Chapter 25: Mediation

As the conflict between the two escalated, the surrounding educated youth quickly intervened, pulling the two apart.

“Everyone, calm down, calm down! It’s just a minor disagreement, no need to escalate it into such a big fuss!”

“Exactly, exactly! We’re all in the same carriage on the way to the countryside, it’s fate that we’re together. Let’s all be more tolerant and calm down.”

Wen Nuan shook off the hand gripping her arm, patted nonexistent wrinkles on her clothes, and said calmly:

“I’ve always been the type of person who doesn’t provoke others unless provoked. If someone deliberately starts trouble, I will never bow down to bullying!”

“Thank you all for your kindness, but the train is about to leave. Everyone should go back to their seats. As for some people, if they have any sense, they won’t keep pushing others around. I won’t resort to physical force unless I have to!”

Zhang Zhenzhen was furious, her lifeless eyes glaring at Wen Nuan as if she wanted to devour her whole.

Wen Nuan rolled her eyes, completely ignoring Zhang Zhenzhen. She knew the type—Zhang Zhenzhen was the kind of person who would get more riled up the more you engaged with her.

“Woo woo…”

As the train’s whistle blew, it began to slowly move forward. Seeing that the two women had no intention of continuing their quarrel, the rest of the group returned to their seats.

“Poor pauper! Will never be able to afford a decent meal in her life!”

Unable to get the seat she wanted, Zhang Zhenzhen angrily pulled two meat buns out of her bag and smugly began eating them.

Her childish behavior was almost unbearable to watch, but as the savory aroma of the buns spread, many people’s stomachs started growling in response.

The entire train car was filled with the sounds of people swallowing—some were eating steamed buns, some were eating savory pies, and others were having steamed buns as well. Of course, the majority of people were eating cornmeal buns or flatbreads.

Those with better conditions were still the minority; not every family could afford fine grain.

Wen Nuan touched her stomach, feeling a little empty. She then took out a lunchbox from her handbag.

The lunchbox was full of dumplings, still steaming, each one plump and inviting.

Zhang Zhenzhen had been keeping an eye on Wen Nuan’s actions. When she saw this, her face darkened. Why did that “poor pauper” get to eat dumplings while she was stuck with cold buns?

Wen Nuan paid no mind to Zhang Zhenzhen’s resentful and jealous expression. She didn’t even bat an eyelash. Taking a pair of chopsticks from her bag, she began eating.

Zhang Zhenzhen watched as Wen Nuan ate one dumpling after another, unable to suppress her envy. She swallowed, but the half-eaten bun in her hand suddenly felt unappetizing.

“Comrade Zhang, would you like a boiled egg?”

Zhu Jianjun, sitting next to Zhang Zhenzhen, had naturally noticed her longing gaze towards Wen Nuan’s lunchbox. He decided to speak up to ease her awkwardness.

“N-No, I’m fine! How do you know my last name is Zhang?”

Zhang Zhenzhen, distracted by Zhu Jianjun’s question, suddenly realized that she had been so focused on her seat change earlier that she hadn’t noticed how good-looking the man sitting next to her was.

“Earlier, when we were checking in, I happened to be behind you, so I overheard. Let me introduce myself. I’m Zhu Jianjun, a youth assigned to the Hongqi (Red Flag) Brigade in Zhaoxian County, Heilongjiang Province.”

“You’re going to the Hongqi Brigade too? What a coincidence! I am as well. Zhang Zhenzhen, please take care of me!”

“Let’s look out for each other. We’re both from the capital, after all. It’s nice to have a fellow countryman around!”

“Exactly, you’re right. Unlike some people, selfish and without any sense of cooperation, only thinking about themselves!”

After a few sentences, Zhang Zhenzhen couldn’t help but bring up Wen Nuan.

Wen Nuan placed the last dumpling in her mouth, packed up her lunchbox, and then shot a glare at Zhang Zhenzhen.

“Some people really have no shame. It would be so much better if you just quietly ate your own food. Why do you always have to seek attention?”

“Do you really think the whole world revolves around your parents, that everyone has to cater to you? You didn’t eat alone, yet I didn’t see you offering your meat buns to anyone else.”

“Everyone else is quietly eating their own food, but you’re the one causing a scene. Wanting what others have, and yet saying it like you have every right to do so… It’s really shameless!”

“You! You’re just a poor, petty person!”

“I’m sure you’re looking for trouble. You really think I won’t do anything? People with filthy mouths need a lesson. A few more beatings, and maybe you’ll learn how to behave!”

“You… you dare hit me? I haven’t done anything to you! Did I even say your name? I’ve seen people pick up money, but never someone picking up insults!”

“Heh, now you’re trying to argue your way out. Fine, you didn’t say my name, but don’t look at me and talk about it. Besides, I didn’t mention your name either! Why do you keep staring at me like a ghost? It’s so annoying, I didn’t realize even flies could get on a train and not be shooed away!”

Wen Nuan waved her hand in a motion as if shooing flies away, and Zhang Zhenzhen, thinking she was about to do something, instinctively stepped back.

By the time Zhang Zhenzhen realized what had happened, she felt incredibly embarrassed. After a brief moment, she awkwardly sat down again, though her eyes now held even more disdain for Wen Nuan.

Selfish people will never look at themselves for the cause of the problem; instead, they will always blame others.

When the argument between Zhang Zhenzhen and Wen Nuan started, Zhu Jianjun fell silent. After all, he was a man and didn’t want to get involved in a dispute between women.

Although he had a slightly deeper impression of Zhang Zhenzhen, the two had only just met.

Wen Nuan hadn’t expected the conflict between them to begin on the train this time. In her previous life, it had only started when they bumped into each other while getting off the train.

With so many people around, it was unclear who had pushed Wen Nuan, but she lost her balance and accidentally bumped into Zhang Zhenzhen.

Despite Wen Nuan’s repeated apologies, Zhang Zhenzhen refused to let it go and continued to insult her with harsh words.

When they both arrived at the youth brigade, Zhang Zhenzhen escalated her bullying and began tormenting Wen Nuan even more.

At that time, Wen Nuan was alone, with no money in her pockets, and very few belongings. She was small and thin, struggling to even get enough to eat. She didn’t dare to argue with Zhang Zhenzhen, so she silently endured the mistreatment.

Initially, it was just Zhang Zhenzhen bullying her, but later, in order to win Zhang Zhenzhen’s favor, Zhu Jianjun joined in and started to mock her as well.

Then, there was Li Manyu, a sycophant who, eager for the treats Zhang Zhenzhen had, became her ally and did everything to sabotage Wen Nuan.

However, the events from her past life would not happen again in this one. Wen Nuan would not allow anyone to bully her; otherwise, what would have been the point of living two lives?

On the old green train, there were two types of seating: one side had seats for four people, and the other side had seats for six. Wen Nuan sat next to a thin, dark-skinned female comrade, who hardly spoke during the journey.

Even though Wen Nuan was in a heated argument with Zhang Zhenzhen, the girl beside her would timidly glance at the two of them but never got involved.

When Wen Nuan saw her, it reminded her of herself in her past life, and she felt a pang of sympathy. Now that Zhang Zhenzhen had quieted down, Wen Nuan decided to strike up a conversation with the girl.

“Hello, I’m Wen Nuan. I’m a youth going to Heilongjiang. How about you? Are you also heading to Heilongjiang?”

The girl shook her head, appearing a bit uneasy and nervous. She murmured softly, “I’m going to Fengtian as a youth. My name is Li Yueyue. It’s nice to meet you.”

“I’m glad to meet you too. Fengtian is also quite nice, and it’s closer to the capital,” Wen Nuan replied with a smile.

“Yes, I didn’t expect to be assigned there either, but I’m kind of happy about it!” Li Yueyue said, her voice tinged with a hint of excitement.

The girl’s voice was soft and gentle, like a little rabbit. Since the train ride would be long, Wen Nuan was naturally happy to have someone to chat with and pass the time.

Before long, the two became quickly familiar with each other, from sitting side by side to linking arms.

Sometimes, friendships between girls form just this quickly!