Chapter 165: Escort

Chapter 165: Chapter 165: Escort

"You fronted the money for the clothes, so I have to pay you back. Don’t argue with me about it."

"Take it! Your mom and I aren’t at the point where we need you to provide for us. We’ll come asking when we’re leaning on canes. For now, I can still work, so I have to give this to you."

He paused, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. His voice grew softer.

"Besides..."

"A father should have been doing this all along."

The words had barely left his mouth when a low train whistle echoed in the distance, sending a faint vibration through the tracks.

A young man in uniform strode over and gave Shen Zhenwu a sharp salute.

"Sir!"

Shen Zhenwu nodded, turning slightly to guide Song Yao a half step forward.

"This is my daughter, Song Yao."

The man’s face immediately broke into a smile as he extended his hand.

"Hello! I’m Li Yu!"

Song Yao gave him a quick look.

His hair was cropped short, and he looked to be at least twenty-six or twenty-seven.

She extended her hand, her fingertips brushing his lightly.

"Brother Li!"

Li Yu quickly withdrew his hand, rubbing it.

"Oh, no, no! Please, don’t stand on ceremony. Just call me Li Yu!"

Shen Zhenwu adjusted his grip on Song Yao’s luggage.

"She’s pregnant. Please look after her on the journey."

Li Yu saluted again, his voice booming, "I guarantee I’ll complete the mission!"

Shen Zhenwu had also specially arranged for an old acquaintance to escort Song Yao all the way back to Ning City.

He had also spoken with the conductor and the train crew ahead of time.

The man’s surname was Cheng. He was in his early forties and had worked on the railroad for twenty years.

Shen Zhenwu called him Cheng, and they simply exchanged nods upon meeting.

Li Yu and another comrade ran back and forth several times, cramming all the bags, big and small, into the train car.

Beads of sweat dotted Li Yu’s forehead. He wiped them away with his hand, glanced at his watch, and then gestured to Shen Zhenwu.

Song Yao leaned out the window and waved vigorously.

"Dad, I’m off!"

Shen Zhenwu hurried to the window, standing on his tiptoes to call out his final instructions.

"Once you get to Ning City, the first thing you do is call home!"

"Okay! Don’t worry, you should head back now!"

Song Yao answered with a smile.

Shen Zhenwu nodded, then turned to the comrade accompanying her and gave a serious instruction.

"I’m entrusting her to you. Keep a close eye on her."

The man straightened his posture and replied with a crisp "Understood," and only then did Shen Zhenwu breathe a sigh of relief.

"If you get dizzy or nauseous on the way, or feel uncomfortable at all, call for Li Yu right away. He can find someone to help. Don’t try to tough it out."

Song Yao nodded obediently.

"Okay, I’ll remember."

Shen Zhenwu waved his hand and repeated himself.

"Go on, go on."

Song Yao was in a soft-sleeper compartment. She had the entire car to herself.

It was as comfortable as a hotel room.

Only when the train had completely vanished from sight did Shen Zhenwu slowly turn and leave the platform.

Thanks to Shen Zhenwu pulling strings in advance, Song Yao’s journey was incredibly smooth.

The food, in particular, was impeccable.

Every so often, Li Yu would stop by, carrying a thermal container or a paper-wrapped bundle.

Ostensibly, he was delivering supplies, but really, he was just checking on her in person.

Each time, he would ask, "Song Yao, is there anything you’re craving? Just tell me, and I’ll have someone prepare it for you."

"Roast chicken!"

She blurted out.

’The one she’d had on her first train ride.’

’Shiny, fragrant, and savory. The skin was so crispy it crackled, and the meat was tender and flavorful.’

’Her mouth still watered just thinking about it.’

During the trip, she polished off two of them on the spot.

Just before she got off, Li Yu insisted on stuffing three more oil-paper packages into her hands.

They were all fresh from the oven.

Song Yao stared at the three plump roast chickens in her hands and scratched her head.

"Oh my... this is really a bit much."

Li Hanchen had been waiting at the station exit for a while.

When he saw Song Yao emerge from a distance, flanked by two people, he immediately broke into a run.

Xiao Xiao, who had been sent by Shen Zhenwu, recognized Li Hanchen at once.

But Li Yu, having never seen him before, instinctively stepped in front of Song Yao when he saw a man making a beeline for her.

Li Hanchen froze, dumbfounded.

"Huh??"

Song Yao quickly grabbed Li Yu’s arm.

"That’s my partner! He’s my partner!"

Li Yu froze for a second, then immediately lowered his guard. A smile bloomed on his face as he quickly extended a hand.

"Oh, I’m so sorry, so sorry! Mr. Shen personally assigned me to look after Song Yao for the entire trip, and I was worried something might go wrong. I was just being extra cautious. Please don’t take offense."

Hearing this, Li Hanchen’s apprehension vanished, and he shook the offered hand.

"Of course, of course. Thank you for all your hard work."

Li Yu waved his hands dismissively.

"Not at all, not at all! I’m afraid my care wasn’t attentive enough. I hope you’ll forgive any shortcomings."

Song Yao, holding her three roast chickens, couldn’t help but chime in. "No, he was wonderful! So thoughtful!"

"And thank you so much for these three!"

Li Yu let out a hearty laugh.

"Ha, it’s nothing! What’s a roast chicken? If you really like them, give me your address. I’ll send you some from time to time so you can have them fresh!"

’A roast chicken is only a few bucks at most,’ he calculated, ’but getting on Mr. Shen’s good side? Totally worth it!’

But Song Yao quickly waved her hands in refusal.

"Oh, no, no! I’ll have to give some of these to the neighbors as it is. I can’t possibly eat them all! You’re the one who must be exhausted from running around everywhere!"

Li Yu grinned.

"As long as I haven’t failed to carry out Mr. Shen’s orders, I can rest easy!"

"Here, here, let me help you carry your luggage out!"

He smoothly changed the subject.

’He had made his contributions clear; to linger any longer would seem cloying.’

With luggage piled all over the ground, Li Hanchen could only say, "I’m really sorry to have troubled you so much."

Li Yu gave his usual spiel.

"Don’t be a stranger! We’ll have plenty of chances to meet in the future. Once we get to know each other, we’re all family. That’s what friends are for, right? Being there for each other."

He carried a woven plastic bag in one hand and a large bundle on his shoulder, patting his chest with a grin.

"Once you get to know me, you’ll see I love making friends! Just say the word if you ever need anything. No matter how difficult, I’ll be there to help!"

It took two trips to move all the bags, big and small, before everything was finally crammed into the car.

Once the last piece of luggage was loaded, Li Yu waved.

"Drive safe! This is as far as I go!"

Song Yao leaned out from the back seat, waving energetically.

"Bye-bye!"

"Bye!"

Xiao Xiao, who had been sent by Shen Zhenwu to meet them, caught the returning "green-skinned" train back.

Li Hanchen had just taken Song Yao’s hand to head back.

Just then, a figure darted out from the communications office, holding up a hand to stop their car.

"Director Li! Someone is looking for you!"

Li Hanchen paused. "Who?"

"She says she’s your sister!"

Before he had even finished speaking, a young woman in a faded blue cotton shirt hurried out of the doorway.

"Second Brother!"

Li Hanchen quickly pushed the car door open and stepped out.

"On break from school?"

Li Ying nodded.

"Mhm, my train just got in this afternoon."

Li Hanchen’s gaze swept over her.

"Where’s your luggage?"

She gestured with her chin toward the communications office behind her.

"I left it in there."

Li Hanchen turned and headed into the office.

Song Yao leaned out, showing half her face, and gave her young sister-in-law a sweet smile.

"Hello~"

Li Ying’s expression tightened instantly.

Inside, Li Hanchen was lifting up an old canvas bag.

Li Ying followed him in, her fingers twisting the hem of her shirt.

Her face was taut, her eyes fixed on her brother as she swallowed hard.

"You... you’ve started seeing someone else on the side?"

"Huh?" Li Hanchen asked.

"Seeing... who?"

Li Ying pressed her lips together, biting her lower lip hard enough to leave a faint mark.

She lowered her gaze, her voice barely a whisper.

"A woman."

Li Hanchen was speechless.

’He’d heard plenty of nonsense in his life.’