Chapter 121 A New Journey

Because of what happened at my uncle's house before the New Year, the holiday wasn't very lively. Grandma Shen remained silent during the family meals.

It was only when Shen's father kept joking around and telling embarrassing stories about his colleagues that the atmosphere improved a bit.

After the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Jinran and the others will set off one after another, because the start dates of universities in different places are different, so their schedules will be staggered.

Jinran was the first to start school, so she was the first to leave. Originally, her father wanted to ask for leave to see her off, but Jinran refused.

"Father, Mother, have you forgotten how strong I am? If something really happens, my father is no match for me!"

Father Shen said, ".............." He saw through it all but didn't say anything; they were still good friends.

On the day of departure, the whole family came to see him off. Shen's father asked someone to help him find a sleeper berth for Jinran.

Once on the train, the carriage was empty. Shen's father and brothers helped Jinran put away her luggage. Wang Cuifen held Jinran's hand, repeatedly instructing her, "Nini, when you arrive, send me a telegram, or call our factory manager. Don't forget, I sewed the money I gave you into the lining of your clothes. Be careful. Also, if anyone talks to you, ignore them. Just sleep. Understand?"

Jinran nodded obediently the whole time. Shen's father's eyes were swollen, clearly from crying all night. Wang Cuifen secretly cursed him for being so spineless, but still comforted him all night.

Shen Cong and Shen Ming also said sadly, "Once things stabilize on our end, little sister, you can go to the south for a visit. We can also go to the capital, and we can travel back and forth between each other."

Wang Cuifen scolded, "What are you wandering around for? Behave yourselves, you know? If I find out you're messing around outside, I'll break your legs even if I have to crawl."

The four men all shuddered.

Ms. Wang Cuifen is putting too much pressure on you.

After saying that, the whole family got out of the car. Jinran suddenly felt very sad and started crying. She waved goodbye to her parents and brothers through the window. Shen's father, Shen Cong, and Shen Ming cried their hearts out.

Wang Cuifen also waved her hand, her voice choked with emotion.

Even after the car drove away, Jinran kept looking back, and it took her a while to calm down before she felt a little better.

No one had come to this carriage. After calming down, Jinran took out clean sheets and duvet covers to change into, then folded them up, waiting to put them down when she went to sleep that night.

After finishing packing, she found a history book to read. She had originally applied for a finance major, but somehow she was transferred to history. But it wasn't a big deal; she figured she could just coast along wherever she went.

Just as Jinran was dozing off, the train stopped at the station, and a group of people boarded, but no one got on Jinran's carriage.

The next day, four people came up: a family of three and an elderly man.

Jinran listened to her mother very much and didn't talk to anyone, focusing on being mute.

But I don't know if it's a problem with my constitution, I just keep encountering weirdos.

The woman in the family of three said to Jinran with an air of entitlement, "Young lady, why don't you switch places with us? It's inconvenient for us on the upper bunk."

Jinran stared blankly at the woman, then gestured and shouted, "What did you say? I can't hear you. What do you want?"

Jinran's shouts attracted several onlookers.

The woman stood there awkwardly. Jinran looked at her without saying anything, then lay back down and continued reading.

She should have pretended to be deaf and mute, but she was afraid that if the atmosphere got heated, she would be at a disadvantage during the shouting match.

That's all we can do for now.

The woman turned away and went back. Her husband scolded her, "She's disabled. It's so embarrassing for you to go and cause trouble for her."

The woman retorted unhappily, "Was it for myself? Besides, I don't know either. It's really bad luck that a disabled person has to sit in a sleeper car."

The journey took four days, which Jinran spent peacefully and happily. Several times, the child from that family of three asked Jinran for food, and Jinran would loudly ask, "Are you begging me for food? Speak louder! Auntie, what did your child say?"

After a few times, the family of three never bothered Jinran again.

Upon arriving in the capital, Jinran finished packing ahead of time and stretched. She then smiled at the family of three and said, "It was really good to have you guys to keep me entertained on this journey. I did a good job, didn't I? If we happen to meet again, I'll pretend to be mentally ill for your whole family."

The old man in the same carriage chuckled, and Jinran smiled back at him.

He turned around, picked up his luggage, and left.

The man and woman finally realized what was happening, and their faces turned extremely ugly.