Chapter 19

Chi Yiyi could tell that Chi Junshu had deliberately come to stir up trouble.

Gu Xuan could hear it too.

When Chi Junshu realized that neither Chi Yiyi nor the man were upset, he grew even angrier.

“Sis, how can you be like this? Have you forgotten your childhood sweetheart Zhou Zixiao and the more than ten years of feelings between you? What man out there could compare to him?”

Gu Xuan knew he was being misunderstood, but he had no intention of explaining.

Chi Yiyi suddenly slapped Chi Junshu across the face.

“Chi Junshu, will you ever stop? I broke up with Zhou Zixiao and you’re more anxious than me—what’s your real intention?”

“I’m warning you, even if you’re my brother, even if it’s Chi Daqiang, you father and son no longer have the right to suck my blood and leech off me anymore!”

Chi Junshu knew Chi Yiyi still hadn’t let go of her anger and left awkwardly.

Gu Xuan hadn’t expected her family would treat her like a bargaining chip to trade for benefits from another man. He felt deeply for her.

At that moment, the attendant brought the food they had ordered.

But Chi Yiyi had lost her appetite. She took a deep breath and said to Gu Xuan, “Sorry, I’ve always felt my family was too much. I don’t think I’m in the mood to eat now.”

As she spoke, she placed some money and ration tickets on the table. “We said we’d eat together. This is my share.”

“Wait a minute,” Gu Xuan said as he packed one of the lunchboxes full of meat and vegetables, closed it, and handed it to her.

“How can you skip meals? Once your anger passes, you’ll get hungry.”

“And let’s say this meal is on me. Since you’re going to the countryside too, we might meet again. Then you can treat me next time.”

Chi Yiyi suddenly felt this handsome and considerate man was quite dangerous to her heart. A strange flustered feeling came over her. She took the lunchbox and fled.

Gu Xuan couldn’t help but grin foolishly as he watched her retreating figure.

At that moment, Li Yumei appeared, helping Bai Jiaojiao into the dining car.

When Bai Jiaojiao saw Gu Xuan, her previously dull eyes instantly lit up, and she seemed energized. She shook off Li Yumei and walked toward Gu Xuan.

“Comrade, thank you for saving me. I truly want to express my gratitude. Can we have a meal together?”

Li Yumei’s gaze was also fixed on the man—he was indeed very attractive, not to mention capable.

“There’s no need to be overly polite,” Gu Xuan said coldly. “I helped you out of duty. We’re strangers, and you don’t need to feel indebted.”

Honestly, if it hadn’t been for Chi Yiyi, he wouldn’t have bothered to step in.

Since he planned to continue chasing after Chi Yiyi in the future, and knowing Bai Jiaojiao might end up in the same village, he didn’t want her to become an obstacle.

Gu Xuan’s tone was distant and indifferent. As he spoke, he packed up his own lunchbox, picked it up, and left.

Seeing Bai Jiaojiao shut down like that, Li Yumei felt a secret sense of satisfaction.

Thinking of her friction with Chi Yiyi, Li Yumei wondered if the few of them might end up assigned to the same production team.

She decided to stir the pot a little. “Jiaojiao, don’t get discouraged. I noticed that Comrade seemed very warm toward Chi Yiyi, so you might still have a chance.”

Bai Jiaojiao said through gritted teeth, “That Chi Yiyi really dares try to steal my man?”

Li Yumei replied, “Looks like it.”

Bai Jiaojiao sighed, “Forget it, let’s eat first. Yumei, thank you for comforting me earlier. No matter what, I want to treat you to this meal.”

“Alright then, thank you, Jiaojiao.”

Li Yumei was now somewhat relieved that her plan to sell Bai Jiaojiao didn’t succeed. This girl seemed to have some background and was easy to manipulate. Keeping her around in the countryside might mean more benefits in the future.

—

After another day and night, the train finally arrived at its destination early in the morning.

Before getting off the train, Chi Yiyi dragged her duffel bag to the restroom, where she pulled out some daily necessities from her hidden space and packed them into her bag.

When she returned, the train had already pulled into the station. Passengers stood up and prepared to disembark, creating a chaotic and crowded scene in the carriage.

Just then, Gu Xuan appeared next to her, now dressed in a military uniform.

“I’ll carry your luggage,” he said.

Chi Yiyi looked up and was once again stunned by how handsome and tall he looked in uniform.

“You…”

“The train is crowded. Just follow me,” he said.

Before she could object, the duffel bag was already in his hands. With his height and long arms, he created a small safe space around her.

Bai Jiaojiao and Li Yumei were squeezed into a corner and happened to witness this. Only now did they realize Gu Xuan was a soldier.

Bai Jiaojiao was seething with jealousy and wanted to squeeze over and talk to him, but the crush of the crowd made it impossible.

Finally, they disembarked.

Gu Xuan escorted Chi Yiyi to a relatively open area before putting her bag down. “You’ll wait here for the bus that’s picking up the sent-down youths. My ride is outside—I have to go. We’ll meet again.”

“Okay, thank you,” Chi Yiyi replied.

She wasn’t foolish—she could tell this man liked her.

But whether something would come of it… that was still uncertain.

Chi Junjie was the first to spot Chi Yiyi with Gu Xuan and quickly alerted Chi Junshu. “Bro, look! Big Sis seems to have found a new man already.”

Chi Junshu hadn’t expected his brother to notice so quickly. He quickly tried to cover it up. “What nonsense are you spouting? Can’t you see that’s a soldier? Soldiers often help the people—don’t you know that?”

Chi Junjie smirked. “No need to be so nervous. She’s your sister too. If she ends up with Brother Zixiao, won’t that benefit you too?”

Chi Junshu thought about it and realized it made sense—until he remembered they didn’t share the same mother. Lin Ru was stingy, and if Zhou Zixiao’s woman ended up being Chi Bilian instead of Chi Yiyi, he wouldn’t benefit at all.

But Chi Junshu also realized he could manipulate the Chi Junjie siblings, so he kept his discontent to himself.

Chi Junshu said, “I’m going to make a call home to report our safe arrival.”

Chi Junjie chimed in, “I’ll go too.”

The two brothers, each with their own schemes, said nothing more—but both understood exactly what the other was thinking.