Li Ruolan didn’t want to think this way either, but since this was her first time encountering such a situation, and Guo Xiaoya’s hostility toward Qin Wan was so intense, she couldn’t help but overthink it.
If that was really the case, then things were about to get very interesting.
The female lead had transmigrated from a post-apocalyptic world, while she and Deng Minghao had entered this world through book transmigration, and now they had also run into Guo Xiaoya, a reborn one.
Transmigration, book transmigration, rebirth—they had actually gathered the complete set.
In the original book, she and Deng Minghao were nothing more than background extras, mentioned only once or twice in the entire story.
The two of them, as a couple, existed outside the plot, so Li Ruolan didn’t avoid the male and female leads. Life was the same anywhere, and staying near the leads meant she could enjoy the drama while eating melon seeds.
Right now, the male and female leads hadn’t even begun their romance, yet a reborn Guo Xiaoya was already mixed in. The days ahead were unlikely to be boring.
Watching the affairs between the male lead, female lead, and the female supporting character up close—just thinking about it felt thrilling.
Qin Wan truly couldn’t understand where Guo Xiaoya’s hostility toward her came from. Not wanting to get entangled with Guo Xiaoya, she came over to swap seats with someone on this side.
Zhou Shengnan and Zheng Fanghua clearly knew each other, and neither wanted to be separated, so they both refused Qin Wan.
Finally, Qin Wan turned her gaze to Li Yingying and asked if she was willing to switch seats.
Li Yingying glanced over there and immediately noticed that side had more male educated youth sitting in it, all wearing watches on their wrists. After a moment’s hesitation, she agreed.
Qin Wan breathed a sigh of relief and swapped seats with Li Yingying, sitting down across from Li Ruolan.
Li Ruolan smiled at the female lead. “You’re also heading to Shengli Brigade, right? My name is Li Ruolan.”
“Yes, I’m Qin Wan. It’s very nice to meet you all.” Qin Wan smiled graciously as she spoke to the group.
When reading the novel, Li Ruolan had really liked this female lead. Qin Wan’s values were truly upright, and even without the male lead, she was still remarkably capable.
Knowing she would transmigrate into the book, Li Ruolan had considered becoming good friends with Qin Wan. Of course, if it didn’t work out, she wouldn’t force it—living her own little life well was what mattered most.
After that, no one spoke anymore. Li Ruolan lay her head on the small table, let her consciousness sink into her Dimensional Space to check on the chickens, ducks, and geese, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.
Three or four hours later, people on the train began taking out food one after another to fill their stomachs. Smelling all kinds of food, Li Ruolan started feeling hungry too.
She stretched and had just sat up when Deng Minghao asked, “Want something to eat?”
“In a bit. I need to step out first.” Li Ruolan needed to use the restroom. Deng Minghao nodded and held her seat for her while she went.
Li Ruolan had only taken a few steps out when she heard an old woman behind her crying out in exaggerated “aiyo, aiyo” complaints.
She turned to look and saw Deng Minghao grabbing an old woman’s arm, flinging her off with one motion, then occupying two seats himself as he stared coldly at the woman.
“Aiyo! I say, young man, you’re supposed to be an educated youth sent down to the countryside—how can you be so ignorant of respecting your elders? There’s an empty seat here, so what’s wrong with me sitting down?” The old woman put her hands on her hips and glared furiously at Deng Minghao.
“Because I have no morals, let me tell you—I’m not only willing to get physical with you, I’ll throw you right out of here. Don’t believe me? Go ahead and try.” Deng Minghao stared coldly at the old woman who was trying to make a scene.
The fierce fear the reckless, and when the old woman saw Deng Minghao actually clench his fist and raise it above his head, remembering the strength with which he had just grabbed her, she immediately slunk off to the side, not daring to move.
Seeing that Deng Minghao had resolved the matter, Li Ruolan smiled and went off to the bathroom.
The only person who could ever take advantage of Deng Minghao was her—no one else.
As soon as Li Ruolan walked away, Li Yingying turned her gaze on Deng Minghao: “Comrade, this old woman just wanted to sit down for a bit. Why did you have to treat her like that?”
Deng Minghao glanced at Li Yingying and said nothing.
Li Yingying, sensing that Deng Minghao’s temper wasn’t so bad after all, continued earnestly: “I don’t mean to criticize you, but we’re going to the countryside to build the nation—we should still respect our elders and care for the young.
Otherwise, if this blows up, no one will look good. Next time, don’t be so rash.”
Li Yingying finished with a smile directed at Deng Minghao.
Ever since boarding the train, she had been sizing up the men around her. There were six young men in the seats on either side. Deng Minghao and Xu Tao were the best dressed, both in brand-new white shirts, black trousers, and brand-new Liberation shoes. More importantly, Deng Minghao was wearing a wristwatch.
Wristwatches were a rare commodity these days—not only expensive, but requiring ration coupons. Ordinary families simply couldn’t afford one.
Li Yingying’s family situation was poor. For this trip to the countryside, her parents had not only taken her resettlement allowance but had barely bought her anything. The winters in the Northeast were bitterly cold—she had to find someone to depend on in order to survive.
Xu Tao already had Guo Xiaoya eyeing him like a hawk, and Li Yingying had just been rebuffed by the other male educated youths nearby, so in the end she set her sights on Deng Minghao.
As for Li Ruolan, she simply ignored her. So what if they were a couple? As long as they weren’t married, she still had a chance.
Everything Li Yingying had just said was meant to make Deng Minghao think she was sensible and well-mannered. She believed that once Deng Minghao saw how good she was, he would surely fall for her.
And that Li Ruolan would be cast aside and forgotten by Deng Minghao in no time.
At this thought, the smile on Li Yingying’s rather dark face grew even brighter, and the look she gave Deng Minghao practically drew threads of silk.
Deng Minghao found her clingy expression utterly disgusting.
“Why don’t you get up and give your seat to the old woman then? If you want to give up your seat, go ahead—what does it have to do with me?” Deng Minghao sneered with disdain.
The old woman, who hadn’t gone far, suddenly brightened and looked at Li Yingying.
Li Yingying’s expression froze, and she looked at Deng Minghao with a hint of grievance.
“Looking at me won’t help you. There are still two or three days left. I’d like to see you go out for water or to the bathroom. Heh, you’ll have plenty of time to respect your elders and care for the young.”
Deng Minghao had a vicious tongue, and his words cut straight to Li Yingying’s heart. Her eyes immediately reddened.
Liu Kunming, sitting in their row, along with Zheng Fanghua and Zhou Shengnan across the aisle, all curled their lips, having no desire to watch Li Yingying put on her act. Qin Wan even laughed out loud.
When Li Ruolan came back feeling completely refreshed, she saw Li Yingying slumped over the desk, her body shaking with sobs—she was clearly crying.
Li Ruolan glanced at her a couple of times, having no idea what was wrong with her, and simply asked Deng Minghao, “Do you want to go get some water or use the restroom?”
Deng Minghao gave a grunt of acknowledgment. Just as he stood up, he noticed quite a few people around them itching to make a move. He swept his gaze over them, and their faces all stiffened. Deng Minghao sauntered off casually, and not a single person dared to take his seat.