CHAPTER 1023: 214 ACHIEVING LITTLE, RUINING MUCH

The soft sleeper compartments have private and dual rooms, and the space is relatively decent. However, the hard sleeper compartments are extremely cramped, with a small room divided into upper, middle, and lower berths on both sides. You can barely stretch your body, and you have to be careful not to hit your head when sitting up, especially in the middle berth—it’s like being stuck in a sandwich, the experience is painfully uncomfortable.

In one of these rooms, six beds were stuffed with five men and four children, leaving no space for one’s feet. Among them, a thin and dark-skinned little boy suddenly whimpered, clutching his stomach and rolling on the bed in great pain.

The men were either sleeping or playing cards, seemingly oblivious to the little boy’s agony.

A little girl, even more fragile than the boy, squatted beside him, her voice as soft as a kitten’s. She gently pushed him, "Brother, what’s wrong?"

The boy weakly opened his eyes, struggling to muster a faint smile on his face, "No... brother’s fine...."

Yet he didn’t know how terrible he looked at the moment. His dark skin only made his lips appear pallid and purplish, his brows tightly furrowed, and his face grimacing in excruciating pain.

The little girl suddenly began to sob quietly, fearing reprimand from the others. She switched to silent tears, clutching the boy’s hand as her tears streamed furiously.

"Don’t cry, sister..." The boy reached out with difficulty, gently wiping away the tears from her face.

The girl’s tears flowed even more fiercely.

Braving his resolve, the boy seemed to have made a decision. He glanced at the men either playing cards or sleeping. Two boys slightly older than them were sleeping on the upper bunk opposite, everything seemed so peaceful.

He pulled his sister’s hand, and her eyes rolled, pretending to help wipe the boy’s sweat, leaning over. The boy took the opportunity to whisper something in her ear, and she bit her lip, gently shaking her head.

The boy tightened his grip on her hand, his gaze firm.

Just then, the door opened from the outside, and a man walked in. Those playing cards stopped immediately, obediently standing up, their expressions a mix of panic and respect.

"Fourth Brother."

The man’s gaze swept over them, finally landing on the pale-faced boy lying in bed. He frowned, approached, and looked him over, "What’s wrong with this child?"

Someone nearby replied, "Probably ate something bad. This kid never had anything good to eat, putting whatever into his stomach without caring."

The man’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed a little. He turned and instructed, "Be careful, or it’ll be the end of you all." The sinister tone in his voice made them shudder and bow their heads in agreement.

After the man left, they sat down again, continuing to play cards, mumbling among themselves.

"After this trip, I’m never doing this again. It’s truly hell—my stomach’s being wrecked here. Even if I earn money, I won’t live to spend it."

"Same here, I’m going back home to get married. This job’s deadly...."

"Hey, Doggy, didn’t you marry already? Why are you marrying again?"

"I do what I want, none of your business!"

Suddenly, there were a few gentle knocks on the door, followed by the stern voice of the train conductor, "Everyone’s resting, no noise allowed."

Their laughter abruptly ceased.

Suddenly, someone’s gaze fell on the little girl. Despite her messy state, wearing clothes too large for her slim frame, her disheveled hair stuck to her face, exposing her smallness. Yet, her eyes were clear and bright, like pearls washed by rain, exuding innocence and pity, particularly captivating.

The man’s eyes narrowed, "This girl looks pretty nice, especially those eyes, really something."

Someone next to him laughed, "You wouldn’t lay hands on a little girl, would you? No body development, where’s the fun?"

"That’s where you’re wrong. Precisely because she’s a little girl, she’s even more enticing...."

"Hahaha, you’re a damn pervert."

Hearing the nauseating laughter, the little boy’s face turned white, clenching his sister’s hand tightly, silently cursing them as beasts.

The little girl still didn’t understand what was happening, only feeling sudden fear, clinging tightly to the boy.

The man, tired of laughing, stood up and walked over to the girl. She shrank back, but he grabbed her braid, making her cry out in pain, which only excited him more. He reached out to touch her face, and just as she was about to scream, his rough palm covered her mouth, leaving her struggling helplessly like a chick.