Chapter 127 The Return Train, Tender Feelings
The next day, at Shanghai Railway Station.
The platform was bustling with noise, and steam locomotives were spewing out thick white steam, mixed with the smell of coal ash.
Du Kangnian and Zheng Kai stood respectfully half a step behind Bai Shu, one on each side.
Behind them were several of the most robust men selected from the Peace Hotel, carrying luggage of various sizes.
Zheng Kai's younger sister, Zheng Xiaorou, stood timidly beside her brother, her big eyes looking at the aloof and moon-like woman with curiosity and awe.
"Miss Bai, have a safe journey."
Du Kangnian bowed slightly, adopting an extremely humble posture.
"The industrial integration you entrusted will definitely show results within a month. I will personally check the accounts of the Peace Hotel every week and send them to Beijing by secret telegram."
Zheng Kai chimed in, "I will personally write a report on the industrial integration in Shanghai every month and have Manager Du deliver it. Rest assured, there will be absolutely no mishaps."
Bai Shu gave a faint "hmm," then turned his gaze from the distance to the two people.
She didn't say anything polite, but with just a gentle sweep of her captivating eyes, Du Kangnian and Zheng Kai felt an invisible pressure descend upon them, causing them to unconsciously straighten their backs even more.
That's the aura of someone in a position of power. Without saying a single word, they can make you understand that all your thoughts are laid bare before them.
Zheng Kai's heart was in turmoil. He now felt a mixture of respect, fear, and a touch of unwavering relief towards Bai Shu.
He thought this more than once. With her, his sister's illness would be resolved, and he would finally be able to climb out of that quagmire of Lu Wenbo and have something to look forward to.
Just then, Zheng Xiaorou mustered her courage, stepped forward, and handed over a peace knot carefully woven with red string, with a warm jade bead hanging on it.
"Sister Bai... Sister Bai," her voice was barely audible, her cheeks flushed.
"Thank you for saving me... This is... something I made myself, I'm giving it to you, wishing you... a safe journey."
Bai Shu's gaze softened for a moment.
She reached out and took the small peace knot. Her fingertips touched the girl's slightly cool hand, and she could feel the girl trembling.
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness." Bai Shu's voice was still calm, but no longer so cold.
"Go back, taking good care of your health is the most important thing."
She then looked at Zheng Kai and said, "Take good care of your sister."
A simple, ordinary instruction brought tears to Zheng Kai's eyes, a man who had tasted blood on the edge of a knife, and he almost lost his composure on the spot.
He nodded vigorously: "Yes!"
"Waaah—"
The ship's whistle sounded again, urging the departing passengers on their way.
Lu Jingyan had already completed all the formalities at some point. He walked to her side, reached out and put his arm around her waist, leading her towards the carriage.
"I'm leaving." He nodded to everyone as a farewell.
Qin Zheng and Wang Ma immediately followed.
The group made their way through the crowded throng and boarded a special carriage attached to the back of the train.
Lu Jingyan used his connections; ordinary people simply couldn't get in.
The carriage was furnished with clean white bedding, and the windows were bright and spotless, a world apart from the noisy and crowded ordinary carriages outside.
Wang Ma had never ridden such a nice train in her life. With her feet on the soft carpet, she didn't know where to put her hands and seemed a little uneasy.
She looked at her young mistress, then at the tall, imposing man beside her, and felt both excited and moved.
Su Wantang sensed Wang Ma's nervousness, took her somewhat rough hand in return, patted it gently, and said in a soft voice:
“Wang Ma, this will be the norm from now on, you’ll have to get used to it.”
“Yes, yes…” Wang Ma responded repeatedly, but tears welled up in her eyes.
She looked at Su Wantang and Lu Jingyan. With just a glance, a gesture, or even a word, they knew what to do.
That kind of tacit understanding can't be faked.
Miss, you've finally found a good man who can protect and cherish you.
The train slowly started moving, and the platform and people outside the window gradually receded into the distance.
There were only four people in the private room.
Qin Zheng stood guard at the door, resting with his eyes closed, while Wang Ma began to busy herself with packing luggage.
Lu Jingyan took out a neatly wrapped package from his military canvas bag. Inside were several pieces of osmanthus cake from a well-established Shanghai brand.
He then unscrewed the military water bottle, poured a glass of warm water, and handed it to Su Wantang.
The entire movement was fluid and natural, as if it had been done hundreds of times.
Su Wantang took it, took a small bite, and found the pastry sweet but not cloying, melting in her mouth.
She looked up and met Lu Jingyan's focused gaze, a gaze filled with a tenderness she had never seen before.
"What are you looking at?" she asked.
"Look at you," Lu Jingyan said in a low voice, "you've gotten involved."
He raised his finger and pointed to the corner of his mouth.
Su Wantang was taken aback and subconsciously reached out to help him wipe the crumbs from the corner of his mouth.
Soft fingertips gently touched his warm lips.
For a moment, both of them froze.
It felt like a faint electric current surged from my fingertips and instantly spread throughout my entire body.
Su Wantang's face flushed red instantly, and she quickly withdrew her hand.
Lu Jingyan's eyes instantly became deep and burning.
While making the bed, Wang Ma caught a glimpse of this scene out of the corner of her eye. She paused in her work, then put on a knowing smile, as if to say, "I didn't see anything."
She quickly made the bed and then pulled Qin Zheng, who was still acting as a doorman, to his feet.
"Um... Qin Zheng, this old woman is a bit hungry. Would you come with me to the dining car to see what we can eat?"
Qin Zheng was completely bewildered; he had clearly seen Commander Lu take out the pastries.
But the moment he met Wang Ma's "If you don't leave, I'll gouge out your dog eyes" look, he immediately had a flash of inspiration.
"Oh, okay, I'm hungry too." He stood up and followed Wang Ma, fleeing the private room as if he were escaping.
"Bang."
These two light bulbs are really getting better and better at recognizing things.
The door to the private room was gently closed.
In an instant, the whole world was reduced to just the two of them, and the room filled with an indescribable, ambiguous atmosphere.
Lu Jingyan's gaze became even more intense, making no attempt to conceal it.
He moved, took her hand that she had just pulled back, opened her palm, and then lowered his head to place a burning kiss on her palm.
Su Wantang's breathing became completely disordered.
This man is practically walking hormones; every move he makes exudes a deadly masculine charm.
She felt like a little white rabbit being targeted by a hungry wolf in front of him, without even the strength to resist.
"You..." Her voice trembled slightly.
She had barely uttered a single word when Lu Jingyan took the opportunity to bring her hand to his lips, gently biting her fingertip with his teeth, and asked indistinctly:
Is it sweet?
Su Wantang's mind went blank for a moment.
This man...this man is simply...
His other hand had somehow already wrapped around her waist.
Through the thin fabric of his clothes, she could clearly feel the warmth of his hand.
Su Wantang was held so tightly by him that she went limp in his arms and could only rest her head on his shoulder.
The man's scent, mixed with a faint smell of tobacco and soap, enveloped her completely.
The unprecedented sense of security finally gave her a moment to breathe, allowing her nerves, which had been taut for so long, to relax.
She closed her eyes, listening to his strong heartbeat and the rhythmic sound of the train tracks outside the window.
Peaceful and serene.
Of course, it would be even better if someone's hand on her waist wasn't so hot, and if it didn't intentionally or unintentionally caress the thinnest part of her waist.
This guy is really...
Su Wantang sighed inwardly, but the corners of her mouth involuntarily curled up slightly.
Never mind, let him be.
However, the physical relaxation allowed her thoughts to drift even further.
Beijing City.
The Lu family.
Will they accept me?
His current identity is that of the enigmatic Hong Kong businessman "Bai Shu." This identity is the best camouflage; he is powerful, wealthy, and no one dares to underestimate him.
But what Lu Jingyan's family probably wants to see is "Su Wantang".
Should we tell the elders of the Lu family our true identity?
Tell them that you are Su Wantang, not Bai Shu.
But once it's mentioned, the Su family's dirty secrets will inevitably be brought up again.
She didn't care what others thought, but she didn't want to bring any unnecessary trouble or stain to Lu Jingyan or the Lu family.
But if I don't say it...
She will enter the Lu family under the new and mysterious identity of "Bai Shu," a Hong Kong businesswoman.
This might save her a lot of trouble, but it also means that there will always be an invisible wall between her and Lu Jingyan.
She sighed softly, snuggled closer to Lu Jingyan, and found a more comfortable position.
Never mind, I'll go first and figure it out later.
When soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it.
Su Wantang has seen all sorts of storms in her two lifetimes, so why would she be afraid to see a few family members?
A little bit of manipulation.
Thinking about it this way, the slight unease in my heart instantly vanished.
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