Three days later, the train finally stopped at the Northwest Station.

The night was as dark as ink, and the dim yellow lights on the platform stretched everyone's shadows long. Su Wantang followed Qin Tian and the others off the train, and as soon as she stepped out of the carriage, she was hit by a gust of dry wind.

"Old Qin! Over here!"

A middle-aged man shouted at the top of his lungs. He was driving a dilapidated Jeep, its body covered in dust.

Qin Tian walked over there, with Su Wantang and Lu Linchuan following behind. Li Xiumei was holding Xiao Feng, and her expression was not good.

"This is my friend, Ma Erqiang," Qin Tian introduced briefly, then patted the man on the shoulder, "Thank you for coming to pick us up so late at night."

Ma Erqiang chuckled, "It's all good stuff, no need to be so polite!" He glanced at Su Wantang, his eyes filled with curiosity, "Is this the girl who saved your life?"

"Yes, her name is Su Wantang, and her lover is Lu Linchuan."

Ma Erqiang nodded and gestured for everyone to get on the bus.

The car swayed and bumped along the dirt road. Through the window, Su Wantang saw distant mountains as dark as ink and a starry sky. Lu Linchuan held her hand, feeling the slight coolness of her palm.

"Are you cold?" he asked in a low voice.

Su Wantang shook her head, but couldn't help but lean closer to him.

About half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a row of bungalows. It was a small town; the streets weren't wide, but they were quite clean.

Qin Tian's house was at the end of the street, a three-courtyard siheyuan (traditional courtyard house). Several jujube trees were planted in the courtyard, their shadows dappling in the moonlight.

"Xiao Tang, you can stay in my room tonight." Qin Tian pointed to the east wing, "It's quite clean there."

Li Xiumei's expression changed, and she tugged at Qin Tian's sleeve, "Isn't it inappropriate for her, an outsider, to stay in our house?"

Qin Tian frowned. "What outsider? That's someone who saved my life! She might even be my niece."

“But…” Li Xiumei bit her lip, her eyes darting away, “What if I’ve mistaken you for someone else?”

Seeing her predicament, Su Wantang took the initiative to speak up: "Comrade Qin, how about we stay at the guesthouse? That would be more convenient for everyone."

Lu Linchuan nodded, "Yes, we've just arrived, so staying at a guesthouse is more appropriate."

Qin Tian was a little embarrassed, "How can this be? You've come all this way..."

"It's okay, really." Su Wantang smiled. "We're used to it."

In the end, Qin Tian had Ma Erqiang drive them to the guesthouse in town. He insisted on paying for the room and took out thirty yuan to give to the receptionist.

"Stay for three days, and let me know if you need anything."

Li Xiumei stood at the door, forcing a smile, "Then I'll have to trouble you."

Despite saying that, Su Wantang clearly felt a sense of relief.

The guesthouse was passable; the corridor had polished cement floors, and the room contained only a double bed, a wooden table, and a washbasin stand.

The bedding was clean, though.

Lu Linchuan put down his suitcase and checked it over. "It's alright."

Su Wantang sat on the edge of the bed, her feelings somewhat complicated. From the attitude of Qin Tian's family, she had already sensed that subtle sense of rejection.

"What are you thinking about?" Lu Linchuan walked over and sat down next to her.

"It feels... pretty awkward," Su Wantang said with a wry smile. "Li Xiumei clearly doesn't welcome us."

“That’s normal.” Lu Linchuan gently patted her back. “A relative suddenly appearing would make anyone wary.”

Su Wantang nodded.

The next morning, Qin Tian knocked on the door.

"Xiao Tang, are you up yet? I'll take you to have breakfast!"

Su Wantang quickly finished washing up and followed Qin Tian out the door. Lu Linchuan followed closely behind, his arm naturally around her waist.

The breakfast stalls on the street smelled delicious. Qin Tian took them to a mutton soup restaurant and ordered a table full of dishes.