Evening.
Lu Baiyang had been invited to stay for dinner at the village chief’s house.
After the meal.
Lu Baiyang had just returned home.
When he was called over by his eldest brother, “Baiyang, come here for a moment. Your big brother has something to say to you.”
Lu Baiyang walked over.
He was welcomed into his eldest brother’s room.
Half an hour later.
Lu Baiyang emerged from his eldest brother’s room and returned to the south chamber.
Nan Qingqing was reading a book.
The candlelight flickered.
Nan Qingqing’s profile seemed gilded with golden light.
Like a little bodhisattva.
Lu Baiyang sat opposite Nan Qingqing.
Nan Qingqing’s fingers turned the pages.
But her words were directed at Lu Baiyang, “Did big brother call you to his room?”
Lu Baiyang hummed in acknowledgment.
Nan Qingqing continued asking, “Let me guess—is it about Lu Jianguo?”
Lu Baiyang knew Nan Qingqing was quite clever; he had noticed from her reactions during the wedding.
So he wasn’t too surprised.
He hummed in agreement again.
Only then did Nan Qingqing stop turning pages. She turned around to face Lu Baiyang directly.
Just as Lu Baiyang was about to speak.
Nan Qingqing suddenly raised her hand and covered his mouth.
She made a shushing sound.
With a sly blink, she said, “Let me guess—has Lu Jianguo become unable to stay in the village because of those rumors outside, so big brother wants Lu Jianguo and Nan Honghong to go with you to Nancheng to make a living there?”
Lu Baiyang nodded.
Nan Qingqing withdrew her hand, “Since you’ve already agreed with big brother, there’s no need to tell me.”
Lu Baiyang said softly, “Father passed away early. Big brother became the family’s pillar at a young age.”
Nan Qingqing leaned on the table.
Looking at Lu Baiyang sideways, she asked, “If Lu Jianguo hits obstacles in Nancheng or causes trouble, will you keep cleaning up his mess?”
Lu Baiyang said firmly, “No.”
Nan Qingqing smiled.
She said, “Just remember your promise. You can handle the rest.”
After daybreak.
Nan Honghong and Lu Jianguo had packed their luggage and were waiting in the courtyard.
Nan Qingqing came out stretching lazily.
Nan Honghong quickly said, “Little sister, we can be together again from now on.”
Nan Qingqing glanced at Nan Honghong, “Little sister?”
A flash of resentment appeared in Nan Honghong’s eyes, then she smilingly changed her address, calling out, “Third Aunt.”
Nan Qingqing put on airs, simply humming in acknowledgment.
Truth be told.
Being called Third Aunt felt different indeed.
Watching Nan Qingqing strut off arrogantly to wash her face.
Nan Honghong gritted her teeth until they creaked.
This was simply too much!
Let Nan Qingqing be proud for a couple of years.
No.
Once she reached Nancheng.
She would completely replicate Nan Qingqing’s successful path from their previous life—it might not even take two years for her to achieve financial freedom.
By then.
Nan Qingqing wouldn’t even be worthy of shining her shoes.
Comforting herself like this, Nan Honghong finally felt somewhat better.
After breakfast.
Lu Baiyang drove the car to town first, where they would take a bus to the county. The county had a train station—boarding the train would take them to Nancheng in a day and night.
During the family sendoff.
Various emotions were present.
The Lu old lady held her youngest son’s hand, saying, “I’m old now, who knows if there will be a next time… Do well when you return to the army, serve the people, don’t worry about home.”
Lu Baiyang nodded, his gaze firm.
Then.
Old Lady Lu took out her small handkerchief.
From the well-worn handkerchief, she produced a pair of silver earrings and handed them to Nan Qingqing.
She sighed and said, “Qingqing, our Lu family has wronged you, but since you’ve married Baiyang, you two should live well together.”
Nan Qingqing repeatedly declined.
Lu Baiyang said, “If Mother gives it to you, just take it.”
Only then did Nan Qingqing accept it.
Lu’s mother was quite happy.
She said to her son, “Jianguo, I’ve heard there are many opportunities in Nancheng. You and your wife must seize them and make something of yourselves.”
Lu Jianjun said flippantly, “Cousin has already made a name for himself. Everyone in the village knows about it.”
Hearing this.
Lu’s second aunt-in-law gave her son a hard smack.
Lu Jianjun still didn’t wipe the smile off his face.
Nan Qingqing looked at Lu Xiaoyue standing at the back, blinked, and said, “Xiaoyue, I left a book for you on the table in the south room. Remember to get it.”
Lu Xiaoyue quickly nodded.
Lu Baiyang said, “It’s about time. If we delay any longer, we might miss the train tonight.”
Hearing this.
The Lu family members seeing them off gradually dispersed.
They watched as the small car drove away into the distance.
They returned the small car in town.
The four of them went to take the bus.
Nan Honghong watched as all of Nan Qingqing’s luggage was carried by Lu Baiyang, while she herself still had to carry a large bag. She couldn’t help but complain, “What kind of man makes a woman carry things?”
Lu Jianguo said indifferently, “Then go find a man who won’t make you carry luggage.”
Nan Honghong: “…”
She gritted her teeth and followed.
They finally squeezed onto the bus.
In those days, the space inside a bus was like water in a sponge—squeeze a little, and there would be room.
Originally, there were only twenty-six seats.
But about forty people were crammed inside.
As soon as Nan Honghong got on, she was squeezed between Lu Jianguo and another man.
She looked around.
She saw Nan Qingqing.
Nan Qingqing didn’t have a seat either.
But Lu Baiyang had pulled Nan Qingqing close to his chest, so no one could touch her.
The bus started moving.
Swaying and bumping.
It took a while before it settled into a steady drive on the road.
Midway.
Nan Honghong suddenly let out a cry.
Lu Jianguo asked, “What’s wrong?”
Nan Honghong whispered in Lu Jianguo’s ear, “The man behind me just touched my butt.”
Lu Jianguo frowned and said, “It’s so crowded, he probably bumped into you by accident. Don’t make a fuss. Everyone on the bus is watching.”
Suddenly.
Nan Honghong felt the hand becoming even more brazen, rubbing against her butt.
She bit her lip and said to Lu Jianguo, “He’s touching me again.”
Lu Jianguo leaned over Nan Honghong’s shoulder.
He came face to face with a man with a full beard.
The man was tall and burly, as sturdy as a young bull.
Lu Jianguo said to Nan Honghong, “It’s fine, it’s just a touch. It won’t take a piece of flesh off you. Bear with it. We’ll be in the county soon.”
Nan Honghong was stunned.
After a while.
Lu Jianguo suddenly said, “Come over here. Let’s switch places.”
Nan Honghong snorted heavily. At least he was still somewhat decent!
After a bumpy journey, they finally arrived in the county.
Lu Baiyang went to buy train tickets. “There are only two sleeper tickets and two standing tickets left.”
Lu Jianguo said, “Uncle, in that case, let the two female comrades take the sleeper tickets.”
Nan Honghong felt a bit better.
At least that was a decent thing to say.
Lu Baiyang said nothing, simply handing one sleeper ticket and one standing ticket to Lu Jianguo.
Lu Jianguo held them in his hand.
Truth be told, this arrangement worked in his favor too.
With one sleeper berth for him and his wife, he could still get some sleep.
But if the sleeper had been given to Third Uncle and Nan Qingqing, he would have had to stand for twenty-four hours.
The train was scheduled for 10 PM.
It was delayed.
It didn’t arrive until midnight.
Because other passengers in the carriage were already asleep.
When they boarded, there weren’t even any lights on.
They could only rely on the moonlight from outside to see the seat numbers. Lu Baiyang pulled Nan Qingqing along, “Here.”
Nan Qingqing plopped down, panting as she said, “It’s so crowded I’m suffocating.”
Lu Baiyang said softly, “Get some sleep quickly.”
Nan Qingqing lay down, scooting inward, pressing herself firmly against the wall, “Third Brother, you sleep on the outside.”
Lu Baiyang looked at the pitifully small space and said, “I’m not tired.”
Nan Qingqing insisted, “How could you not be tired? Lie down quickly. I’m thin, I don’t need much space. Hurry, don’t wake the others.”
Lu Baiyang had no choice but to lie sideways on the outer edge.
At that moment.
Nan Honghong and Lu Jianguo also squeezed their way up.
Their spots were opposite Nan Qingqing’s, also lower bunks.
The two sat down together, stuffed their luggage under the bed, and exhausted, quickly lay down.
About half an hour passed.
Lu Baiyang still hadn’t fallen asleep.
Suddenly, he heard certain unspeakable sounds coming from the opposite bunk—
Lu Baiyang knew who it was.
He was furious inside.
But no matter how angry he was.
Lu Baiyang couldn’t bring himself to interrupt his nephew and niece-in-law midway.
Suddenly.
Nan Qingqing seemed to be disturbed by the noise.
She let out a soft murmur in her sleep.
And turned over.
The beds on the train were only so big.
As Nan Qingqing turned over.
Her face ended up practically pressed against Lu Baiyang’s chest.
Her breath carried a faint osmanthus fragrance, yet it was scorchingly warm.
It fell against Lu Baiyang’s chest.
Making his face burn with heat.
Just as he was about to gently shift Nan Qingqing’s face a bit farther away.
Nan Qingqing suddenly lifted a leg.
And draped it over Lu Baiyang’s body.
From beside his ear came the sounds of two people trying to suppress but failing to hold back.
Assailed from both sides, Lu Baiyang’s entire body tensed up.
The muscles on his body nearly strained against his trousers, bulging and taut.
To make matters worse, Nan Qingqing kept shifting restlessly against his chest.
Lu Baiyang took a deep breath.
Just as he was about to get off the bed.
Nan Qingqing suddenly opened her eyes.
Immediately after.
The sounds from Nan Honghong and Lu Jianguo simultaneously grew louder.
Realizing what those sounds were.
Nan Qingqing’s cheeks flushed crimson.
In her previous life.
She had only read online reports about couples on trains who, unable to restrain their passions, ended up engaging in indecent behavior right there on the train.
She never expected.
To experience it firsthand under such circumstances.
And especially while she was with Lu Baiyang.
She was utterly mortified.
Nan Qingqing and Lu Baiyang locked eyes.
Lu Baiyang’s voice was unbearably hoarse. His firm jawline tensed slightly as he said, “I’m going to the restroom.”
Nan Qingqing uttered an “Oh.”
And hurriedly moved her leg away.
However.
As she bent her leg, Nan Qingqing accidentally brushed against Lu Baiyang.
Or rather.
Against something small.
With a very distinct presence.
Symbolizing something.
Nan Qingqing knew what it meant.
As the atmosphere grew increasingly awkward, Nan Qingqing yawned, closed her eyes, and said, “Ugh, Third Brother, your belt is digging into me.”