Seeing the luggage almost bury Su Fu alive, Li Mingyu felt a little guilty.
“Su-Su, you’re really not tired?”
Su Fu struggled to stick her head out.“Not tired. Once we get on the train it’ll be fine. And don’t feel bad — you did give me two hundred yuan after all.”
Taking payment to do a job was only natural.
Li Mingyu disagreed.“But we’re friends…”
Su Fu replied, “That’s separate. Think about it — if I worked in the fields, I couldn’t save two hundred yuan even in three years.”
She truly didn’t feel it was hard work. Being able to meet Li Mingyu already felt like her ancestors’ graves were smoking with good fortune.
Li Mingyu was a very proud person. Her family background was exceptionally good — she’d heard more flattery growing up than she’d eaten meals.
This was the first time she’d heard someone say something like this. Anyone else would have said:
“We’re friends, why won’t you help me?”
“Your family is rich anyway — just say the word.”“You’re just tossing me a few coins like feeding a dog?”
She had seen and heard plenty of similar things — and those were only the tip of the iceberg said behind her back.
She didn’t hate being taken advantage of.She hated people who acted one way in front of her and another behind her.
Su Fu’s broad back blocked her path.“My dear thigh-to-hug, one more step and you’ll fall into the ditch.”
Li Mingyu snapped back to reality and smiled brightly.“Su-Su, you’ll definitely live a good life in the future.”
The sunlight wasn’t harsh yet; falling on Li Mingyu’s face, it looked like she was glowing.
Su Fu stared blankly and wiped nonexistent drool.“Of course. I work very hard, okay?”
They continued toward the town. Passing the state-run restaurant, they bought two meat buns.
Su Fu glanced at the watch on Li Mingyu’s wrist, stuffed the bun into her mouth in two bites, hoisted the luggage and ran.
“Quick — we’ll miss the bus!”
Li Mingyu hurried after her, almost choking on the bun in her mouth.
Fortunately they made it. Su Fu let her “rich thigh” board first to grab seats.
“Driver, open the lower compartment — I’ve got too much luggage!”
After storing everything, Su Fu sat beside Li Mingyu.
“If we miss this bus, we wait until tomorrow.”
Li Mingyu wasn’t familiar with this — when she came to the countryside the production brigade leader had fetched her from the city.
“I remember we still need another ride from the city to the railway city, right?”
Su Fu snapped her fingers.“Correct. Only the neighboring city has a train.”
She opened the window a little and kindly switched seats with her.
“You sit inside and lean on me for a nap. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
Li Mingyu didn’t stand on ceremony. She leaned against Su Fu and looked outside.
The bus started slowly, kicking up yellow dust.
Su Fu: …She hurriedly shut the window and wiped Li Mingyu’s face with a handkerchief.
Li Mingyu laughed.“‘Light dust rises beyond restraint, all things scatter in the wind.’”
Su Fu asked, “Whose poem?”
“By Wang Anshi.”
“Oh — the one who wrote ‘The spring wind greens the southern riverbanks again’?”
“Exactly. Su-Su, were your grades good?”
Su Fu answered honestly,“Well… average. In high school there were 38 students, I was always number 36.”
Then she added,“Rank 36, not a score of 36.”
Li Mingyu understood.“You’re weak in some subjects?”
Su Fu sighed.“Yes. Besides calculating money, I can’t understand math.”
Li Mingyu whispered,“Do you want tutoring? I can help.”
Su Fu shook her head. Math felt harder than making money.
“No need. After I earn from this job and work harder, I’ll buy a job position — then I’ll have an iron rice bowl.”
What she wanted most was a supply-and-marketing cooperative job — easy work, good pay and benefits.
Unfortunately, those positions were extremely expensive and nobody sold them.
The trip from town to city took about three hours. Chatting made time pass quickly.
After getting off, they bought tickets to the neighboring city. This time Li Mingyu slept the whole ride.
By the time they arrived, it was evening.
Su Fu carried all the luggage on her shoulders, ignoring shocked stares.
“Li-Li, do you know where the train station is?”
She’d never been here before — only knew the general process.
Li Mingyu nodded.“I do. Should we leave the luggage at a guesthouse first before buying tickets?”
Su Fu waved her hand.“No need — let’s get tickets first so we don’t run twice.”
That made sense. Li Mingyu led the way.
The railway station wasn’t far — about half an hour’s walk.
With her generous spending, Li Mingyu bought two sleeper tickets.
Only then did Su Fu ask,“Li-Li, didn’t you say you’re from the capital?”
The ticket was to Shanghai — that didn’t match.
Li Mingyu explained she wasn’t mistaken.“My grandparents live in the capital. My parents are busy, so I was raised by them.”
Su Fu smoothly continued,“They must treat you very well.”
“They do. My parents also treat me well…”
Su Fu listened to a whole “history of being pampered.”If her willpower weren’t strong, she might’ve kidnapped this rich girl.
At the guesthouse, Su Fu put down the luggage and took out her introduction letter.
The receptionist twitched her lips.“Little girl, you’re really strong.”
Su Fu chatted easily with anyone outside.“Of course — in our production team I plow ten centimeters a day!”
Li Mingyu almost burst out laughing. After paying and taking the key, she rushed upstairs.
Once inside the room she laughed loudly.“Su-Su, as far as I know you’ve never even worked the fields.”
Su Fu washed her face.“Out in the world, your identity is what you make it. Learn that — or someday you’ll get sold and still help count the money.”
“I’ll listen to you.”
After resting, they went out to eat, came back, bathed, and slept.
Before dawn the next day, Su Fu woke at 5 a.m., got ready, woke Li Mingyu, and bought buns.
Eating while walking, they headed to the station.
Their train was scheduled for 6:30 — likely delayed.
Indeed, it arrived at 7:00.
They finally squeezed aboard. There wasn’t space under the bed for all the luggage, so Su Fu put half on the bunk.
Li Mingyu admired her.“With you around, I don’t even need a brain.”
Su Fu raised an eyebrow.“Of course — reliability is my specialty.”
It was her first time on a train — and a sleeper berth — yet she wasn’t happy.
Crying children in front, a man with smelly feet behind, nowhere to bathe, and summer heat.
After three days and two nights like that, Su Fu didn’t even need to lower her head to smell the sour odor on herself.