It was dinner time, and the conductor, pushing the dining car, began to call out, "Dear passengers, this train has prepared aluminum boxed lunches for everyone. Passengers who need them, please raise your hands to buy them. After you finish your meal, please place the box on the table and wait for the conductor to collect it, or you can go to car 9 to eat on your own..."
Fan Hua woke up to a burst of shouting...
She rubbed her eyes and looked out the window. It was already dark and she didn't know where she was.
Fan Hua didn't notice the man beside her who had turned his back to her. She asked Geng Ailing, who was still knitting slippers, in a hoarse and lazy voice, "Sister Geng, where are you?"
"We just passed Qiu County, and the conductor said we'll be leaving soon."
Fan Hua nodded after hearing this, then took out two dry biscuits from her bag and gave one to Geng Ailing. "Sister Geng, here, I brought these with me when I escaped from home. I'm really broke now and can't afford to treat you to a good meal. We'll make do with this tonight and buy lunch boxes tomorrow."
Originally, Fan Hua planned to ask Geng Ailing for free meals along the way, but after learning that Geng Ailing was also cheated, she felt embarrassed to cheat her again. After all, they didn't know what the situation was like in the south, so it was better for the two of them to save their money for the time being.
Geng Ailing didn't bother to be polite with her and took one and started eating.
While eating, he asked, "Lihua'er, you just said you ran away from home. What's your reply?"
"Hey, it's nothing. My family wanted to force me to marry a forty-year-old man in the county town for a 500-yuan betrothal gift. I ran away because I didn't want to get married. I planned to earn some money and then go back after this storm has passed." Fan Hua replied calmly.
The man next to her, who hadn't noticed at all, straightened up instantly at her words, even clenching his fists unconsciously.
"What? What do your family think? You are so young and beautiful. You are over 40 years old and old enough to be your father! How could they let you marry such a man!" Geng Ailing felt very sorry for Fan Huaming.
"What else could I think? It's just 500 yuan for the betrothal gift. If I marry you off, you'll have money to help my older brother and younger brother get married."
Fan Hua said casually, as if this matter had nothing to do with her.
"This is like selling your daughter! Your parents are going too far!"
"Okay, Sister Geng, let's not talk about them anymore. It's affecting my mood. Do you have a cup? I want to get some water. I'm a little thirsty."
"Yes, yes, yes. I brought it with me before I went out." Then he took out a white enamel pot.
Fan Hua took it and planned to rinse it with hot water first. There was no other way. The original owner didn't bring anything with her when she escaped, and she forgot to buy anything before getting on the train. She could only use someone else's. Fortunately, Geng Ailing didn't mind lending it to her. In the face of strong physical needs, psychological cleanliness is nothing.
There were no water dispensers on trains in the 1970s. There was just a loving kettle at the train connection. Sometimes the conductor would carry the kettle around the carriages to help pour water. When there was no conductor serving, you could pour water yourself.
Fan Hua took the enamel pot and walked towards the love kettle.
As soon as she left, the man standing with his back to them immediately picked up his cup and followed her.
The conversation between the two people just now had already fallen clearly into his ears.
Zhao Yilu looked at the slender figure rinsing the cups, thinking about what Fan Hua had just said. He couldn't tell whether he was more angry at Fan's family or guilty towards Fan Hua.
She must have felt very helpless at the time, which is why she wanted to leave her hometown alone. Fortunately, they met on the train, otherwise he would not know where to find her after he was discharged from the army in his twenties.
Zhao strode forward, walked behind Fan Hua and pretended to wait in line for water, then secretly stuffed a handful of big unity in his hand into Fan Hua's pocket.
Fan Hua, who was concentrating on rinsing the pot, felt something strange and immediately became alert. Thinking she had encountered a thief, she subconsciously covered her pockets and stomped heavily on the person behind her...
Zhao Yilu, whose foot was stepped on, frowned for a moment in pain. He never expected that this little girl would step on him directly.
Fan Hua grabbed Zhao Yilu's hand that was stuffing money into his pocket and turned around. She wanted to see what this thief looked like!
"It's you?" Fan Hua was surprised to see that it was the handsome recruit with the straightforward and passionate eyes.
"Yes, it's me." Zhao Yilu realized that he was caught and replied quietly.
"Why are you touching my pocket?" Fan Hua's tone was sharp.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
