like a soothing kiss. "It's good that you know you were wrong. Don't be so impulsive next time."

Xu Xinghe leaned against him, the faint scent of soap still lingering around her nose. "Okay, I got it!"

Jiang Linchuan ruffled her hair before getting up and opening the door to the private room.

Lian Xiao, who was waiting impatiently outside the door, immediately peeked inside when he saw the door open. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Xu Xinghe sitting properly on the bed.

As he crawled onto his makeshift bed, he kept muttering, "Xu Xinghe, you're really brave this time. Who else would dare to volunteer to be a hostage? Don't do anything stupid like this again. If something really happens, Jiang Linchuan and I won't be able to explain it, you know? With your skinny arms and legs, you're no match for a man!"

Xu Xinghe didn't argue. She pulled the blanket over her head, leaving only her eyes showing. "I know, I know. I'm very tired now and I want to sleep. Don't bother me."

As soon as he finished speaking, drowsiness washed over him, and soon his even breathing could be heard.

Jiang Linchuan sat on the lower bunk, watching her curled-up back. He gently tucked the blanket around her before picking up the newspaper on the table. However, he didn't really read it, his gaze frequently drifting to the person on the bed, as if afraid that something might happen to her again.

Over the next three days of train travel, Xu Xinghe truly experienced Jiang Linchuan's tight security.

The flight attendants and plainclothes officers knew they were from the military and even helped resolve the kidnapping crisis. Every day, they would specially bring hot meals and fruits, sometimes a plate of braised pork, sometimes two tea eggs, with an exceptionally warm attitude.

But whenever Xu Xinghe wanted to step out of the private room, even if it was just to get a cup of water from the hot water room in the next carriage, Jiang Linchuan would always put down what he was doing, quickly follow her, and stay by her side without leaving her side.

Once, she wanted to go to the hard-seat carriage to see what was going on, but as soon as she reached the corner of the aisle, Jiang Linchuan pulled her back, his tone leaving no room for discussion, "There are too many people and too much attention over there, don't go."

Xu Xinghe sighed helplessly and leaned against the door frame of the compartment. "Jiang Linchuan, aren't you being too nervous? Kidnapping incidents on trains are rare, maybe once every few years. How could there be so much danger waiting for me?"

Jiang Linchuan didn't respond to her words. Instead, he said quietly, "Lian Xiao told me that when you first went to Heilongjiang Province, you saw a pickpocket stealing someone's wallet at the train station. Without thinking twice, you shouted it out and almost got retaliated against by the pickpocket."

He reached out and pinched her cheek. "That's why I have to keep an eye on you, so you won't rush forward without regard for your own safety like before!"

Xu Xinghe's cheeks flushed slightly as her past was touched upon, and she muttered softly, "Didn't I have someone by my side? Do you really think I'm stupid..."

But looking into Jiang Linchuan's serious eyes, she still felt a warmth in her heart.

She knew that his nervousness stemmed entirely from caring.

Lian Xiao rolled over on the upper bunk and poked his head out. "That's right, don't always try to be a hero. If anything happens to you, Jiang Linchuan and I will have to dismantle this train, you believe me?"

"I believe you, okay?" Xu Xinghe glared at him but didn't argue further, obediently following Jiang Linchuan back to the private room.

The train rattled along for several more hours, and the scenery outside the window became increasingly desolate. Although tender buds were sprouting on the bare tree branches, they were not yet lush.

We've finally arrived at the capital of Heilongjiang Province.

As soon as I got off the train, a cool breeze hit me.

Xu Xinghe couldn't help but shrink his neck and quickly put on his coat.

It's already May, and people in Shanghai can wear skirts, but it's still so chilly here.

It's estimated to be only around ten degrees Celsius, so it's still warm enough to wear a jacket.

Seeing this, Jiang Linchuan immediately and carefully helped her fasten her buttons, saying, "It's much colder here than in Shanghai, don't get cold."