Chapter 58: Beaten Beyond Recognition

The following time passed with the siblings chatting about various topics from all corners of the world.

One moment they were reminiscing about their childhood, the next they were sharing amusing stories from their school days, or else discussing experiences from university or after starting work.

In short, time always flies when there are engaging topics to discuss.

In what felt like the blink of an eye, the taxi arrived at the train station.

After getting out on the roadside, Shen Junyue carried the suitcase while Shen Yi’an simply followed closely behind her brother like a shadow.

This was mainly because the train station was extremely crowded.

Even from over two hundred meters away from the ticket hall, three long queues had already formed.

The lines consisted of people young and old, men and women.

Though strangers to each other, some naturally struck up conversations—proof that being socially adept is an innate trait.

Shen Junyue, holding the suitcase with one hand and gripping Shen Yi’an’s arm with the other, joined the very end of one line.

He deliberately chose the queue that appeared slightly shorter than the other two.

Of course, it only looked a bit shorter—the actual situation remained to be seen.

Staring at the long line ahead, Shen Yi’an tugged weakly at her brother’s sleeve. “Third Brother, there are so many people!”

“Did we come too late?”

Hearing this, Shen Junyue raised an eyebrow toward the queue ahead.

“Have you forgotten what time of year it is?”

“National Day is almost here. I’d guess over half the people in these lines are heading to Jingshi.”

“Watching the flag-raising ceremony is every citizen’s dream.”

If not for work commitments, he would have loved to see the national flag rise in person too.

For several years now, he’d talked about going—especially since his younger sister was in Jingshi—always imagining the whole family taking a photo together beneath the tower.

But it just never worked out.

Every time they planned it, either work issues popped up or family matters arose.

Delays kept piling up until now, when his younger sister had already graduated and returned home, yet the family still hadn’t fulfilled their dream of taking that photo beneath the tower.

Tch. Who knows if he’ll ever get to visit Jingshi in this lifetime.

Hopefully not when he’s old and gray.

But these were merely Shen Junyue’s private musings, unknown to Shen Yi’an beside him.

Detecting the envy in his tone, she smiled reassuringly. “It’s fine. After I return from Luochuan, our whole family can go together.”

“Although I studied in Jingshi for four years, I only went near the tower once—and that was just to scout locations for you all.”

“National Day is in three days, so we’d definitely miss it anyway.”

“But avoiding the peak crowds might be better. Then our whole family can take beautiful photos together—wouldn’t that be nice?”

In response, Shen Junyue simply smiled and ruffled her hair. “Alright, after you return from Luochuan, our whole family will go together.”

“Whatever you want, no one at home would ever object.”

“You’re absolutely right!” Shen Yi’an fully agreed with this sentiment.

In the past, when her health was poor, her family always tried to give her the best of everything, striving to fulfill all her desires.

Later, as she gradually recovered, their habit of indulging her became ingrained.

Once a habit is deeply ingrained, it’s hard to break.

But that’s fine—now she has the ability to repay them.

Once this trip to Luochuan concludes successfully, she can officially begin her personal “journey of gratitude.”

The regrets from her previous life can finally be redeemed in this one.

The siblings chatted as they walked, and the queue ahead gradually approached the ticket hall as time slowly passed.

Another half hour later, they could finally see the ticket windows clearly.

At the same time, waves of commotion reached their ears.

“…It’s only the 27th, and the tickets to Jingshi are already sold out?”

“Can we get tickets for the long-distance bus?”

“Can we buy standing tickets? We don’t mind standing all the way there. We’ve been hoping to visit the capital at least once before we die.”

The voices grew louder and louder, making Shen Yi’an’s head buzz. She couldn’t help but frown and cover her nose and mouth.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Seeing her like this, Shen Junyue behind her couldn’t help but worry.

“Should I stay to buy the tickets while you wait outside the hall?”

“There are too many people here, and the smell isn’t pleasant.”

After closing her eyes and calming herself for a while, waiting for the wave of nausea in her stomach to subside, Shen Yi’an weakly shook her head. “No need, third brother.”

“Maybe I just wasn’t used to the smell in the hall earlier. I’m feeling much better now.”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

“Really?” Shen Junyue was somewhat skeptical.

“Don’t push yourself.”

“If you’re not feeling well, just say so.”

“If anything were to happen, I’m afraid Mom and Dad would beat me so badly I wouldn’t be able to take care of myself.”

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an burst out laughing. “It’s not that serious.”

“I’m their biological daughter, and you’re their biological son.”

“They might scold you, but beating you to the point of incapacity is an exaggeration.”

Seeing that she still had the mood to joke, Shen Junyue temporarily believed her.

But he still repeatedly emphasized that she should speak up immediately if she truly felt unwell.

Another ten minutes later, the queue for tickets finally reached the siblings.

When the ticket seller heard they were buying train tickets to Luochuan City, she muttered softly.

“Finally, someone going somewhere else!”

“One person wants to go to Jingshi, another also wants to go to Jingshi.”

“I wonder if there’s even enough space under the city gate tower for so many people!”

Except for the train tickets to Jingshi, tickets to other places were plentiful.

Because of this, when the ticket seller learned that Shen Yi’an was pregnant, she thoughtfully helped them get a window seat, claiming that pregnant women needed fresh air for the baby’s well-being.

In response, Shen Yi’an repeatedly thanked her, and Shen Junyue placed three White Rabbit Creamy Candies on the ticket counter.

Not wanting to be accused of accepting bribes over three candies, the ticket seller immediately placed them on her supervisor’s desk after her shift.

Upon learning the origin of the candies, the supervisor just smiled and waved his hand.

“You’ve lived up to the leader’s words: ‘Serve the people.'”

“So these three candies are what you deserve. Take them!”

Because of this, the ticket seller left a good impression on her supervisor, laying a solid foundation for her future promotion.

But the Shen siblings were unaware of this.

By then, they had already left the ticket hall and were preparing for their next move.

“We have over half an hour before departure. Should we grab something to eat first?”

After checking the time, Shen Junyue posed the question.

His younger sister was pregnant, so her physical and energy consumption was doubled.

If she didn’t eat, it would be troublesome once they boarded the train.

Especially when she craved something tasty.

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an shook her head. “I’m not hungry yet.”

“There are still the walnut cookies and milk candies that Third Sister-in-law packed in the satchel. I’ll take them out to eat when I get hungry.”

“There will be many people when the train arrives at the station. Should we go wait by the platform first?”

Rather than being swept along by the crowd, she preferred to go early.

Shen Junyue didn’t object and carefully escorted her all the way to the platform.

They had barely been standing there for ten minutes when the train’s arrival whistle sounded leisurely.

Knowing it was time to part, Shen Junyue didn’t say much. He only reminded her not to accept food from strangers, not to drink water offered by strangers, and most importantly, not to talk to strangers.

Although she heard this every time she took the train, Shen Yi’an still nodded seriously in agreement. “Third Brother, don’t worry. I’ll definitely listen to you.”

“Except for the train attendants, I’ll try my best not to interact with any strangers.”

“I’ll call Dad’s office as soon as I arrive at the station.”

Hearing this, Shen Junyue finally nodded with relief.

“As long as you understand.”

“Alright, get on the train now to avoid being pushed by the crowd later.”

After a brief farewell, Shen Yi’an boarded the train carrying her leather suitcase.

Having said all that needed to be said, there was nothing more for the siblings to discuss.

After confirming that everything in the carriage was fine, Shen Junyue waved goodbye and left first.

Of course, he didn’t leave completely.

He stood in Shen Yi’an’s blind spot, watching until the last carriage of the train disappeared from view before turning to leave.

Naturally, Shen Yi’an on the train knew nothing of this.

Once the train started moving steadily, she carried her leather suitcase and made her way to the train’s restroom.