At the train station, Shen Zhiyao saw the green-and-black train with its classic steam engine—it really felt like a trip back in time. She found her carriage, put down her small suitcase, and sat down. Luckily, she had a window seat, and the window could open. The journey would last two days and two nights; otherwise, she might have suffocated in the heat.
People bustled on the platform, climbing in and out of carriages, but Shen Zhiyao didn’t feel lonely at all. After all, as a time traveler here, she had no relatives and no emotional attachments.
Soon, the seats around her filled up. Sitting next to her was a slightly plump young woman with two braided pigtails. Her patched clothes suggested her family was probably modest. Beside the girl was a young man wearing glasses, holding a book. His faded blue clothes had been washed many times.
Shen Zhiyao glanced across the aisle. Beneath her mask, the corners of her mouth curved upward. Of course—it was Niu Xiaohua and Lin Yesheng!
Her hat and mask had hidden her identity for now. Shortly after, the train whistle blew twice: toot, toot, and the train began moving.
The plump girl next to her spoke first: “I guess we’re all sent-down youth, right? Let’s introduce ourselves. I’ll go first. My name is Li Tingting, 19 years old, from Jing City. I love reading and will be going to Hongqi Brigade, Hongxing Commune, Longsheng Village, Sichuan Province.”
The bespectacled boy beside her said, “I’m Cao Yi, 20 years old, also from Jing City. I like reading too and will be in the same brigade as Comrade Li.”
Across from them, Lin Yesheng said, “I’m Lin Yesheng, 21 years old, from Jing City. I like hard work, and I’m in the same brigade as well.”
Shen Zhiyao snorted in amusement, then quickly waved her hand to stifle her laughter.
Then Niu Xiaohua, straining her voice, spoke: “Hello everyone, my name is Niu Jiajia, 20 years old, also from Jing City. I’m Lin Yesheng’s neighbor. Please take care of me.”
All eyes turned to Shen Zhiyao. They were puzzled. “Comrade, why are you wearing a mask?”
Shen Zhiyao replied, “Oh, I have a cold and don’t want to infect anyone, so I made a mask. My name is Shen Zhiyao, 19, from the same place.”
Niu Xiaohua glared at her with fire in her eyes, but worried about her image, she forced herself to say, “Sister, why didn’t you greet me?”
“Who’s your sister? I’ve told you so many times—my mom only had me. Stop trying to connect with me!” Shen Zhiyao rolled her eyes. She didn’t care about appearances; if she couldn’t respond, she’d feel uncomfortable.
“Shen Zhiyao, we lived under the same roof for three years. You can’t just say that. My mom has taken care of you all these years—didn’t she do right by you?” Niu Xiaohua even shed a few tears.
Lin Yesheng chimed in, “Zhiyao, how can you say that about Jiajia? She’s always been careful around you. Why do you always scold her no matter what she says?”
The entire carriage fell silent. Everyone was listening—there was clearly some drama unfolding. Human curiosity and gossip clearly transcended time!
Shen Zhiyao shook her head, smiling. “Comrade Lin, did someone leave the sewage drain open and let you out? Who’s Zhiyao? Do I know you? You didn’t even introduce yourself—are you trying to harass me? From now on, call me Comrade Shen. Call me Zhiyao again, and I’ll report you!”
Then she turned to Niu Xiaohua. “I say, Niu Xiaohua, is your mouth about to expire? Why are you so eager to talk about our ‘relationship’? I tried to give you some face, but you think a little respect makes you human? Your mom sent my uncle to cook for me, yet you go behind my back to sign me up for the sent-down youth program and even tried to make me leave home two days ago. If I were you, I’d stay somewhere cool and quiet! From now on, if you try to ‘connect’ with me, I’ll scold you each time. And if you like getting scolded, well… I’m happy to oblige!”
The passengers almost all stood up, curious about the commotion. Niu Xiaohua’s face went pale; she hadn’t expected Shen Zhiyao to be completely unafraid of public embarrassment.
Shen Zhiyao closed her eyes and feigned sleep. Sitting across from those two idiots was just too annoying. Seeing them made her nauseated and frustrated!
Seeing that nothing else was happening, everyone sat back down and whispered among themselves:“So she’s the daughter of the late aunt? Totally unrelated.”“Exactly. If I were that girl, and someone secretly signed me up, I’d kick her out too. She’s clearly trying to take advantage.”
Lin Yesheng glanced at Niu Xiaohua, disgust flickering in his eyes. They hadn’t even arrived yet, and the shame had already started. He knew Shen Zhiyao was not to be trifled with, yet he went looking for trouble.
The train clattered along, and soon it was lunchtime. Everyone took out their packed meals. The carriage smelled of all kinds of food, but with her mask on, Shen Zhiyao could still smell it all—her appetite vanished completely.
She frowned and leaned back, pretending to sleep. Li Tingting gently tapped her arm. “Shen Zhiqing, time to eat.”
“Thanks, but I have a stuffy nose and no appetite. You eat first,” Shen Zhiyao replied. She got up and headed to the restroom, then slipped into the space.
Inside, she immediately took off her mask and hat, taking deep, satisfying breaths. She collapsed onto the floor, lying in a star shape, completely unselfconscious.
“Bai Bai, I can’t take it! How am I supposed to survive until morning the day after tomorrow? My waist, legs, and butt are all killing me!”
“Yao Yao, you couldn’t get a sleeper berth. Just make do—come in here for two hours to relax. Time here doesn’t pass like outside. Two hours in the space is just a little while out there.”
“Fine… I guess that’s all I can do. Oh heavens, hurry up!” She got up, drank a bottle of juice in one gulp, then pulled out a pot of Northeast-style dishes along with some small rolls soaked in sauce. She devoured it all quickly, then drank another cup of spiritual spring water, put her hat and mask back on, and left the space.
Back in her seat, she pulled her hat low, signaling that she wanted to be left alone. No friends, no socializing. In her previous life, she had been pushed around and ignored; she wasn’t about to make anyone worry about her now.
Thus, the train rumbled along for two days and nights. Every couple of hours, she would go to the restroom and slip into the space for two hours of rest. The night before, when fewer people were using the restroom, she had even soaked in a hot spring in the space, easing her soreness. Curious travelers occasionally asked why she wasn’t eating, and she gave excuses like having eaten eggs at night, feeling nauseated from motion sickness, or having a cold.
During these two days, Niu Xiaohua and Lin Yesheng didn’t want to provoke Shen Zhiyao either, so they quietly sat across from her.
Finally, early on the third day, the train arrived at its destination.