CHAPTER 100: 10058 YEARS

The rest didn’t dare to make a move either. There were enough supplies and food in the space, so there was no need to cause trouble.

Strolling around until noon, she ate a flatbread and a bowl of noodle soup at a restaurant.

After eating her fill, Yuanyuan strolled outside. Despite being just midday, there were still quite a number of people on the street. Looking around, she could see that it was quite a bit better than their small city.

Since the train was leaving early the next morning, she thought about staying the night at an inn. Upon arrival, she showed her credentials, only to be scrutinized as if she were a thief. In the end, she was given a three-person room.

Inside, there was already a mother and daughter. Yuanyuan said nothing, removed her coat, revealing the cotton clothes made last year, and lay directly on the bed.

She initially wanted a single room but lacked the courage to ask at the counter earlier.

It’s just one night, so she’d make do.

The mother and daughter were chatting, and she didn’t want to eavesdrop. But in such a small room, even if she didn’t want to listen, she couldn’t avoid it.

It turned out they weren’t mother and daughter but aunt and niece, also transferring trains in the Capital.

Their accent seemed southern, and Yuanyuan couldn’t understand much of it.

She dozed off, and when she woke up, it was already past three in the afternoon. She thought about buying a watch, as hers was too conspicuous and not from this era.

Even though wearing a watch in Jiangbei would draw attention given her age, it was still more comfortable than skulking around.

The mother and daughter in the room continued chatting without acknowledging her presence.

So, she tidied up and left the building.

Watches typically cost around one hundred seventy or eighty yuan.

Her grandma once said she had a Titoni watch that she wore for over thirty years. So, Yuanyuan spent one hundred seventy-five yuan on a Titoni watch.

Watches now had those elastic bands.

Since her arms were skinny due to her young age, she had someone remove a segment and bought an extra strap for backup.

After buying, she continued to stroll down the street. Seeing the diverse people and the shops lining both sides, she thought that if she were more open, she’d definitely buy a lot.

But it wasn’t suitable at the moment. However, seeing a bookstore, she went in.

No one would ever know her background, so who would guess she could read or not?

So she bought a dictionary, one compiled during the former dynasty.

Along with some magazines, she found a few books on agricultural knowledge, something really practical.

There were also mechanical books. Even if she couldn’t understand them, they were still good preparations.

Maps and legal books were included, but she didn’t buy any other magazines or novels—no unnecessary expenses.

Seeing old newspapers, she spent one yuan for a year’s worth. Because they were outdated, they were so cheap.

Now she’d have something to pass the time on the train.

Since she was heading to Jiangbei, as stated on her credential, she bought a sleeper ticket. Lying down to read the newspaper sounded good.

She even bought a few picture books. Only then did she leave the bookstore.

It was already past five. She went to a restaurant for a bowl of handmade noodles, which tasted pretty good. After eating her fill, she returned to the inn, deciding not to wander outside at night. It was best to obediently head to Jiangbei.

The two people in the room weren’t there; Yuanyuan washed up and lay on her bed reading.

She waited until past eight, yet they hadn’t returned, presumably having checked out.

The electricity here was on a schedule, stopping at nine.

Just as she was dozing off, she heard someone enter. Glancing up, it was the two people from earlier.

However, the young woman’s face looked quite troubled.

Yuanyuan suppressed her curiosity, closed her eyes, and prepared to sleep.

They spoke in their dialect, and Yuanyuan only understood bits and pieces.

She gathered they were held by some people for a long interrogation before being released. The young woman was scared and felt wronged, hence the distress.

Yuanyuan felt fortunate she hadn’t stayed outside for too long.

The young woman kept sobbing; they spoke so softly that Yuanyuan wasn’t curious about their secrets. She drifted to sleep soon after.

By six the next morning, she got up. After washing outside, she checked out and ate outside before waiting at the train station.

She was eager to get on the train, not wanting to wait below.

It was already the 27th, and there were still many people early in the morning.

Yuanyuan saw apple vendors and thought she’ll buy some to have a change of taste on the train.

She went to the store and bought over twenty catties of snacks, then went back to the train station, gradually putting them into space along the way, leaving just two catties for convenience.

She boarded at half-past eight. Being off-peak, the car only had four sleeper tickets, and she was by herself, giving her ample space to spread out the bedding and pillows. Now she felt at ease, brewing a cup of hot tea before taking off her coat and lying down.

The train was slow. Swaying back and forth, Yuanyuan fell asleep.

Being alone, she didn’t leave and got food from the space. Every time they reached a station, she’d lock the door and explore.

Finally, on the night of the 30th, she went to the dining car for dumplings; though just cabbage fillings, it felt right for the occasion.

There were few people on the train; even in the hard seats, one could lie down. Yuanyuan felt she made the right call. If she waited past the new year, it might be crowded.

Strangers chatted in the dining car, which Yuanyuan disliked, so she returned to her compartment.

Now she was reading a law book, something she needed to memorize. Who knows what she might encounter in the future?

Understanding the law was beneficial, so she’d know how to protect herself.

By now, she’d memorized half of it, and potentially all by the time she reached Jiangbei.

Having something to do made the time pass quickly.

On the first day of the new year, Yuanyuan went to the dining car to eat, wanting a change of scenery.

The dining car offered a surprisingly good menu with fish and rice.

Yuanyuan ordered half a fish, cabbage with beans, and a bowl of rice.

It was quite flavorful. She devoured half the fish and felt she could have more but refrained from buying again.

People in the dining car had gotten familiar, chatting like old friends. Yuanyuan was still alone when she left. She thought of taking a walk at the station in the afternoon, hoping it wouldn’t be too cold.

Really, it was just to stretch her legs, nothing particularly exciting.