“Attention passengers, the next station is Zhangcheng, which is also the final stop of this train. Please prepare your luggage and disembark from both ends of the carriage.”
With the train announcer’s gentle wake-up call, Jiang Li quickly became fully awake.
She was sleeping on the lower berth near the aisle. The window beside the aisle was covered by a thick dark blue curtain, which trembled slightly with the rhythmic clatter of the wheels over the rail joints. The curtain was shaken open for a moment, letting in a few streaks of light and a glimpse of green rice seedlings rapidly passing by in neatly divided fields.
Another morning.
This was already her third day on the train.
Baisha Island was under the jurisdiction of Haicheng. From the northern city to Haicheng, one had to first take a train to Zhangcheng, then transfer to a ferry to reach Haicheng.
Jiang Li rubbed her sore waist, her fair face full of frustration: “Finally, I can get off.”
If she kept sitting like this, either she would break down, or her waist would.
At first she had bought a seated ticket, but after spending one night in it she couldn’t take it anymore. After asking around and finding that a berth had become available, she hurried to the conductor with a supply bureau introduction letter and managed to upgrade to a sleeper ticket.
Only then did she learn that sleeper berths weren’t something just anyone could buy—only military personnel, the elderly, weak, sick, or disabled, or people on official business with government credentials.
Fortunately, her grain bureau introduction letter worked. With a bed, she finally endured the journey.
While getting up, Jiang Li folded her cotton-padded jacket that had been placed on the bed and stored it in the leather suitcase underneath. There was still a chill in the north, and a coat was necessary on the train, but as they moved south, the weather was clearly getting warmer. The padded jacket probably wouldn’t be needed anymore.
After packing up, she went to the restroom with her towel and clothes. When she came back, she saw a woman sitting by the window.
The woman looked about forty, wearing a milky-white Lenin-style jacket, her black hair tied back. She looked exhausted and, as the train jolted again, she covered her mouth and dry-heaved: “Ugh…”
A young woman beside her hurriedly handed over a handkerchief, her face full of concern: “You’re already vomiting like this on the train—what will you do on the boat later? Aunt, I’ll go get you some water.”
“I’m fine.” The woman, He Caiying, supported herself on the table and stood up. “I… I need to go to the bathroom. Ugh…”
The young girl, He Lin, panicked and supported her. “No, I’ll peel you an orange.”
“No… no need. I’ll just throw it up anyway.” He Caiying shook her head, face pale.
Seeing her aunt so unwell, He Lin felt distressed. “She was fine in previous years. Why is it worse this time? If it doesn’t work, I’ll buy some motion sickness medicine when we get off.”
At that moment, Jiang Li came out of the sleeper cabin dragging her suitcase and politely said, “Excuse me, please let me pass.”
He Lin looked at the young, beautiful woman with dissatisfaction.
But He Caiying tugged her sleeve and, enduring the nausea, said weakly, “Move aside for this comrade.”
He Lin reluctantly stepped aside, muttering that Jiang Li had no consideration for others.
A young male comrade in a dark blue coat came down from the upper berth and offered motion sickness medicine, but He Lin, being cautious, refused it.
Soon, the train arrived at the station.
After disembarking, Jiang Li went through the sweltering heat, bought a bus ticket, and rushed to the ferry terminal. The ferry tickets to Haicheng were already sold out.
“Comrade, would you like a third-class ticket to Baisha Island tomorrow?” asked the clerk.
“Yes!” Jiang Li immediately replied, handing over her letter and money.
After settling the ticket, she stayed at a guesthouse overnight. Early the next morning, someone knocked on her door: “Comrade, the ship departs at 8 o’clock. Please get up.”
After boarding the ferry, she soon heard a familiar voice.
“Aunt, did you take the motion sickness medicine I bought?”
Jiang Li looked up—and saw the same two people from the train.
He Caiying was embarrassed and said she hadn’t taken it. Soon after, as the ship began to sway, she suddenly became violently seasick and vomited uncontrollably.
Unlike the train, her condition on the ship was much worse—she was dizzy and nauseated continuously.
He Lin hurriedly tried to get medicine, but Jiang Li suddenly said, “Wait.”
She stepped forward, checked He Caiying’s pulse, and asked, “You haven’t had your period this month, have you?”
“No…” He Caiying’s heart sank.
“You’re pregnant,” Jiang Li said calmly.
Everyone was stunned.
She explained that motion sickness medicine contained antihistamines, which could cause fetal developmental issues in early pregnancy.
“If you want to keep the child, you can’t take the medicine. If you don’t want it, you may consider it.”
After a moment of shock, He Caiying decided to keep the child and endured the journey, though she continued vomiting.
Jiang Li then said, “I’ll give you a couple of acupuncture needles.”
He Lin was skeptical, but Jiang Li proceeded to needle specific acupoints, including Neiguan on the wrist.
Soon, the effect was immediate—He Caiying’s nausea stopped, and she felt clear-headed.
The entire cabin erupted in surprise and admiration. Many passengers asked to be treated as well.
Jiang Li agreed, warning them that improper self-needling could be dangerous and should only be learned properly from a doctor.
After treating many passengers, she stepped onto the deck, enjoying a coconut candy and looking at the vast sea.
The sea was crystal clear, like glass.
At the Baisha Island dock, two military officers were waiting.
The taller man, cold and imposing, was named Cheng Jingchuan. Beside him was Wen Mingyuan.
They were there to receive the commander’s wife and niece.
When the ferry arrived, Cheng Jingchuan noticed a crowd surrounding a young woman on deck—but didn’t pay attention.
When Jiang Li disembarked, her beauty stood out instantly.
Wen Mingyuan was stunned, thinking he might be going blind.
Cheng Jingchuan also glanced over briefly before turning away.
Soon, He Lin and He Caiying met them. They learned that Jiang Li had already left.
Later, back at the military compound, Wen Mingyuan learned about Jiang Li’s acupuncture skills on the ship.
Meanwhile, He Lin tried to invite Cheng Jingchuan to dinner, but he declined, citing military duties.
He also rejected her attempt to invite him to a movie.
She tearfully ran away.
Wen Mingyuan criticized Cheng Jingchuan for being too cold and emotionless, suggesting he should settle down.
Cheng Jingchuan replied that he had no interest in relationships and saw marriage as simply living together.
He ordered training for new recruits to continue a five-kilometer run around the island.
Wen Mingyuan joked that the recruits’ fate under him was uncertain—either lucky or unlucky.