The next day, Tang Yue, with her sore wrists, sat in the train and looked at the retreating landscape, her face flushed red as she thought about the events of last night.
Upon returning to the alleyway, Tang Yue imdiately began to pack her things, and that very night, boarded the train headed for Su City.
The seated tickets were bought by Zhang Tingyu on her behalf; originally, she had wanted to get sleeper tickets, but perhaps due to the sumr holiday, the sleeper tickets had sold out early, and only seated tickets were left.
"Xiao Yue, fortunately, it's only about ten hours from here to Su City. We'll arrive tomorrow morning. Otherwise, it would have been too exhausting," Zhang Tingyu pressed down on her hat. They sat next to each other, both wearing sun hats and simple clothes to avoid standing out too much.
"It's fine, I'm used to it," Tang Yue said cheerfully in a low voice to Zhang Tingyu. In the past, taking the train was a real worry, with lots of pickpockets around, but she was always alert and never had anything stolen from her.
Moreover, having a seated ticket was already satisfying.
She still rembered those early days of struggle, when she and Tang Mingli were squeezed into cargo trains and slept in train stations; that was truly hard.
Now, having seat assignnts wasn't so bad.
The two won chatted from ti to ti, or looked at the scenery outside. With their hats on, they didn't attract much attention. When it ca to eating, they didn't stand out either and just ate the unappetizing boxed als from the train; nobody was too particular on a train after all.
They did bring a lot of delicious food in their luggage, but on the train, and as two girls, it was better to stay low-key.
After nightfall, the train gradually quieted down.
"Beer, soft drinks, mineral water, peanuts, sunflower seeds, eight treasure porridge, please make way," the attendants pushed their carts, making the last round of sales before rest ti.
There were plenty of food options on the train, and hearing these familiar sales pitches made Tang Yue smile inwardly; no matter the era, the attendants were always slick in their vending.
Many people bought so snacks, and after the cart was gone, soone ca by to remind everyone not to sleep too deeply at night and to keep an eye on their money and other valuables.
"Xiao Yue, let's take turns sleeping," Zhang Tingyu whispered. The sll in the train made her sowhat uncomfortable, and moreover, as two girls at night, it was better to be cautious.
"You sleep first."
Tang Yue wasn't sleepy yet. She took out her earphones from her backpack and plugged one into her ear; she had prepared a portable music player before leaving ho.
Her hair concealed it, and others couldn't see the ear she had plugged.
With music to listen to, the night wasn't so bad. The train stopped and started again, and people ca and went.
After a stop, the couple sitting opposite Tang Yue were replaced by a man and a woman. The man was good-looking, dressed in a shirt and trousers, looking every part the professional with his shiny leather shoes. Tang Yue couldn't help but see him as a corporate elite.
The woman was dressed simply. Soon, the man next to them wanted to switch seats with the elite-looking man because he and the woman were married, but their tickets had assigned them separate seats.
The man agreed to switch without objection.
Tang Yue glanced over but didn't pay much attention.
Deep into the night, Tang Yue and Zhang Tingyu took turns sleeping.
After dozing for a little over an hour, Tang Yue didn't feel comfortable and decided not to sleep. She listened to music with a low volu, the black earphones inconspicuous.
The carriage was silent, everyone asleep.
Tang Yue, unable to sleep, looked around restlessly.
Suddenly, her gaze fell on the elite-looking man whose seat had been switched. He had a briefcase and his eyes were closed as if he were asleep, while next to him a shifty-looking man seed to slide sothing into the man's pocket.
A pickpocket?
A thief?
The drowsiness in Tang Yue's head vanished in an instant.
She quietly put away her earphones and softly woke up Zhang Tingyu, then said in a volu just loud enough for others to hear that she was going to the bathroom.
Tang Yue's voice was clear, not too loud, but just enough for nearby people to hear.
The corridor was crowded with people holding standing tickets. As Tang Yue made her way forward, she found the train police and imdiately reported the theft and described the pickpocket and his victim in detail.
When Tang Yue returned, the elite-looking man hadn't yet reacted.
You grew up with that elite look and yet you sleep so deeply on the train, Tang Yue thought bitterly; you deserve to be stolen from. That watch on your wrist, isn't it an R&S? Rumor has it it's worth quite a few bucks, and looking at how he spends on food—he chose the expensive options—makes it apparent he's wealthy.
I wonder if it's his first ti taking the train; he's far too off guard.
Before long, people ca over. Once word of a thief spread, everyone in the carriage woke up.
The elite-looking man also woke up and found his wallet missing.
With a suspect identified, the pickpocket was quickly caught, and the man's wallet returned.
After this ordeal, the train was abuzz once again. With one pickpocket caught, who knew if there were more? Everyone was on edge, warily looking around at each other.
Zhang Tingyu thought this must be related to Tang Yue, but didn't dare to speak out, uncertain if there were any accomplices around.
Zhang Tingyu was anxious throughout the journey, only letting out a sigh of relief when they got off the train, "That scared to death, Xiao Yue, it was you who tipped them off, right?"
"Yeah," Tang Yue replied softly, but was stopped by the man in front.
"Thank you," he said, reaching into his pocket to hand over an envelope. The rightful source is NoveI~Fire
"It's nothing."
Tang Yue didn't even glance at the money, wanting only to leave the train station quickly. She said quietly, "Be more cautious next ti, who knows if there are gangs around. Are you trying to harm us?"
"There won't be," the man confidently answered: "You'll be safe."
As he spoke, seven or eight n approached, apparently his subordinates, deterring others from coming too close.
"I'm Jin Yu, and I want to thank you for your help. This is a small token of appreciation," Jin Yu said with a smile, offering the envelope again.
"No need," Tang Yue shook her head.
"Let's go," Tang Yue had no desire to be involved with this man.
"Miss, I an no harm. You might not be aware, but the cash in the wallet isn't the most valuable thing. The important thing is the invoices inside," Jin Yu stepped forward with a gaze as profound as an ancient pool, his gratitude clearly evident.
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