Chapter 19 – Fighting with the Absolute Worst on the Train, Simply Unbelievable!

On the two rows of six seats, two people were missing, so the four of them had a little more space to spread out.

“Little sister, don’t mind what some people say. Just treat it as nonsense!”

“Brother Li, that’s right. Have an apple to soothe your throat!”

Xia Wanwan happily passed an apple from her pocket. This towering man had seemed like a simpleton at first, but he wasn’t—he was clearly someone who minded the little things.

Still, this big brother spoke honestly. Offering him an apple to soothe his throat might easily lead to a full-blown argument later!

Sure enough, the next second, voices came from the seat behind them:
“Comrade Wang, don’t be angry. I trust you. They’re just picking on you because they can’t stand you.”

Xia Wanwan and the others widened their eyes, silently listening. The train was boring anyway, so they might as well enjoy the show.

“Comrade Dang, it’s all my fault that they forced you out like this.”

Wang Dongmei’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. Her words said one thing, but inside, she was smug. Those two might look good, but in charm? She was clearly superior!

“I volunteered. One should take extra care of female comrades!”

“….” Xia Wanwan was listening with growing nausea. Swallowing the last bite of her apple, she unleashed a thunderous shout.

“Oh my, what’s that smell? Who farted? So rude!”

“Don’t you realize there are so many people on this train? Geez, it’s really stinky here! Comrade Wang, did you eat garlic and fart?”

Everyone in the carriage craned their necks, curious who was so ill-mannered. Wang Dongmei nearly cried, covering her face in shame and fury.

Xia Yuwei helplessly tugged Xia Wanwan back to her seat. This girl was always capable of creating trouble unexpectedly.

Huo Banyan also hadn’t expected this girl to retaliate so quickly. Clearly, she wasn’t someone to be easily taken advantage of.

A girl this sharp-tongued usually had family backing. Clearly, her confidence came from somewhere, though she herself… wasn’t to be trifled with.

Having a stepmother meant having a stepfather, and her father obeyed the stepmother’s wishes—hoping to marry her off to an older man for status and connections, then get promoted.

But the old man was nearly her father’s age, so she simply avoided the marriage and fled to the countryside.

If she never returned to the city, their schemes would vanish entirely.

Her family’s unhappiness had shaped her cold temperament over the years. But traveling with such entertaining companions made the journey a bit more interesting.

Xia Wanwan couldn’t tolerate being spoken about badly in front of her face. That was simply unacceptable.

The journey remained relatively peaceful. They would spend a day and a half on the train, meaning they had to spend the night onboard.

At night, Xia Wanwan and Xia Yuwei ate instant noodles with eggs and braised meat. The smell was so tempting it nearly brought the children in the carriage to tears.

Wang Dongmei, sitting next to them, asked about the food. She wasn’t lying about being tempted, but she had only brought some sponge cakes and peach crisps. She sipped tea and nibbled quietly, though her sharp tongue remained unchanged.

She immediately said to Dang Guoan, “Comrade Dang, thank you for looking out for me on this trip. I brought plenty of money. Once we arrive, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

“Oh, thank you, Comrade Wang!”

Unbeknownst to her, she spoke with casual words but attentive ears were everywhere. Trains carried all sorts of people, and she had immediately drawn attention.

Xia Wanwan was more generous, offering eggs to Huo Banyan and Li Dachui, but both refused, saying they had brought enough food themselves.

However, Xia Wanwan noticed that Huo Banyan had brought very little. Normally, this meant either she had money in her pocket or her family was poor.

But her clothing and appearance didn’t suggest a family struggling to make ends meet.

Perhaps her secret would only reveal itself later. Since boarding, Xia Wanwan had been snacking continuously, while Huo Banyan hadn’t touched anything.

Her small pouch didn’t seem to contain food either. But since she wasn’t eating, Xia Wanwan didn’t push it.

As darkness fell inside the train, everyone began to sleep.

At that moment, Li Dachui whispered, “Ladies, watch your purses tonight. I hear there are many thieves on this train.”

“Understood!”

Xia Wanwan didn’t worry. Her money was all in her spatial pocket. Only her sister’s money was a bit exposed… but she couldn’t just take it.

Xia Yuwei had already sewn her money into her inner pocket. On a crowded train, one had to be careful.

A little money now could mean a family’s monthly expenses. Everyone valued it more than life itself, making it hard for a thief to succeed.

The sisters exchanged a glance. Xia Wanwan saw reassurance in her sister’s eyes. Satisfied, she used her coat to cover her sister, and they began to doze.

As night fell, Huo Banyan quietly moved her money, hiding it inside her cloth shoes.

This way, any disturbance would immediately wake her. One must be cautious. This money was her lifeline; losing it would be disastrous.

The others had prepared, but the two fools nearby slept carelessly, thinking of nothing.

Time passed. Xia Wanwan gradually closed her eyes, only to hear faint footsteps. She discreetly opened one eye.

A few figures, seemingly carrying something, hurried past. Could they be thieves?

Without a second thought, she quietly followed them…

Meanwhile, in the same train’s sleeper car, a large and small pair stared at each other. Qingzhu was too scared to sleep and wanted him to stay with her. Lu Tingxiao sat nearby, keeping watch.

“Brother, when will I see my sister again?”

“You’ll see her once we arrive.” Lu Tingxiao rubbed his forehead. Why did everyone keep asking him? How could he know where they would be assigned?

The family patriarch urged him to take care of her, but why should he?

“I really like… sister… sister~”

Qingzhu murmured contentedly and fell asleep. Lu Tingxiao groaned. If she liked him, she should invite someone for a meal. Now he had to go find someone because she liked him?

Had he committed some unforgivable sin for heaven to send him this little troublemaker?

Every encounter embarrassed him to death. What sin had he committed?

In the darkness, he sighed silently. But when he turned his head, he noticed something unusual outside.

Immediately, he stood and quietly closed the sleeper door…