Chapter Sixty-One: Words of Comfort

After crossing over, this young body became his greatest asset. With youthful vigor, he had little illness to speak of, and after hours of IV drips, he was once again a lively, robust young man. Upon awakening, the first thing he cared about was whether the human trafficker had been caught.

Junzi was ruthless. Early that morning, he discovered the trafficker and pretended to repair the house, blocking the doorway for over two hours. Only when the TV crew arrived did he call Zhao Zejun to take credit, letting him bask in the limelight. Had the trafficker managed to escape during those two hours, or if the dilapidated house had collapsed, the children inside would have met a tragic fate—but this was never part of Junzi’s concern.

As soon as the trafficker appeared, Junzi was ready to act. In a short sprint, few in the entire sports school could outrun him, let alone a plump woman in her forties. She hadn’t run fifty meters before Junzi caught up from behind, executed a textbook judo move, and slammed her to the ground like a sack of rice.

Zhao Zejun pondered, then said to Jiang Xuan, “Keep an eye on Junzi. If no one manages him, he’ll get himself into trouble sooner or later.”

Jiang Xuan was unconcerned. “Let each make the best use of their talents. Everyone has their fate; you can’t control it just by managing.”

“What happened to the trafficker?” Zhao Zejun shifted the topic.

Jiang Xuan smiled. “She was sent to the police station. The officers said that, just for those three children today, she’ll get at least ten years in prison. Most likely, she’s a repeat offender. The whole incident was filmed by reporters, broadcast live on TV. Public outrage is huge—she’ll be sentenced harshly. Even if she avoids execution, I doubt she’ll ever see freedom again.”

“And the three children?” Zhao Zejun asked.

“Two older kids, a boy and a girl. The girl is six, the boy four. The girl remembers her home, and the police have contacted her parents. They’re nearby and already on their way. The little boy is confused and can’t explain his situation, while the baby can’t even talk yet. They’re all temporarily housed at the station, cared for by a female officer. They’ll see if any information can be extracted from the trafficker.”

Zhao Zejun snorted. “This place needs to be demolished. I’ve run into drug users here more than once. Women in their forties still selling themselves, trying to drag me in.”

“Did you go in? Old Jiang would be furious!” Jiang Xuan joked.

As they spoke, the ward door swung open and two people entered, bearing fruit baskets and bouquets.

Leading them was the genuine “Old Jiang.”

“Teacher He, Secretary, what brings you here?” Zhao Zejun was surprised.

His homeroom teacher, Old He, and Secretary Sun from the Fourth High School Party Committee.

“Secretary Sun, this is our student Zhao Zejun,” Old He introduced him, then turned to Zhao Zejun with a warm smile. “The school leadership saw your story on television. Secretary Sun has come specially on behalf of the school to convey our regards.”

“Thank you, Secretary Sun,” Zhao Zejun attempted to sit up.

“Stay lying down, Zhao,” Secretary Sun said, lightly supporting him with a gesture, then sat beside Teacher He on the empty bed, smiling. “Teacher He, your class has produced a fine student, bringing honor to our school!”

“It’s thanks to the school’s efforts in promoting moral education,” Old He replied.

Old He, Secretary Sun, and Zhao Zejun were all “family” from Fourth High, so their words were straightforward. After exchanging a few perfunctory phrases, Secretary Sun smiled and revealed the true purpose of his visit.

“Zhao, the principal wanted to come personally today, but we thought his visit wouldn’t mean much in practical terms. Instead, he’s gone to the city education committee to try to secure you a City Outstanding Student award before graduation. It would look good on your resume. Though the selection for City Outstanding Students ended long ago, your case is special and has drawn city-level attention. I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”

“If only you were in your second year,” Old He lamented.

Zhao Zejun was startled, then realized: If he were in his second year, winning the city award would make him eligible for the provincial award, which carried real benefits—ten extra points in the university entrance exam.

For a student like Zhao Zejun, whose mock exam scores hovered around 540, ten more points would secure him a place at a top university.

Zhao himself didn’t care much. His “foresight” was worth at least forty or fifty points, so those ten points wouldn’t affect his chances at the University of Science and Technology.

But another city-level honor would help his future: excelling in both character and academics in high school, then achieving great things would seem only natural.

Secretary Sun chatted with him, urging him to rest and return soon to school for exam preparations. After leaving the gifts, he departed.

Old He was the last to leave. Once Secretary Sun stepped out, she dropped her smile and adopted the stern expression Zhao Zejun knew so well, saying, “The classmates wanted to visit you, but I stopped them. With the college entrance exam looming, you must prioritize it. Doing good is commendable, but getting into a good university will truly shape your life. Understand?”

“Understood,” Zhao Zejun replied with an easy smile.

The school leaders’ visit seemed to mark the start of a hero’s reception. Over the next two days, several waves of people visited Zhao Zejun’s ward.

People from Gaogang Village, from the school’s neighborhood, elders from Gaogang Village...

And two groups Zhao Zejun didn’t know at all: a young couple, and parents with their daughter—ordinary citizens who, after seeing his story on TV, came to offer their regards.

Through online publicity and the live television broadcast, Zhao Zejun and Jiang Xuan’s rescue team became famous. Stories about lonely elderly, veterans, and anti-trafficking efforts always tugged at the public’s heartstrings.

Especially anti-trafficking—who doesn’t have children? Even if not now, someday everyone will become parents. Nearly everyone despises human traffickers.

Zhao Zejun, sick yet participating in the rescue, leaping to save a baby, using his own body as a shield—when that scene aired, he became a hero in Yijiang City.

Over two days, the small hospital room was filled with flowers and fruit baskets.

Few could come to the hospital, but many went to Gaogang Village, donating money and supplies. Monetary donations were refused, but material aid was accepted. During Zhao Zejun’s short stay in the hospital, the two rooms on the second floor were piled high with daily necessities.

Flowers, fruit baskets, instant noodles, bottled water, quilts—even flashlights and batteries—enough to stock a general store.

On the morning of Zhao Zejun’s discharge, the ward was filled with people.

His parents, the attending physician, hospital leaders, Director Yang from the neighborhood committee, police officers, several strangers.

The “middle-aged man in a suit” he’d met before was still at the center of attention, surrounded by female reporters and cameramen from Gaogang Village. The scene was lively, the not-so-large ward packed to the brim.

“Zhao, good to meet you. I am Yang Jun from the Municipal Propaganda Department,” the man in the suit said, smiling kindly and extending his right hand to Zhao Zejun.