“Wow, it was a female comrade who discovered it! I wonder who. Traffickers really deserve to die!” Fang Yuanyuan and Qi Danfeng whispered to each other above.
Qiao Yuewei’s lips curved slightly—a silent triumph.
Qi Danfeng smirked. “Probably just a coincidence. By the way, Yuanyuan, we’ll reach Haicheng in a few hours. Will Commander Qin pick you up?”
Fang Yuanyuan shook her head. “I don’t think so. He’s so busy.”
Qi Danfeng laughed. “You never know. Your brother already notified him in advance—I bet he’ll come.”
Fang Yuanyuan blushed. “Really? Do you think Commander Qin likes me?”
“Of course! You’re so beautiful—if he doesn’t like you, who would? You’ve seen other girls around him over the years, haven’t you? That speaks for itself.”
Fang Yuanyuan bit her lip, her face burning, but her eyes sparkled. She buried her head in the blanket and murmured softly, “Mm.”
The first time she met Qin Xingye was four years ago. She was seventeen, newly assigned to the performing arts troupe. On her first visit to the southern district for a performance, she fell for him.
Later, she secretly transferred to the Southern District Troupe just to see him more often.
But Qin Xingye was cold-natured, never smiling at her. Even if she greeted him, he would merely nod.
Sighing, Fang Yuanyuan lost herself in thought.
Listening to the clattering sounds, Qiao Yuewei drifted into a light sleep. She woke to sunlight streaming through the train window.
Yawning, she checked her watch.
It was already 7 a.m.
She had slept so suddenly that she hadn’t eaten dinner the night before.
After a quick bathroom stop, she entered her space, did a simple wash-up, and came out with a few buns and a cup of soy milk—kept in a thermos.
Back at her berth, she began breakfast.
“These buns smell so good,” Fang Yuanyuan said, climbing down from the upper bunk and glancing at Qiao Yuewei’s meat buns.
Qiao Yuewei simply nodded in response.
Qi Danfeng also came down. She rolled her eyes at Qiao Yuewei’s profile and pulled Fang Yuanyuan away to wash up.
“Yuanyuan, why are you being so polite to that woman?”
Fang Yuanyuan looked puzzled. “Danfeng, why do you seem so hostile toward her?”
Qi Danfeng snorted. “I just can’t stand her. She’s flashy enough, and her style is gaudy.”
“That behavior doesn’t seem normal. Who brings bedding on a train? That bourgeois little act of hers!”
Fang Yuanyuan recalled Qiao Yuewei’s appearance: her hair in a braided plait tied with a yellow ribbon, wearing a yellow blouse and a white sweater.
Very pretty—like a fairy.
As for making her bed—personal preference.
“Not too bad…”
“Hmph, Yuanyuan, you’re too naive. Good thing she’s not in our troupe, or Commander Qin would have noticed her. Look at her—she’s not someone who behaves properly.”
“I just heard from the attendant that three people from our berths are heading to the Southern Military District.”
Fang Yuanyuan’s heart skipped a beat. “It can’t be such a coincidence.”
As a fellow woman, she felt Qiao Yuewei was dazzling. She couldn’t imagine if Qin Xingye met Qiao Yuewei—would he still be so cold toward her?
Lost in thought, she accidentally tugged her hair, wincing in pain.
Determined, she repeated, “Impossible, it can’t be such a coincidence!”
Qi Danfeng, braiding her hair, said, “I’m just saying. Not everyone can join our troupe.”
After washing up, they returned to the berths.
Fang Yuanyuan glanced at Qiao Yuewei and extended her hand. “Hello, I’m Fang Yuanyuan from the Southern District Performing Arts Troupe. I heard from the attendant that you’re heading to the Southern District too?”
Qiao Yuewei froze. She hadn’t told anyone she was going south…
“You must have misheard.”
Fang Yuanyuan felt a wave of relief. Not embarrassed that Qiao Yuewei didn’t shake her hand, she withdrew it and apologized, “Ah, I must have misheard.”
The doubt lifted, and Fang Yuanyuan brightened.
Above, Qi Danfeng quietly rolled her eyes while tidying her things.
Time passed quickly. Half an hour until Haicheng. Qiao Yuewei began packing, folding her sheets and blankets.
Fang Yuanyuan paused, surprised. She wasn’t heading south?
“Comrade, are you getting off?”
Qiao Yuewei gave her a puzzled glance. She didn’t understand why Fang Yuanyuan was so concerned.
Thinking of Fang Yuanyuan’s reaction to the announcement and her claim of being from the Southern District, Qiao Yuewei didn’t assume ill intent—but they weren’t familiar.
“Yes.”
“Are you visiting Haicheng?”
“Looking for someone.”
“A friend?”
Qiao Yuewei looked Fang Yuanyuan in the eye and said slowly, “No comment.”
Too many questions are annoying.
Even in the Southern Military District, it wouldn’t work.
The train stopped. Qiao Yuewei stepped over Fang Yuanyuan with her suitcase.
Qi Danfeng snorted. “Yuanyuan, why bother with her?”
Fang Yuanyuan picked up her suitcase, not sure why she cared so much—but she did.
Ever since Qi Danfeng mentioned, “She’s interested in Commander Qin,” it felt like ants were crawling in her chest. She always felt Qiao Yuewei and Qin Xingye were connected somehow.
Qiao Yuewei got off the train and stretched. The outside air was refreshing.
She didn’t rush out of the station, heading toward the service desk instead.
First, she called Uncle Ren to report she was safe, then asked the staff for directions.
“Comrade, how do I get to the Southern Military District?”
The staff glanced at her. “You’re heading south?”
Qiao Yuewei smiled and nodded. “Yes, to join the Southern Military District!”
The staff’s attitude immediately changed. “Ah, so you’re military-affiliated. The Southern Military District is far from here. Take the bus… then…”
Overwhelmed, Qiao Yuewei quickly took notes.
After thanking the staff, she left the station.
“Commander Qin!”
Just outside, a figure dashed past, bumping her suitcase. It hit her knee hard, and she gasped in pain.
The person seemed oblivious, walking up to a tall man in uniform and speaking to him. Qiao Yuewei couldn’t see his face from the side.
Frowning, she watched them, then limped over. Placing her suitcase down, she patted Fang Yuanyuan’s shoulder.
Fang Yuanyuan almost fainted from happiness. She couldn’t believe Qin Xingye had actually come to pick her up!
He must like her—otherwise he wouldn’t have come.
Just as Fang Yuanyuan wanted to ask him how he arrived, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning, she saw Qiao Yuewei’s face and exclaimed, “Ah!”
Qiao Yuewei frowned. What did that mean?
She got hit—and yet she was the one exclaiming?
Was she really that scary?