Chapter 175: Becoming a Mother Without the Pain?

She raised her hand, showing a scratch about two centimeters long, sustained when she tackled the person.

Her skin was naturally fair, and with her slender fingers, the wound looked particularly jarring.

Song Shiyun still furrowed his brow, taking out the anti-inflammatory ointment he carried with him to apply it for her.

Lin Jingyue…

Honestly, if he didn’t apply the medicine soon, the wound would practically be healed.

She rolled her eyes and locked gazes with Lu Yunji, pausing slightly. "Good teamwork back there, buddy."

Lu Yunji had timed it precisely before making a move against the traffickers. Song Shiyun, being naturally vigilant, had already perceived his intention, and the two of them had coordinated silently.

Only by doing so were they able to take down the traffickers without bloodshed.

Lu Yunji raised an eyebrow. "Many thanks for the compliment, big sister."

"…" Dark lines instantly covered Lin Jingyue's head.

The public security officers and the few brothers brought by Song Shiyun quickly cleaned up the scene and released all the children. However, with a dozen or so children, arranging their care was no small task.

The best method was to take them back to the county public security bureau, locate their families, and then send them home.

"Sister Lin…" Seeing that Lin Jingyue's hand was bandaged, Niuniu and Tiedan threw themselves into her arms.

"Alright, alright, it's over now." Lin Jingyue patted the two children's backs to comfort them.

Half an hour later, the children's emotions gradually stabilized.

"As fierce as ever, a heroine who yields to no man." Uncle Zhou looked at Lin Jingyue in admiration.

Fierce?

Lin Jingyue found it hard to describe. It was the first time she had ever heard someone use the word "fierce" to praise a young woman. Lu Yunji couldn't help the twitch at the corner of his mouth either.

However, recalling Lin Jingyue's martial prowess and daring, he silently closed his mouth.

She certainly was fierce.

"Next time you encounter danger—"

"Come here, I have something to say to you." Before Song Shiyun could finish, Lin Jingyue interrupted him.

Seeing Lin Jingyue's furrowed brows, a flash of worry crossed Song Shiyun's eyes, which then turned ice-cold as if he had thought of something.

The two walked off to the side. The men Song Shiyun had brought nudged each other playfully, their eyes full of teasing.

Lu Yunji narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze turning profound as he looked at the two of them.

As for Li Tongchui and Sun Jiabao, they exchanged glances, neither daring to follow them over.

Forget it, they'd better leave Brother Jiang to guard his own territory.

After about ten minutes, the two returned. Lin Jingyue's expression remained unchanged, but Song Shiyun's eyes were much colder.

He glanced at Uncle Zhou. "Jingyue contributed greatly this time; remember to submit her for a reward. We won't be heading back; you can take the traffickers and the children."

He still had a mission to fulfill.

Once arrangements were made, he left with his men, bidding Lu Yunji farewell before departing.

He cast one last deep look at Lu Yunji, secretly sweating for Jiang Xun—this kid… had way too many rivals.

Meanwhile, Lin Jingyue didn't worry about the other children since the public security officers would handle their arrangements, and with the traffickers' vehicle, there was plenty of space. She simply took Niuniu and Tiedan with her.

Though the two children were quite brave, they had genuinely been terrified. Along the way, they curled up tightly in the arms of Li Tongchui and Sun Jiabao, staying completely silent until they fell asleep shortly after.

Sitting in the front passenger seat during the ride, Lin Jingyue said, "Thank you for your hard work. I'll treat you all to a meal at the state-run restaurant tomorrow."

Her gratitude was primarily for Tian Yang, who had lent his men and helped gather information.

As for Li Tongchui and Sun Jiabao, they were members of her production brigade, so no formalities were needed. As for Lu Yunji, he shared a portion of the blame for this incident.

The traffickers had known the brigade was showing a movie, which was why they considered it a good opportunity and made their move.

"Alright then," Tian Yang said with a raised eyebrow.

Lin Jingyue was truly a remarkably surprising young woman.

After that, no one spoke. Upon arriving in the county town, she was surprised to find the brigade leader still waiting with a few others at the entrance of the public security bureau.

Seeing the vehicle stop, the brigade leader hurriedly rushed over. "Comrades, com—"

"Brigade leader, Tiedan is fine, he's right here." Lin Jingyue quickly got out of the car.

Hearing her voice, the brigade leader abruptly turned around, his steps staggering slightly as a bright light burst forth in his eyes.

"Tied, Tiedan…"

"He's just asleep. Both Tiedan and Niuniu are completely fine." Noticing another man beside the brigade leader with reddened eyes, looking as though he wanted to ask but didn't dare, Lin Jingyue realized this must be Niuniu's father.

"They're right inside."

The two men rushed forward and, upon seeing the two children nestled safely asleep in the arms of Li Tongchui and Sun Jiabao, burst into tears, the heavy boulders in their hearts finally settling back into place.

"educated youth Lin, thank you, thank you all so much…"

"Public security comrades, thank you, thank you…"

The men showered everyone with endless expressions of gratitude.

Lin Jingyue had Li Tongchui and Sun Jiabao accompany them back to the brigade, while she first went with Lu Yunji to return the vehicle.

Moreover, Tian Yang's men all deserved expressions of gratitude.

Building such connections was important; they might prove useful in the future.

"You guys go return the car, and we'll meet up at the courtyard," Lin Jingyue said before turning and walking away.

Neither Lu Yunji nor Tian Yang had time to respond.

The two exchanged glances and said nothing further.

Half an hour later, Lin Jingyue arrived at Tian Yang's courtyard, but the two men hadn't returned yet.

However, the guards there recognized Lin Jingyue and let her in. Setting down the dozen or so jin of pork she was carrying, Lin Jingyue told them, "Thank you all for your hard work today. Have this to treat the brothers to a better meal. I won't wait for them; I need to get back to the brigade, or it really will be too late."

"Hey, comrade, young lady…"

The man chased outside, but failing to catch up with Lin Jingyue, he scratched his head vigorously. A dozen jin of pork—she was certainly generous.

When Tian Yang and Lu Yunji returned and found Lin Jingyue gone, only to discover the pork left behind, both fell silent for a moment.

Her conduct in human affairs was consummate, and she was exceptionally clear about gratitude and grudges.

Tsk, what a fine young woman.

Back at the brigade, night was already falling when Lin Jingyue returned, only to find the entire village gathered at the entrance.

Seeing her approach, the villagers rushed toward her.

Whoa!

That was a close one—she almost thought they were here to pick a fight.

"educated youth Lin, you are too amazing!"

"educated youth Lin, we owe it all to you; otherwise Niuniu and Tiedan would never have made it back…"

"educated youth Lin, we misunderstood you in the past. You're actually such a warm-hearted girl…"

"That's right, even if you lack a bit of manners sometimes, if you tried to claim you have no morals, we wouldn't stand for it."

"Your morals are overflowing!"

Lin Jingyue: "…" Though, um, are you guys actually complimenting me sincerely?

Why did it sound so strange?

"educated youth Lin, thank you, thank you! I'm going to have Tiedan acknowledge you as his godmother so he can show you proper filial piety in the future…" Chen Cui Cui rushed forward, grabbing Lin Jingyue's arm with tears and mucus streaming down her face.

Leftover panic still lingered in her eyes.

Upon seeing Lin Jingyue, Niuniu's mother and father also surged into the crowd. "And Niuniu! Niuniu will be your goddaughter too, and she'll treat you with the filial piety due to a birth parent."

Lin Jingyue: "…" Instant motherhood without the pain of childbirth?

She twitched the corner of her mouth. She was only nineteen—could she really be a godmother?

"Go on, go on! That's not the way to show gratitude. Educated youth Lin isn't even married yet. You'd better offer something more practical instead." Sun Jiabao curled his lip.