Chapter 10: The Child Traffickers’ Trap
At any time, shouting “Someone’s stealing a child!” would instantly draw everyone’s attention.
By the time Shang Fuyan and Lin Jiangye hurried over, several layers of onlookers had already formed.
Fortunately, both men were tall enough to see over the crowd. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to make out anything.
In the center stood two women arguing fiercely. One was older—around sixty. The other was a young woman in her early thirties.
They were both tugging at a swaddled infant. Their shouting and pulling made the baby wail pitifully.
Listening for a moment, they pieced together the story.
The older woman claimed the baby was her grandson and that the younger woman was her daughter-in-law. She said the daughter-in-law had quarreled with her son and now wanted to take the child away.
That alone wouldn’t have caused such outrage.
But then the older woman began accusing the young woman of infidelity, blaming her entirely and calling her heartless.
“If a child follows a mother like you, what future will he have? If you divorce and marry your lover, will that stepfather treat him well? Who will care for him then?” The old woman cried bitterly, her voice full of grievance.
The younger woman sobbed, insisting she didn’t even know this elderly woman.
However, according to the murmurs from the crowd, the older woman had accurately recited the young woman’s name and address. That didn’t sound like strangers.
In the eyes of the public, the young woman had effectively been “identified” as the daughter-in-law.
“What do you think?” Shang Fuyan didn’t step in immediately. Instead, he asked Lin Jiangye.
Lin Jiangye’s gaze turned icy as he stared at the old woman, then shifted to the baby.
“That old woman has absolutely no relation to the child.”
Though she appeared heartbroken, if someone covered the lower half of her face, her eyes were cold—like a wolf’s.
The way she looked at the child was more like a predator eyeing prey.
Even if, by some slim chance, she were the grandmother, the child must never be handed over to her.
The young woman was different. Her anguish and fury were genuine. Her eyes when she looked at the baby were full of real concern.
A flicker of admiration passed through Shang Fuyan’s eyes.
Before he could act, two men arrived.
One claimed to be the child’s father—the young woman’s husband.
The other wore a police uniform.
“Your husband has already called the police. Whatever the issue, discuss it at home. If you leave, the child stays,” the “policeman” announced, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Lin Jiangye raised a brow and glanced at Shang Fuyan.
“If you don’t step in now, things are going to get bad.”
A chill radiated from Shang Fuyan.
Someone impersonating a police officer.
A trafficker pretending to be law enforcement.
After shooting Lin Jiangye a sidelong glance, he pushed his way into the crowd.
The people who were shoved aside bristled—until they saw his cold, handsome face and swallowed their complaints.
Who was this man? The lover?
Before speculation could escalate, Lin Jiangye also squeezed in, smiling sweetly. His dimples appeared, and any irritation melted away.
Both men inside the circle now.
Shang Fuyan walked straight up to the “policeman” and extended his hand.
“Your credentials. If you’re a police officer, show them.”
The crowd froze.
That’s right—he hadn’t shown any ID.
“Is that uniform even real?”
Another bombshell.
If the police uniform was fake, what about the so-called husband and mother-in-law?
As suspicion shifted toward them, Lin Jiangye quietly moved behind the trio, preparing for escape attempts.
“How dare you say I’m fake?!” The imposter nearly jumped.
In one smooth motion, Shang Fuyan displayed his badge.
“I’m Shang Fuyan, Captain of the Criminal Investigation Division of Wen’an District, Yue City. I have reason to doubt your identity. Show your ID.”
The fake officer froze—then bolted.
He didn’t get far.
A sharp strike to the inside of his knee forced him to collapse.
The other two tried to flee, but Lin Jiangye blocked them.
The old woman attempted to cause a scene—only to be attacked by two crows tugging at her hair, leaving her shrieking on the ground.
The young woman clutched her baby tightly, eyes blazing with hatred.
Only now did she realize it had all been a setup.
She buried her face in the baby’s blanket, inhaling the milky scent, slowly calming.
Soon, real police cars arrived.
“Thank you, Captain Shang! Without you, that child would’ve been taken today!”
The officer speaking was trembling with anger.
These traffickers’ methods were becoming more vicious—and harder to guard against.
Today, they were lucky.
If no real officer had been present, by the time the victim reached the station, the traffickers would be long gone.
Shang Fuyan waved it off.
Turning back, he saw Lin Jiangye crouched beside the young woman with two crows perched on him. After a few quiet words, the woman seemed steadier.
In truth, he’d only said:
“The baby’s been crying a long time. Maybe take him to see a doctor. Crying too hard can be harmful.”
Not just advice for the baby—but for her too.
“T-Thank you… I will!” she stammered before hurrying away.
When the crowd dispersed, Shang Fuyan returned to Lin Jiangye.
Lin Jiangye was about to step back when Shang Fuyan spoke softly:
“Doesn’t this feel odd? How did traffickers know so much about the victim? They must have targeted her in advance.”
Ordinary traffickers might scout locations—but not memorize ID numbers.
The old woman had recited even the ID number, convincing the crowd.
Even in an age of data leaks, how did traffickers obtain precise information?
Lin Jiangye pondered.
“Maybe they happened to pick up her ID while scouting?”
A low chuckle came from Shang Fuyan, earning him an eye roll.
“I know some private restaurants in Yue City. No connections, no entry. Interested?”
Silence.
“You like crows, right? Want to raise a raven? Domestic permits are now possible—though paperwork’s required. Wild parrots too. And other special species. I know people in the departments who can expedite applications.”
Before Lin Jiangye could respond, he continued:
“If you want large animals, you’d need to register a private zoo. I happen to know the right officials. Need an introduction?”
Lin Jiangye’s fists clenched.
Money? Official positions? He didn’t care.
Fine dining? He could ignore.
But—
How did this man know he desperately wanted a raven?
He hadn’t even met one yet.
—
Author’s Note:
Clarification! In reality, ravens cannot be privately owned in China. Only certain common crows bred in captivity may be allowed, and permits are required.
This novel is set in an alternate reality. Here, ravens can be legally bred with proper documentation.
(Why? Because ravens are just too cool.)
One day—
Little Crow: Human! Do you think ravens are cooler than us? sob
Lin: Absolutely not!!!
Little Crow: But Dad said so! sob sob sob
Lin: Shang! Fu! Yan!!! ?
