Chapter 16: Stubborn Mouth

Lian Yuqing lazily reclined on the bed. “If you’d agreed just now, I would’ve strangled you.”

“Why? I was the one switching with her, not you,” Wei Dong replied, also sitting down. His back was straight, hands properly resting on his knees, in stark contrast to Lian Yuqing’s casual sprawl.

She raised her eyebrows. “If you left, who would watch our luggage? I’m not doing it.”

Wei Dong came over and tugged her arm, dragging her up. “What are you doing?”

“Making the bed. Aren’t you pregnant? Don’t want my baby to get tired.”

Lian Yuqing leaned against the railing and rolled her eyes. What a petty man, even his excuses came with attitude.

Later, she actually experienced what it meant to be treated like a pregnant woman. Wei Dong fetched hot water, reheated the food, and brought it to her. And yet she still complained about how it tasted, tossing the carrots and sweet potatoes into his bowl.

At first, Wei Dong gave her a choice: bread or rice. One glance at the hard, cold bread, and Lian Yuqing chose rice.

The girl in the upper bunk nibbled on a steamed bun, looking down at the two with envy, then shot her partner a fierce glare.

The excitement of taking a train for the first time quickly wore off, replaced by irritation.

Lying on the bed, her body swayed with the motion of the train, her ears filled with noise.

Disliking the blanket on the train, Lian Yuqing shoved it to the foot of the bed. Late at night, the carriage lights were turned off, with only occasional streetlamps flashing past outside the window.

She rubbed the goosebumps on her arms. The aisle in front of her looked like someone could appear at any moment. She propped herself up and peeked out, softly calling, “Wei Dong, are you asleep?”

Though the lighting was dim, she could still make out his figure lying flat on the bed, hands folded peacefully over his stomach.

Did he not hear her? She called again, “Dongzi.”

“Adong.”

Finally, the sound of rustling clothes reached her ears. “What is it?”

His voice was low and hoarse, and Lian Yuqing found it oddly pleasant. “Come here for a second.”

Wei Dong climbed down to put on his shoes, then walked over and bent down.

Lian Yuqing grabbed his collar and pulled him down to sit by her bed. “You’re on night watch tonight. I’ll take over when it’s light out.”

Wei Dong replied, “Why don’t you take the night shift and I’ll do the day?”

Lian Yuqing’s brows shot up. “Because I can’t see at night.”

She lay down with a huff, grabbing his wrist. “Try leaving, and you’re dead.”

Whether it was because she was holding on to him or for some other reason, Wei Dong actually stayed obediently at her bedside.

With him there, Lian Yuqing fell asleep quickly.

In the darkness, Wei Dong could see clearly. Just by turning his head slightly, he could see Lian Yuqing’s entire sleeping face.

After falling asleep, she let go of his hand, curled into a ball with her arms wrapped around herself.

Clearly scared, but still so stubborn. Clearly cold, but too picky to use the blanket. In the end, she pressed tightly against Wei Dong’s back.

In the middle of the night, Wei Dong slowly got up and pulled the blanket from the foot of the bed over her.

When Lian Yuqing woke up to find herself covered with a blanket, she almost cried. She kicked it off and immediately wanted to confront someone—but the culprit was gone.

Wei Dong had gone to fetch hot water. He returned holding a tin cup with two eggs inside.

Lian Yuqing gave him a dark look and crooked her finger. “Come sit.”

Wei Dong put down the cup and sat down. Immediately, she looped her arm around his neck and pulled hard, exclaiming, “Do you know how much I hate that blanket? And you still covered me with it! I feel filthy now—I could kill you…”

But unexpectedly, he leaned in and pulled her down with him. Caught off guard, Lian Yuqing fell onto the bed, her grip loosened, and Wei Dong pinned her underneath him.

“Everyone else uses the blanket. You’re just being precious,” he said.

Lian Yuqing refused to back down. “So what if I’m pampered? My parents spoiled me.”

Wei Dong couldn’t say what he was thinking—your parents are no longer here—so he let her go. “If I don’t cover you, you’ll freeze into an ice cube.”

She sat up to tidy her clothes and hair, muttering, “I’d rather be held by you, you bastard, than use that gross blanket.”

Wei Dong’s ears instantly turned red. He clenched his teeth and growled, “Can you be any more shameless?”

“Nope.”

Lian Yuqing went to freshen up with her toothbrush and towel. When she returned, Wei Dong had already peeled the two eggs and pushed them both in front of her.

“Your mom said we each get one,” Lian Yuqing said, watching him with amusement.

Wei Dong waggled the food in his hand. “Want the steamed bun?”

“Nope.”

“Then shut up.” He stuffed an egg straight into her mouth.

She bit down aggressively. “One day, I’m going to fight you to the death.”

After two days of the jostling train, Lian Yuqing felt filthy, exhausted, and half-dead.

Long-distance trains were no place for humans.

The attendant called out that they were nearing the station. Lian Yuqing dug out a clean outfit and changed in the restroom, even washed her face. Compared to the others, she looked like she was dressed for an event.

The whistle blew, and the train stopped. They had arrived.

Wei Dong carried the luggage and told her to stay close. This was the final stop, and a lot of people were getting off.

This time, Lian Yuqing didn’t argue. This place was completely unfamiliar, she had no money, no phone—if she got lost, it’d be a huge hassle.

Even so, she still underestimated the crowd. It was packed—people pressed against people. She had no choice but to grab the hem of Wei Dong’s shirt. As they neared the exit, the crowd finally thinned enough to leave some space between bodies.

She let go and fixed her messed-up braids, muttering, “As expected, there are always a ton of people in China.”

A commotion stirred up ahead, but Lian Yuqing just wanted to find somewhere to rest. She tried to pull Wei Dong away.

Unexpectedly, he carried the luggage and walked straight toward it.

“Hey!” she had no choice but to follow.

Not far away, a drunk man, face flushed red, was grabbing at a young woman’s legs, rolling on the ground and making a scene. The stench of alcohol was strong even from several meters away.

Wei Dong set down their luggage. “Stay here and watch this.”

He pushed through the crowd and effortlessly lifted the man off the ground. The drunkard weighed at least 160 pounds, but Wei Dong hoisted him up one-handed. His forearm muscles bulged under his short sleeves—it was actually pretty attractive.

Lian Yuqing felt like whistling.

Wei Dong subdued the man in a few quick moves. Earlier, no one had dared approach due to the man’s aggressive behavior. The harassed girl teared up and repeatedly thanked Wei Dong.

He didn’t say much, politely declining her invitation. As he returned, Lian Yuqing gave him a meaningful look and pointed in a direction.

Outside stood a young man in military uniform, holding a sign.

“Warm welcome to Sister-in-law and Captain Wei!”

Noticing their gaze, the young man waved the sign even more energetically.

“Captain, you’re finally back!” he shouted, running over.

Only then did Lian Yuqing get a good look at him—dark, skinny face like a monkey, but big eyes and bright white teeth.