Chapter 171: A Brief Encounter
Chapter 171: Chapter 171: A Brief Encounter
"I’m sorry! Is that good enough?" Jiang Lan glared at Fu Xiaoxiao; she’d already apologized, why was this person still holding on?
"Is apologizing such an ordeal for you?" Fu Xiaoxiao saw Jiang Lan’s impatient shout and sneered.
Once again, Jiang Lan received unfriendly looks from the staff.
"I’m sorry." Jiang Lan bowed her head in grievance, apologizing as she bowed to them. "It was my misunderstanding, I won’t dare next time."
"Please be more careful with your words in the future." He Jie gave Jiang Lan a cold glance and stepped aside, the crowd quickly parted, making way.
Jiang Lan covered her face, crying as she ran away.
"Comrade, thank you for speaking up for us." He Jie looked at Fu Xiaoxiao, expressing gratitude.
If Jiang Lan’s words today weren’t clarified, surely someone would take it seriously, thinking they were unjustly treated.
"You’re welcome, she was just making trouble out of nothing and being disrespectful to me, so I spoke up not only for you but for myself as well." Fu Xiaoxiao smiled at He Jie.
"Which platform are you heading to? I’ll take you there." He Jie noticed Fu Xiaoxiao alone with two children, the staff behind approached to carry their luggage.
"No need to trouble you." Fu Xiaoxiao said, feeling embarrassed.
"Don’t be shy! You spoke up for us today, you’re our friend!" He Jie laughed, personally guiding Fu Xiaoxiao and her children through a side passage to avoid the queue.
"Thank you." Fu Xiaoxiao looked at the crowded path and expressed gratitude.
"The train you’re taking will soon arrive from this side, your berth is next to the dining car." He Jie merely glanced at Fu Xiaoxiao’s ticket to know their location, walking alongside and explaining the train’s facilities.
"Auntie, can you really tell just by looking?" Lu Chen listened eagerly, curiously eyeing He Jie.
"I grew up at this platform, I’m familiar with every train here; it feels like home." He Jie patiently explained to Lu Chen.
"I can see you really love your job." Fu Xiaoxiao noticed the glow of passion in her eyes and smiled.
He Jie nodded with a smile. "My mother was a train attendant, and my father was a train driver."
"Is driving a train fun?" Lu Chen’s eyes lit up upon learning her father drove trains.
"Haha... I think it’s quite fun." He Jie laughed, nodding. "Too bad my dad won’t let me drive."
Fu Xiaoxiao was amused by her playful remark.
"Whooo!"
A whistle sounded in the distance, and Fu Xiaoxiao looked up to see the train approaching, enveloped in roaring sounds, rumbling along the tracks. The rhythmic "clank" gradually drew closer, finally stopping in front of Fu Xiaoxiao and the others.
"Xiao Jie!" As soon as the train stopped, someone jumped off, joyfully running over at the sight of He Jie, eyes full of care and longing.
"Mom!" Upon hearing the familiar voice, He Jie excitedly sprinted forward, throwing herself into her mother’s arms.
"Girl, how’s work going? Are you adjusting well?" Mrs. He’s hand trembled slightly, gently caressing her daughter’s cheek, as if trying to make up for all the missed times.
"Mom, don’t you remember I grew up at this platform? Of course, I’m used to it! Plus, working here means I can see you!" He Jie nodded vigorously, her eyes reddening. "Don’t worry! How are you and Dad? Are you both healthy?"
"We’re well." Seeing her daughter was fine, Mrs. He nodded with a smile.
Fu Xiaoxiao, seeing their hurried reunion, smiled and led Lu Lin and Lu Chen onto the train, not interrupting them.
However, He Jie had already spotted them, pulling Mrs. He over. "Mom, these are my new friends, they’re called..."
He Jie hesitated, realizing she didn’t know Fu Xiaoxiao’s name.
"Hello Auntie, I’m Fu Xiaoxiao, these are my children, Lu Lin and Lu Chen." Fu Xiaoxiao introduced herself voluntarily.
"Hello Grandma." Lu Lin and Lu Chen greeted nicely.
"Hello." Mrs. He noticed He Jie helping Fu Xiaoxiao with their luggage as they boarded, looking at He Jie.
"Mom, keep an eye on them." He Jie told her mother, whispering in her ear about the earlier incident.
Mrs. He nodded, gently ruffling He Jie’s hair. "Your father and I are off the day after tomorrow."
"Great." He Jie was happy to know her parents could finally rest and the family could reunite, nodding enthusiastically.
With the station broadcast urging departure, the train was set to depart, time was tight.
He Jie clung to her mother, savoring the long-lost warmth and comfort. "Mom, take good care of yourselves, stay well, I’ll be here waiting for your return."
"Whooo!"
"Darling, don’t forget to eat while busy, wear more clothes when it gets cold..." Mrs. He tearfully released, turning quickly to board the train.
As the train doors slowly closed, Fu Xiaoxiao watched through the window as He Jie and her mother waved goodbye, eyes brimming with longing and reluctance.
"Sorry to make you witness this." Mrs. He turned to Fu Xiaoxiao, apologizing shyly.
"Not at all, it’s rare for you to meet, surely there are many things you’d like to say, I understand." Fu Xiaoxiao felt the urgency in their brief meeting, with only time for a simple goodbye despite many things unsaid.
"Indeed, we tried telling that silly girl not to work in the railway, but she wouldn’t listen, saying at least she could see us." Mrs. He wiped tears from her eyes. They wanted to spend more time with their daughter, but their busy work meant only meeting her a few times a year, each time hurried.
"You are super, super amazing." Lu Chen gave Mrs. He a thumbs up. "Really super amazing."
"Cute little guy." Mrs. He was charmed by Lu Chen’s adorableness. "Come with me now! I’ll take you to your seats."
With Mrs. He leading the way, Fu Xiaoxiao easily found their places, where the two children could sleep on the upper bunk and Fu Xiaoxiao sat on the lower one.
"If you need anything, just call me!" Mrs. He smiled at them.
"Thank you for the trouble." Fu Xiaoxiao waved smilingly at Mrs. He.
"Goodbye Grandma." Lu Chen climbed to the upper bunk, brimming with excitement.
"Goodbye." Mrs. He felt much better, waving as she walked to the front carriage.
The sleeping car wasn’t crowded, mostly empty, allowing Fu Xiaoxiao to enjoy some peace.
"Mom, look, I’m awesome, right?" Lu Chen held onto the upper bunk’s bars, balancing dangerously.
"Xiao Lin." Fu Xiaoxiao’s heart skipped, looking to Lu Lin beside her.
Lu Lin climbed up to catch Lu Chen, spanking his bottom twice.
"... A gentleman uses words, not fists." Lu Chen sulked, pointing angrily at Lu Lin.
"Where did you learn that?" Fu Xiaoxiao chuckled, unable to resist the sudden, funny remark.
"... He taught me." Lu Chen pointed at Lu Lin.
"That was to say if you can act, don’t just argue." Lu Lin glanced at him indifferently.
Lu Chen disagreed, snuggling into Fu Xiaoxiao’s arms, signaling his discontent.