"What's wrong with Shen Youchu?"
Wang Zibo, who has poor observational skills and was trying hard to find topics to chat about, hadn't noticed Shen Youchu's condition.
"The door is open, it's windy, and she's wrapped in a blanket reading a book," Chen Han Sheng succinctly pointed out.
Wang Zibo recalled and immediately apologized, "I really didn't notice, otherwise, I would've closed the door while chatting."
He also explained to Huang Hui, "Huang Hui probably didn't notice either. We were so focused on our conversation."
"Forget it."
Chen Han Sheng kicked Wang Zibo. "With your character, I've seen through you already."
Wang Zibo didn't avoid it and laughed, "Alright, I'll treat you both to dinner tonight. No more instant noodles. I saw that the train meals had chicken legs."
After they finished smoking, they returned to the compartment, and Chen Han Sheng didn't hold a grudge against Wang Zibo.
Wang Zibo, with his good-natured attitude, understood his own actions. He was hoping for a connection with an attractive person during the trip, but in reality, such encounters were rare. Even when he did meet someone, they would forget about each other after getting off the train.
Back in the compartment, Wang Zibo specifically apologized to Shen Youchu.
Shen Youchu, with her confused eyes, was used to adapting to her environment and rarely made requests. Even if she felt cold, she didn't ask anyone to close the door, nor did she blame anyone.
Chen Han Sheng certainly wouldn't apologize to Huang Hui—who was she?
At dinner time, Wang Zibo ordered four meals, including one for Huang Hui.
Chen Han Sheng sneered inside; the train's meals cost 20 yuan each—just a typical cheap show-off.
Huang Hui hadn't spoken to Chen Han Sheng much. She mostly chatted with Wang Zibo about the differences between their two cities, occasionally talking to Shen Youchu.
However, since Shen Youchu spoke in a naive manner and had poor language skills, Huang Hui lost interest quickly and turned back to chatting with Wang Zibo.
When Chen Han Sheng took out his laptop to look at some data, Huang Hui's eyes lit up. When he took out his phone to make a call, she took the initiative to approach him and start a conversation.
"Which school are you from?"
Chen Han Sheng didn't mind talking to Huang Hui but wasn't particularly interested in her either—his response was casual.
"Jianye University of Finance and Economics," Chen Han Sheng answered.
"Oh, is it the Jiangling campus? I've been there once, and the environment is great. I even regret not applying there back then."
Once Huang Hui started talking, Chen Han Sheng immediately understood why Wang Zibo enjoyed talking to her so much. She could easily continue any topic he brought up.
"I think that school is bad, so I dropped out and started my own business."
Chen Han Sheng said while still looking at his computer.
"That's pretty good too. You became a boss and bought a laptop and phone. The finance school might have been good before, but now it's really lacking."
Huang Hui replied calmly, avoiding any conflict with her previous comment.
"But I didn't stay out of school for long. The principal called me back, so now I'm a student again at the finance school."
Chen Han Sheng glanced at her.
"Uh..."
Huang Hui felt awkward, realizing Chen Han Sheng was dodging her attempts to keep the conversation going. She quickly walked back to the corridor, and soon Wang Zibo's laughter could be heard.
Shen Youchu, who had been listening attentively to their brief conversation, tilted her head and had questions in her eyes. She couldn't quite understand Chen Han Sheng's thought process.
Chen Han Sheng didn't want to explain and grabbed a bag of snacks. "Here are some apples. Go wash them and share them with everyone."
Shen Youchu obediently went to wash the fruit, and soon Wang Zibo and Huang Hui could be heard thanking her.
Chen Han Sheng smiled and continued working on his computer, analyzing the collection trends of part-time college students.
Next year, he might have to take on the courier business for a Hong Kong-funded electronics factory. He knew it was no big deal, but the part-time students might not believe him, so he needed to convince those with strong initiative who were willing to work with him.
After finishing the apples, it was nearly 9 PM, and the conductor came to remind everyone that the lights would be turned off in half an hour. Chen Han Sheng urged Shen Youchu to brush her teeth, while he stayed focused on his computer.
At 9:30 PM, the lights were officially turned off. Wang Zibo and Huang Hui hurried to brush their teeth and went to bed. Chen Han Sheng didn't close his computer until around 11 PM.
He first went to check on Shen Youchu and found that she was still awake. Even though the compartment was dimly lit, he could sense that she wasn't asleep.
"Can't sleep?"
Chen Han Sheng sat down at the edge of her bed and quietly asked.
Shen Youchu gently shook her head.
Chen Han Sheng thought it was probably because it was her first time sleeping in a soft sleeper, so she wasn't used to it. He pinched her face lightly. "Go to sleep quickly."
Shen Youchu shyly nodded, and Chen Han Sheng tucked her in before leaving the compartment.
During the journey, Chen Han Sheng seemed particularly gentle, which deeply satisfied Shen Youchu.
Her heart was simple; she didn't ask for much, just that Chen Han Sheng would be less harsh on her.
In the corridor, Chen Han Sheng opened the curtains. The train was passing over a bridge across a river, and the black river surface shimmered with distant lights. The sound of the train's whistle echoed with the horns of cargo ships. Chen Han Sheng silently watched for a while before returning to rest.
...
The next day, they woke up around 10 AM. Chen Han Sheng felt sore, but when he stepped outside, he saw Wang Zibo and Huang Hui still deep in conversation.
"Still chatting?"
"We're not like you, sleeping until now," Wang Zibo said.
Huang Hui didn't greet Chen Han Sheng but simply turned her head to look out the window when he came out.
After brushing his teeth, Chen Han Sheng found that Shen Youchu had already prepared instant noodles and placed the ham sausage beside them. She had also washed an apple.
"Still a considerate girl from Sichuan and Chongqing," Huang Hui couldn't help but say, observing how Shen Youchu ran around busily.
Chen Han Sheng teased Wang Zibo, "Jealous, huh? You should find a girl from Sichuan or Chongqing too."
"I wish I could, but it's not easy to find one."
Wang Zibo said, glancing at Huang Hui.
Huang Hui smiled, pretending not to notice.
Chen Han Sheng ate his ham sausage with a mouthful of noodles, thinking about whether he should tell Wang Zibo about the complicated experiences of Shang Yanyan to knock some sense into him about his blind confidence in love.
The train arrived at Chengdu's railway station around noon. Huang Hui picked up her luggage and left.
Chen Han Sheng asked Wang Zibo, "Are you a little reluctant to say goodbye?"
"Yeah," Wang Zibo admitted, then added, "But I got her QQ number, so when I get back to Hong Kong City, I'll add her. Since we'll be in Jianye, it's good to have more friends."
Chen Han Sheng thought to himself, "More like more dogs to follow her around. Next year when we return to Jianye, it'll be interesting."
In the following hours, Chen Han Sheng accompanied Shen Youchu through various modes of transport: first by train, then by bus, then by tractor, and finally on foot.
"Creak, creak, creak..."
It had just snowed heavily in Shen Youchu's hometown, and the three of them stepped on the snow, making loud noises with every step.
Chen Han Sheng checked the time—it was nearly 10 PM. The cool moon hung in the sky, casting a pale light on the snow-covered ground, creating an almost mythical, "Journey to the West" type of scene.
"Small Chen, how much longer?"
Wang Zibo, out of breath, asked from behind.
Chen Han Sheng listened and answered, "Should be close."
"How do you know?"
Wang Zibo asked curiously.
"The dogs' barks can be heard three miles away against the wind. It's obvious we've reached a place where even birds wouldn't want to be. This fits with Shen Youchu's family situation."
Shen Youchu blushed but didn't say anything, and after walking another half hour, she suddenly stopped.
"We're here, we've arrived."
Just as Chen Han Sheng was about to speak, a figure rushed over, calling out, "Big sis!"
Chen Han Sheng turned to Wang Zibo and said, "I didn't lie to you, Shen Youchu really has a cousin. I'll introduce you to her."
Wang Zibo, after holding it in for a while, said, "A cousin is a cousin, but she looks like she's only six years old. Small
Chen, don't you feel bad for fooling me like this?"
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