So Sheng Zexi tried his best to make Gu Jia Ning comfortable.
Zhou Yu helped them put their things in place and was about to leave.
However, before leaving, Zhou Yu prepared several cans and, despite Sheng Zexi’s refusal, handed them over to him.
"Once you leave, who knows when we will meet again," Zhou Yu said.
"There will always be a chance, besides, my wife is from here, so we’ll return often and there will be plenty of opportunities to meet again," Sheng Zexi replied.
"Yes, you’re right, take care."
"Take care."
After Zhou Yu left, Sheng Zexi gave the cans to Gu Jia Ning.
Gu Jia Ning accepted them and saw that there were fruit cans, beef cans, and luncheon meat cans.
"Do you want to eat? Should we open one can to eat?" Sheng Zexi asked.
Gu Jia Ning shook her head, "I’m not hungry."
She had eaten quite a bit for breakfast, so she wasn’t hungry, and the air inside the train wasn’t very good with various smells, so she didn’t have much appetite.
"Are you feeling a bit uncomfortable? Take a rest for now." Sheng Zexi gently touched her head, somewhat distressed by the spiritless young girl.
"Hmm." Gu Jia Ning nodded and leaned back.
There were upper and lower bunks across from them, and people were sitting there too.
When Gu Jia Ning sat down and glanced over, the people over there also looked in her direction.
It was a middle-aged couple, their attire suggesting city folks. The man wore a Zhongshan suit with a pen clipped to the collar. Though not particularly striking in appearance, the couple carried themselves with an air of sophistication.
Gu Jia Ning breathed a sigh of relief, fearing to encounter any troublemakers.
"Ningning, have some hot water, it’ll warm you up."
"Hmm."
As Gu Jia Ning sipped hot water and lowered her scarf, the couple opposite caught a glimpse of her face and were visibly impressed.
"What a beautiful young girl," the middle-aged woman commented, seemingly straightforward with her praise.
Gu Jia Ning was momentarily taken aback but then smiled, "Thank you."
Who wouldn’t be happy to be complimented on their looks?
This exchange appeared to open a conversation between them.
In no time, Gu Jia Ning learned that the couple was indeed married. The man was named Shen Huaiyuan, and his wife was Bai Juan. They both worked at the Chaoyang City Steel Plant and were on a business trip to Linzhi City.
Linzhi City was also in the Northwest, neighboring the Yuanshan City where Gu Jia Ning and Sheng Zexi were heading, home to the Northwest Military Region.
After chatting for a while, Shen Huaiyuan and Bai Juan learned that Gu Jia Ning and Sheng Zexi were newlyweds, with Gu Jia Ning accompanying him on his military assignment.
Midway through their conversation, the loudspeaker on the train announced that those not yet on board should hurry up, as the train was about to depart.
The train car was suddenly abuzz with activity, with people coming and going until the train gradually began to move and silence returned.
Gu Jia Ning couldn’t help but feel relieved that she wasn’t prone to motion sickness; otherwise, this three-day, two-night journey on the old train would have tested her stamina.
Around noon, after seeking Gu Jia Ning’s opinion, Sheng Zexi bought two meals.
One was green pepper shredded pork, the other was braised pork with rice, accompanied by other vegetables and half a marinated egg.
Seeing the two meat dishes Sheng Zexi and Gu Jia Ning had, many around them couldn’t help but look envious.
Food on the train wasn’t cheap, especially meals with meat, so most families packed their food to save money.
As lunchtime approached, many people began to eat steamed buns, pancakes, and some even had stuffed buns.
Even those with better financial means generally only purchased a vegetarian meal box at most.
Before they left, her mother had suggested packing some food for them, but Gu Jia Ning had declined.
Partly because she didn’t want her mother to busy herself early in the morning, and secondly, because buying meal boxes on the train was more convenient. As for spending money, Gu Jia Ning believed she wasn’t strapped for cash and wouldn’t skimp on herself and her husband.
Gu Jia Ning wasn’t picky with food, but she did enjoy meat and liked spicy dishes. Fortunately, no matter how much she ate, she never seemed to gain weight.
As Gu Jia Ning and Sheng Zexi ate together, Sheng Zexi picked out the things Gu Jia Ning liked the most.
Gu Jia Ning thought the train food wasn’t too bad.
The braised pork was quite delicious.
"Boo-hoo, Mom, I want to eat braised pork, I don’t want to eat steamed buns." Not far away, Gu Jia Ning heard a five or six-year-old boy crying and throwing a tantrum over wanting braised pork, even hitting his mother.
The boy’s mother occasionally glanced over in Gu Jia Ning’s direction.
Did Gu Jia Ning understand the situation?
Of course, she did.
But she chose to ignore it and pretended not to notice.
She definitely wasn’t one to sacrifice herself for the sake of helping others.
Little did she anticipate that even though she didn’t engage, the boy’s mother lacked tact.
When the boy continued to fuss, the mother came over to Gu Jia Ning and Sheng Zexi, and said to Gu Jia Ning, who was eating braised pork, "Comrade, my child really wants braised pork. I see you have quite a lot of it in your dish. Could you spare some for my child, please?"
Sheng Zexi frowned and was about to speak.
But his young wife looked up, revealing a charming and attractive face, blinked, and said, "If your child wants to eat, go buy some."
"I-I can’t afford to buy it."
Gu Jia Ning curled her lips into a smile. Although she didn’t respond verbally, her message was clear—if you can’t afford it, then don’t eat it.
The fact that I have a lot of braised pork is my business, and what is your relationship with me that I should give it to you?
Especially seeing a child throwing a fit and hitting his mother, while the mother did nothing to discipline him and shamelessly asked for meat, Gu Jia Ning didn’t like this mother-son duo.
Gu Jia Ning wasn’t particularly attached to the braised pork, but what belonged to her, if she wished to give it away, she’d do so willingly. If she didn’t, she’d fight to get it back.
"I see you have a lot of meat, and your husband is a soldier. As a military spouse, aren’t you supposed to be virtuous and willing to help others?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Jia Ning was thoroughly annoyed.
It’s one thing to criticize her, but another to involve her husband.
Gu Jia Ning, like the rest of the Gu Family, was famously protective of her own.
However, this time, instead of confronting the woman directly, she pouted, her eyes reddened slightly, and she spoke with a tone of grievance, like a bullied young bride, "So you’re saying soldiers should selflessly give away everything they have?"
"Do you mean that while my husband charges into the front lines to defend our country, his wife, as his support, isn’t even allowed to enjoy a piece of braised pork?"
"Fine, I understand. Here, take our meals, and feel free to go through our luggage to see if there’s anything else you want."
Gu Jia Ning presented herself as someone who would submit to adversity and let others walk over her.