Chapter 16 Departure to Beijing
Shanghai Railway Station.
Beneath the massive steel dome, a surging crowd of people.
"Waaah—"
The green train spewed out thick white smoke and roared deafeningly.
The air was filled with the smells of coal smoke, sweat, the artificial flavoring of instant noodles, and the spiciness of cheap tobacco, all mixed together to create a unique, rough yet vibrant atmosphere that belonged to this era.
Su Wantang wore a lake-blue dress that made her skin look as white as snow and her eyebrows and eyes as beautiful as a painting, standing out from the gray Zhongshan suits and Dacron shirts around her.
Many people glanced over, intentionally or unintentionally, with curiosity, amazement, and a hint of scrutiny.
This was the first time she had experienced the tumultuous yet impoverished 1980s so vividly and immersively.
There was none of the coldness of disinfectant in the hospital ward of my previous life, nor the oppressive atmosphere of pretense and conspiracy in the Su family mansion.
Everything was vibrant, raw, and brimming with the power of wild growth.
"Stay close."
A large hand reached out and, without the slightest hesitation, grabbed her wrist.
Lu Jingyan's deep voice pierced through the clamor of voices and landed precisely in her ears.
He wasn't wearing a military uniform, just a simple white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing his bronze skin and well-defined muscles. In his other hand, he effortlessly carried two large, bulging suitcases.
The crowd surged like a tide, but automatically parted to make way for him. That murderous aura, forged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, was a cleaner more effective than any reprimand.
As Su Wantang was pulled along by him, the burning heat and rough calluses of the man's palm on her wrist gave her an unprecedented sense of security.
She didn't struggle, but obediently followed behind him, her gaze fixed on his broad back.
Yes, this backer is indeed strong and stable.
After passing through the crowded platform, Lu Jingyan led her onto a carriage with a "soft sleeper" sign.
The carriage fell silent instantly.
The aisle was covered with a red carpet, which, although a bit old, still showed a stark contrast to the hard-seat carriages outside.
Lu Jingyan pushed open the door to a private room.
The space wasn't large, with bunk beds on both sides covered in snow-white sheets. In the middle was a small table with a covered teacup and a small bag of sunflower seeds. For long-distance travel in those days, this was practically paradise.
"Bang."
Lu Jingyan placed the two large suitcases down gently. With one hand, he lifted one of the heavy suitcases over his head and carefully placed it into the luggage rack on the upper bunk, without showing any signs of effort.
Su Wantang looked at the bulging muscles on his arms, and her heart skipped a beat for no reason.
The saying that this man is walking hormones is indeed true.
"Are you thirsty? I'll go get some hot water," Lu Jingyan asked, turning around.
"I'm not thirsty, you should rest for a while." Su Wantang shook her head, sat on the edge of the lower bunk, and pointed out the window, "I want to buy a newspaper."
Not far from the window is a small newsstand.
Lu Jingyan followed her gaze, didn't ask any questions, just hummed in agreement, and turned to get out of the car.
A moment later, he returned with a copy of the Shanghai Daily still smelling of fresh ink, along with something wrapped in oil paper that was steaming hot.
Su Wantang took the newspaper.
Her gaze immediately fell on the front page headline.
[A major economic crime case in the city has been solved, and the main culprit, Su Mouhong, and others have been apprehended.]
The report did not mention Su Zhenhong by name, only using pronouns such as "Su Mou," "Liu Mou," and "Su Moumou," but between the lines, it clearly listed the Su family's crimes. Collusion between officials and businessmen, tax evasion, speculation... each and every one of these crimes fits perfectly with the anonymous letter she sent and the copy of the account book.
The article concludes by specifically mentioning that the individuals involved in the case, including their immediate family members, will be sent to remote farms in Northwest China for labor reform due to the seriousness and egregious nature of the case, as a warning to others.
The Great Northwest, labor reform.
Su Wantang's fingertips lightly traced the three characters "Su Moumou," and a faint, cold smile appeared on her lips.
The original owner died tragically on a rural farm.
Now, it's Su Yuting's turn to experience that "blessing".
That's good, it's fair.
The illnesses of the previous life and the injustices suffered by the original owner were all settled with the printed words in this newspaper.
She carefully folded the newspaper and set it aside.
"Waaah—"
The long whistle sounded again, the vehicle jolted, and slowly started moving.
The platform outside the window began to recede, the crowds seeing people off, the old buildings, and the silhouettes of the bustling yet chaotic city gradually blurred and were eventually left behind.
Goodbye, Shanghai.
The compartment was quiet, with only the rhythmic clanging of the train as it rolled over the tracks.
A sweet aroma wafted into my nostrils.
Su Wantang turned her head and saw Lu Jingyan slowly peeling a roasted sweet potato.
The parchment paper was peeled off, revealing the golden-brown, honey-dripping potato skin. His long, slender fingers steadily peeled away the scalding skin, revealing the golden, steaming hot potato flesh inside.
He was so focused on peeling it, as if he were not peeling a sweet potato that cost a few cents, but a priceless work of art.
This man can always seamlessly switch between the wildest and the most tender modes.
In the Su family, he could be a cold-faced devil who intimidates everyone.
In this small private room, he was so patient as to peel a roasted sweet potato for her.
Su Wantang's heart seemed to soften completely, as if it had been warmed by the steam from the sweet potato.
She just watched him quietly, looking at his lowered, deep eyes and his sexy, thin lips pressed into a straight line.
Amid the train's rhythmic swaying, she suddenly spoke, her voice soft yet clear.
"I was the one who did what happened to the Su family."
Lu Jingyan peeled the sweet potato without pausing for a moment, not even lifting his eyelids.
Su Wantang continued, her tone as if stating a perfectly ordinary fact: "I took back what my mother left behind, and I also reported them."
After saying that, she fell silent and just looked at him.
This was both a confession and a test.
She wanted to see how her nominal husband, the protector she had chosen, would react after learning about her almost ruthless methods.
Was it shock? Confusion? Or... disgust?
After all, in this era, it is truly shocking for a woman to be so ruthless and decisive, even personally sending her father and stepmother to prison.
The air seemed to freeze.
Only the clanging sounds reminded us of the passage of time.
Finally, Lu Jingshou finished peeling the last piece of potato skin.
A whole, golden, piping hot sweet potato was presented perfectly in his palm.
He raised his eyes, his unfathomable gaze meeting hers, and let out a low, sensual "hmm."
"Well done."
Su Wantang was slightly taken aback.
He continued in that matter-of-fact tone, "They deserved it. It's only right that you take back what's yours."
There was not the slightest surprise.
Even in those deep eyes, there was a hint of...appreciation that was barely perceptible.
It's as if to say, "This is how my woman should be."
The next second, the man broke the sweet potato in his hand open.
He didn't eat it, but instead held the sweetest, most fibrous part of the potato, right in the middle, to her lips.
"Eat it, it's hot."
A warm, sweet aroma wafted towards me.
Su Wantang was stunned.
She had considered countless possibilities, but this was the one she had never thought of.
There was no moral judgment, no hypocritical comfort, only the purest, heartfelt recognition and support.
This man not only didn't dislike her ruthlessness, but he even admired it.
He understands her.
At this moment, Su Wantang suddenly felt that her decision to propose to him at the Peace Hotel might have been the best thing she had ever done in her life.
"This husband is good, we can get along." She silently gave him a thumbs up in her heart.
Su Wantang smiled, her lips curving upwards like a little fox who had stolen some candy.
She opened her mouth and gently bit into the heart of the potato.
It melts in your mouth and is sweet and delicious.
"You eat too," she said indistinctly, her eyes sparkling.
"You eat first." Lu Jingyan looked at her puffed-out cheeks, his eyes softening unconsciously, and a very faint smile appeared on his lips. "There's more."
He handed over the remaining half of the sweet potato as well.
Su Wantang didn't stand on ceremony, took it, and ate it in small bites.
“By the way,” she asked, looking up as she ate, “how long will it take us to get to Beijing?”
"If all goes well, it will take a day and a night," Lu Jingyan replied, picking up a teacup from the table, unscrewing the lid, and letting the water cool for her.
"Where will we stay when we get to Beijing?" Su Wantang asked again, like a curious child.
“Stay at my place,” Lu Jingyan said. “It’s a compound assigned by the military. It’s not big, but it’s enough.”
"Oh..." Su Wantang drawled out the sound, her eyes darting around, then she suddenly leaned closer, lowered her voice, and gave a sly smile.
"Then...should I greet you, 'Sir'?"
Lu Jingyan paused in his act of pouring water.
He looked up and met her shimmering, smiling eyes.
The girl's cheeks were flushed a healthy pink from eating something hot, and her lips were glistening with honey, making her look exceptionally alluring.
His Adam's apple bobbed almost imperceptibly.
“Outside, call me whatever you want.” He put down his teacup, his voice a few decibels higher than before. “At home, call me by my name.”
He paused for a moment, then added another sentence.
"Or, call me husband."
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