Chapter 40: I Must Take Care of My Wife

In both her past and present lives combined, Su Ruanruan was sitting on a green-skin train for the first time.

During this time, management was not as strict. Whether or not someone was actually taking the train, they could still come onto the platform. It was common to see people sending passengers all the way to the train itself.

Fu Wenjing originally wanted to buy two soft sleeper tickets, but they were in extremely high demand. Even he was unable to get them and could only manage to secure two hard sleeper tickets.

Although the price was a bit steep, at least they could lie down.

Otherwise, sitting for a journey of ten to twenty hours would have been pure torture.

The two hard sleeper bunks were opposite each other on the lower level, making it convenient for them to store their luggage.

The less valuable belongings were placed under the bed, while the more important ones were stored at the foot of the bed.

Eldest Son Fu and Second Son Fu helped arrange all the luggage. By the time they finished, there were only about ten minutes left before the train departed.

“Big Brother, Second Brother, thank you for your hard work today.” Fu Wenjing said to them in gratitude.

Eldest Son Fu waved his hand repeatedly. “What’s so hard about this? It was just a small effort. Seventh, you two be careful on the road. I heard that trains aren’t always safe—things get stolen all the time. You’ve brought so many things, don’t let anyone target you.”

Before Fu Wenjing could reply, Second Son Fu had already laughed. “Big Brother, you don’t need to worry about Seventh. He’s a soldier! Even if a thief wanted to steal from him, they wouldn’t be able to. That would be asking for trouble!”

Eldest Son Fu gave him a disapproving look. “Being careful never hurts. No matter when, it’s always better to stay alert.”

Fu Wenjing listened to their conversation and simply nodded with a smile. “Big Brother, Second Brother, don’t worry. I will be careful. Once I leave, I don’t know when I’ll be able to return. The family will have to rely on you two and our other brothers to take care of things.”

“What are you saying? Father and Mother are your parents, but they are also ours. How could we not take care of them?” Second Son Fu said.

Eldest Son Fu spoke more thoughtfully than Second Son Fu. “With the few of us at home, you can rest assured. As long as you and your wife are doing well in the Military Unit and not making Father and Mother worry, that will be enough.”

As the three brothers talked, time passed quickly. The train began to whistle, and the conductor stood below with a loudspeaker, calling for non-passengers to exit immediately to avoid delaying the departure.

Eldest Son Fu and Second Son Fu were already in their thirties or forties. They weren’t overly sentimental. Upon hearing the announcement, they simply reminded Fu Wenjing and Su Ruanruan a few more times before decisively turning and getting off the train.

The train whistled a few more times before slowly starting to move.

The wheels rumbled forward, and the figures of Eldest Son Fu and Second Son Fu on the platform grew smaller and smaller until they disappeared completely.

Su Ruanruan withdrew her gaze and looked toward Fu Wenjing, just in time to meet his eyes.  

Before she could say anything, Fu Wenjing asked first: “Are you afraid?”  

Hearing this question, Su Ruanruan was momentarily stunned.  

Afraid?  

She wasn’t afraid at all!  

Before traveling through time, Su Ruanruan had often gone on long trips alone.  

Not to mention, she had crossed through time and space to get here—surely, that was the longest journey anyone could take.  

Su Ruanruan smiled and shook her head. “With you here, I’m not afraid.”  

Not only was she unafraid, but she was also looking forward to it.  

In the Hongqi Production Brigade, too many people had known the Original Owner. This made Su Ruanruan feel restricted in everything she did, constantly worried that she might reveal something unusual and arouse suspicion.  

But once she followed Fu Wenjing to the Military Unit, she wouldn’t have to worry about that anymore.  

Over there, no one knew the Original Owner. Even Fu Wenjing had no idea what the Original Owner had been like before.  

The Original Owner had never spoken to Fu Wenjing; the one communicating with him had always been Su Ruanruan. She had no need to hide anything from him.  

So now, as Su Ruanruan spoke, she was entirely sincere, her happiness coming straight from the heart.  

Seeing this, Fu Wenjing smiled as well, his voice gentle. “That’s right. With me here, you have nothing to fear.”  

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Their compartment had a total of six bunks.  

Besides the two lower bunks they occupied, the other four were empty.  

With no one else around, Su Ruanruan and Fu Wenjing could talk freely without concern.  

Both of them had rested well the night before. Although they had woken up early, they didn’t feel sleepy. Sitting across from each other at the small table, they watched the scenery outside the window together.

Anyone who had ridden a green-skin train before knew that it wasn’t fast—especially in the 1970s, when the speed was even slower.  

When they opened the window, the breeze flowed in, making the small compartment feel cooler and less stuffy.  

It hadn’t been long since the summer harvest, and looking out across the fields, all they could see was a vast expanse of dark soil.

Rows of lush green trees, blue skies, and white clouds stretched endlessly. The vast black soil of the fields, interspersed with occasional ponds, created a natural landscape painting that one could never tire of admiring.  

During this era, pollution was rare, and the air was incredibly fresh.  

Su Ruanruan leaned on the table, resting her chin in her hands. The breeze tousled her hair as she breathed in the crisp air, feeling utterly at peace.  

However, this tranquility did not last long.  

After the train stopped at the next station, four new passengers entered their compartment.  

The newcomers were young men and women, the oldest appearing to be in their 30s or early 40s, while the youngest looked to be in their early 20s.  

The four clearly knew each other and had come together.  

As soon as they entered, the youngest woman spoke up. “The middle and upper bunks are so high… I’m afraid of heights. What should I do?”  

Even as she said this, her gaze was already fixed on Su Ruanruan.  

Su Ruanruan acted as though she hadn’t heard, completely ignoring her words.  

The woman bit her lip, she was unwilling to give up. “Comrade, I’m a bit afraid of heights. Could you switch bunks with me? I’m right above you.”  

Since the woman had addressed her directly, Su Ruanruan could no longer remain silent.  She flashed a bright smile before responding in a warm yet firm tone: “No, I’m afraid of heights too.”  

Disappointment flashed across the woman’s face. She turned toward Fu Wenjing next. “Comrade, could you switch bunks with me?”  

Fu Wenjing’s smile had long disappeared. His expression was cold as he responded without hesitation: “No. I need to take care of my wife.”  

“Your wife? You—”  

The woman’s gaze shifted between Su Ruanruan and Fu Wenjing, scrutinizing them. “You two are a couple?”  

Su Ruanruan nodded and asked in return: “Yes, we’re married. Is there a problem?”  

“N-No problem.”  

Just then, the young man beside the woman spoke up. “I’ll switch with you. I’ll take the upper bunk, and you can have the middle one.”  

“No need. I can manage.” the woman refused outright. Without another word, she took off her shoes and climbed up to the upper bunk with swift and agile movements.  

Once she lay down, there wasn’t the slightest trace of fear on her face.