Just as the train was about to depart, the people who had come to see them off finally left, and the carriage was suddenly more than half empty.
Five minutes later, the train began to sway, and then slowly started moving forward.
Just then, the girl who was about to switch berths approached Sang Hua shyly with two apples in her hand, saying, "Comrade, thank you for being willing to switch berths with me. This is a thank-you gift, please accept it."
Sang Hua smiled faintly and said, "No need to thank me. In fact, we benefited from switching bunks with you, as we didn't have to climb up and down."
At this moment, another girl stepped forward and said in a soft, sweet voice, "Comrade, please accept it. Jianguo doesn't lack these things."
When Rong Jiaojiao heard the girl emphasize the word "Jianguo" (建国, meaning the founding of the nation), she knew the girl was doing it on purpose.
The characters "建国" (Jianguo) are generally used in boys' names, and are very rarely used in girls' names.
Seeing that the girl named Jianguo blushed instantly and didn't dare to look up at Sang Hua, Rong Jiaojiao wanted to help.
She peeked out from the side, feigning surprise, and asked, "Sister, your name is Jianguo, were you born on the day Jianguo was born?"
Yang Jianguo nodded somewhat awkwardly: "Yes, I was born on the day of the founding of the nation, so my parents gave me this name."
Rong Jiaojiao looked envious: "Wow, that's so memorable and enviable! You know what? My mom said that children born on the day the country was founded are the most beloved children of our motherland. They must be revolutionary predecessors who have come back to see the rebirth of our motherland."
These words filled Yang Jianguo with excitement; the more he used to dislike the name, the more proud he was now.
She looked up, her eyes sparkling, as if she had found a kindred spirit: "Little sister is so right! I used to think this name was a bit awkward, but now I think it's very meaningful!"
"Thank you. Could you please tell me your name?"
Rong Jiaojiao smiled and nodded: "My name is Rong Jiaojiao, you can call me Jiaojiao."
Yang Jianguo said with a hint of envy, "Jiaojiao, that sounds so beautiful!"
Rong Jiaojiao waved her hand: "A name is just a label; what's important is the meaning behind it. Your name is Jianguo, that's wonderful!"
Yang Jianguo's blush deepened, and she said happily, "Thank you, you made me think this name is especially good!"
Sang Hua watched from the side, a slight smile playing on her lips.
He hadn't expected Rong Jiaojiao to be so eloquent; with just a few words, she imbued Yang Jianguo's name with extraordinary meaning.
Yang Jianguo didn't give the apple to Sang Hua anymore; instead, she went straight to Rong Jiaojiao's bed and sat down to chat with her.
After asking where they were getting off and learning that they were both in Harbin, the two started chatting.
The two, one older and one younger, got along quite well. Rong Jiaojiao learned that Yang Jianguo's family was well-off, with everyone working in government departments. She was the eldest child in the family, and her younger siblings were still small, so she had to go to the countryside.
However, her family arranged for her cousin to protect her, so that she wouldn't be left helpless after going to the countryside.
At this time, it was not appropriate to arrange for educated youth to go to the countryside. Rong Jiaojiao guessed that she was forced to go to the countryside, but she did not ask about it.
Rong Jiaojiao also learned that among the three young men who got on the bus with them, the tallest one was her cousin, Ming Zihao.
The other two young men were named Peng Yang and Zhuo Shang, and the woman was named Lin Wanwan.
They followed Yang Jianguo and his group after they found out the address where they registered.
When Rong Jiaojiao saw that she looked shy when Peng Yang was mentioned, she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
She had just noticed that, apart from her cousin, the other two young men were looking at her with disdain.
However, these things were none of Rong Jiaojiao's business. She only chatted with Yang Jianguo about fun things to do and delicious things to eat in Beijing, and before she knew it, two hours had passed.
Yang Jianguo only returned to his bunk to rest when he saw that Rong Jiaojiao seemed sleepy, and Sang Hua then returned to her own bunk.
In the evening, while having dinner, Rong Jiaojiao watched another good show.
As night fell, the lights in the carriages came on, and the train attendant called out the meals available that night, asking those who wanted to eat to buy tickets.
People in the carriage got up one after another. Some took out their wallets to buy meal tickets, while others took out dry food from their bags.
The atmosphere inside the carriage suddenly became lively, with people eating dinner and chatting, making the carriage noisy.
Rong Jiaojiao was about to get her large cloth bag when she heard a high-pitched, affected voice coming from next door.
"Jianguo, I... I've lost my money. Could you lend me some?"
Rong Jiaojiao immediately perked up and darted to the small seat next door.
Even a composed person like Sang Hua couldn't help but twitch his lips upon seeing Rong Jiaojiao's behavior.
Yang Jianguo said with difficulty, "I didn't bring much money or tickets with me, and they're all with my cousin."
Lin Wanwan looked at Ming Zihao gently and said, "Brother Zihao, could you lend me some of Jianguo's banknotes?"
Rong Jiaojiao inwardly exclaimed in admiration: "Look at the art of speaking these people, it's amazing!"
Ming Zihao gave Lin Wanwan a sharp look and said coldly, "I won't lend it to her."
Lin Wanwan was on the verge of tears: "Brother Zihao, please lend it to me, I will pay you back."
That's even more interesting. He borrowed it from Yang Jianguo, but he's returning it to Ming Zihao. That's really clever!
Ming Zihao ignored her completely and bought two meal tickets. After the flight attendant gave him the tickets, she said, "Here you go, we'll bring you your meal in a bit."
Ming Zihao stuffed the ticket into his pocket, then sat down silently in the small seat opposite Rong Jiaojiao, leaving Yang Jianguo in a dilemma.
Seeing Lin Wanwan's sad and upset appearance, Peng Yang angrily accused Yang Jianguo, saying, "How can you be so stingy? Your family is not short of money. What's wrong with lending some to Wanwan? It's not like she won't pay you back."
Yang Jianguo looked at Ming Zihao with a troubled expression, but Ming Zihao didn't even glance at her.
Lin Wanwan kept looking at Yang Jianguo with pleading eyes, while the other two boys also looked at Yang Jianguo with annoyance.
Rong Jiaojiao was really curious, so she asked, "Sister Jianguo, are this sister and this brother a couple?"
Yang Jianguo's face paled for a moment, and before he could speak, Peng Yang angrily retorted, "We're just ordinary friends, what nonsense are you spouting?"
Rong Jiaojiao then asked, "So, what's your relationship to Sister Jianguo?"
Peng Yang asked with a grim expression, "Fiancé?"
Rong Jiaojiao gave him a strange look, then glanced at Lin Wanwan and said, "Why doesn't this Sister Lin borrow money from you? Is it because you're poor? Or is it because she knows that Sister Jianguo's money is with her cousin and she can't borrow it from him? So that if she cries, you'll help her scold Sister Jianguo?"
The carriage fell silent instantly; everyone was stunned by Rong Jiaojiao's words.
Lin Wanwan's face instantly turned ugly. She glared at Rong Jiaojiao, too angry to speak.
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