Chapter 5: Unexpected Shock on the Train

The train station was crowded, people carrying numerous bags.

After checking their tickets, Wang Jianjun carried his luggage, watching to make sure his sister kept up.

The air smelled of machine oil and kerosene.

After navigating the crowded platform and entering the carriage, they finally found seats. Wang Jianjun immediately had Wang Shuning sit down.

Song Guiying had wanted to buy a sleeper ticket for Wang Shuning—a two-day, two-night journey was exhausting—but Wang Shuning’s circumstances didn’t allow for a sleeper, only a hard seat.

“Little sister, remember, always keep your luggage with you. If your seatmates seem trustworthy, greet them beforehand; it’ll be more convenient,” Wang Jianjun repeatedly instructed, fearing he’d miss something.

Wang Shuning nodded. “Big Brother, I understand.”

The train was almost full, about to depart.

Wang Jianjun quickly went down, stood by the window, waved to Wang Shuning, and then left.

The weather was still warm, and the carriage smelled strongly.

Beijing wasn’t the starting station; many people had already boarded, and the air was filled with a mix of smells.

Wang Shuning’s seat was by the window. Trains of this era had openable windows, though small.

She reached for the handle and pushed upwards. The window was stiff. She gripped it firmly and pushed, managing to open a small crack.

Just as she was about to stand, “Wang Shuning, let me help you.”

Wang Shuning turned to the source of the voice and froze.

The face was too familiar—her classmate, her crush, the male lead of the book, Lü Beichu.

Why was he here?

This train didn’t seem to go to City B.

Lü Beichu pushed the window open halfway, letting in a warm breeze. Wang Shuning sat, staring at the small table in front of her. She was certain this train didn’t go to City B.

Worse, Lü Beichu’s seat was diagonally opposite hers.

“Lü Beichu, where are you going?” Wang Shuning asked softly, her voice slightly trembling.

Lü Beichu placed his luggage before answering. “To City D for the countryside assignment.”

A hammer struck Wang Shuning’s heart. “What a coincidence! I’m going to City D too. I wonder where you’re assigned, Lü Beichu?”

Lü Beichu looked at her, puzzled. He sensed a distance between them.

They were classmates, not close but not strangers. The formal address, “Lü Beichu,” felt strange after a long time apart.

“City D, Chaoyang County, Yihe Town, Dafeng Village.”

Wang Shuning’s eyes widened, trembling.

The same place—Chaoyang County, Dafeng Village.

This wasn’t in the book! It wasn’t City B; it was City D.

She was cannon fodder; she shouldn’t affect the main characters’ lives.

Did the author hate her, deliberately putting her in the book to make her a miserable cannon fodder?

Lü Beichu looked at the dazed Wang Shuning, worried. “What’s wrong?” She looked terrified.

Wang Shuning stiffly shook her head, her voice filled with sadness. “Nothing. I just miss home.”

Lü Beichu frowned. “You miss home before we’ve even left Beijing? We’ll be in the countryside for years.”

Could a girl so homesick manage in the countryside? Lü Beichu doubted it.

Watching the houses flash by outside the window, Wang Shuning’s mind raced.

The first step of the plot had changed.

Seeing Wang Shuning’s silence, Lü Beichu didn’t speak. She must be heartbroken; her eyes were red.

Silence fell, the noise of the carriage unnoticed by Wang Shuning until the train conductor’s announcement.

If Lü Beichu was going to City D, would Guo Jingyi also be there?

Guo Jingyi’s hometown was in City H, but this train didn’t go there. Had the train meeting been changed?

Or had their destined meeting changed?

Lunchtime approached, and the train vendor hawked boxed meals.

Each meal was in an aluminum box covered with a white cloth to keep it warm.

Fifty cents each, with meat and vegetables, and no food coupons needed—not expensive, but a luxury for most.

The rice was hard, and the vegetables were bland.

Most people didn’t buy them.

A hot water dispenser was on the cart. The vendor offered hot water before each meal.

It was free, and most people waited for this time.

“Sister, can you give me some water?” Wang Shuning offered her large jar.

The vendor smiled and filled it. “Save it. The next time will be around 5 pm.”

Wang Shuning held the jar tightly. “Thank you, sister.”

Lü Beichu noticed his jar was only two-thirds full, glancing at Wang Shuning, who was taking things from her bag.

The vendor was at least forty or fifty; Wang Shuning was eighteen. Calling her “sister” was inappropriate.

Wang Shuning took out a mustard greens and meat pancake, a mixed-grain bun, and a tea egg, placing them on the jar lid, supporting it to prevent spills.

She avoided looking at Lü Beichu, wishing she didn’t know him.

After eating, she quickly cleaned up and closed her eyes to sleep.

She didn’t sleep deeply, keeping watch. Most of the money and coupons Song Guiying gave her were in the space, but her luggage was outside, vulnerable to theft.

She opened her eyes periodically to check, then slept again.

“Excuse me, I need to get off,” said the man opposite Wang Shuning, standing and patting Lü Beichu.

Lü Beichu stood aside to let him pass, then the woman next to Wang Shuning got off too.

As he sat down, a girl with a ponytail and a large sack stopped by. “Excuse me, this is my seat.”

Lü Beichu stood and helped her with her luggage.

“Thank you, Big Brother,” she said cheerfully, bright-eyed and expressive.

A man sat next to Wang Shuning, about their age.

Zhang Meili started chatting. “Where are you all going? I’m an educated youth going to City D, Zhang Meili.”

Wang Shuning and Lü Beichu looked at her.

“I’m Wang Shuning, also an educated youth going to City D. Where are you going?”

“Lü Beichu. We’re going to the same place—Chaoyang County, Dafeng Village,” Lü Beichu pointed to Wang Shuning and himself.

Wang Shuning pursed her lips.

Zhang Meili smiled broadly. “I’m going to Chaoyang County, Dafeng Village too! What a coincidence!”

Zhao Heping, sitting beside them, raised his hand. “I’m also an educated youth going to Dafeng Village, City D. Zhao Heping.”

Wang Shuning’s jaw dropped. Zhao Heping, Zhang Meili?

They weren’t in the book.

The plot had truly changed; even the supporting characters were different. They would live together for years.

Unless she had a chance to return to the city, they wouldn’t separate until the college entrance exam was reinstated.