Chen Liyuan was excited and curious for her first train ride.
Fortunately, the train was on time. After the three of them boarded and found their seats, Gu Xingdong placed their luggage on the overhead racks one by one.
Of the three seats, two were together, and one was opposite. Chen Liyuan voluntarily took the opposite seat to sit with the other two.
As it was a small station, the stop was brief, and soon the train slowly began to move.
"Is this your first time on a train, daughter?"
A woman in her fifties next to Chen Liyuan saw her constantly looking outside and initiated a conversation.
Chen Liyuan turned her head and offered a shy smile, "Yes."
Although Chen Mantun and his wife were ordinary in appearance, all their daughters were good-looking. Besides Chen Lishu, who was particularly striking, the others each had their own merits.
The woman's eyes flashed as she looked at Chen Liyuan, then her gaze shifted to Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong opposite them.
To facilitate travel, Gu Xingdong was not wearing his uniform, but his years of military service gave him a sharp, blade-like demeanor that suggested he was not to be trifled with.
However, Chen Lishu's beauty was truly exceptional, almost mesmerizing.
As the woman was sizing them up, Gu Xingdong and Chen Lishu had already keenly noticed. They exchanged a look but said nothing more.
"Who are those two opposite you? I saw you all get on together," the woman asked with a smile.
"My eldest sister and brother-in-law."
"Oh," the woman nodded. So they were sisters. She became even happier.
It was good luck on this trip; sisters with such looks were hard to come by. If they were sold to families in need, she could make a substantial profit.
"Where are you getting off? I have some sunflower seeds and peanuts from home."
As she spoke, the woman took out a packet of seeds and peanuts wrapped in newspaper from her bag, opened it, and placed it on the table in front of them, warmly inviting the three to partake.
"It's fate to meet on a train. I also have two daughters. When I saw you two sisters, I felt a special warmth."
"Thank you, we ate before we got on the train," Chen Lishu refused with a smile.
The woman was surprised by her refusal. After a moment, she quickly grabbed a handful and put it into Chen Liyuan's hand, "It's not worth much. Trains can be so dull, and it would be nice to have a young lady like you to chat with me."
Chen Liyuan, with her hand held, looked uncertainly at Chen Lishu.
For safety, Chen Lishu had specifically instructed them before boarding to speak less with strangers and definitely not to accept anything they offered.
Seeing the woman's action, Chen Lishu's smile faded, and her eyes turned a little cold. "Auntie, my sister is young and shy. If she doesn't want to eat, you should keep it for yourself."
Hearing her words, the woman realized she was cautious. Fearing she might expose her intentions and arouse suspicion, which would hinder her plans, she gave up.
As the train rumbled rhythmically, time passed. Chen Lishu leaned on Gu Xingdong's shoulder and gradually fell asleep. Gu Xingdong also closed his eyes to rest.
Chen Liyuan gazed out the window for a while but soon lost interest in the repetitive scenery. She took out a book from her bag and began to read quietly.
During this time, the woman got up and went out for a bit. Not long after, she returned. Everyone assumed she had gone to the restroom and paid no mind. However, they didn't realize that shortly after she sat down, two unfamiliar men also took seats not far from her.
Unknowingly, the sky outside gradually darkened. Gu Xingdong tapped Chen Lishu's arm to wake her. "Want to eat something before sleeping again?"
Chen Lishu opened her eyes and looked at her watch, realizing it was past six, almost seven in the evening. She hadn't realized she had slept so soundly. She straightened up and stretched her stiff body.
"I'll go get some hot water," Gu Xingdong said, standing up.
Chen Lishu took out her water bottle from her satchel and handed it to him, also taking out the steamed buns and tea eggs that Li Xiulan had packed.
The three of them ate a simple meal with the hot water. After eating, having slept for most of the afternoon, Chen Lishu couldn't sleep any longer. She also took out a book and leaned against her seat to read.
The woman watched the sisters who were engrossed in their books, her gaze subtly returning to Gu Xingdong, who sat upright opposite them, showing no signs of sleepiness. She began to feel anxious.
She had confirmed with Chen Liyuan earlier that the three of them would be getting off in the provincial capital. However, she hadn't found an opportunity to act. If they waited until they disembarked tomorrow, it would be too late. She had to get them tonight.
As night deepened, the people who had sat still all day began to feel drowsy. The entire carriage gradually quieted down.
Chen Liyuan put away her book, glanced at Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong leaning against each other with their eyes closed, then silently got up. She sidestepped the sleeping woman next to her and walked towards the restroom.
Shortly after she left, the woman, who had been pretending to sleep, suddenly opened her eyes and glanced at her companion beside her. The companion nodded at her and got up, following Chen Liyuan.
Chen Lishu had slept too much in the afternoon, so she wasn't very sleepy at night. She had opened her eyes when Chen Liyuan got up and saw the woman still there. Perhaps she didn't think anything else of it and soon closed her eyes again.
After an unknown period, she suddenly opened her eyes again and realized Chen Liyuan hadn't returned to her seat. Her body straightened up slightly.
"What's wrong?"
Gu Xingdong had not been sleeping soundly. As she moved, his eyes instantly opened.
"Liyuan went to the restroom and hasn't come back yet," Chen Lishu said, standing up. "No, it's her first time on the train. I should go check on her."
Gu Xingdong nodded. As he watched her walk towards one end of the carriage, he was about to look away when he suddenly saw a man a short distance from their seats stand up. He first casually glanced in Gu Xingdong's direction, then followed Chen Lishu forward.
Gu Xingdong keenly sensed that something was wrong. As he stood up to follow, the woman opposite him, who had been feigning sleep, suddenly grabbed him. "Quick, catch the little..."
Gu Xingdong's dark eyes instantly turned icy. He raised his hand and grasped the woman's neck, cutting off her cry mid-throat. His voice was cold and stern, "Move aside."
The woman was startled, feeling the fingers on her neck tighten like iron pincers, as if they could snap her neck at any moment.
To save her life, the woman could only release her grip on his clothes.
Gu Xingdong unceremoniously shoved her to the ground and quickly chased in the direction Chen Lishu had gone.
Chen Lishu arrived at the restroom door and pushed it, finding it locked. She knocked twice, "Liyuan?"
Receiving no response, she knocked harder twice, her voice involuntarily rising in pitch, "Liyuan?"
Just as she was about to knock a third time, she caught a glimpse of someone approaching from the side out of the corner of her eye. Assuming it was someone passing by, she instinctively moved aside.