Wen Qiao carefully stepped down from the bunk.
When nature called, with so many people around during the day, the restroom was always crowded. Wen Qiao didn’t want to join that chaos.
By now, everyone had gone to sleep.
Outside the compartment, the corridor was empty. Wen Qiao slowly walked, surveying her surroundings.
The incandescent lights on the train ceiling had been dimmed to the lowest.
Only a few night lamps cast a faint yellow glow, swaying slightly with the rhythmic clatter of the train as it moved, the light and shadow flickering between compartments.
Occasionally, scattered lights flashed outside the window.
The snoring of passengers mingled with the sound of wheels against the tracks, forming a strangely hypnotic rhythm.
When she reached the restroom door, she discovered someone inside.
Wen Qiao waited for a long while, but there was no sign of anyone coming out. She had no choice but to go to the next hard sleeper car.
After checking two more cars in a row, she finally found an empty restroom.
The moment she opened the door, Wen Qiao nearly broke down.
Even though she had prepared herself mentally, the smell inside almost made her vomit.
There was no alternative—there was no toilet in her personal space.
Wen Qiao held her breath, pressed against the wall, squatted down slowly, and quickly took care of business.
Trains of this era had straight-rowed toilets, so she could see the tracks beneath.
The swaying back and forth aside, the smell was indescribable.
Once finished, Wen Qiao pinched her nose and hurried out.
The stench almost knocked her out on the spot.
She vowed never to use the hard sleeper restroom again.
Wen Qiao looked around, found an empty corner, and quietly pulled out a bottle of English Pear & Freesia perfume, spraying it generously into the air.
Then she walked through the scented mist in a little circle.
She felt as if her dress had absorbed the foul restroom odor.
Back in the day, she would have changed her clothes immediately and taken a petal bath.
But the current circumstances didn’t allow it.
She had to make do.
Having overslept during the day, Wen Qiao felt no drowsiness. Not wanting to return to the cramped compartment, she slowly strolled down the corridor.
By now, it was late at night; the corridor was completely silent and empty.
Wen Qiao lowered her gaze, bored, walking without purpose.
Suddenly, her head bumped against a firm, warm chest.
She let out a small hiss, lifting her hand to rub her forehead where it hurt.
Looking up, she saw the culprit.
A tall man in an olive-green military uniform stood before her.
His face, partially shaded by the brim of his hat, was fair and handsome, gentle like jade.
His clear eyes shone like stars even under the dim train lights.
His bearing was noble and refined, elegance softened but not hiding his strength.
Beneath the uniform was a scholarly aura; beneath the gentleness, iron bones.
It was an indescribable combination of tenderness and strength—a striking beauty.
Wen Qiao’s eyes lit up.
Wow.
A military officer.
And quite the handsome one at that.
Lu Huaizhou’s gaze followed the woman who had accidentally fallen into his arms.
A flash of admiration passed through his eyes.
She wore a bright yellow long dress.
The hem swayed with the train’s gentle rocking, like a flicker of flame, brightening the dim corridor.
The dress was cinched at the waist, accentuating her slender figure and flowing curves.
The neckline opened just enough to reveal her delicate collarbones.
Her skin glowed like fine jade.
Her black hair was braided into two thick, fluffy pigtails with matching ribbons, draping over her chest.
Bright eyes, perfect teeth, lips like a delicate stroke of red, and a small, well-shaped nose.
When she looked up, Lu Huaizhou saw her eyes clearly.
Eyes shimmering like autumn waters, crystal clear, like a mountain stream—pure and serene.
Her facial features were beautiful, but her bone structure was even more striking.
Lu Huaizhou’s lips curved slightly as he spoke in a gentle voice.
“Sorry, comrade, is your forehead alright?”
Wen Qiao shook her head, replying,
“It’s fine. Not your fault—I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
Not only was this military officer handsome, he was polite and well-mannered.
Even though it was her fault for not paying attention, he had apologized first.
Wen Qiao curved her beautiful eyes, giving him a faint smile.
She brushed past him.
Lu Huaizhou’s heart skipped a beat without warning. He unconsciously turned slightly, watching her retreating figure.
When she wasn’t smiling, she seemed pure and unworldly, as if untouched by earthly concerns.
But just a slight smile, and her innocence carried a hint of charm.
Like ice melting, clouds parting, moon appearing.
Her entire presence radiated a lively beauty.
As she passed, a faint fragrance lingered in the air.
Like jasmine on a summer night—sweet but not cloying.
Lu Huaizhou unconsciously clenched his knuckles, standing straighter than if he were at inspection.
When the wind at the corridor’s end lifted her skirt, Lu Huaizhou instinctively stepped sideways to block the train window gap.
Realizing what he’d done, he chuckled inwardly.
He was crazy.
Watching her retreating figure, he felt a strange sense of loss.
As if something very important was slowly slipping away.
Only when the bright yellow of her dress completely vanished did Lu Huaizhou regain his composure.
He quickly returned to his hard sleeper compartment.
When Wen Qiao returned, everyone else was still asleep.
She quietly climbed onto the bunk, closed her eyes, and rested.
She spent the next day mostly in the bunk, avoiding showing herself.
Only at night would she get down to stretch her body and handle personal needs.
This era was far from safe.
Especially on trains, where all kinds of people mingled.
Not only were there pickpockets, but human traffickers were rampant.
Their targets were girls like her—young, alone, and attractive.
Caution was never too much.
Especially since the other three in her compartment were all young men.
Wen Qiao was even more careful not to show herself.
Her looks were too striking; avoiding attention was the safest choice.
Fortunately, the two days and nights passed quickly.
Early on the third day, the train’s broadcast crackled to life.
First, the tune of The East Is Red, followed by clear Mandarin.
“Attention passengers: This train is approaching its terminal station—Yangcheng Station. Please gather your belongings. The current outdoor temperature in Yangcheng is 35°C; the weather is hot and humid. Take precautions against heatstroke.”
After a pause, the announcement continued:
“Passengers, please disembark safely, follow order, and cooperate with station inspections.”
As soon as the announcement ended, the quiet compartment instantly stirred.
Wen Qiao decided to learn from her previous experience—she would wait until most passengers had left before getting down.
Even if a pickpocket targeted her, they wouldn’t dare act so openly.
Once the compartment was quiet again, Wen Qiao drew aside the curtain, stepped down from the bunk, retrieved her canvas suitcase, and disembarked.