CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: AGRICULTURAL EXPERT (PART 1)

This news undoubtedly hit like a depth charge, leaving everyone speechless.

"Hello, is this seat number 53?"

Suddenly, a middle-aged man, looking flustered, held his phone and asked Lin Xiaoyan.

Lin Xiaoyan glanced at the screenshot on his phone and nodded, "Yes, this is it, sit here."

She pointed to the seat next to hers.

The man wiped the sweat off his forehead and exhaled heavily, instantly relaxing his body.

"Thank you, miss, this is my first time taking the high-speed train, I didn’t know..."

Lin Xiaoyan smiled and said, "It’s normal, I was like that too during my first high-speed train ride. In the end, I had to ask staff to find my seat..."

Seeing the middle-aged man, Lin Xiaoyan thought of her father, who had never taken a high-speed train. Would he also be this nervous and helpless during his first ride?

After sitting down, the man took a cup out of his backpack, took a sip, and finally seemed to come alive.

He took out his notebook and looked towards Lin Xiaoyan’s seat, fumbling around.

Upon seeing this, Lin Xiaoyan said, "Here it is."

She helped the man set up the small table, then pointed beside it, "Your cup can go here."

"Alright, thank you, thank you."

"No problem, feel free to ask me if you need anything."

"Okay, thank you so much," the man said, gratefully, looking at Lin Xiaoyan.

Lin Xiaoyan nodded, then continued watching her movie.

In the middle of watching, she got tired, stretched her arms, and turned her head, seeing the middle-aged man earnestly typing away.

She glanced at the man’s computer, which was filled with words, seemingly writing a report or something.

After a glance, she turned away without looking further.

"Miss, have some beans."

Hearing the person next to her calling, she looked over and saw the man offering her a handful of soybeans.

Lin Xiaoyan quickly waved her hands, "No, no, thank you. You can eat it, I don’t eat."

The man smiled sincerely, "Please try. This is a new variety I’ve researched, it’s delicious. Give it a try."

Despite his words, Lin Xiaoyan continued waving off the offer, not out of disdain, but out of heightened vigilance while traveling.

If it’s not hers, she shouldn’t eat it.

Seeing Lin Xiaoyan’s refusal, the man, slightly disappointed, carefully packed the soybeans back into a sealed bag.

Feeling a bit guilty, Lin Xiaoyan asked, "Uncle, are you into agricultural research?"

Upon hearing the question, the man gently responded, "Yes, but I focus solely on beans.

Our country has long imported soybean crops from other countries, I’m committed to researching a crop unique to our nation..."

Speaking passionately about his insights, the man shared with Lin Xiaoyan.

Although Lin Xiaoyan only partly understood, she had some farming experience from childhood and could chat a bit about agriculture.

From his words, Lin Xiaoyan guessed the man probably was an expert in agriculture.

"Miss, I’m going to get hot water. Would you like some? I can get you a cup too?"

In the evening, the middle-aged man stood up to get water and asked Lin Xiaoyan nearby.

Lin Xiaoyan waved her hand, "Thank you, Uncle, but I don’t need any."

"Alright then, I’ll get some water."

"Okay, don’t worry, I’ll look after your things."

"Great, thank you!"

The man stood up and left to get water.

After returning, they occasionally chatted.

During conversation, Lin Xiaoyan learned the uncle was heading to East Province back to his hometown.

Lin Xiaoyan’s stop was at around five in the morning, while the man next to her would travel half a day more.

At night, as the time passed closer to her return home, Lin Xiaoyan sat there watching.

"Ding"

Lin Xiaoyan saw Yang Lin had messaged her, asking if she’d arrived home.

"Not yet, arriving in six hours."

"Alright, stay safe."

"Okay."

The compartment was quiet as Lin Xiaoyan set her alarm.

At four-thirty, as the alarm buzzed, she quickly woke up, turned it off, and started calmly packing.

Everything was packed into her backpack, except for her phone.

She checked the time, twenty minutes until her station.

Restraining her excitement, she aimlessly scrolled through her phone.

While using the app, basically every five swipes displayed "Sea City University..." news.

She suspected this news might trend for a week!

Time flew as she scrolled, and soon it was time to disembark.

The high-speed train slowly halted as Lin Xiaoyan hurriedly pocketed her phone and checked her seat, ensuring everything was packed.

The announcement emanated, stirring excitement as Lin Xiaoyan stood up.

"Uncle... Uncle..."

Lin Xiaoyan gently called at the middle-aged man beside her.

"Hmm? Miss, what’s up?" The man awoke, dazedly, looking at Lin Xiaoyan.

"Uncle, my stop has arrived. Could you please get up so I can get off?"

"Oh, alright. You’re home?"

"Yes, I’m home!" Lin Xiaoyan gleefully replied.

The man stood aside as Lin Xiaoyan picked up her backpack and retrieved her suitcase...

However, unexpectedly the suitcase got stuck, and Lin Xiaoyan couldn’t pull it out.

"Let me help you!" The middle-aged man stepped forward, assisting Lin Xiaoyan with the suitcase.

During the movement, unavoidable contact occurred with Lin Xiaoyan.

Lin Xiaoyan instantly froze, stunned, staring at the man...

Moments later the man retrieved the suitcase, "There you go, it’s out."

Seeing his gentle face, Lin Xiaoyan clenched her fist, her voice quivering slightly.

"Uncle, where do you disembark?"

The man smiled, "I get off at Yang Station, East Province. My home is Yang City."

"Oh, Uncle, you..."

"Hmm? What’s wrong, miss?" The man questioned as Lin Xiaoyan looked a bit awkward.

Lin Xiaoyan stared at the man, her mouth opening, "Uncle, may I know your name? You really remind me of my father..."

Lin Xiaoyan hesitantly, blushingly spoke.

The man was momentarily stunned after her words, then laughed heartily, "I’m Li Chang, miss. Till we meet again!"

"Alright, goodbye Uncle Li."

Lin Xiaoyan cheerfully bid farewell to Li Chang. As she exited the high-speed train, she glanced back, seeing Li Chang also looking at her, waving.

Lin Xiaoyan, too, raised her hand and waved before leaving.

After getting off the train, instead of feeling joy from seeing the familiar environment, her mind was heavy due to the "view" she had just witnessed.

She approached a station staff member to inquire about the high-speed train she just took and its arrival time at Yang Station, East Province...

After receiving the precise timing from the staff, Lin Xiaoyan left the station with her suitcase.

Reaching a secluded place, she dialed the police.