Chapter 216: Catching the Train
Xu Qingming patted his luggage and said, "Let's go home!" He was taking advantage of Wen Wan. Lu Dongping had asked him while getting a letter of introduction if he wanted to go back with him. It would be safer to have a companion. Only then did he know that Wen Wan was going back at this time.
Taking a train in this season, and having to sit for several days, is a real experience. He'd experienced it all before, and anyone who'd been there would understand. They'd come in large numbers, and then dispersed after reaching the provincial capital. Back then, they'd booked train carriages, and outsiders wouldn't get on at stations along the way, making it relatively safe. But traveling alone wasn't so safe. Especially when the doors opened at the station, it was a chaotic scene.
If he didn't go back, Lu Dongping might not be safe for taking Wen Wan in the car for such a long time. Of course, he also wanted to go back and take a look. This was an opportunity.
Wen Wan was happy: "That's great, we can go back together. If grandpa and grandma scold me when we go back, you have to help me."
Xu Qingming blinked and looked at her. "My uncle is in Gaotai, which is about five or six hundred kilometers away from the capital. Why don't you change trains directly at the capital station and go back with me? I also need to change trains in the capital. I'm going to my uncle's place."
Wen Wan was stunned for a moment, and the smile on her face gradually disappeared: "Oh, I forgot, then, then let's not go. Let's go to the capital first."
Uncle Xu was in the military area, and after arriving at the train station he had to drive back to catch a bus, which would probably take another day or two, and it was not the same route they took to Gaotai.
The same thing happened when they went to Gaotai. They had to transfer trains, so they couldn't do both at the same time. If they tried to do both, it would take a lot more time. The letter of introduction had a time limit, and if they went back after the time limit, they might not even be able to buy a ticket.
What Wen Wan didn't know was that Xu Qingming had never thought of letting her follow him to meet the old man and the old lady at this moment.
After Xu Ruyin's death, Mrs. Xu has always been resentful of Wen Shihua and has poured all her affection into her granddaughter, Wen Wan, hoping that she will find a good match for him. However, Wen Wan quietly ran away to such a faraway place, causing chaos at home.
He hadn't mentioned Wen Wan's marriage to someone in the mountains to his family. He didn't know whether Wen Wan had mentioned it or not, but he absolutely couldn't let Wen Wan bring Lu Dongping to their house at this time. Xu Qingming could imagine the result. If they really went there, Wen Wan would definitely not be able to escape this time. The old lady would definitely do everything she could to keep her and bring her back from Xinxi County early.
It's not that he doesn't love his sister, but the Xu family is struggling right now and can't stand any more trouble.'
Moreover, he did this because he loved Wen Wan. He could see that Wen Wan was living a happy and fulfilling life in Lujiazui. Lu Dongping was obedient to her, and the entire Lu family treated her well. What was the purpose of a woman marrying in this life? It was just this. What good would it do to stay in the capital? Wen Shihua was gone, the Xu family was gone too. Even if things remained the same, she wouldn't necessarily meet someone as kind to her as Lu Dongping.
It’s a pity that Old Mrs. Xu was stubborn and always felt that Xu Ruyin died because they were not a good match for each other. Her explanation didn’t make sense no matter how she looked at it.
At this moment, as soon as the sky brightens, the sun illuminates the whole world.
As soon as the sun rises over the mountain and shines on people, it is scorching hot, and the mountain breeze is of no use.
But they left early and arrived at the county train station around nine o'clock.
Lu Dongping took the letter of introduction and went to buy a ticket.
The train was delayed for a full half hour.
There are not many people riding the train in this season. The green train is half empty, but the carriage with people is still crowded.
It was hotter inside the car than outside. As soon as I got in, I felt hot all over.
Wen Wan sat by the window, and Lu Dongping took the gift and placed it under his feet.
There was a shelf above his head, but he felt that the shelf was not safe because he had to be more careful when going out. If someone took a nap and something was taken away, he would never be able to get it back.
Wen Wan felt short of breath the moment she got in the car. Luckily, she had a palm-leaf fan in her pocket when she left. She fanned herself with it, and the wind was hot, mixed with the odor of sweat and feet. Lu Dongping put his things away and sat down next to her. He took the fan from her and said, "I'll fan you. You lie down for a while. Once the sun goes down and the heat subsides, the car should be less hot and you should feel better."
Wen Wan was a little carsick. She slept all the way to Xinxi. It was cold then and the carriage was full of a group of young people who had just graduated from school. They were all quite sophisticated and the food was not so mixed. But this time, she really felt carsick as soon as she got on the bus. She felt a little nauseous but couldn't vomit.
If she was feeling this bad, Lu Dongping and Xu Qingming wouldn't feel any better either. So after some thought, she decided not to lean over and leaned against the car window, closing her eyes.
The sound of the wheels rubbing against the track was like a lullaby. Even though there were a lot of voices around at the beginning, which were not emphasized at all, they were quickly dispersed by the sound of "what are you talking about" and turned into a series of rhythmic snoring.
After two or three hours of walking, they arrived at a small station. The train honked and slowly stopped. It was a small station, so not many people were rushing in. Lu Dongping leaned back, folding his arms, and opened his eyes. Someone sat down across from him, next to Xu Qingming.
He took a look and saw a couple with a child.
The man sat next to Xu Qingming, and the woman sat on the other side of the aisle with the child.
The man reached out and poked Xu Qingming: "Brother, can you please sit somewhere else? My wife is with the baby!"
Xu Qingming opened his eyes, his face full of impatience for having his sleep disturbed, and his tone was quite aggressive: "No!"
Lu Dongping glanced at him with a bit of surprise, then realized that his impatient attitude made it seem like he wasn't someone to be approached easily. The seemingly honest man beside him chuckled and didn't dare to speak again, which saved him a lot of trouble.
He looked at the relatively unobstructed aisle, reached out and knocked on the small table in the middle. Xu Qingming looked up and took the teacup: "I'll get some hot water and let it dry."
Xu Qingming nodded, then he stood up and went to the end of the carriage.
As soon as he got there, a woman holding a child came over and sat in his seat.
Xu Qingming said with a cold face: "Sister, please go back to your own seat, it's occupied."
The woman and the man seemed to be a couple. The man had just called Xu Qingming to change seats but Xu Qingming didn't respond. Now that Lu Dongping stood up, she took advantage of the opportunity.
The woman wasn't as honest as her man, so Xu Qingming's cold words and expression had no effect on her. "It's none of your business if someone else sits down there. It's not your seat."
Wen Wan rubbed her eyes and sat up, frowning at the woman: "What do you mean? Who are you? Why are you sitting in my lover's seat? Where is your seat? Hey, you didn't get in because you didn't have a seat, did you? Are you trying to evade the fare?" As she spoke, with an expression that said, "I guessed it right, so it happened," she raised her voice and shouted, "Hey, conductor, this way, this way——"
Before he could shout out, the couple stood up and ran away holding the child.
Wen Wan opened her mouth but couldn't say anything for a long time.
Xu Qingming raised his eyebrows and smiled: "Good job, little girl, you can even spot someone evading the ticket."
Wen Wan said: "Do you believe me when I say I'm talking nonsense?"
Xu Qingming nodded: "I believe it. You were so sleepy, so you're not just talking nonsense. Or are you really observant enough to see the details?"
Wen Wan rubbed her eyebrows with her hand, feeling listless and not having the energy to argue with him.
"Are you carsick?" Wen Wan leaned over and said, "A little bit. The smell in the car is too bad."
Xu Qingming said, "Looking at you like this, I really don't know how you managed to get to such a far place by yourself."
Wen Wan sighed, "Back then, I held my breath and was inspired by the heroic spirit of the educated youth traveling with me. I reached Lujiazui in one breath. Besides, it was winter, and our entire carriage was filled with educated youth. It was nothing like now!"
As he was speaking, Lu Dongping came over with two teacups, put the water on the small board in the middle, and asked Wen Wan, "There's a place over there, do you want to go to the bathroom?"
Wen Wan didn't feel anything at the moment, but it was really uncomfortable to sit there all the time, so she got up and went to the bathroom with him at the entrance.
Xu Qingming went to get dinner, which included both meat and vegetables. This was the only good thing about the train: the food was good and didn't require a ticket. As long as you were willing to spend the money, you could have a good meal. Unfortunately, Wen Wan was carsick and had no appetite. She ate only two bites before drifting off to sleep.
The train had to stop at every platform along the way. The train was not going fast and I don't know how many times it stopped in one night. What really got chaotic was the second night when it arrived at the provincial capital. It was a big station and the train stopped for quite a long time. Some people got off and some got on. There were a lot of people crowded outside and they all rushed onto the train.
The quiet carriage suddenly became chaotic. Some people followed the people who got on the train and sneaked in, stealing things and even people!
There was even a roar on the platform, but he still couldn't calm down.
It was Lu Dongping's first time riding a train and traveling far away. Although he had never been afraid of anything since he was a child, he was extremely nervous and tense.
Xu Qingming said, "This is a big station. The train will stop for at least fifteen to twenty minutes. Be careful, as it's the most chaotic right now. It will be better once the train leaves, but don't let your guard down. People who try to get on may not have time to get off and could be hiding inside the train without paying the fare."
As for the two of them, they only need to protect their property, but there is also Wen Wan, who is more important than any property.
As they were talking, a crowd of people squeezed towards them. There happened to be an empty seat next to Xu Qingming, and someone sat down immediately.
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