The sky began to lighten with the first hints of dawn as the train pulled into the station.
The old green train clattered to a stop, its whistle blaring long and loud.
The platform was bustling with people, passengers jostling each other as they carried large and small bundles.
Lin Qiao’er clutched her own worn-out bundle, following Wen Shuwan and Zhou Huijin as they made their way out.
Seeing the unfamiliar cityscape, Lin Qiao’er widened her eyes.
Shanghai was far more prosperous than the county town she came from, and Lin Qiao’er was dazzled by the sight.
Zhou Huijin muttered under her breath, “A real country bumpkin in the city, never seen anything like this before.”
The noise around them was too loud, and Lin Qiao’er didn’t catch it. “What did you say?”
Zhou Huijin shot Lin Qiao’er a glare.
A somewhat worn but still respectable-looking jeep was parked by the roadside—a rather impressive mode of transport for that era. Lin Qiao’er couldn’t help but glance at it a few times.
Zhao Moting, tall and long-legged, walked ahead of them, heading toward the jeep.
The orderly spotted Zhao Moting and quickly opened the car door, stepping forward to help him with his things, but Zhao Moting refused.
The orderly asked, “Where is Comrade Chu Feng?”
Zhao Moting replied tersely, “He’ll be here in a moment.”
No sooner had he spoken than he spotted a figure in military-green police uniform emerging from the crowd in the distance, heading toward the exit.
Zhao Chufeng caught up with Lin Qiao’er and asked warmly, “Qiao’er, let me carry your bundle for you.”
Lin Qiao’er smiled faintly. “It’s not heavy. I can manage it myself.”
Zhao Chufeng didn’t insist. As they walked, he said, “My father sent someone to pick me up. I can give you a ride.”
“No need. I’ll find a guesthouse nearby.”
Lin Qiao’er paused, then asked Chu Feng, “Do you know where I can find a place to rent nearby?”
Although she had already asked Wen Shuwan for help earlier, it never hurt to have more options.
Since she had decided to stay in Shanghai, she needed a place to settle down.
Zhao Chufeng readily agreed. “I’ll ask around for you. Wait for my news. Let me take you to a guesthouse first. Once I have news about a place, I’ll know where to find you.”
Lin Qiao’er glanced at Wen Shuwan, who happened to be looking at her with a smile on her lips. “Qiao’er, my husband’s car can’t fit everyone anyway. You should go with Chu Feng.”
Wen Shuwan found a pen and paper, wrote down her home address, and handed it to Lin Qiao’er. “Qiao’er, this is where I live. If you need anything, you can come find me here.”
Lin Qiao’er carefully folded the paper and tucked it into her pocket, smiling back at Wen Shuwan.
Zhao Chufeng led Lin Qiao’er to the jeep.
Lin Qiao’er felt an intense gaze fixed on her. She turned slightly and unexpectedly met Zhao Moting’s scrutinizing eyes.
Zhao Moting had a high nose and deep-set eyes, his profile sharp and stern, exuding an air of cold severity. He was staring at Lin Qiao’er without blinking.
Lin Qiao’er stiffened, her foot accidentally tripping over a small stone. She stumbled and fell straight into Zhao Moting’s arms, enveloped in the scent of sandalwood soap. For a moment, she felt disoriented, as if transported back to that night in the wheat field, where a man’s strong arms had held her tightly, his burning skin pressed against hers.
Zhao Moting cleared his throat and pushed Lin Qiao’er away.
Lin Qiao’er nearly lost her balance, feeling both embarrassed and awkward. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
Zhao Moting lowered his voice, warning her, “Cut out your tricks. They won’t work on me.”
Was seducing Chu Feng while pregnant not enough? Now she wanted to seduce him too.
A woman who gets pregnant before marriage and engages in promiscuous relationships—such a person must never be allowed to marry Chu Feng.
That piercing voice drilled into Lin Qiao’er’s eardrums, making them ache. Lin Qiao’er lowered her head in grievance, stammering in defense, “I… I didn’t.”
This man seemed to harbor hostility toward her.
Yet she had done nothing wrong.
Zhao Moting’s eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint lingering at the corners of his brows as he deliberately distanced himself from Lin Qiao’er.
The message was clear: stay away.
Lin Qiao’er tightened her grip on her bundle, feeling wronged, and silently kept her distance from Zhao Moting.
Zhao Chufeng smiled and said to Lin Qiao’er, “Qiao’er, this is my elder brother, Zhao Moting.”
He then met Zhao Moting’s scrutinizing gaze, revealing a row of small white teeth. “Brother, this is Lin Qiao’er, a… a friend I met on the train.”
Lin Qiao’er was taken aback.
What rotten luck was this?
Zhao Moting was actually Zhao Chufeng’s elder brother.
Ah, she had overlooked it. Suisui had called Zhao Chufeng “Second Uncle,” and she had assumed the child was simply confused about titles due to her young age.
Zhao Moting said indifferently, “I see.”
After a pause, he turned to Zhao Chufeng. “Chufeng, with your level of observation, how do you even work as a train guard?”
Zhao Chufeng scratched his head, utterly baffled.
Brother, what do you mean by that?
Zhao Moting sat in the passenger seat, while Zhao Chufeng and Lin Qiao’er took the back.
Zhao Moting observed Lin Qiao’er through the rearview mirror.
Sunlight streamed through the car window, illuminating Lin Qiao’er’s delicate face. Her fair, translucent skin and large, bright brown eyes betrayed a hint of unease and nervousness in this new environment.
Suddenly, the car jolted, and the driver quickly swerved left.
Lin Qiao’er let out a startled cry, her entire body leaning toward Zhao Chufeng’s embrace.
Zhao Chufeng steadied her by the shoulders, asking with concern, “Qiao’er, are you alright?”
Lin Qiao’er quickly straightened up. “Sorry, Chu Feng. This is my first time in a car, and I’m a bit scared.”
Zhao Moting frowned, his eyes filled with even more disdain. Throwing herself into someone’s arms—what a clever move.
He turned to the driver. “Drive carefully.”
“Qiao’er, I’ve heard that first-time car rides can make you dizzy. Having some candy might help.”
Zhao Chufeng pulled a few pieces of fruit candy and a soda from his pocket, eagerly trying to please Lin Qiao’er.
Lin Qiao’er unwrapped a piece of fruit candy, her cheeks puffing out like a little hamster as she ate, looking rather adorable.
“Qiao’er, you’re really pretty.”
Lin Qiao’er froze. She was rarely praised to her face and felt a bit embarrassed, her cheeks warming slightly.
Lost in thought, a hand with distinct knuckles reached toward her.
Lin Qiao’er looked up at the owner of the hand.
Zhao Moting held out his palm. “Give me one.”
Zhao Chufeng scratched his head and laughed awkwardly. “There aren’t any left.”
He had given all the candy to Lin Qiao’er.
Zhao Moting stared at Zhao Chufeng with an expression of utter disbelief.
Truly bewitched.
So infatuated with Lin Qiao’er that he had lost all sense of direction.
Zhao Moting felt a headache coming on, wishing he could knock some sense into him with a stick.
“Here.” A sweet, crisp voice spoke up.
Lin Qiao’er’s face flushed slightly, like a red apple, as she placed the remaining candy into Zhao Moting’s hand. Just then, the car drove into a pothole, jolting again. Lin Qiao’er’s fingertips brushed against Zhao Moting’s palm before she quickly withdrew them.
Zhao Moting’s palm tingled as if brushed by a feather, a faint, ticklish sensation. His eyes turned cold.
She certainly had no shortage of tricks.
Lin Qiao’er had no idea that her unintentional actions had been twisted by Zhao Moting.
A dusty three-story building came into view, with a sign reading “Guesthouse” hanging at the entrance.
“Chu Feng, thank you for giving me a ride,” Lin Qiao’er said.
Zhao Chufeng nodded. “Don’t be so polite. We’re friends.”
Zhao Chufeng still wanted to accompany her inside to check in, but Zhao Moting coughed, reminding him, “Mom is waiting for us to come back for dinner.”
Zhao Chufeng had no choice but to withdraw his reluctant gaze. “I’ll come see you tomorrow. Remember to lock the door tonight.”
Lin Qiao’er waved goodbye to Zhao Chufeng.
The front desk was manned by a middle-aged woman with permed hair, cracking sunflower seeds while reading a magazine. Hearing the noise, she lifted her eyelids and sized up Lin Qiao’er from head to toe.
Dusty patched clothes, worn-out cloth shoes, and a tattered cloth bundle.
“Go beg somewhere else,” she said lazily.
Lin Qiao’er flushed with anger. “I’m here to stay. A single room.”
The front desk clerk’s attitude remained unfriendly. “Two and a half yuan per night.”
Summoning her courage, Lin Qiao’er slapped two and a half yuan onto the counter. “One night.”
The clerk took the money and tossed the key onto the counter with a heavy metallic clang.
“Room 306. Up the stairs, third door on the right.”
After Lin Qiao’er disappeared around the corner, the cloth curtain behind the front desk was pushed aside, and a man in a white tank top emerged from the back room.
“Just one person?”
The clerk nodded. “Dressed in rags. Probably not much to squeeze.”
The man disagreed. “I saw from the back—she came in a jeep.”
Lin Qiao’er opened the door to find snow-white, clean bedsheets. She set her things down and sat on the bed—soft and comfortable.
She ran her hand over the sheets, lay down for a while, then went to take a bath.
She hadn’t bathed in days. In the summer heat, her body felt unbearably sticky.
After her bath, Lin Qiao’er felt much more refreshed. Exhausted from the day, she lay down on the bed and quickly fell asleep.
A rustling sound reached her ears.
Lin Qiao’er thought it was a rat—common in her hometown during the summer, so she was used to it.
Unexpectedly, Suisui’s frantic voice echoed in her mind, “Oh my goodness, don’t sleep! A thief is sneaking in.”