Chapter 17: Train Meals

When dealing with those old scoundrels and seasoned tricksters, using force usually doesn’t work. But the moment the Public Security Bureau was mentioned, the grandma obediently pulled out one yuan and handed it to Chen Yu. Then she scooped up her grandson, gave him a glare, and left.

The little boy kept kicking the old lady:
“Let me go! I haven’t finished the meat yet! You damn old hag, you—!”

“There, there, my good grandson, grandma will make you a delicious egg custard when we get back, okay? You already had the meat—it wasn’t even that good, right?”

Watching this absurd little drama, Song Jinxi couldn’t help but feel the irony of it all.

The next two hours passed quite peacefully, until the train was nearing its destination.

At 9 a.m., Tang Tiantian saw that Bai Xing and Bai Xi had returned and woke Song Jinxi up.

“Song Jinxi, uh… Bai Xi and her brother just finished eating. They watched our luggage, so let’s return the favor and watch theirs. Let’s head to the train dining car for a bite! We arrive at 10, and who knows how far we’ll have to travel afterward. If we don’t eat now, we’ll be too tired to carry our stuff later!”

Song Jinxi took four fruit candies from her backpack and gave two each to Bai Xing and Bai Xi as thanks. Then she followed Tang Tiantian to the dining car.

Chen Yu saw them leave and followed close behind. When they arrived at the train’s dining car, there was a wooden board with the menu written on it:

Braised Pork – 8 mao per portion + 1 jin (catty) of meat coupons

Boiled Fish – 8 mao per portion + half jin of meat coupons

Stir-fried Shredded Potatoes – 5 fen per portion

Rice – 5 fen per portion + 2 grain coupons

Meat Buns – 2 mao each + 1 liang of grain coupons

Tang Tiantian remarked, “This is the same price as state-run restaurants outside—how rare! Usually, it’d be pricier on a train!” Then she went to order:
“I’ll have one portion of braised pork and a bowl of rice.”

Song Jinxi quickly added, “I’ll take a portion of boiled fish and two meat buns.”

Just as they sat down, Chen Yu came over with a falsely sweet voice:
“Oh wow, what a coincidence! You guys are eating here too? Let’s sit together—it’ll help us bond! Since you already ordered two dishes, that’s more than enough. I’ll just grab a bowl of rice and share yours, yeah?”

Tang Tiantian responded flatly:
“Better not. We’re not really into letting people freeload. Right, Jinxi?”

Song Jinxi agreed, “Exactly. These days, everyone’s watching every penny—they’re stretching one yuan into two. It’s not okay to just mooch off others! Plus, judging by your clothes, it doesn’t look like you’re short on money. And we really cherish the food we ordered—it’s not just food, it’s our own effort. Relationships grow from mutual connection, and we don’t feel any with you.”

Chen Yu was so angry she could barely breathe. Gasping for air, she finally shouted at the server:
“I’ll take one boiled fish, one braised pork, and a bowl of rice!”

Her voice rang out just as Hua Wen walked into the dining car. Hearing Chen Yu’s extravagant order made him even more certain she came from money. He quickly cozied up to her. Having just been humiliated by Tang Tiantian and Song Jinxi, Chen Yu naturally found Hua Wen’s attentiveness very comforting.

Fifteen minutes later, with only half an hour left before arrival, Tang Tiantian and Song Jinxi returned to their seats. Chen Yu and Hua Wen dawdled until the train was nearly at the station before coming back. Neither of them even said thank you to Qian Feng, who had watched their luggage for them. Qian Feng was so angry that when Chen Yu and her little white-flower act called out to him at the station, he didn’t even look back.

With a long whistle, the train finally arrived!

At the very moment the train whistle blew, without needing to discuss it, Tang Tiantian and Song Jinxi grabbed their bags and sprinted off the train.

Both of them had the same destination: the post office.

After picking up their packages at the post office, they saw the rest of their group approaching. But the two didn’t wait—they just kept walking with the crowd. When they heard someone calling for members of the “Red Star Brigade, County H,” they immediately ran over!