Before she could finish speaking, Liu Dajun impatiently waved his hand.
“Your sister already agreed to take you along. This is a good opportunity—why wouldn’t she buy your train ticket? Stop overthinking!”
With that, he went inside, lay down on the bed, and kept rubbing his aching lower back.
Life was stressful—his body was tired, and so was his mind.
Liu Qingyue calmly returned to her room, locked the door, and entered her secret space.
Over the past half month, she had been doing well farming the land. Some vegetables were already ready to harvest, and she would occasionally cook for herself inside the space.
The small wooden house now had a few more items in it. She figured that as she continued developing the land, the space itself would slowly grow and improve.
Like everything in life—effort brings results.
She had grown fond of farming and spent a lot of time in the space every day.
She didn’t know how the space might change in the future, but one thing was certain—she would live this life well and never repeat the mistakes of her past.
The next morning—
Liu Qingyue and Liu Wanwan packed their things. Liu Dajun arranged a horse cart to take them to town, and from there they headed to the county train station.
Dressed in a worn blue suit, Liu Dajun saw them off at the train.
“If anything happens, write home,” he said, waving. “Take care of yourselves out there!”
Liu Qingyue looked at him, then stubbornly turned away.
If not for everything she remembered from her past life, she might have been moved by his words.
Liu Wanwan leaned out the window, waving as the train began to move.
“Dad, take care of yourself too!”
Liu Dajun’s eyes turned red with emotion.
From the reflection in the window, Liu Qingyue saw his expression—and felt a wave of disgust. She turned to look out the other side.
As the train moved farther away and Liu Dajun disappeared from sight, Liu Wanwan sat back down, her expression returning to calm.
Clutching her floral dress, she felt a quiet excitement.
Once they reached the island, Zhou Heshan would surely start to dislike Liu Qingyue.
And then…
She could naturally step in and marry him, fulfilling the engagement between the two families.
By then, Liu Qingyue would be the one struggling and working hard.
As for her? She would become the wife of a deputy battalion commander.
Just thinking about it made her feel thrilled.
At that moment, Liu Qingyue turned her head, and their eyes met.
Liu Wanwan forced a smile. “Sister, you—”
Before she could finish, Liu Qingyue turned away, clearly uninterested in speaking to her.
It felt like Liu Wanwan had punched a wall—her face darkened in frustration.
The two sisters didn’t speak again.
Later, Liu Qingyue even switched seats, deliberately moving farther away. Though they were still in the same row, several passengers and piles of luggage separated them.
Liu Wanwan wanted to go over—but the aisle was nearly blocked.
And nearby sat a large, intimidating man with a fierce expression. She didn’t dare get closer.
Liu Qingyue noticed her glancing over from time to time and let out a faint smirk.
This fool really thought she’d become a deputy commander’s wife?
What a fantasy.
After several hours on the train, Liu Qingyue rubbed her temples, feeling sore all over.
She got up to stretch and walked toward the restroom area.
There, several passengers without seats were squatting nearby.
Among them was a plain-looking couple.
The man wore worn-out, faded clothes. The woman had on a bright floral jacket with a green headscarf.
They were holding a baby wrapped in a small patterned blanket. The child seemed to be asleep, quiet and still.
The couple sat close together, whispering softly to each other.
As Liu Qingyue moved closer, the couple instantly changed their behavior.
The woman quickly hugged the baby tighter and leaned back against the train wall, pretending to sleep.
The sudden shift felt strange.
Most people wouldn’t act this guarded for no reason.
Yes, child traffickers were a real concern in those days—but this level of defensiveness still seemed unusual.
Liu Qingyue frowned, thought about it for a moment, then turned and went into the restroom.
When she came out, she got herself a cup of hot water and returned to her seat.
After sitting for a few more hours, it was about time for a late lunch.
When Liu Qingyue opened her eyes, she saw many passengers eating large homemade buns.
Most people traveling brought their own food to save money—just simple buns to get by until they reached their destination.
At that moment, Liu Wanwan finally found a chance to squeeze her way over.
“How could you just ignore me?” she complained. “I was stuck over there, packed in so tightly I could barely breathe—and the person next to me even took off their shoes! It smelled awful!”
“So?” Liu Qingyue replied calmly.
Her tone was different from before, catching Liu Wanwan off guard.
Ever since falling into the lake and being rescued, Liu Qingyue had changed—but this still felt unfamiliar.
Something wasn’t right.
“So… can you help me switch seats? I want to sit here with you,” Liu Wanwan said, finally revealing her real intention.
Liu Qingyue noticed the people who had been sitting near Liu Wanwan were now looking over—they had clearly heard her complaint.
Saying something like that in a crowded train… criticizing others like that?
She shook her head.
“I can’t help you. You can talk to people yourself, can’t you?”
Liu Wanwan clenched her fists in anger.
“How can you treat me like this? I’m your sister!” she said, trying to act sweet.
Liu Qingyue glanced around, then stood up.
“I’m going to get something to eat. If you want to change seats, go ask someone yourself.”
Fortunately, Liu Dajun had given them enough money.
Liu Qingyue decided to buy a meal.
Hearing that, Liu Wanwan followed her.
This time, Liu Qingyue didn’t object. She led her to the dining carriage, where food was being sold.
The meals were expensive.
Liu Wanwan’s eyes were fixed on the meat dishes, but Liu Qingyue ordered two vegetarian meals.
“You don’t have the luck for that—don’t even think about it,” she said casually, handing one portion over.
“Eat quickly. We’ll head back after—our destination isn’t until tomorrow morning.”
Liu Qingyue found a seat and started eating right away.
Liu Wanwan stood there awkwardly, staring at her, filled with resentment.
She felt like she could stab her out of anger.
What was she acting so proud for?
Did she really think she’d marry Zhou Heshan this time?
Just wait until they got to the island…
Let’s see how she cries then.
After silently cursing her, Liu Wanwan finally sat down to eat.
Liu Qingyue finished quickly and went to throw away her food container.
When she turned around, she saw the same couple from earlier—the ones with the baby.
The child was still the same.
Sleeping. Completely still.
Earlier, it hadn’t seemed unusual.
But now… it felt off.
Normally, babies cry, move, make noise—but this one hadn’t made a sound all day.
Something didn’t feel right.
Liu Qingyue stared at them for a moment.
The woman in the green headscarf shot her a sharp glare and snapped,
“What are you looking at? Never seen someone holding a baby before?”