Chapter 17

Chi Yiyi hadn’t expected that Chi Junshu’s money was actually stolen by his own seatmate, Chi Junjie. Turns out, the signs of Chi Junjie’s future delinquency were already evident when he was younger.

Chi Junshu, still clueless, turned seriously to Chi Junjie and said, “Exactly, little brother, I reminded you just now to check your money too.”

A bean-sized bead of sweat rolled down Chi Junjie’s forehead. He hadn’t expected the train police to be so sharp, walking over and directly asking him to show his money.

It caught him completely off guard. After stealing Chi Junshu’s money the night before, he had lumped all the cash together in one place.

Chi Junjie hesitated, reluctant to take the money out.

One of the officers said, “Alright, I’ll help you then.”

Chi Junjie instinctively tried to run, but the other officer held his wrist firmly in place.

“Ah!”
Chi Junjie let out a pained cry.

“What do you think you’re doing?” asked the officer.

Still playing dumb, Chi Junjie said, “My… my brother lost his money, so I was just about to take out mine and show it to him.”

Chi Junshu stood by, staring in disbelief as the officers pulled all the cash out of Chi Junjie’s pockets.

“Chi Junjie, did Mom secretly give you more money again behind Dad’s back?”

Chi Junjie hadn’t expected such a convenient explanation and quickly latched onto it. “Yes! She’s my real mom, of course she cares about me most.”

But when Chi Junshu saw the two 50-cent notes in the officer’s hand, he snapped.

“Chi Junjie, you thief! You’re a damn thief!”

Chi Junshu turned and started pummeling Chi Junjie, and it took two officers to pull them apart.

Soon, the passengers nearby started checking their own wallets and money.

Suddenly someone shouted, “Officer! I think my money’s been stolen too!”

Chi Yiyi turned her head at the sound.

Gu Xuan lifted his gaze and met hers.

Chi Yiyi froze — she was stunned. In both of her lifetimes, she had never seen such a breathtakingly handsome face.

Gu Xuan also paused, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Good deeds really do bring rewards, he thought.

He believed he had found the “little fairy” whose voice had entered his space.

Chi Yiyi was sure she was acting like a total fangirl. She had actually caught the gorgeous man smiling at her.

Panicking, she clutched her wildly beating heart and quickly turned away.

Chi Junjie cried out indignantly, “I didn’t do it!”

“Officer, I didn’t steal anything! Not my brother’s money, not anyone else’s. Maybe my brother accidentally put his money in my pocket last night. I swear, I’m not a thief!”

The police officer was exasperated. “Your brother’s money ended up in your pocket, and you still refuse to admit you’re a thief?”

Chi Junjie turned pleading eyes to Chi Junshu. “Big brother, we’re going to the countryside together. We’ll probably be assigned to the same place. We’ll need to look out for each other there! Besides, Mom wouldn’t just leave me alone — don’t you care about me at all?”

Chi Junshu knew he couldn’t count on their father, Chi Daqiang. Once in the countryside, he’d likely need his stepmother to send supplies, and with Chi Junjie around, he’d have a way to get some of those resources too.

Eventually, Chi Junshu agreed not to press charges.

“Sorry, officer. I think I might’ve accidentally put the money in my brother’s pocket last night. I don’t think he’s a thief.”

The officers were speechless.

Gu Xuan shook his head slightly and continued walking toward the carriage where Chi Yiyi was sitting.

Chi Yiyi hadn’t expected Gu Xuan to appear again in their carriage. To her, someone like Gu Xuan — handsome and clearly wealthy — didn’t seem like the type to belong in a crowded hard-seat car.

The female educated youths (zhiqing) in the car were visibly stirred.

But Gu Xuan’s gaze kept flicking toward Chi Yiyi.

Bai Jiaojiao, who sat right beside Chi Yiyi, was foolish and narcissistic. She stood up excitedly and asked boldly, “Comrade, are you looking for me?”

The other female zhiqing immediately looked at Bai Jiaojiao with hostility.

They were already jealous of her — delicate, pampered-looking, obviously from a wealthy family. Most of them figured she was just going to the countryside for show and would be back in the city soon. Now that such a handsome man appeared, if he turned out to be hers too, it would be too much to bear.

But Gu Xuan responded directly, “Sorry, comrade, I think you misunderstood. I’m just passing by.”

“Oh… I see.”

Bai Jiaojiao’s face burned with embarrassment.

Soft laughter spread among the other girls.

Chi Yiyi glanced again at the handsome man. Not only was he good-looking and well-off, but he also knew how to draw clear boundaries.

Bai Jiaojiao wasn’t bad-looking either. Clearly innocent, a spoiled rich girl — the type most men would fall head over heels for.

Gu Xuan felt his heart racing when he caught Chi Yiyi looking at him with admiration. His face nearly flushed red.

He held his breath and walked past slowly. At twenty-eight, this was the first time he’d felt this kind of fluttering excitement and nervousness from deep within.

Gu Xuan was now certain: he didn’t want to stay single for the rest of his life.

After he moved on to the next carriage, the female zhiqing finally started mocking Bai Jiaojiao.

“Wow, Bai Jiaojiao zhiqing, you know that comrade?”

“No, I don’t,” she said awkwardly.

“Then why’d you go up to him and say hello like that?”

“I guess I’m shameless. I have no shame.”

Laughter erupted again.

Bai Jiaojiao was furious, her face alternating between red and pale. She snapped, “You’re all bullies! You’re being way too much. I—I’ll report you!”

Cheng Yuan, who had stood all night in the aisle, was completely disillusioned with Bai Jiaojiao. He finally mustered the courage to say, “Comrade Bai Jiaojiao, I think it’s time you gave me back my seat. Thank you.”

Bai Jiaojiao had lost all face and didn’t dare argue with Cheng Yuan. But after standing for less than half an hour, she was already tired.

She turned and said, “Comrade Li Yumei, shouldn’t your body be rested by now? Can I have my seat back?”

Chi Yiyi saw Li Yumei clench her fists, her eyes flashing with resentment. She remained silent — clearly unwilling to give up the seat.

Cheng Yuan, having stood all night himself, finally spoke up, “Comrade Li Yumei, right now you’re occupying Bai Jiaojiao’s seat.”

Li Yumei couldn’t keep pretending. She stood up and said sweetly to Bai Jiaojiao, “Thank you, Comrade Bai Jiaojiao. I really was feeling better. You’re so kind. I won’t forget this.”