The train came to a halt, allowing about twenty minutes of break time. Hai Baihe decided to get off and take a stroll. Mugao raised his hand and said, "Bring back something to eat."
"I saw a stall selling corn and tea eggs," Hai Baihe glanced out the window. "Do any of you want something to eat?"
"No, thank you," the others politely declined as they weren't familiar with her.
Zhang Qihang felt a bit concerned. "Maybe I should accompany you."
"It's alright, I can manage on my own," Hai Baihe declined his kind offer and squeezed through the crowd to get off the train.
Even though the station was noisy, the air was much fresher than inside the carriage. Hai Baihe followed the flow of people and bought some tea eggs and a few corn cobs. Just as she boarded the train again, a captivating aroma of meat wafted towards her.
She followed the scent and, oh, it was someone she knew. "Mr. Liang," she greeted him warmly. "Where did you get those pig's trotters?"
"From the deli shop right outside the train station," Liang Xiao not only bought pig's trotters, but also two cans of ice-cold beer.
Hai Baihe's eyes widened. Compared to the hot pig's trotters, the tea eggs and corn cobs seemed like scraps.
Liang Xiao asked, "Want to join me?"
"Wait for me!" Hai Baihe swiftly rushed back to the carriage, threw the tea eggs and corn cobs to Mugao, and then rummaged through her bag to find duck necks and small dried fish.
Mugao was bewildered by her actions. "What are you doing?"
"A handsome guy invited me to eat pig's trotters!" She blew a kiss to Mugao. "But I won't take you along. Bye-bye."
Zhang Qihang opened his mouth to say something, "Don't eat food from strangers..." before Hai Baihe disappeared. He felt anxious and said to Mugao, "Go talk to her, tell her not to eat food from strangers. How can she be so carefree and not have any sense of caution? She's a grown adult."
"That's just how she is," Mugao shrugged nonchalantly, "Do you want some tea eggs?"
"Let's remind her to follow the team's rules. Acting alone like this goes against the collective mindset," Ni Xuexuan suggested.
"You're right. What if something happens?" Zhang Qihang, as the team leader, needed to ensure the safety of everyone until they reached their destination. "I'll go find her. Mugao, come with me."
Mugao had no choice but to climb down from the berth and follow Zhang Qihang to find Hai Baihe.
Meanwhile, Hai Baihe sat across from Liang Xiao, sharing the pig's trotters he had just bought. Of course, she also generously offered her own duck necks and small dried fish. "My dad made these fried fish, it's our family's secret recipe. Try some."
Liang Xiao handed her a can of beer. "Want a drink?"
"Thanks." Hai Baihe held the pig's trotters in one hand and clinked her can of beer with his. The chilled liquid flowed down her throat, washing away the boredom from the train compartment.
The tender and fragrant pig's trotters were far more delicious than instant noodles. Watching others struggle with their noodles while she enjoyed the pig's trotters, Hai Baihe felt that the happiest thing in life was this moment. "Mr. Liang, I think I'm falling in love with you."
Liang Xiao didn't take her seriously and smiled with narrowed eyes. He raised his beer can and said, "Cheers to love." When he smiled, a faint blue tear mole on his lower eyelid quivered slightly, like a tear that was about to fall but hadn't yet, making him even more captivating.
Hai Baihe couldn't bear to look away. She clinked glasses with him and took a couple of bites, stuffing the last piece of pork trotter into her mouth. Then, nonchalantly, she continued nibbling on the duck neck, saying, "Try my little fish dish."
Liang Xiao graciously ate one, the fish bones completely fried and easy to finish in one bite. It was a delightful taste. "Great culinary skills," he praised.
"Thank you for the compliment."
After finishing the pork trotter, Liang Xiao took out a deck of cards. "Wanna play cards?"
"I was just thinking about finding something to pass the time." Hai Baihe took the cards and skillfully shuffled them. "Does anyone have a table?"
A young boy came over. "What game are we playing, Dou Dizhu (Fight the Landlord)?"
Hai Baihe asked Liang Xiao, "What do we play?"
"Your call, ma'am." Liang Xiao cleared the table by putting the beer can and trash in a plastic bag, making space for the card game.
Hai Baihe said, "Let's play Suoha (Chinese poker). Any takers?"
The train was filled with bored people, and when they heard about a card game, a group of people gathered around. Finally, the young boy acted as the dealer, and Liang Xiao, Hai Baihe, and three others joined in.
When Muguo found her, she had just won a round and happily gathered the chips (melon seeds) in front of her.
"Baihe!" Muguo was initially worried, but seeing that she was safe and sound, she breathed a sigh of relief. "Why didn't you answer your phone? I thought something happened to you, like being drugged and kidnapped. Seeing you here unharmed is a relief. You're so focused on pleasure over friendship."
"I didn't hear it," Hai Baihe made room for her. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Zhang Qihang was a bit angry. "Hai Baihe, can't you consider the team? Everyone gets worried when you run off like this."
"Huh?" Hai Baihe was puzzled. "Didn't I tell you all?"
"If something happens, the responsibility falls on me as the team leader. Don't blame him," Muguo whispered. "I'm worried about you too. What if someone kidnaps you?"
Hai Baihe looked at her with some distress. "Although you make a valid point, it seems like you're overthinking things."
Zhang Qihang said, "Even though you signed the agreement with the school, as the leader of this internship, I have a responsibility to ensure everyone arrives at the destination safely. I hope you won't casually leave the group and cause trouble for everyone."
"I understand your concerns, and I appreciate your care, but I'm an adult now, and I have the right to do what I want," Hai Baihe sat back down.
Zhang Qihang said, "I'm asking you to go back."
"Thanks, but no thanks."
Muguo didn't know what to do, caught in the middle. She pulled on Hai Baihe's sleeve. "Baihe, it's late. Come back with me. Everyone is worried about you."
"I'm fine. I'm just playing cards here." Hai Baihe calmly refused.
Zhang Qihang took a deep breath and coldly said, "Do as you wish."
Muguo had a brave and sacrificial expression. "I'll stay with you." It's safer to have two people than one.
Liang Xiao couldn't help but burst into laughter, breaking the tension. "
Hey, do I look like someone who would abduct your friend?"
Muguo finally looked at him directly, and as soon as she did, she understood why Hai Baihe prioritized pleasure over friendship. Liang Xiao's handsome and unique Eastern appearance was different. He seemed to be of mixed heritage, and seeing him made her heart uncontrollably thump and want to leap out of her throat.
"Do you need a phone?" She nudged Hai Baihe with her elbow, asking softly.
Hai Baihe shook her head.
Muguo used her gaze to signal her to go up, but Hai Baihe pretended not to understand and continued playing cards with a smile.
As Liang Xiao discarded the cards and pondered a very serious question—how to make himself less conspicuous during the journey to avoid being tracked—he wondered if he was going too far in "playing" with the young girl's emotions.
Hai Baihe didn't feel hurt at all. While chatting with Liang Xiao, she secretly kept an eye on the farmer who had boarded the train with a dead chicken.