Chapter 12: A Passion for the Ordinary

“I really didn’t expect that, nearly into the 80s now, and the boxed meals on the train are still so terrible…”

The woman complained all the way, following closely behind a refined young man as they entered, drawing the attention of most people in the dining car.

“How unlucky—there’s not even a seat left. I told you we should’ve just tossed the boxed meals and come over earlier.” She looked utterly dejected.

“Comrade, please wait by the door. You can order first.” The dining car attendant handed them the menu and gestured for them to wait in the corner.

Qian Lai raised her head with distaste, just as the two newcomers glanced her way.

The man was delighted and hurried forward. “Comrade, what a coincidence, we meet again! Wouldn’t you say this is a wonderful stroke of fate?!”

He gazed at Qian Lai, hoping for a response. He hadn’t expected to meet such a captivating woman in a small place like Nancheng. Though she was a bit aloof, she certainly had the qualities to justify it.

Lu Ximing had always excelled in his studies, was handsome and tall, and had always been the object of pursuit for many young women. Yet, years of being adored had left him weary, and now, he longed to experience the thrill of pursuit for once.

To him, Qian Lai was the rare and elusive flower he’d searched for. The more distant she was, the more determined he was to win her over. He simply didn’t believe that, with his talents and looks, there could be any “high ground” he couldn’t conquer!

Huarui thought: Not another fateful encounter falling from the sky!

Qian Lai’s lips curled mechanically as she exchanged a look with Huarui: I dislike him.

“Well, this morning you claimed not to know each other, and now you’re even holding the child in your arms?”

The noisy woman followed closely behind Lu Ximing and came right up to their table.

It was only then that Lu Ximing noticed the “aloof flower” was sitting next to a man—the very father from the wonton stall that morning. The child even grinned at him provocatively, making his irritation flare.

He snapped, “Comrade, you really know how to take it easy! You’ve only just met this lady this morning, and already you’re making her look after your child while you eat in comfort!”

“Ximing, what’s with your eyes? Isn’t it obvious she volunteered to look after the child?” scoffed the woman behind Lu Ximing, her gaze unfriendly toward Qian Lai.

“We’re friends. How we interact is none of your business,” Huarui retorted angrily.

“We honestly don’t care what you do. We just want you to vacate the seats. You’re awfully comfortable just hogging them…”

“Comrade, would you mind standing a bit farther from our table? And if you must talk, could you not spit while you speak?”

Qiao Muting’s voice was cold and stern, yet it made Huarui burst out laughing.

At that, the woman seemed to explode, instantly ignited: “How can you speak like that? So lacking in manners!”

She took one look at the nearly empty table, as if catching them in the act. “Everyone, look at this! These people have already eaten but refuse to leave, hogging public resources even though others are still hungry. Isn’t that selfish?”

“There’s a child here—this is the example you’re setting for them?...”

Her voice was so loud that Lu Ximing clamped his ears in annoyance. “Yin Xiaonian, keep it down, you’re making me deaf.”

“I want everyone to know.”

Lu Ximing leaned in and whispered, “Stop shouting, it’s undignified.”

Noticing that everyone in the car was staring at him and Yin Xiaonian, Lu Ximing felt his face burning. He quickly turned to Qian Lai and apologized, “Sorry, comrade. My friend here—her temper isn’t the best…”

“Ximing, what are you saying?!”

The man she secretly liked had always been hot and cold with her, but now, in front of everyone, not only did he not support her, he only cared about the other’s feelings?

Yin Xiaonian questioned him in disbelief, “Ximing, whose boyfriend are you? When someone bullies me, you don’t help me but apologize to them instead?”

“Who’s your boyfriend?! We’re just ordinary friends.”

Fearing his “goddess” would misunderstand, Lu Ximing hastened to clarify, “We really are just acquaintances. She insisted on tagging along to Nancheng, and I couldn’t shake her off. Comrade, please don’t misunderstand!”

Qian Lai didn’t even look up, but Huarui spoke bluntly, “Oh, I see! You met someone prettier and now you want to trade up!”

“Lu Ximing! You hypocrite!” Yin Xiaonian was even more furious. “Don’t forget, you’re relying on my father to secure your job.”

That struck him right in the face, a direct blow to the “golden boy’s” pride. He yanked his hand away from her grasp, furious. “Yin Xiaonian, you’re still young—don’t act like a shrew!”

A shrew!

She’d always treated him wholeheartedly, yet he insulted her like that! She wasn’t the daughter of a wealthy family, but as the cherished daughter of the city tax bureau director, she’d always been admired by all. Only for Lu Ximing did she ever bend over backwards. Yet he never gave her any sense of security. Every time they quarreled, he never once took her side, let alone defended her.

Yin Xiaonian suddenly felt as if her entire heart had been handed to the wrong person.

“Lu Ximing, you used to chase after me just like this, and now you turn your back on me?...”

Lu Ximing felt suffocated by her! How could she twist things and tangle him up like this—especially in front of his goddess?

He was about to argue when the attendant behind him said, “Sorry, you two. The last dish has just been taken… there’s no need to wait anymore.”

No food left!

Yin Xiaonian was even more upset. After all this fuss, she’d lost even her lunch. She was about to explode!

She vented her anger on Qian Lai: “Happy now? You look like a born seductress, always luring men. One isn’t enough—you even covet other people’s men. No wonder you eat and linger, always wanting more. Shameless!”

Now that the insults were directed at her, Qian Lai could no longer keep out of it. Her expression turned cold. “Don’t think that just because you like someone, every woman in the world wants to steal him too! Besides, can’t you see? What woman, with a man like him beside her, would be interested in any stray cat or dog?” She leaned closer to Qiao Muting.

Qiao Muting straightened with a jolt.

The two exchanged a knowing smile, as if in perfect harmony. “Have you heard the saying, ‘When the flower blooms, the butterflies will come’? Everyone longs for beauty—how can the flower be blamed? Only the dung beetle adores its ball of dung, circling it as if it were treasure!”

She paused, shared a glance with Huarui who was struggling not to laugh, and added, “I hear you’ve no food left. There’s still some soup here—you can have it!”

“You, you…” Yin Xiaonian realized she was being called a dung beetle in love with her own filth. She was so furious she couldn’t even come up with a retort.

As the three adults and two children stood to leave, Lu Ximing reached out to grab Qian Lai, wanting to explain, but was firmly blocked by Qiao Muting’s imposing figure.

Faced with a man half a head taller than himself, Lu Ximing was annoyed. “Comrade, could you step aside? I’d like to get to know this lady—why are you standing between us?”

“Can’t you tell she doesn’t want to know you?” Qiao Muting stood his ground.

Lu Ximing had no choice but to dodge and call out to Qian Lai, “Comrade, there’s really nothing between me and her—don’t misunderstand. Where are you sitting? I’ll come find you later.”

“Did you not hear or not understand what he said?” Qian Lai replied. “I truly don’t wish to associate with you. Please stop bothering me.” With that, she handed Wenquan to Qiao Muting and walked away without looking back.

Qiao Muting raised an eyebrow at Lu Ximing, gave a playful, mocking smile, and followed her out the door.

Huarui leaned in with a mischievous grin and whispered, “Say, isn’t this Dr. Qiao interested in you…?”

“Don’t jump to conclusions. By the way, I need to ask you another favor. Don’t tell anyone about me—including him.” Qian Lai jerked her chin back.

Huarui glanced over her shoulder and saw Qiao Muting gazing at Qian Lai with deep affection.

She nodded with a smile.

…

After lunch, the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning hit with full force. Coupled with barely any sleep after a night of conversation, drowsiness overtook Qian Lai. She found an excuse to slip into her private space and enjoyed a long, restful nap.

Little did she know, upon waking, something major had happened!