Chapter 75.1

Although the military truck was faster than the train, the ride was very bumpy. Lu Nong could handle it because she was young, but the children and the elderly were struggling.

Aunt Wu was the first to give in. After eating, she felt nauseous and weak. Soon after, Huaihuai also started to feel unwell. Children have poor resistance, and if this continues, he could fall seriously ill.

Pei Ji’an decided to take Lu Nong, Aunt Wu, and the children to the train station, letting them take the train to Qingcheng.

Early in the morning, Pei Ji’an accompanied the four to the train station. After buying the tickets, they boarded the train.

At that time, the people were simple and warm-hearted. The train was noisy and lively, with people easily starting conversations, even if they didn’t know each other. Within two minutes, they were chatting, each speaking in their regional accents, sometimes creating a humorous mix of languages.

Lu Nong was beautiful and couldn’t help but attract attention. As she walked to her seat, anyone who saw her would pause their conversations, falling silent for a moment. Once she passed, amazed whispers would erupt behind her.

Pei Ji’an was worried about Lu Nong traveling alone with the elderly and children, so he left Xiao Zhou to protect them. He informed Lu Nong that when they reached the next station, the train attendant would take them directly to the sleeper berth.

Actually, Pei Ji’an had a sleeper ticket for a cadre, but unfortunately, there were no available sleeper spots at this station. The attendant discussed with Pei Ji’an and decided to let the family sit in the hard seats until a sleeper berth opened up at the next station.

With no better option, Pei Ji’an instructed Xiao Zhou to take care of the adults and children before he left the train. As the commander of the convoy, he had already delayed his schedule by bringing his family to the train station and couldn’t afford any more delays.

After Pei Ji’an left, Xiao Zhou noticed that the adults and children looked tired. He took out towels and a water bottle from his bag, saying, “I’ll go get some food. Comrade Lu and Aunt Wu, just wait here. If you need anything, just call out. I’ll be right back.”

Aunt Wu nodded weakly while holding Huaihuai. She was an old woman and had been pushing herself these days.

Only Lu Nong still seemed spirited. “Thank you, Xiao Zhou. Don’t worry, we’ll call you if we need anything.”

“Girl, was that young soldier who just left your husband? He looked really sharp. When will my daughter find a soldier? I could wake up laughing from that dream,” a woman sitting nearby eagerly struck up a conversation. She hadn’t seen Pei Ji’an as she boarded after Lu Nong.

Lu Nong smiled, “Aunt, you’re mistaken. He’s my brother.”

The woman was momentarily taken aback, then smiled awkwardly. But as is typical of such women, her embarrassment lasted only a second before she began to ask Lu Nong more questions. “So, where are you taking the children? Where’s your partner?”

Lu Nong explained, “We’re going with the military. My brother is taking me to see my partner.”

When the old woman heard this, she became extremely enthusiastic. If Lu Nong hadn’t been sitting by the window with Aunt Wu in between them, she would have leaned closer. “Girl, is your brother married? If not, what do you think of my daughter? She looks almost like a fairy, just as beautiful as you, with a kind face. She’s hardworking and can even embroider. She would be a great match for your brother!”

At that moment, Aunt Wu opened her eyes upon hearing the old woman’s words. The old lady’s eyes were sparkling with excitement. “Old sister, are you the mother of these two siblings? Did you hear what I just said? I assure you, my daughter will be filial if she marries into your family…”

Aunt Wu: “….”

Lu Nong: “…” It seems that she has too little experience.

Lu Nong looked in the direction the old lady pointed, and saw a fat girl of about eighteen or nineteen sitting there. The girl was naturally not as exaggerated as the old lady said, but she was fair and tender. In that era of food and clothing shortages, she was fair, tender, and plump, almost like a fairy. No wonder the old lady was so confident.

“Auntie, my brother should find a wife based on his own preferences. Our family won’t interfere with his choices.” Having told this small lie, she could only stiffen her resolve and maintain her stance.

The old woman slapped her thigh and exclaimed, “Oh, this is easy! Let your brother come and meet my daughter. They might just hit it off!”

Lu Nong: “…” Comrade Xiao Zhou, I’m really sorry.

When Xiao Zhou returned, Lu Nong couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes. The old woman was sizing him up with a keen gaze, as if she were assessing a potential son-in-law, and she seemed pleased with her scrutiny.

“What’s wrong?” Xiao Zhou asked, looking confused.

The old lady grinned and said, “Hurry up and give the food to your sister and mother, and come with me to see who you are going to meet!”

Xiao Zhou: “…” ? ?

Just like that, Xiao Zhou was pushed away by the old lady, and Lu Nong finally found some peace. She let out a sigh of relief. Although she felt a bit guilty for Xiao Zhou, she thought, better him than me. Who knows, maybe Xiao Zhou would end up finding a blissful romance out of it.

Xiao Zhou was thoughtful. He not only brought back food and hot water but also warmed a towel for Lu Nong.

Lu Nong wiped Xiao Huai’s face with a towel, unscrewed the military kettle, and fed him a mouthful of hot water. “Baby, do you want to eat?”

The meal consisted of stir-fried bell peppers with meat and rice. The train food was not great, but it was warm, and most people wouldn’t buy a meal, settling for cold snacks with hot water instead.

Huaihuai shook his head, lethargically clinging to Aunt Wu. Lu Nong couldn’t bear to force him to eat. She set aside the meal and pulled out some biscuits for him to nibble on.

Little Xia was still breastfeeding, but it was inconvenient on the train. Aunt Wu prepared the formula with the hot water Xiao Zhou had brought and fed it to Little Xia.

To outsiders, their meal seemed quite lavish. Fortunately, Xiao Zhou was nearby; otherwise, Lu Nong wouldn’t have dared to be so open about it.

However, it was hard to hide. Little Xia needed formula, and since Huaihuai couldn’t eat much, he was settling for biscuits. Both would attract attention sooner or later, but with their next stop being a sleeper berth, they could manage.

But trouble came. A couple with a child seated a few rows away spotted Lu Nong with her biscuits and formula. The woman nudged her husband, and he approached Lu Nong with a smile. “Sister, my family’s situation is similar to yours. My son is about the same age as yours, and we have a newborn. We can’t eat the dry food we brought. Could you spare a few biscuits and a packet of formula?”

Not just Lu Nong, even Aunt Wu was taken aback. A few biscuits were one thing, but a packet of formula? It was surprising he had the audacity to ask. In this era, formula was precious, and even relatives would hesitate to ask for it. Yet, here was a stranger boldly requesting it.

Lu Nong looked over. The couple indeed had a small baby in a swaddle, but their son looked around seven or eight years old. He was nothing like her three-year-old Huaihuai.

This was clearly a case of someone trying to take advantage of her. Realizing that others were now watching, Lu Nong understood they were assuming that, since she had both a meal and snacks, her family must be doing well and that they could easily extract some from her.

Was Lu Nong really the kind of soft-hearted young wife they could push around? Absolutely not.

She said regretfully, “Sorry, big brother, but I don’t have much formula. It’s just enough for my child to get through two meals, so I can’t spare any.”

The man was not satisfied. “If you skip one meal, can’t you save some biscuits? As for the formula, can’t you just feed your child two fewer meals to spare some?”

Aunt Wu was so furious she couldn’t find her voice. Lu Nong found it laughable. “Big brother, my sister-in-law has milk too. Why don’t you feed your child with that instead of asking someone else for formula?”

“Exactly! My sister here said she only has enough for two meals. Your wife can feed your child. Why dream of taking from someone else?” A nearby passenger couldn’t stand the sight of a man trying to take from a woman and child, so they mocked him.

The man was momentarily speechless but still didn’t give up. “What about the biscuits? You can spare a couple, right?”

“There are only two pieces. My child is still eating them. Should I take them out of his mouth for you?” Lu Nong wasn’t lying. There were only two biscuits left, and Huaihuai was eating one.

Huaihuai blinked innocently, melting the hearts of everyone on the train, especially a group of young girls with red flowers pinned to their clothes, ready to go to the countryside. One girl with braids said, “Some people have no shame, trying to take snacks from a three-year-old. Biscuits and formula are precious. They can’t afford them but still have the nerve to ask a stranger for them. What a thick skin they have.”

“You, you…” The man’s face turned red with embarrassment. No matter how shameless he was, he couldn’t take food from a child. The way people on the train looked at him felt like they were staring at a leech. He glanced at his wife, only to receive a glare from her. She then turned and shot an angry look at Lu Nong.