From the very first glance, Su Nian’an had sized up the middle-aged woman standing before her. She had met plenty of people just like her before.
When dealing with such bullies, the only way to handle them was to be even tougher. Once they’d suffered a loss, they’d back down.
This woman was clearly used to being a tyrant back in her village — the kind of person everyone went out of their way to avoid crossing. No wonder she carried on so arrogantly out in public.
The argument had grown so ugly that the train attendant, who had been trying to calm them both down, finally ran out of patience. Sighing softly, she said, “Let’s all stay calm. Why don’t we each take a step back and return to our seats?”
Su Nian’an’s lips curled into a faint smile. “I have no objection.”
After all, she had already slapped the woman for spreading lies about her.
Feeling the eyes of the other passengers on her, the woman burned with anger and wanted to object — but it was clear no one was on her side.
“Grandma, you sit here. I’m going somewhere else,” the young man, thoroughly embarrassed, said to his grandmother. He turned and hurried away.
“Hey! You rascal — where do you think you’re going?” the woman shouted, rushing after him. The two disappeared into the next carriage.
The crowd was so thick that no one could see what happened next.
The attendant watched them go and sighed in relief. She turned to Su Nian’an with a smile. “Since they’ve left, comrade, you may resume your seat.”
Su Nian’an nodded and agreed. She moved her things onto the table by the window, then settled into her seat.
Only then did she look up at the handsome man who had stepped in to help her and stopped the woman from striking her back.
“Thank you, comrade,” Su Nian’an said with a warm smile.
The man’s expression remained stern, his gaze cool and distant. He nodded briefly. “You’re welcome.” With that, he walked away.
Su Nian’an watched his retreating figure. He appeared to be heading toward the carriage door — so he must also have a standing ticket.
He was standing quite far away, and Su Nian’an felt a flicker of regret. With such a strikingly handsome face, it was a shame she wouldn’t get to see more of him during the journey. It would have made the long train ride far more pleasant, having such a fine sight to look at.
Su Nian’an had always been a sucker for good looks — and this man’s features were exactly her type, perfect in every way.
But it was no use. She was soon to be married, and she must uphold proper conduct.
Once seated again, Su Nian’an noticed that the young man across from her seemed to be staring at her. He looked about her age, with a youthful, innocent face and fine, delicate features.
She met his gaze and asked, “Comrade, why are you staring at me?”
During the argument, this young man had spoken up in her defense, pointing out that the woman had pretended not to know her own grandson.
Caught staring, the young man’s face flushed bright red.
“I — it’s nothing. I just… you’re really impressive,” he stammered.
Su Nian’an fell silent. Impressive? For what?
Still, she supposed, there were plenty of people in this era who exploited their age to bully others. Few young women dared to stand up to them as she had. Most people would have swallowed their grievances to avoid trouble — but Su Nian’an was not most people.
“Impressive? Thank you,” she replied simply.
“You’re — you’re welcome. Comrade, where are you headed?” he asked.
Su Nian’an looked at him — his eyes clear and earnest, the very picture of a university student — and relaxed her guard.
“Are you a youth being sent to the countryside?” she asked in return.
“Y-yes, I am.”
Su Nian’an nodded. “Where are you being sent?”
“The Central Hebei Plain, in Yi Province.”
Su Nian’an was surprised. Though many youths from the capital were assigned to Yi Province, it turned out he was heading to the very same place as her.
“Me too, more or less,” she said, choosing not to reveal they were bound for the exact same destination. She waited to see if he would suggest traveling together — propriety was strict in these times, and a man and woman traveling alone would surely become the subject of gossip.
That was the trouble with the era: even the slightest interaction between men and women drew whispers and scorn. If seen walking too closely together in public, one could be labeled as behaving immorally.
“Really? What a coincidence! Perhaps we’re even going to the same village!” the young man said, his eyes lighting up.
Su Nian’an smiled gently. “I’m going to meet someone, so I’m not quite sure exactly where yet.”
“I see. Who are you meeting? Perhaps I can help you find out.”
“My husband,” Su Nian’an answered plainly, making no secret of her purpose.
At her words, the young man’s enthusiasm dimmed noticeably.
“I see… you look so young, yet you’re already married.”
Su Nian’an wondered if that remark was meant as a compliment. After all, in many rural areas, girls married at sixteen — or even younger.
They chatted for a while longer, until Su Nian’an grew drowsy and drifted off to sleep.
When she woke, someone had taken the empty seat beside her — not the woman or her grandson, but a young girl.
It was obvious the woman had persuaded the girl to swap seats, likely to avoid further awkwardness — or perhaps because she knew Su Nian’an was not one to be trifled with.
Meanwhile, the young man across from her was now chatting animatedly with the girl who had just sat down. It seemed they were from the same village.
From their conversation, Su Nian’an gathered that this train was carrying yet another group of youths assigned to work in the countryside. Whether because Su Nian’an had been quiet, or because he now knew she was married, the young man spoke no more to her — he remained fully engaged in conversation with the newcomer.
Su Nian’an gazed out the window at the passing scenery, letting her mind wander. She paid no attention to the chatter beside her.
When hunger stirred, she took out some candy and biscuits to eat, then had a drink of water. Realizing she had had rather too much to drink, she stood up to find the restroom.
The girl beside her immediately stood aside to let her pass.
There were few trains running in those days, and they were always overcrowded. The carriages were chaotic, and conditions were far from sanitary.
When Su Nian’an finally reached the restroom, she found it occupied. She badly needed to go, but there was nothing to do but wait.
Fortunately, the person inside did not keep her waiting long. When the door opened, Su Nian’an was surprised to see a familiar face — it was the handsome man who had come to her aid earlier.
She offered him a shy smile and greeted him.
“Hello, comrade.”