It was no surprise to Ruan Sui'an that a white lotus always had a simp following her around.
"Are you out of your mind? Maybe you should go see a doctor. When did I ever bully her? I was sleeping peacefully—what right did she have to push me? Is it because you have no shame, because your skin is thick?" Ruan Sui'an didn't hold back, showing no intention of sparing their feelings.
Why should she show respect to a fool who was being played like a puppet?
The simp's face turned ugly. He hadn't expected this girl to be so blunt.
People nearby chimed in: "Exactly, she was sleeping just fine. Why did you have to push her? Aren't you just asking to be scolded?"
"That's right… Little girl, you pushed her and disturbed her sleep. She scolded you a few times—what are you sulking about?"
"Who are you putting on that pitiful act for?"
…
The girl named Xiaohe hadn't expected things to unfold this way. Weren't people supposed to side with the weaker party? She had acted so pitifully—why were these people turning against her instead?
Maybe she hadn't laid it on thick enough.
Ruan Sui'an didn't miss the disbelief in Xiaohe's eyes and couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
It seemed Xiaohe was used to playing the victim and winning everyone's sympathy, but today's failure clearly didn't sit well with her.
The mockery in Ruan Sui'an's laugh made Xiaohe's face flush crimson, her expression twisting in a way that marred her delicate features.
Her hands clenched tightly at her sides, nails digging into her palms.
But she quickly regained her composure, telling herself it didn't matter. If she acted even more fragile, she could surely win the sympathy of those around her.
"Big sister, I really didn't mean to disturb your sleep. I just wanted to switch seats with you. I'm feeling unwell and wanted to sit by the window." Xiaohe's voice was weak and frail, evoking a strong urge to protect her.
Sure enough, some people immediately felt sorry for her, thinking the poor girl needed help.
That damned protective instinct surged within them, though they refrained from speaking up just yet.
"Oh, so what? What does that have to do with me?" Ruan Sui'an showed no mercy, her tone icy.
Xiaohe's expression froze for a moment, but she quickly resumed her fragile, delicate demeanor.
Watching her switch between expressions so effortlessly, Ruan Sui'an couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration.
Damn, she's good.
Why didn't I have this skill?
She had always relied on herself since childhood. Her father had taught her that depending on others was never as reliable as depending on oneself.
And she had always strived to handle everything on her own. After all, no one would stay by her side or take care of her forever.
The man beside Xiaohe, seeing the girl he liked so wronged, felt his heroism surge once again and spoke up.
"Don't you have any sympathy? Xiaohe is clearly suffering. Can't you show a little kindness? We're all educated youth going to the countryside—shouldn't we help each other out?"
The man spoke with righteous indignation, and his words swayed the crowd.
Those who had criticized Xiaohe moments ago now turned their accusations toward Ruan Sui'an, the shift happening seamlessly.
"This comrade is right. We're all educated youth going to the countryside. We should help each other. Why don't you just give your seat to this girl?"
"Yeah, look at how uncomfortable she is. Have a little consideration."
"Just… since you're both girls, be considerate of her."
…
"You see, everyone says so. Give your seat to Xiao He." Xiao He's admirer looked at Ruan Sui'an smugly.
Little girl, I don't believe I can't handle you.
He thought Ruan Sui'an would give up her seat because so many people spoke up, appearing exceptionally pleased with himself.
Xiao He probably thought the same. Though her face showed grievance, her eyes held a hint of smugness.
In the past, whenever she acted as if she had suffered a great injustice, everyone would yield to her.
Even if someone didn't want to, the voices of those around would force them to relent.
She believed today would be no exception.
Oh my!
Still feeling smug, but unfortunately, it's too early for that.
Ruan Sui'an sneered and, under everyone's gaze, plopped back into her seat.
Resting her chin on one hand, she gazed leisurely at the scenery flashing by outside the window and said, "Am I your father or your mother? Why should I give you my seat? Don't think that by rallying these people around you, I'll give it up. Don't be ridiculous! They're not anyone to me—just strangers. Why should I care? I paid for this seat. Why should I give it to you? I suggest you just wash up and go to sleep!"
The expressions of the admirer, an educated youth, and Xiao He immediately froze on their faces. They hadn't expected this girl to be so stubborn.
Even with things said to this extent, she still went her own way.
Wasn't she afraid of being disliked by those around her?
Meanwhile, the faces of those who had spoken up for Xiao He flushed slightly. The girl's words were indeed harsh, but they made perfect sense.
Although they were all educated youth, they didn't know each other. It really was none of their business, and they had overstepped.
The people around decided it was best to stay quiet.
The expressions of the admirer and Xiao He were the most telling. They hadn't expected their usual tactics to fail today.
The two glared fiercely at Ruan Sui'an, who had turned her back to them, feeling resentful yet helpless.
With grim expressions, they returned to their seats by the aisle.
This little episode ended just like that, but Xiao He felt deeply unsettled.
She really didn't want to sit in the aisle seat. Every time someone passed by, they would bump into her, and her newly bought white dress had already gotten dirty.
But there was nothing she could do. She couldn't stand the whole time, so she reluctantly sat there with a pained expression.
The admirer, seeing the girl he liked so aggrieved, felt heartbroken.
He resented Ruan Sui'an for lacking compassion.
He felt he had to do something, so he deliberately spoke loudly to console her: "Xiao He, don't be upset. Don't mind someone who has no sympathy."
Ruan Sui'an knew this was meant for her ears and for those around them.
He wanted everyone to know she was a heartless person.
But so what? She didn't care at all. The words of strangers meant nothing to her.
The people around pretended not to catch the implication in the admirer's words.
The train clattered rhythmically forward. Ruan Sui'an watched the scenery outside the window, her drowsiness completely gone.
At the first stop, some got on, and others got off.
By noon, the train had stopped twice, but the number of passengers hadn't decreased—it remained just as crowded.
Her bottom was getting sore from sitting. Ruan Sui'an stood up, wanting to rub it but feeling it would be inappropriate.
She could only stomp her feet a few times, stand for a while, and then sit back down.
Almost everyone in this carriage was an educated youth heading to the countryside. When lunchtime arrived, some took out steamed corn buns from their bags and began eating.
Others went to the train's dining car to buy boxed meals, while some had brought their own lunch boxes.
Ruan Sui'an caught whiffs of the mixed smells—unpleasant body odor mingling with the aroma of food—and found it hard to swallow.
It was truly indescribable. She decided to eat only when she was truly hungry.
Just as she was about to close her eyes and rest again, a train attendant walked over with a clear purpose.
Approaching Ruan Sui'an, she smiled and asked, "Excuse me, are you Comrade Ruan?"
Ruan Sui'an removed her mask and nodded politely. "Hello, that's me. What can I do for you…?"
Could it be that a sleeper berth was available? At this thought, her eyes immediately lit up.
Was she finally going to leave this place?
The attendant looked at Ruan Sui'an's fair and pretty face. Just as her colleague had said, she was indeed beautiful and spoke pleasantly.
Such a young girl was quite likable.
"Comrade Ruan, a passenger in the sleeper car got off at the last station. I'm here to take you to the sleeper carriage," the attendant said courteously.
After all, the young girl before her was the daughter of a hero. They admired heroes and naturally wanted to treat their children well.
Ruan Sui'an was delighted. "Really? Thank you!"
She hadn't expected to get a sleeper berth so soon, thinking she would have to wait a long time.
Her bottom and back simply couldn't take it anymore—she really needed to lie down.
Lying flat was truly her own comfort.
The conversation between the two was heard clearly by everyone nearby, and they were all puzzled. How could an educated youth be eligible to buy a sleeper ticket?
Weren't they all in the same situation?
Among them, Xiao He was the most resentful. Why could she go to the sleeper carriage when she herself couldn't even get a window seat?
Though furious, she didn't lose her composure. Standing up, she spoke in a soft, delicate tone.
"Comrade attendant, we're all educated youths here. Why can she change to a sleeper ticket?"
The attendant looked at Xiao He, her expression turning stern. This girl appeared fragile and delicate, but in reality, she was just a troublemaker who liked to play the weak card.
Having encountered all sorts of people on the train, the attendant had seen plenty of such petty tricks.
How could she possibly fall for it?
She looked at Xiao He seriously and said bluntly, "Comrade, I think you've misunderstood. Comrade Ruan is not an educated youth—she's just returning to her hometown."
"What do you mean, not an educated youth?" Xiao He hadn't expected such an answer.
But she quickly regained her composure and continued, "Even if she isn't an educated youth, she still shouldn't be eligible for a sleeper berth. If she can sleep in a sleeper, shouldn't we all be able to?"
Her father was the deputy director of a textile factory, yet even he couldn't get her a sleeper ticket. What right did that little girl have?
Hearing Xiao He's words, the others around also felt it was unfair.
The educated youths who had a bit of money were immediately stirred up, their indignation rising.
"That's right, we want sleeper berths too. Why is she the only one who gets one?"
"Isn't it just a matter of paying extra? We can afford it too. Get us some sleeper tickets as well."
"Exactly! We also want to go to the sleeper carriage. How comfortable it must be!"
…
Those who spoke were people who could afford sleeper tickets but simply lacked the means to obtain them.
As for those who remained silent, they couldn't scrape together the money and had no choice but to keep quiet.
Xiao He suddenly felt a wave of relief. Ever since she failed to get the outcome she wanted, a knot of frustration had been tightening in her chest.
Now, at last, she felt unburdened.
She pressed on, "Comrade conductor, shouldn't you give us an explanation? Otherwise, we'll file a complaint."
There was no way she would let that wretched girl enjoy a comfortable sleeper berth while she herself had to squeeze into this overcrowded carriage.
The others also felt the conductor owed them an explanation.
"That's right, you must give us an explanation, or we'll complain."
"We demand an explanation."
"Complain, complain…"