Reading a novel made time pass much faster.
When lunchtime arrived, aside from a few educated youths who had already been on the train for two or three days, the rest who had just boarded not long ago all took out lunch boxes prepared by their families.
Nan Mo reached into her shoulder bag, which was actually her space, and took out an aluminum lunch box. Inside was a full box of pure pork dumplings.
Lu Yuanyuan also pulled two aluminum lunch boxes from her luggage and handed one to Hu Tianming.
When they opened them, both boxes contained sweet and sour ribs over rice.
It was obvious that both of them came from fairly well off families, and their households were not the type to favor sons over daughters.
Wu Mingyue also took out her lunch box. Since she had gone to the countryside in her brother’s place, her family felt they owed her.
They were mainly afraid she might go cause trouble at her future sister in law’s parents’ home, something she was fully capable of doing.
So they had given her a full two hundred yuan plus some coupons to prepare for her trip to the countryside.
Now that she took out her lunch box, she felt completely confident. She had deliberately bought braised pork from a state run restaurant the day before.
She opened the box proudly and glanced sideways at the people around her, trying to see envy on their faces.
Unfortunately, no one seemed to care what she was eating.
Failing to find the attention she wanted, Wu Mingyue turned her gaze to Chen Ruonan, who had taken out a coarse corn bun and was eating it.
With exaggerated surprise she asked, “Ruonan, why are you only eating a corn bun?”
Chen Ruonan had not expected Wu Mingyue to speak to her, let alone call her “Ruonan.” Were they close?
Besides, what kind of question was that? If she had braised pork, would she want to eat a corn bun?
Chen Ruonan had a straightforward personality. Seeing Wu Mingyue’s pretentious manner, she spoke bluntly, “Comrade Wu, what’s wrong with eating a corn bun? Do you need something?”
Wu Mingyue froze for a moment, then immediately put on a wounded expression. “Ruonan, you misunderstood. I just felt a bit sorry seeing you only eating a corn bun. Didn’t your parents prepare food for you?”
Hearing her speak in that sarcastic tone about her parents, Chen Ruonan decided not to give her any face. “Is something wrong with your head? Are we close? Why are you calling me Ruonan?
How did my parents not prepare food? Isn’t this corn bun food?
If you really feel that sorry, why don’t you give me your braised pork?
What, your pity is just talking with your mouth?”
She had already felt wronged earlier with Nan Mo, and now she was being scolded by this poor girl pointing at her nose. Wu Mingyue was so angry she actually cried.
Yet even while her emotions collapsed, she still put on a fragile act. “How can you all be like this? What did I even say? You’re all bullying me…”
Chen Ruonan looked at her with a half smile. “Who told you to put on that pitiful act and invite scolding? You really asked for it.
If you’re that upset, just seal your mouth. If you didn’t talk so much, no one would even bother bullying you.”
There were six sisters in her family, and she ranked sixth. Their parents had always wanted a son, fearing that so many daughters would have no one to stand up for them in the future. They had tried six times and still ended up with girls.
By the time her parents grew older and no longer wanted more children, they named her Ruonan, hoping she would protect her five older sisters like a boy.
All five sisters treated her very well. The eldest, second, and third sisters were already married. The fourth and fifth sisters were twins.
The fourth sister had been weak since birth and needed medicine every day. Any extra money in the family went to her medicine.
The fifth sister had taken over their mother’s job and worked with their father to support the family. Chen Ruonan had gone to the countryside so there would be one less mouth to feed, allowing her fourth sister to take medicine in peace.
Having stood up for her sisters since childhood, Chen Ruonan had never feared fighting or arguing with anyone.
If this woman kept yapping and found fault with her eating a corn bun, she would not mind letting her taste her fists.
Everyone witnessed the quarrel. Now they all knew Chen Ruonan was not someone to provoke, and they also agreed they should keep their distance from Wu Mingyue in the future.
…
When the train stopped in the capital, several more young people boarded one after another. Carrying their luggage, they searched for their seats.
“Brother Yifan, wait for me…” A sweet, cloying female voice drew attention in the carriage.
Everyone looked over. The girl who had spoken wore a fashionable yellow floral dress and white leather shoes.
Her skin was fair, her features lively. Long black hair flowed down her back, held only by a headband matching her dress. On her wrist was an imported Longines watch.
Nan Mo had also heard the girl’s call and slowly opened her eyes, looking toward that “Brother Yifan.”
Tang Yifan, the male lead of the original novel, Wu Mingyue’s destined partner.
The girl beside him was likely the supporting female character from the book, Tang Yifan’s childhood sweetheart, Lu Zhihui.
Nan Mo wanted to see what the male lead looked like. At that moment, Tang Yifan was being tugged along by Lu Zhihui, who clutched his sleeve while struggling to move forward.
A white shirt wrapped around his well built body, suggesting a good physique.
His neat short hair was slightly messy from rushing to catch the train, but he still did not look sloppy.
His skin was fair and clean with a healthy glow. His face was slightly long but smoothly contoured, his features balanced and harmonious. He was indeed fairly good looking.
Nan Mo only gave him a brief glance before withdrawing her gaze.
The male lead’s side was always a hotspot for trouble. For the sake of a peaceful life, she decided she should stay far away.
While Nan Mo remained calm, Wu Mingyue’s heart was anything but calm.
She locked onto this refined man at first glance. His clothes, bearing, and overall aura all made it clear he was no ordinary person.
Tang Yifan’s seat happened to be directly across from Wu Mingyue. After placing his suitcase down, he went to find a seat for Lu Zhihui.
“Hey!” Lu Zhihui stopped him. “Brother Yifan, where are you taking me? I want to sit with you.”
“Lu Zhihui, I agreed to Aunt Qin to look after you. That doesn’t mean you can indulge in fantasies with me.
If you keep making trouble like this, I’ll call Uncle Lu and have him transfer you away.”
Tang Yifan was thoroughly annoyed with her. To escape an arranged marriage, he had secretly signed up to go to the countryside. Who would have thought she would still chase after him.
Lu Zhihui seemed used to his attitude and did not take it to heart. Her eyes rolled, and she spotted a woman who had been staring at Brother Yifan.
“Sister, can you switch seats with me? I’ll give you five yuan.”
Wu Mingyue ignored the girl speaking to her and instead cast a practiced, aggrieved glance at Tang Yifan.
Tang Yifan felt slightly embarrassed. Although he had nothing to do with Lu Zhihui, everyone now knew she wanted to change seats because of him.
“Sorry, comrade. She’s talking nonsense.”
Wu Mingyue nodded shyly. “It’s fine.” After speaking, she even gave Tang Yifan a sweet smile.
“Ten yuan. That’s enough, right?” Lu Zhihui interrupted her flirtatious look and spoke arrogantly.
Seeing that Tang Yifan did not care about Lu Zhihui at all, Wu Mingyue gained confidence. “Comrade, the train is about to depart. You should go find your own seat.”
Her tone was gentle. Even after being humiliated with money, she did not get angry and instead considered the other party at just the right moment.
The contrast between her and the rooster like Lu Zhihui was striking.
The two sides remained at a standstill until Chen Ruonan spoke up. “Comrade, ten yuan. Sit here.” She pointed to the seat beside Wu Mingyue.
Lu Zhihui thought that would do. It was better than letting that vixen sit alone in front of her Brother Yifan.
Chen Ruonan took the ten yuan, briskly packed her belongings, and moved away from the center of trouble.
The rest of the educated youths enjoyed the show and pointed toward the “stage” while whispering among themselves as the train continued on.