Ding Lanyi, who had been munching on melon seeds, nearly choked. She gave Xiao Ye a puzzled glance before turning her gaze to Gu Xiaoxi, whose expression remained indifferent.

Gu Xiaoxi swept a cold look at Xiao Ye. “Why are you meddling in other people’s business? Isn’t it natural for a husband and wife to care for and look after each other? Even great leaders say that women hold up half the sky—since when is it a rule that only women should fetch meals? Your mindset is seriously outdated!”

Xiao Ye’s face suddenly flushed bright red, speechless.

Xiao Lin felt secondhand embarrassment for his sister—her targeting of Gu Xiaoxi was far too obvious!

Ding Lanyi coughed lightly, quickly changing the subject. “This train might not even move by the afternoon. Who knows when we’ll actually reach Qingbei City?”

“I hope they clear the tracks soon!” Gu Xiaoxi sighed, propping her chin on her hand.

Lu Jiansen still had a mission, and it was unclear whether this delay would affect him.

By noon, neither Lu Jiansen nor Old Qi had returned. The passengers in the carriage were growing restless.

Some even opened the windows and climbed out for fresh air.

Gu Xiaoxi nibbled on some food, her gaze longingly fixed outside.

She wanted to take a walk too!

But her petite frame made jumping out the window impossible, and the conductor wouldn’t open the doors.

Just as she was zoning out from boredom, a middle-aged man squatting under a tree smoking caught her attention.

The reason was simple—the cigarette pack in his hand looked unusually pristine, a brand-new “Peony” brand.

Then, she watched as the man tossed the empty pack aside and walked off.

This guy’s oddly fastidious—his cigarettes are gone, but the pack looks untouched.

Not long after, a young couple approached the same tree. After a brief exchange, the man crouched down as if blocking something while the woman swiftly picked up the discarded cigarette pack and slipped it into her sleeve.

Gu Xiaoxi, who had witnessed the entire scene: “…”

It’s just an empty pack—was that really necessary?

They acted like spies or something!

Wait… spies?

No way, right?

She blinked, amused by her own wild imagination.

Still, with nothing better to do, she cracked open the window and pretended to toss out a handful of melon seed shells, discreetly noting which carriage the pair returned to.

Xiao Ye scoffed at her actions. “So uncivilized. Couldn’t you throw trash in the bin instead of out the window?”

Ignoring her, Gu Xiaoxi watched as the couple climbed back into the neighboring sleeper carriage through a window before lying down on her own berth for a nap.

She even deliberately nudged Xiao Ye off her seat in the process.

Fuming but with no grounds to protest, Xiao Ye huffed and retreated to her upper bunk for an afternoon nap.

By three in the afternoon, Lu Jiansen and Old Qi finally returned.

Seeing the bored young girl chewing on dried sweet potato strips, Lu Jiansen instinctively softened his usual stern demeanor.

“Did you eat lunch?” His deep voice carried genuine concern.

Gu Xiaoxi nodded. “Yeah, what about you?”

As she spoke, she tugged at his damp clothes.

Before Lu Jiansen could answer, Old Qi chimed in. “This kid gave his meal to someone else. His clothes got dirty digging people out, and he didn’t want you seeing them like that, so he washed them and came back soaked.”

Gu Xiaoxi looked up at Lu Jiansen and poked his waist. “Go change, quick!”

Lu Jiansen’s stomach tensed slightly, and he nodded. “Right away.”

“Is your undershirt wet too?” She bent down to retrieve his bag from the bed.

“I’ll get it!” Lu Jiansen hurriedly grabbed his clothes himself.

In less than ten minutes, he returned, freshly changed.

Gu Xiaoxi handed him a cup of milk. “Go to the dining car and get some hot noodles. You’ll feel better.”

Lu Jiansen shook his head. “No need. There’s plenty of food left in the bundle your mom packed.”

“Then pick what you like.” Unsure of his preferences, Gu Xiaoxi passed him the food bundle.

Lu Jiansen pulled out two crispy lard cakes, eating them while sipping the milk she had prepared. Strangely, his heart settled into a rare calm, filled with an indescribable warmth.

Noticing the boiled eggs in the bundle were barely touched, Gu Xiaoxi peeled one for him.

Being fed like this, Lu Jiansen felt his heart melt entirely.

Their tender interaction made Xiao Ye glare in irritation.

Ding Lanyi, however, watched with a twinge of envy. Her sister had encouraged this trip to the military base not just for company but also in hopes of finding her a soldier to marry.

She used to think soldiers were all rough-around-the-edges types like her brother-in-law, but after seeing Lu Jiansen, she realized some could be gentle, attentive, and handsome.

Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to meet someone like that too—someone who truly cherishes me.

The thought sparked a flicker of hope in her chest.

Twenty minutes later, the long-stationary train finally lurched into motion, drawing cheers from the passengers.

Just then, the young couple from earlier passed through their carriage.

When Gu Xiaoxi casually caught sight of their faces, she froze.

Weren’t these the two who picked up the cigarette pack earlier?

Did they change clothes?

Before, they were dressed neatly—now they’re in patched-up old outfits?

What are they up to?

Lu Jiansen, ever observant, noticed her shift in expression. “What’s wrong?” he murmured.

After a brief hesitation, Gu Xiaoxi leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words.

His eyes darkened slightly, and he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “I’m going to the restroom.”

Gu Xiaoxi blinked. “Okay, go ahead.”

But Lu Jiansen didn’t return for over an hour.

Gu Xiaoxi’s heart inexplicably tensed up again.

Just as she considered searching for him, he reappeared—accompanied by a train security officer.

“Xiaoxi, we’re getting off at the next stop.”

She was puzzled. “Not Qingbei City?”

Lu Jiansen nodded. “Right. There’s an unexpected matter. We’ll leave a day later.”

Seeing the officer already gathering their luggage, Gu Xiaoxi didn’t press further.

Before leaving, she bid Old Qi farewell. “Grandpa Qi, we’re getting off here. Take care!”

The old man, sharp as ever, understood from the officer’s presence that something urgent had come up. He smiled warmly.

“Our paths will cross again if fate allows! Stay well, little one. Take good care of your health!”

Gu Xiaoxi grinned. “I will. You too!”

Then, she glanced at Ding Lanyi. “Goodbye, Sister Ding!”

Ding Lanyi waved cheerfully. “Goodbye!”

Xiao Ye, who’d been ignored, curled her lip. As if I wanted to say goodbye to her anyway!

With Lu Jiansen and the officer handling the luggage, Gu Xiaoxi followed behind them, unburdened.