A young boy from the 1970s, separated from his family, fled famine and led his younger brother into

"Lei... Captain Lei?"

When Su Nianci saw Lei Ming's familiar face, which exuded a powerful sense of oppression, her heart skipped a beat.

What is he doing here?!

Shouldn't he be on that southbound train? How did he end up on this northbound express train?

Countless questions exploded in her mind in an instant!

"We meet again, little Su Nianci." Lei Ming's lips curled into a half-smile. He didn't come in, but leaned against the door of the private room, his eyes, which seemed to see through everything, scanning back and forth over Su Nianci's small figure.

His gaze was still like that of an experienced old hunter scrutinizing a young beast with great potential, one that filled him with a desire to explore.

"Is it surprising that I'm here?" Lei Ming seemed to have read her thoughts and spoke up.

Su Nianci quickly concealed the shock on her face, replacing it with a childlike, innocent expression of curiosity. She nodded, "Yes! Uncle Lei, you... why are you on this train too?"

"A job transfer." Lei Ming's answer was simple and clear. "Starting today, I'll be in charge of security for this northern route. I didn't expect to run into an old acquaintance so soon."

His gaze lingered on Su Nianci for a moment, then fell on the little stone sleeping soundly in her arms, and finally swept over the clean and tidy sleeper compartment.

"Looks like you're doing quite well in Zhongzhou," he said meaningfully. "Not only have you solved your travel expenses, but you've also managed to get sleeper berths. Quite capable, young man."

Su Ci's heart sank!

She knew that this man had never believed her story of being a "martyr's orphan, helpless and pitiful" from the very beginning! He had always been suspicious of her!

"It was...it was a kind Uncle Zhao from Zhongzhou who bought the tickets for us." Su Nianci lowered her eyes and said in a low voice, "He...he and my father are old acquaintances."

She once again resorted to the all-purpose shield of "heroic father".

"Oh? Is that so?" Lei Ming raised an eyebrow noncommittally, clearly not caring who this "Uncle Zhao" was. He gave a wink to the train police officer, Xiao Li, behind him.

Xiao Li immediately understood and handed over a net bag he was carrying.

Inside the net bag were several large, bright red apples, a bag of cookies, and two bottles of orange-flavored soda, which was considered a luxury in those days.

"Team Leader Lei said you are brave young heroes who acted righteously, and also key individuals protected by our railway system," Xiao Li said with a smile. "These are for your journey. If you need anything, you can always find us at the train police station."

It's another delivery.

But this time, Su Nianci's feeling was completely different from that on the previous train journey.

If the roast chicken and steamed buns last time were a businesslike reward and appeasement, then this time the apples and soda are more like a... private "investment" with a strong sense of probing.

What exactly is this thunder trying to do?

"Well... thank you, Uncle Lei." Su Nianci didn't refuse. She knew that in the face of absolute power, any refusal would seem pale and powerless. She accepted it generously and placed it on the bedside table.

Looking at her calm and composed demeanor, Lei Ming's gaze became even more inquisitive.

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "The jade pendant we found on that swindler named Ma San last time was later identified by experts as a priceless artifact from the Qing Dynasty imperial court. It's a pity that we still haven't found the owner."

As he spoke, he stared intently into Su Nianci's eyes, not missing a single change in her expression.

He's bluffing me!

Alarm bells rang loudly in Su Nianci's mind!

The jade pendant, a small stone she was clutching in her hand, instantly became scalding hot!

Her face still held a blank and innocent expression. She looked up and asked curiously, "Uncle Lei, has the jade pendant been found? Which bad guy lost it?"

Her acting skills had reached a level of consummate artistry. In those clear eyes, apart from a child's curiosity, no other emotion could be seen.

Lei Ming looked at her intently, and finally, slowly shook his head.

He smiled. That smile held a hint of helplessness, a touch of admiration, and a dash of… the excitement of meeting a worthy opponent.

"Didn't find it. Maybe it grew legs and ran away." He left with this abrupt remark, then straightened up and said to Su Nianci, "Remember, if you need anything, come find me."

After saying that, he took Xiao Li and turned to leave. His tall figure quickly disappeared at the end of the carriage.

Only after the powerful sense of oppression completely disappeared did Su Nianci slowly exhale a breath of stale air.

A layer of cold sweat had seeped out from her back.

That thunder was terrifying! His keenness and insight far surpassed anyone she had ever encountered before!

Su Nianci had a strong premonition that as long as this man was around, it wouldn't be so easy for her to reach Harbin safely.

She showed no signs of anything unusual. Every day, she ate, slept, and occasionally walked around the train carriage with her little stone, just like an ordinary child taking her younger brother on a long trip.

In the comfortable and peaceful environment of the sleeper car, Xiao Shitou's condition improved. He became more talkative, and although he was still timid, he was no longer as fearful and vigilant as before.

That afternoon, the train sped across a vast plain. Outside the window, golden waves of wheat stretched as far as the eye could see.

Little Stone woke up from his afternoon nap, full of energy. He saw a small piece of burnt charcoal on the corner of the table, left over from a passenger's cigarette, so he picked it up, squatted down, and began to draw on the clean floor.

Su Nianci didn't pay attention at first. She was leaning against the headboard, resting with her eyes closed, and going over in her mind all the possible plans and coping strategies after arriving in Harbin.

"Sister...sister, look!"

Little Stone suddenly tugged at her clothes, his little face showing a hint of pride and smugness as he pointed to his "masterpiece".

Su Nianci opened her eyes and looked down.

With just one glance, her pupils shrank to the size of pinpoints!

On the floor of that small private room, Little Stone used that black charcoal stick to draw a picture that, though childish and with crooked lines, was full of information!

At the center of the painting is a magnificent Chinese courtyard with a tall gate tower!

That courtyard was not an ordinary farmhouse, but the kind with flying eaves and brackets, and two stone lions crouching at the entrance. It was clearly the mansion of a wealthy and noble family!

Above the courtyard, Little Stone also drew a strange thing with two wings.

Su Nianci recognized her instantly!

That's an airplane!

A fighter jet with a pointed nose and swept wings!

A grand mansion! A fighter jet!

These two elements, combined with the five-clawed dragon-shaped jade pendant that Xiao Shitou possessed, symbolizing imperial power, and the mysterious character "陆" (Lu)...

A groundbreaking answer, almost obvious, was rapidly forming in Su Nianci's mind!

"Little Stone," Su Nianci felt her voice was dry as she pointed at the painting and asked, word by word, "Is this... your home?"

Little Stone looked at the painting on the ground, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes, but he still nodded as if he understood but not quite.

Then, he stretched out his little finger and pointed in the direction of the plane, uttering two words in a slightly proud, indistinct child's voice.

Those two words, like two thunderbolts, struck Su Nianci hard on the head!

He was saying—

"dad."