"Let me demonstrate first."
As Gu Qingya spoke, she poured some of the white powder into her own palm. True to her word, her fair skin remained unchanged. She then took the older woman's hand and placed the powder on it; within seconds, the woman’s skin turned black.
The crowd erupted in an uproar.
"There really is such a miraculous thing!"
"Quick, quick, let me try! I didn't steal the money, so I'm not afraid to be tested."
Some were even itching for a turn.
Fu Yurou watched the scene, her eyes wide. "System, explain the principle behind this."
The System replied, "Please analyze and judge for yourself, Host."
"Hey, didn't you say your purpose was to assist me in surviving this world?"
The System: "This matter has nothing to do with the Host’s survival."
Fu Yurou: (ノ｀Д)ノ
Without an answer, the packet of powder was quickly passed along until it reached Wang Fangfang. Wang carefully took it, felt relieved when her hand didn't change color, and handed it to Fu Yurou.
Fu Yurou also wanted to see if it was truly as miraculous as claimed, so she took it. Looking closely at what was in her hand, she realized it wasn't medicinal powder at all, but fine sand—the kind children used in sandboxes back in the modern era.
She was now certain this sand had no reactive properties to grease.
As she passed it to Li Qiuyan, she thought it over and realized what was happening. Gu Qingya was trying to flush out the thief with a bluff.
She was truly clever.
Sure enough, as the sand was passed from person to person, it reached a scrawny, rat-faced man in his twenties who absolutely refused to take it.
Gu Qingya narrowed her eyes. "Comrade, please take it so you can prove your innocence."
"That’s right, take it!"
The man hesitated repeatedly before extending his hand. Just as the person before him was about to pour the sand, he jerked his hand away, and the sand spilled onto the floor.
Gu Qingya crossed her arms, looking certain. "You’re the one who stole it, aren't you? Otherwise, why would you be afraid to touch my powder?"
"You damn woman, you've ruined my plans!"
The man suddenly pulled a knife from his pocket and lunged at Gu Qingya. The carriage was already crowded, and with everyone packed in tight, Gu Qingya had nowhere to hide.
As the man moved to strike, many bystanders closed their eyes in fear. Suddenly, the man's wrist was gripped firmly, the blade stopping just a centimeter from Gu Qingya.
It was Song Zhishu who had intervened. He twisted the man's arm behind his back and knocked the knife to the floor.
"Comrade Gu, are you alright?"
"I... I'm fine."
Gu Qingya’s face had gone pale, and a glimmer of something like stars appeared in her eyes as she looked at Song Zhishu.
"What's going on here?"
The train conductor finally arrived, and the surrounding crowd began to chime in, explaining exactly what had happened.
The outcome, of course, was that the stolen money was found on the thief and returned to the older woman. The thief was detained and taken away, with the conductor planning to hand him over to the Public Security Bureau at the next station.
"Clap, clap, clap!" The surrounding crowd began to applaud Gu Qingya.
Gu Qingya, who had looked so composed and calculated just moments ago, now appeared quite bashful.
Fu Yurou crossed her arms and grumbled to the System in her mind. "We’re both transmigrators, so how is the gap between me and Gu Qingya so large? She’s so brave and resourceful; even I’m starting to fall for her, and I'm a woman."
Look at Song Zhishu—his eyes were practically glowing.
The System: "That is for the Host to ask yourself."
Fu Yurou: "I think you're looking for a death wish."
The System was silent for a moment before saying, "Host, the differences between individuals are vast. People like Gu Qingya are, after all, a minority."
In other words, Gu Qingya was special and extraordinary, while she was just part of the masses.
Because the System looked down on her, Fu Yurou pulled out her mental notebook and made a mark against it, ready to settle scores when the opportunity arose.
The System: *Having a petty host is very frustrating.*
"Comrade Song, thank you for stepping in to save me just now." Gu Qingya was now thanking Song Zhishu.
"It was nothing. Comrade Gu is remarkably clever; you helped the people, so I helped you."
These words made Gu Qingya’s heart skip a beat. As their eyes met, an indescribable sentiment began to swirl between them.
Just then, the older woman who had lost her money broke the mood by crying out, "Xiaobao! What’s wrong? Don't scare your mother!"
Everyone’s gaze shifted to see the child, who had been sleeping quietly, suddenly trembling and foaming at the mouth.
Gu Qingya ignored Song Zhishu and rushed over to take the child from the woman's arms. "Let me see."
The crowd’s attention was drawn to this new turn of events, but Li Qiuyan suddenly asked, "Since we're all here, doesn't that mean no one is watching our seats?"
Song Zhishu replied, "I noticed you hadn't returned and it was very noisy over here, so I came to check on things."
Li Qiuyan’s expression changed; worried about her belongings, she hurriedly pushed through the crowd and left. Wang Fangfang was also concerned and said to Fu Yurou, "Yurou, I'm heading back too."
"Go ahead." Fu Yurou waved her off.
She didn't care; her luggage was just bedding—a ruse with nothing inside to steal. Her small valuables were in her backpack, and the rest were in her personal space. Even if they were stolen, it didn't matter; she had spares from Zhang Pan and Fu Yuqing.
Besides, now that she had the System Mall, she planned to trade for new things; a few cheap points were all she needed.
Better to watch the show. Gu Qingya was hunting thieves and saving lives—judging by this familiar style, she clearly knew medicine! And then there was Song Zhishu, the original owner’s romantic interest.
With everyone’s eyes glued to Gu Qingya, no one had even noticed her.
*Had he changed his affections?*
Fu Yurou wasn't particularly heartbroken; he was just a man she’d only just met, a fleeting infatuation. Still, being dumped like this felt pretty lousy.
This world was at odds with her; it was truly toxic.
Over there, Gu Qingya unswaddled the child, skillfully massaged his neck, and the trembling boy slowly quieted down before opening his eyes.
"Xiaobao, you’re awake! Thank you, young lady! Thank you, thank you!"
"It’s alright. This child likely has epilepsy. Do any elders in your family suffer from this condition?"
The woman wept, "No, I've never heard of any such thing. I’ve had eight children, and the first seven were fine; it's only this youngest one."
Gu Qingya noted, "Then it might have been caused by trauma. Has the child suffered any head injuries recently?"
The woman replied, "Yes, a few months ago he took a fall and cut his head on a rock, but we went to the clinic and they said it was nothing."
Gu Qingya frowned. "It must have been that fall, which caused an intracranial hemorrhage, putting pressure on his nerves and triggering the epilepsy."
"Young lady, I beg you, please save my son!" The older woman suddenly knelt before Gu Qingya.
Gu Qingya quickly reached out to help her up. "Please get up, ma'am. As a doctor, saving lives is my duty."