Chapter 5

After the train ticket she had arranged was finally secured, Lin Tian got an introduction letter and headed to the train station.
Since she had luggage, Lin Yang accompanied her. They took a bumpy transport bus all the way to the county town.
The bus wasn’t very pleasant-smelling, and Lin Tian’s pregnancy had made her sense of smell extremely sensitive. Fortunately, she had prepared some ginger slices in advance; otherwise, she might have felt sick on the bus.
Even so, Lin Tian still felt a little uneasy after getting off.
She rushed to the train station, went through ticket checks, and queued to board.
Thanks to the person she had asked for help, she had managed to get a sleeper ticket; otherwise, this day and night would have been extremely hard for a pregnant woman like her.
Lin Yang helped her bring her luggage into the carriage, then was about to leave.
Although Lin Tian didn’t care much for her lazy little brother, he had helped her today. Before he left, she slipped him five yuan and said, “Lin Yang, policies will only get more relaxed in the future. I know you’re not dumb, just lazy. Listen to the broadcasts more, go to the county town more often. If possible, try doing business like people did before.”
Lin Yang happily took the money. Hearing this, he didn’t act defensive like others might. His eyes shifted as he asked, “Second sister, did my brother-in-law tell you something?”
Lin Tian neither denied nor confirmed, and simply said, “Just listen to me, that’s all.”
Lin Yang nodded. After a few more words, he got off the train.
Watching his retreating figure, Lin Tian felt no reluctance; the few words she had said had been out of respect for the original owner’s sibling relationship with him.
Whether Lin Yang could seize the opportunity was his own problem.
Lin Tian had a lower bunk. She pulled out her water cup from her luggage and filled it with hot water. Drinking it, she felt considerably better.
At that moment, a polite-looking man walked into the carriage. Wearing glasses, he looked at Lin Tian but quickly turned away, quietly arranging his luggage.
Behind him was a lively little girl with apricot-shaped eyes and a round face.
The girl had never seen someone as beautiful as Lin Tian and thought she was as exquisite as a crabapple blossom in poetry.
Blushing, she approached Lin Tian boldly. “Sister, you’re so beautiful.”
Lin Tian, a little surprised but not offended, responded politely, “Thank you, you’re beautiful too.”
Flattered by the compliment, Zhao Yunyun blushed further but introduced herself: “I’m Zhao Yunyun, and that’s my brother Zhao Zhixing. Are you traveling alone?”
Lin Tian replied, “Yes, just me. I’m Lin Tian. Where are you two headed?”
Zhao Yunyun told her destination, coincidentally, also the capital. Lin Tian was slightly surprised but only thought to herself, what a coincidence.
They chatted pleasantly for a while. Lin Tian wore a yellow blouse, and her slightly rounded belly was barely noticeable.
Zhao Yunyun glanced at her reading brother, thinking to herself that her future sister-in-law should be someone like Lin Tian.
When lunch time came, Zhao Yunyun offered, “Sister Tiantian, did you bring food?”
Lin Tian had planned to buy meals on the train; though pricier, she didn’t want to prepare anything herself. She said, “No, I’ll buy something from the dining car.”
Zhao Yunyun smiled slightly. “Sister Tiantian, let my brother buy it. Buying two or three portions makes no difference.”
Zhao Zhixing chimed in, “I’ll get it for you. You don’t need to go out, the train is messy.”
Lin Tian didn’t refuse and handed him the money. “Thanks, Comrade Zhao.”
After eating, Lin Tian took a short nap, though she didn’t fall asleep, just resting with her eyes closed. The carriage was noisy at times, but the four of them were quiet.
Later, Zhao Yunyun instructed her brother to fetch water for Lin Tian. He complied every time, silently. When Lin Tian went to the restroom, Zhao Yunyun had him wait outside, saying, “Sister Tiantian, you’re so pretty. What if someone has bad intentions? My brother is a man, people would think twice.”
Lin Tian accepted her concern without objection; her situation was special, and caution was necessary.
With Zhao Yunyun accompanying her, Lin Tian’s journey that day and night was relatively comfortable.
The train arrived in the capital in the afternoon. Zhao Yunyun looked around at the bustling station. “Sister Tiantian, let my brother help carry your luggage. Someone’s picking us up; where are you headed? He can drive you too.”
Lin Tian didn’t give them her luggage and carried her bag herself. Luckily, it was just clothes and not too heavy.
When it came time to part ways, she didn’t want to trouble them further. “No need. I’m going to Huating University to find my husband. We probably aren’t going the same way.”
Zhao Yunyun blinked in disbelief. “Sister Tiantian, you’re married?”
The little girl frowned. Lin Tian found it amusing, she could vaguely sense her reaction but decided to let her down gently.
Before parting, Lin Tian grabbed her hand, placing it on her belly. She said teasingly, “Can you feel anything?”
The slight bulge of her belly shocked Zhao Yunyun. This beautiful sister was not only married but already expecting a child. She withdrew her hand, disappointed. “Sister Tiantian, I didn’t even notice you were pregnant.”
“Sorry for not telling you sooner. You’re cute; we can be friends. Leave me your number or address, and I’ll visit you sometime, or you can come to see me,” Lin Tian said with a smile.
Though a bit disappointed her ideal sister-in-law was unavailable, Zhao Yunyun was glad to have a beautiful friend. She asked her brother for paper and pen, wrote down their phone number and address, and gave it to Lin Tian.
As they said goodbye, Zhao Zhixing and the driver waited nearby. Zhao Yunyun added, “Sister Tiantian, as a pregnant woman, why don’t you ride with us?”
Lin Tian waved her hand firmly. “No need. I can take the bus.”
Her resolve was clear, and Zhao Yunyun didn’t insist further.
After Zhao Yunyun left, Lin Tian didn’t take the bus. Instead, she checked into a nearby inn. She had slept poorly the night before, and as a pregnant woman, she was tired and hungry.
Fortunately, there was a state-run restaurant nearby. Lin Tian set down her luggage, took her money and ticket, and decided to have a proper meal.
Upon entering, she caught the eyes of most people, but she didn’t care, she was used to attention.
She ordered a bowl of clear soup noodles with a fried egg, keeping it light since her stomach couldn’t handle anything too greasy.
While waiting for her meal, a man in military uniform at a nearby table kept glancing at her, embarrassed.
He and his companion had just arrived in the capital for military school. The man, Su Cheng, 25, single, had been urged to marry by his family but had yet to find a suitable match.
The moment he saw Lin Tian, he was immediately drawn to her.
Lin Tian had a plump, egg-shaped face, big expressive eyes, and a natural smile. Su Cheng felt something stir, and his comrade noticed.
The comrade, married, admired Lin Tian but only as a form of appreciation. As an experienced soldier, he jokingly but seriously advised, “Why don’t you approach her? It’s rare to meet someone you like. If you miss this, you’ll regret it.”
Su Cheng wasn’t shy. Encouraged, he decided to take action. As soldiers, they valued speed, accuracy, and decisiveness.
After some mental preparation, he approached Lin Tian with what he thought was a gentle expression. “Hello, comrade. My name is Su Cheng, 25 years old, a soldier. I’d like to get to know you. May I ask if you currently have a partner?”
Lin Tian was initially a bit startled, but seeing him in uniform, she calmed down. Hearing his words, she couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time: “Sorry, Comrade Su, I’m already married.”
Su Cheng was dumbfounded. He had never expected that he didn’t stand a chance at all. Overwhelmed by disappointment, he felt numb for a moment. After collecting himself, he awkwardly mumbled an apology: “Sorry, I was being abrupt.”
With that, he returned to his seat, looking dejected. His comrade, having overheard their conversation, patted his shoulder and comforted him: “Don’t be too sad. It just means you two weren’t meant to be.”
Su Cheng nodded and didn’t look in Lin Tian’s direction again.
Lin Tian’s mood, however, was entirely unaffected. When her bowl of clear soup noodles arrived, she focused on eating. After all, in her previous life, she had received her share of confessions, not to mention that people back then were far bolder than in this era. Su Cheng’s directness was just a brief interlude to her.
After Lin Tian left, Su Cheng finally dared to glance at her retreating figure. The moment had been too short, and he muttered to himself, “How could she already be married?”
He felt a twinge of jealousy toward her husband but knew very clearly that he had no right. Shamed and regretful, he reluctantly withdrew his gaze, deciding to forget today as soon as possible.
Lin Tian, of course, had no idea about any of this. She returned to the inn, washed up, and lay down on the bed.
She needed to conserve her energy, tomorrow she would finally see the male supporting character in person.
With that thought, Lin Tian drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, she woke full of determination, got ready, and took a bus toward Huating University.