Volume One, Chapter 10: Has Lin Ranran Run Away?

The journey from the military district compound to the train station was a relentless ordeal. Pei Yuan, accompanied by his soldiers, trailed the Ji family like a band of malicious spirits that refused to disperse. Time and again, they rifled through the Ji family’s belongings, examining every single item with painstaking scrutiny.

The Ji family bore the humiliation in silence, swallowing their anger and shame with stoic endurance. At last, they reached the train station, exhaustion etched into every line of their faces as they boarded the train. They hoped that, at least for a while, they had escaped Pei Yuan’s shadow. But to their dismay, he remained suspicious to the end. Even after their luggage was stowed away, he insisted on one final inspection.

“Ji,” he sneered, “if I catch you with anything, you’re finished.”

Ji Junxiao glared at him, each word biting: “Get lost. Or I’ll cripple you right here, right now.”

But Pei Yuan didn’t back down. Instead, he stepped closer, a sinister smile twisting his lips as he whispered into Ji Junxiao’s ear. “Once you’re in the countryside, there are plenty of ways for me to make your whole family wish they were dead.”

Ji Junxiao’s blood seemed to freeze in his veins. He seized Pei Yuan by the collar, knuckles white, jaw clenched with fury. “If you dare lay a finger on any of my family, I’ll hunt you down even if it costs me my life!”

Pei Yuan only laughed, shaking him off with contempt. He straightened his collar, sneering, “We’ll see who has the last laugh.”

With that, he strode from the carriage.

Before leaving the train, Pei Yuan sought out Lin Ranran. His tone was barbed as he said, “The Ji family really does care for you. They all bought standing tickets for themselves, but got you a hard sleeper.”

Lin Ranran forced down her revulsion. “They’re not worried about me, only the child I’m carrying. Not like you, cousin, who truly cares for me.”

He scowled at the lovesick look on her face, his patience wearing thin. “Enough. Once you’re in the countryside, finish your business and get back. Our wedding is set for the eighteenth of next month. Don’t mess it up.”

She silently cursed him, wishing death upon him for his choice of date, but outwardly nodded obediently. “Understood, cousin. I know you’re the only one in the world who cares about me. Don’t worry, there’s no need to send anyone to watch them anymore. I’ll make sure to keep the Ji family busy on this journey. The train ride is three days and three nights—by the time we arrive, they’ll be half-dead from exhaustion.”

“That’s more like it. A month should be enough for you to recover. When you’re back, you’d better serve me well.” Pei Yuan turned to go, but after a few steps, seemed to recall something. He whirled around, reaching out to stroke Lin Ranran’s delicate face.

To him, her looks were her only redeeming quality—how unfortunate that Ji Junxiao had gotten her pregnant. Hadn’t she claimed to love him? Why hadn’t she kept herself pure for his sake? A wave of regret washed over him for having given her to Ji Junxiao in the first place. The thought of her being used by another man made him murderous.

Lin Ranran felt nothing but nausea, her stomach churning violently. She clenched her fists so tightly her nails bit into her palms, barely suppressing the urge to retch.

“Ranran, you don’t blame me for sending you to Ji, do you?” Pei Yuan’s eyes flickered with a complicated emotion.

“Of course not, cousin. I’m happy to lighten your burdens.”

“Damn it. Just thinking about you being knocked up by that bastard makes me want to kill him.” His eyes flashed with murderous intent.

“Don’t be rash, cousin. Now isn’t the time for trouble.”

“You’re right.” He drew a deep breath, reining in his fury. “The train’s about to leave. When you get back, I’ll take you to get rid of it.”

Curse you! Lin Ranran thought. As soon as Pei Yuan left, she immediately exchanged her ticket for a soft sleeper, choosing the last compartment next to the dining car—a particularly convenient spot. Since soft sleeper tickets were more expensive, few bothered to buy them, so she had the entire compartment to herself. As the train pulled away, her solitude remained undisturbed. She bought three more tickets, planning to bring the Ji family over later. It would be lively, all together.

Meanwhile, the Ji family had standing tickets in carriage seven. The crowd swelled with each stop, the air hot and stifling, bodies pressed so tightly together it was nearly impossible to move. The men in the Ji family, strong as they were, endured the discomfort with difficulty but managed to hold up. Ji Mother and Ji Junyao, however, suffered terribly, nearly crushed by the throng. Their position near the door left them vulnerable—at every stop, the flood of boarding passengers nearly shoved them off the train.

Their feet fared no better, trampled repeatedly until both women winced in pain, powerless to stop it. Ji Junxiao’s heart ached to see his mother and sister in such distress. Unable to bear it, he suggested to his father, “Dad, look at Mom and Junyao—why don’t I get them hard seat tickets?”

Father Ji observed the surrounding chaos, reasoning that the Pei family had likely stopped watching them after several stops, and agreed. “Alright, swap their tickets for hard seats. And get Ranran a soft sleeper, too. It’s been over an hour—I wonder how she’s managing. She’s carrying a child; don’t let her suffer with us.”

Mother Ji hurriedly protested, “Don’t worry about us. Go check on Ranran—I can’t rest easy, knowing she’s pregnant.”

She had barely finished speaking when another surge threatened to push her off the train, but Ji Junxiao and his younger brothers caught her in time, averting disaster. Seeing this, Father Ji gave a decisive order: “Xiao, take your mother and sister to find Ranran. This is too dangerous.”

Ji Junxiao gripped their hands tightly and plunged into the crowd, teeth clenched, forcing his way forward with all his might. Step by agonizing step, he led them through one packed carriage after another, until at last they reached the hard sleeper section. There, following the ticket’s information, they found the berth originally assigned to Lin Ranran—only to be stunned by the sight before them.

A burly man sprawled across the berth. Ji Junxiao was the first to recover, stepping forward to ask politely, “Comrade, did you just buy your ticket?”

The man sat up, scratching his head. “Yeah, just got it. I’d been standing, worn out, but someone refunded this ticket and I snapped it up.”

Refunded?

A chill ran through the trio—had Lin Ranran run off? Panic drained their faces of color.

Mother Ji shook her head anxiously. “No, that can’t be. Maybe she just switched to another carriage?”

Ji Junyao’s voice trembled. “That’s right, big brother. Sister-in-law gave me money to take Mom to the doctor, and even more for medicine. She’s been so good to us—she wouldn’t leave us behind, would she?”

“Don’t worry, let’s ask around.” Ji Junxiao tried to sound reassuring, though unease gnawed at him. After all, their father had given Lin Ranran the family’s savings the night before. What if she’d decided she’d squeezed them dry and disappeared?

As he fretted, a train attendant approached to check tickets. Ji Junxiao seized the opportunity, intercepting her with urgency. “Comrade, could you tell me if the person in berth 3, carriage 9, refunded or exchanged their ticket?”

The attendant checked her list carefully. “Exchanged—moved to berth 17 in the soft sleeper carriage.”

Relief flooded the three—she’d only changed tickets, not run away.

The attendant added, “Are you her family? She just spoke with us, wanted to find you, but the crowd was too thick. She asked us to tell you to meet her in carriage 17.”

“Thank you so much,” Ji Junxiao said gratefully.

With Lin Ranran’s location confirmed, the three hurried to the soft sleeper carriage, hearts pounding with anticipation. When they finally caught sight of her, Mother Ji burst into tears.

“Ranran!”

“Sister-in-law!”

“Mom, Junyao, darling, you’re finally here.” Lin Ranran rushed forward, gently helping Mother Ji to a seat. Ji Junyao staggered in after her, so weary she collapsed onto the berth beside them. Ji Junxiao remained standing, tense with concern.

“Ranran, you haven’t suffered, have you?” Mother Ji clung to her hand, examining her anxiously.

Lin Ranran smiled sheepishly. “I’m fine, just found the hard sleeper uncomfortable, so I switched to a soft sleeper.”

Mother Ji sighed. “You poor thing, having to make do on your own.”

“I’m not the one suffering—you all must have had a terrible time. I tried to come find you, but the crowd was impossible to get through,” Lin Ranran explained.

Ji Junxiao interjected, “You shouldn’t be moving around, not in your condition. The first seven carriages are packed—at every stop we nearly got pushed off. It’s dangerous.”

Ji Junyao nodded in agreement. “Exactly, sister-in-law. You’re pregnant, you must take care of yourself—don’t risk anything for us.”

Lin Ranran nodded. “You’ve all had a rough time, haven’t you?”

“We’re fine, as long as you’re safe.”

Ji Junxiao said, “Mom, Junyao, stay here with Ranran for now. I’ll go try to get you two hard sleeper tickets so you can rest.”

Lin Ranran quickly stopped him. “No need, darling.”

Mother Ji and Ji Junyao stiffened at that, disappointment flickering in their eyes. Mother Ji quickly masked it with a forced smile. “As long as Ranran’s safe, I’m happy. Junyao and I are alright—we’ll just visit now and then.”

Sensing their misunderstanding, Lin Ranran hurried to explain. “I’ve already bought tickets for carriages 16 and 17. Darling, bring Dad and the others over—exchange the standing tickets for sleeper ones. The journey is three days and nights; it’ll be easier to look after each other if we’re together.”

The three of them stared at her in shock.

They never imagined Lin Ranran could be so thoughtful. Mother Ji and Ji Junyao were deeply ashamed for having doubted her.

Ji Junxiao looked at her with gratitude. “Ranran, you’re so considerate. Thank you.”

She smiled. “Go on, bring Dad and the others.”

He nodded and hurried out.

“Mom, Junyao, are you hurt? Take off your shoes, let me have a look,” Lin Ranran said gently.

Mother Ji waved her off. “I’m fine, no need.”

“She’s just being modest. Her feet must be bleeding from all those people trampling her,” Ji Junyao said.

Lin Ranran insisted, and eventually Mother Ji relented. Her feet were swollen and red, several places bleeding from being stepped on—it was a pitiful sight.

Lin Ranran quickly sent Ji Junyao for hot water from the next carriage, preparing to clean the wounds. Mother Ji protested, embarrassed. “I can do it myself, there’s no need for you to look after me.”

“I’ve learned how to treat wounds—it won’t hurt at all, I promise,” Lin Ranran said tenderly.

Soon, Ji Junyao returned with hot water. Lin Ranran carefully cleaned Mother Ji’s wounds, applied antiseptic and ointment, and bandaged them skillfully. Thankfully, she had the foresight to stock up on medicine, which now proved invaluable.

Ji Junyao watched in awe. She’d always thought her sister-in-law was lazy, good for nothing but a clerical job, and after marriage, she’d even quit that. She’d never realized how little she truly knew her.