Chapter 12: Sold by Others Yet Still Helping Count the Money

"Oh, miss, are you traveling all by yourself? Where are you headed?"

Sister Qing had been observing for a long time, hesitating, and had tried several times to strike up a conversation with Lu Jiaoer. Unfortunately, Lu Jiaoer had kept her back turned to everyone the entire time.

Finally, the opportunity arrived; Lu Jiaoer, needing to use the restroom, was forced to climb down from her bunk. Sister Qing couldn't resist the urge to seize the moment and began prying. She wasn't at all worried that this young girl would be suspicious or defensive toward her; after all, women usually guarded themselves against men and were far less vigilant toward other women.

Unfortunately for her, she had encountered Lu Jiaoer.

Lu Jiaoer glanced at her, expressionless, and without a word in response, headed straight to the restroom.

Sister Qing’s smile stiffened, leaving her in an awkward silence.

The two young women beside her looked on in astonishment. They had felt a sense of camaraderie upon seeing a girl around their own age and had hoped to chat with her as well. Instead, this girl treated them with cold indifference, not even offering a word, which they deemed incredibly rude.

The middle-aged cadre sitting nearby: "..."

He seemed to have realized that the girl in the middle bunk was quite wary of these three women who had just boarded. It was better to be cautious; trains were melting pots where all sorts of people gathered, and one could never be too careful. Even he, a grown man, had to be on his guard—otherwise, he might end up being swindled out of his money.

"Sister Qing, why is she so ungrateful? We greeted her nicely, why ignore us?"

"She must be a city girl, right? City folks are so arrogant, looking down on people from the countryside. What's so great about her?"

Worried that Sister Qing might be upset about losing face, Xiao Zhen and Xiao Fang quickly chimed in to defend and comfort her, both concluding that Lu Jiaoer was just one of those stuck-up city dwellers who looked down on rural folk. They had absolutely no favorable impression of her now.

"Oh, I'm just a cheerful person who loves to talk, and I assumed everyone was like me. We're all away from home, and since she’s just a girl alone, I was worried about her. If we were heading in the same direction, we could have looked out for each other, right? Who knew my good intentions would be met with such a cold shoulder?"

Sister Qing regained her composure and offered a bitter smile, quickly smoothing over the situation. Just as she finished speaking, Lu Jiaoer returned, and Sister Qing unexpectedly locked eyes with her icy gaze.

Lu Jiaoer had heard every word, but it was late now, so she decided to let it slide for the moment. If this woman continued to be blind, kept provoking her, and persisted in her petty schemes, she would certainly not let her off so easily.

"Sister Qing, don't bother with her. No good deed goes unpunished."

"Thinking she's something special just because she's from the city."

Seeing Lu Jiaoer return, the two girls began to jeer and mock her, standing up for their "Sister Qing."

The middle-aged cadre witnessed the entire scene, speechless: "..."

Lu Jiaoer: "..."

Idiots. Morons.

She finally understood how these two had been swindled. They didn't look smart at all—the type who would help count the money for the person selling them. She couldn't even muster the energy to be angry, as it wasn't worth getting worked up over fools.

With a blank expression, Lu Jiaoer ignored them, climbed back onto her bunk, lay down with her back to the group, and picked up her algebra book to continue studying earnestly.

The two girls: "..."
Sister Qing: "..."

Seeing this, the middle-aged cadre pondered for a moment, then followed Lu Jiaoer’s lead; he pulled out a book he had brought, lay down with his back to the others, and began to read as well.

This move left the three women, who had been hoping to drag him into their grievance, shocked and disbelieving. Was everyone on this train like this? Completely unenthusiastic? Had people become so cold and heartless these days?

The three women were seething with frustration. Since the other two wouldn't engage with them, they began talking among themselves.

"Sister Qing, that fiancé of mine is a battalion commander, so how many soldiers does he have under him?"

"Sister Xiao Fang, the number of soldiers doesn't matter. What matters is that he's an officer, right? How much is his monthly salary?"

"Sister Qing, the guy you found for me is a deputy battalion commander, right? Does he really earn one hundred and twenty yuan a month?"

"Why would I lie to you? An officer's salary is at least a hundred yuan, and they get assigned family housing—it's convenient and safe. If they hadn't thought the girls from our area were so wonderful, I wouldn't have been able to introduce you to them."

"I knew Sister Qing was thinking of us back home. You wouldn't forget us when there's a good opportunity."

"That's right, Sister Qing, you're such a good person. We won't forget you."

"I definitely won't."

"Me neither."

...

The three women were not speaking quietly at all. Whether intentional or simply oblivious, their voices were loud enough that Lu Jiaoer, who was trying to study, was forced to listen to every word.