The train passed one station after another. Qinglan looked at the scenery flashing by outside the window, and Fu Hengyi’s handsome face appeared in her mind. She hadn’t told him about this trip yet.
Just as she was thinking about it, Fu Hengyi’s call came in. Qinglan glanced at the time, it was six in the evening.
"Have you eaten?" Fu Hengyi smiled unconsciously upon hearing Qinglan’s clear voice.
"Not yet, I’m on the train."
"On the train?" Fu Hengyi frowned unconsciously, "Where are you going?"
"Just going out for a walk, enjoying the scenery, and clearing my mind," Qinglan said casually.
"Where’s your destination?"
Qinglan looked at the ticket, "Hang City."
"Why did you suddenly think of going that far?" Fu Hengyi thought she was just going to a nearby city, but she ended up traveling from the north to the south.
"I bought the ticket randomly."
"Is this a spur-of-the-moment trip?" Fu Hengyi chuckled.
Qinglan smiled gently, it seemed like it was indeed.
The two of them chatted casually, and Qinglan didn’t even realize that she was much more at ease talking to Fu Hengyi now.
"Why are you so early today?" Since there were many people on the train, Qinglan wasn’t explicit. She trusted Fu Hengyi would understand.
"It’s dinner time, and I have a meeting later."
Qinglan responded with an "oh."
"Take care of yourself while you’re out, and remember to eat on time," Fu Hengyi reminded.
Qinglan replied with a "yes."
"Remember to take some photos for me to see," Fu Hengyi suddenly said before hanging up.
Qinglan’s beautiful eyes flickered, "Okay."
"Oh, were you talking to your boyfriend?" As soon as Qinglan hung up, a pair of curious big eyes were looking at her, blinking.
Qinglan leaned back slightly, putting some distance between them, her expression as calm as ever.
"What does your boyfriend do? Are you in a long-distance relationship? I’ve heard that long-distance relationships easily end in breakups, so are you going to see your boyfriend this time?"
Qinglan lowered her eyes and remained silent.
"I’m going to Hang City, where are you going?" The girl asked again when she saw Qinglan not responding.
Qinglan turned her eyes away, not looking at her.
"Hey, hasn’t anyone told you that it’s impolite not to respond when someone talks to you?"
"And, why didn’t you agree to change seats with me earlier? Was it because I didn’t offer enough money? But three hundred yuan is not a small amount for changing a seat when the ticket alone is just over five hundred. You can’t be too greedy." The girl prattled on, completely forgetting she was the one pouting and glaring earlier for not getting the seat.
"I’m Ya Xi, Ya of color, and Xi of sunset. What’s your name?"
Qinglan closed her eyes. She realized for the first time that someone could talk more than Yu Xiaoxuan. This girl who claimed to be Ya Xi was indeed talented in chattering on her own. Throughout the journey, without a word from Qinglan, she had prattled on endlessly.
From her name to her hobbies, her classmates at school, a popular young idol who was her male god, to her reason for traveling to Hang City, she left nothing unsaid.
From her chatter, Qinglan learned that she was a senior at Beijing University’s affiliated high school, a native of Beijing. Given her surname, she should belong to the Nancheng Yan Family.
The Yan Family, like the Shen Family, were families that thrived on the battlefield with roots in Nancheng.
Although the Yan Family had an old house in Beijing, the main family members didn’t reside there. If she remembered correctly, this little girl named Ya Xi was part of the main family. Why was she studying in Beijing?
Qinglan couldn’t figure it out and decided not to think about it since it didn’t concern her.
When the train arrived, Qinglan stood up and grabbed her luggage.
"So, you’re going to Hang City too, what a coincidence. Hey, why do you have so little luggage?" The little girl, Ya Xi, looked surprised seeing Qinglan.
Qinglan glanced at her indifferently. She found the overly familiar little girl a bit of a headache. She had always been averse to interacting with strangers, but towards this little girl, whose personality was somewhat like Yu Xiaoxuan, she couldn’t feel any annoyance.
"Hey, wait for me! Since we’re headed to the same destination, let’s go together. Someone is picking me up, you can ride with us. Although you didn’t change seats with me, I’ll generously forgive you for our pleasant companionship, so you don’t owe me any gratitude," Ya Xi chirped on her own accord.
How did you deduce that our interaction was pleasant?
Qinglan ignored her and walked on her own as Ya Xi, dragging a large suitcase, trailed behind her with difficulty.
Since Qinglan had less luggage, she walked faster, causing Ya Xi to pant heavily in an attempt to keep up with her in no time.
"Could you slow down? I can’t catch up. My brother is waiting for me in the East District; we’re heading there to catch a ride," Ya Xi puffed out, her voice muffled.
Qinglan stopped, turned to look at her, and noticed her slightly pale complexion with a hint of frown, "Don’t follow me."
"I’m not following you; I’m just going in the same direction," Ya Xi pouted, glaring at her defiantly.