Chapter 10 Boarding the Green Train

“Sorry, I don’t know you.” Without another word, Qian Lai pulled Liu Heqing with her and turned to leave.

She was terrified he might bring up that night again.

What happened that evening was best left to oblivion for all involved.

“Wait!” The man reached out, trying to stop her, but as he took a step forward, a little child clung to his leg and cried out, “Daddy!”

Daddy!?

Daddy!!

Qian Lai couldn’t help but stop and turn back to look at him.

At that moment, his incomparably handsome face was thrown into disarray by the sudden cry of “Daddy.” For a second, he didn’t know whether to pick up the child or to hold onto the girl.

But Qian Lai, instead of hurrying away, paused.

Since he was already a father, how could he be so careless with his children? Leaving a seven- or eight-year-old to feed a two-year-old alone—she might not meddle in other affairs, but when it came to children, she had to set things straight.

She stopped and crossed her hands in front of her, glancing at the little one who’d nearly choked to death earlier, and let out a sigh. “Comrade, these children are still so young, and you left the two of them alone in such a crowded place. Aren’t you worried about their safety?

“They say that as long as a father brings the children home alive, he’s done well. But look at what just happened—he nearly lost his life.

“Just a word of advice: in a place as crowded as a train station, it’s best not to let your children out of your sight. Otherwise, if they’re taken by traffickers or, as just now, accidentally swallow something dangerous, you’ll have nowhere to turn even for your tears.”

With that, she took Liu Heqing’s hand and strode off, sighing inwardly at how much of a “motherly” air she had.

Qiao Muting bent down and picked up Wenquan.

Watching her walk away, he instinctively wanted to follow, but her words made him pause.

He suddenly realized how much things had changed for him in just a few days.

Now, he was legally “father” to Wenquan and Wennuan.

When it came to raising children, he was utterly inexperienced.

Just now, he’d only stepped away to fetch a thermos of hot water for them, and who could have guessed that Wenquan would nearly have an accident in that short time?

“Uncle Qiao…” Wennuan looked up at him sweetly.

His heart clenched, and he hugged her close, pained.

This trip to Nanshi was not only to pick up his “cousin-in-law,” but also to fulfill a solemn wish: to lay the ashes of his best friend Wen Haibo’s widow, Li Li, to rest beside her husband in their ancestral home.

He had witnessed Wen Haibo die before his very eyes; even with all his effort, he could not save his friend. Years later, he was equally powerless to save Li Li from a brain tumor.

He deeply doubted his own abilities.

Three generations of Qiao’s family had been doctors: his grandfather, a revered physician to high-ranking officials; his uncle, the director of the Southwest Military District General Hospital. Yet when it came to himself, he couldn’t save the most important people, only watch them die one by one in his hands.

He often felt he wasn’t cut out to be a doctor at all.

What use is a “scalpel” without skill?

With Li Li’s ashes, he had gone to Wen Haibo’s parents’ home in Xiao Nan Village. Now, only Mother Wen remained, struggling to care for two young grandchildren. He couldn’t bear to see his friend’s mother toil in her old age, so he decided to adopt the two children. He entrusted the old woman to the local welfare authorities, making sure she would be well cared for in her later years, and brought the children back to Nancheng.

Though his status had changed dramatically, he had to admit he still hadn’t fully adapted to his new role. At times, he was at a complete loss, flustered and helpless.

Thankfully, Wennuan and Wenquan were remarkably sensible children.

Especially Wennuan—obedient and thoughtful, as if she understood her own and her brother’s predicament, always careful and well-behaved. She was completely self-sufficient, even helping take care of her younger brother, and she was deeply grateful to Qiao Muting, always treading carefully for fear of being a burden.

Wenquan, on the other hand, had called him “Daddy” the first time they met. The child was posthumously born, never knowing Wen Haibo. Perhaps he longed so much for a father’s love that, now one had appeared, he clung on desperately, even grasping Qiao Muting’s sleeve in his sleep, refusing to let go.

The contrasting ways the children responded pained Qiao Muting deeply.

He wanted to do everything he could to give them a new home.

He believed this was perhaps his greatest motivation to keep on living.

He hadn’t expected, today at the train station, to encounter that girl from his dreams once more.

That night, in the darkness, her delicate charm had haunted his dreams ever since.

But seeing her again today… she was even more stunning.

Dressed in a plain white nurse’s dress, cinched at the waist, her porcelain skin looked even more luminous; her curves were perfectly outlined. Her high ponytail, seemingly tied up carelessly with a white handkerchief, lent her both innocence and a hint of carefree spirit.

But today, the sweet flush on her face was gone, replaced by seriousness; the playful “little white rabbit” look from before had vanished. When she scolded him, her cheeks glowed pink with exasperation, her face all sternness—yet utterly harmless. She looked more like a little fox, fur bristling in anger, cleverness hiding behind her annoyance.

He chuckled softly—besides her cunning, there was something mysterious about her as well.

Elsewhere, Liu Heqing hurried to keep up with Qian Lai. “Sis, you really don’t know that man? He’s so handsome! I’ve never seen a comrade look so sharp. It’s a shame he’s already a father…”

“Comrade, the way you saved that child just now was really nerve-wracking!”

That annoying Lu Ximing was truly persistent.

Qian Lai kept her gaze forward, quickening her pace.

“Comrade, my name is Lu Ximing. I’m from Xinda University. I’m a student there—may I have the honor of getting to know you?”

In those days, university students commanded deep respect.

Lu Ximing knew well how impressive his status was to young women.

Unfortunately for him, Qian Lai wasn’t an ordinary girl.

Noticing Qian Lai’s obvious dislike, Liu Heqing stepped between them. “Sorry, comrade, my sister needs to catch her train.”

“It’s the 9:45 train to Xin City, isn’t it?” The man smiled in relief.

Qian Lai didn’t respond at all, heading straight to the luggage check to retrieve her things.

By now, the waiting room was packed to capacity. In fifteen minutes, the train to Xin City would depart. A long line had already formed at the entrance to the platform; Qian Lai joined the end of the queue.

Lu Ximing followed close behind, about to speak, when someone behind him, gasping for breath, called out, “Ximing, why are you walking so fast? There are so many people here, we’d better not get separated.”

Liu Heqing, as if avoiding someone infectious, gave Qian Lai a gentle push forward and whispered, “Uh-oh, sis. Two pests are on your train. Maybe I should buy a ticket and see you off myself?”

Qian Lai found it hilarious.

They were leeches, not professional killers.

Far off, Qiao Muting was struggling—one arm holding Wenquan, the other carrying luggage, with Wennuan clinging tightly to his sleeve.

With two children in tow, every step was a challenge.

From the far end of the queue, he could easily spot Qian Lai in her white dress.

She was dazzling among the crowd.

But at the moment, another man was sticking close to her.

Seeing the smile on the man’s face, Qiao Muting couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.

“Passengers for train XK945 to Xin City, please take your belongings and prepare to board…”

The carriage soon filled with people, luggage, chickens, ducks, and geese.

It was Qian Lai’s first time on a green train, and she was more excited than most.

Originally, the organization had booked her a sleeper ticket, but she had politely declined. In a crowded hard seat carriage, she could easily slip away into her own world for some peace and quiet. But in a sleeper, with so little space, it would be easy to attract unwanted attention.

Carrying her luggage, she squeezed through the throng until she finally found her seat.

Outside the window, Liu Heqing looked on, eyes red, reluctant to part. “Sis, if I’d known I’d have to say goodbye to two people in one day and cry twice, I would have had you leave on separate days.”

“Sis, there are a lot of people on the train. Keep an eye on your things.”

“Don’t worry about things at home. Once school starts, I’ll be a police academy student. If anyone dares to bully Auntie, I won’t let them off easy.”

“You have to take care of yourself…”

She had underestimated the little girl’s ability to nag.

Qian Lai smiled and handed her a piece of White Rabbit candy, reminding her once more, “If Qian Xiaozhen doesn’t get her university admission letter, she might not let it go. If anything happens, write and let me know.”

Liu Heqing nodded furiously.

Just then, a clear, lively female voice rang out by her ear: “You’re my lifesaver! What a coincidence to meet you here!”