Therefore, Sheng Zexi did his best to make Gu Jianing as comfortable as possible.

Zhou Yu helped them settle their belongings and then it was time for him to leave.

Before leaving, Zhou Yu handed them several cans of food, insisting despite Sheng Zexi’s refusal.

“Once you leave, we don’t know when we’ll meet again,” Zhou Yu said.

“There will always be opportunities. Besides, my wife is from here, so we’ll definitely come back. We’ll have chances to meet again,” Sheng Zexi replied.

“You’re right. Take care.”

“Take care.”

After Zhou Yu left, Sheng Zexi handed the cans to Gu Jianing.

Gu Jianing took them and saw that there were fruit cans, beef cans, and luncheon meat cans.

“Do you want to eat? Should we open one?” Sheng Zexi asked.

Gu Jianing shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”

She had eaten a lot for breakfast and wasn’t hungry. Moreover, the air inside the train wasn’t great, and the mixed smells made her lose her appetite.

“Are you feeling unwell? It must be hard for you. Lean back and rest for a while,” Sheng Zexi said, gently touching her head. He felt a pang of heartache seeing his little wife so listless.

“Okay,” Gu Jianing replied without any pretense, leaning back to rest.

Across from them were another set of upper and lower berths, which were also occupied.

When Gu Jianing sat down and glanced over, the people across also looked her way.

It was a middle-aged couple, clearly city dwellers from their attire. The man wore a Zhongshan suit with a pen clipped to his collar. Though their looks weren’t striking, they had a refined air about them, clearly well-mannered.

Gu Jianing breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried about encountering unpleasant people.

“Ningning, have some hot water to warm up.”

“Okay.”

As Gu Jianing drank the hot water and lowered her scarf, the couple across caught a glimpse of her face, and their eyes lit up with admiration.

“The young lady is so beautiful,” the middle-aged woman, who seemed straightforward, complimented directly.

Gu Jianing was momentarily stunned, then smiled. “Thank you.”

Who wouldn’t be happy to be praised for their looks?

This seemed to open the door for conversation.

Soon, Gu Jianing learned that the couple was indeed married. The man was named Shen Huaiyuan, and his wife was Bai Juan. Both worked at the Chaoyang Steel Factory and were on a business trip to Linzi City.

Linzi City was also in the northwest, neighboring Yuanshan City, where the Northwestern Military Region Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing were heading to was located.

After chatting, Shen Huaiyuan and Bai Juan also learned that Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi were newlyweds, and Gu Jianing was following her husband to the military base.

As they talked, the train’s broadcast sounded.

It reminded those who hadn’t boarded to hurry, as the train was about to depart.

The train became restless, with people coming and going, until the train let out a loud whistle and slowly started moving. Only then did everyone settle down.

Gu Jianing couldn’t help but feel grateful that she didn’t get motion sickness. Otherwise, sitting on this green train for three days and two nights would have taken half her life.

By noon, after consulting Gu Jianing, Sheng Zexi bought two meals.

One was shredded pork with green peppers, and the other was braised pork over rice, which came with some side dishes and half a marinated egg.

Some people around them couldn’t help but show envy when they saw that both Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing had meat dishes.

Food on the train wasn’t cheap, especially meat dishes, so most families brought their own food to save money.

At mealtime, many people took out steamed buns, flatbreads, or pancakes to eat. Some even had stuffed buns.

Even those who were relatively well-off would at most buy a vegetarian meal.

Before coming, Gu Jianing’s mother had offered to prepare some food for them to bring along, but Gu Jianing had refused.

First, she didn’t want her mother to go through the trouble early in the morning. Second, buying meals directly on the train was more convenient. As for the cost, Gu Jianing didn’t mind spending money and wouldn’t skimp on herself or her husband.

Gu Jianing wasn’t picky about food, but she did enjoy meat and could handle spicy dishes. Moreover, she was one of those people who could eat a lot without gaining weight.

As Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi ate their meals, Sheng Zexi picked out the pieces Gu Jianing liked and gave them to her.

Gu Jianing thought the food on the train was quite good.

The braised pork was especially fragrant.

“Waaah, Mom, I want braised pork! I don’t want to eat steamed buns!” While eating, Gu Jianing heard a five- or six-year-old boy crying and demanding braised pork, even hitting his mother.

The boy’s mother occasionally glanced in Gu Jianing’s direction.

Did Gu Jianing notice the situation?

Of course, she did.

But she ignored it, pretending not to see.

She didn’t have the spirit of self-sacrifice or helping others at her own expense.

Unexpectedly, even though she didn’t respond, the boy’s mother had the audacity to approach.

After the boy continued to cry and fuss, the mother came over to Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi and said to Gu Jianing, who was eating braised pork, “Comrade, my child really wants some braised pork. I see you have a lot there. Could you give him a few pieces?”

Sheng Zexi frowned, about to speak.

But his little wife looked up, her charming face blinking innocently, and said, “If your child wants to eat it, go buy some.”

“I… I can’t afford it.”

Gu Jianing smirked and smiled. Though she didn’t respond directly, her meaning was clear: if you can’t afford it, then don’t eat it.

The fact that I have a lot of braised pork is my business. What’s our relationship? Why should I give it to you?

Given that the boy dared to hit his mother when throwing a tantrum, and the woman didn’t discipline him but instead shamelessly came to ask for food, Gu Jianing disliked this mother and son.

Gu Jianing wasn’t particularly attached to the braised pork, but if it was hers, she would give it away willingly if she wanted to. But if she didn’t want to, even if someone tried to take it, she would fight to keep it.

“I just thought you have a lot of meat here. Your husband is a soldier, and you’re a military wife. Aren’t soldiers supposed to serve the people? Don’t you have any sense of helping others?”

Hearing this, Gu Jianing was furious.

She could tolerate criticism directed at herself, but not at her husband.

Gu Jianing shared the Gu family’s protective nature.

However, this time she didn’t confront the woman directly. Instead, she pouted, her eyes reddening, her voice trembling as if she were a bullied little wife. “So, you’re saying that soldiers should selflessly give up everything? That my husband, who fights on the front lines to protect our country, shouldn’t even let his wife have a piece of braised pork?”

“Fine, I understand. Here, take both of our meals. And if there’s anything else in our luggage you want, take that too.”

Gu Jianing acted as if she were resigned to being bullied, playing the role of a submissive victim.