A Stranger on the Bus

Wang Limei went to the coop to catch two laying hens. She wove a simple basket from willow branches and handed it to Jiang Rang, instructing her to take them to the city to sell for some pocket money.

Jiang Rang did not refuse her sister-in-law's kindness.

She was already planning to start a small business to earn money, and currently, aside from a few hens, there was nothing of value in the house to sell.

With the willow basket on her back, Jiang Rang set off for the county seat.

To reach the county seat, she had to take three different bus lines.

While waiting for the bus, thoughts of her past life flooded Jiang Rang's mind.

When the bus pulled up to the stop, she was still lost in her own reflections. She only managed to board because she was pushed along by the crowd.

In this era, buses still had conductors to collect fares. Her mind was still in a haze, causing her to forget to buy a ticket. The conductress called out several times, but failed to snap her out of her trance.

The bus was crowded with people getting on and off. At that stop, a young man also boarded. He had a very handsome smile, though an air of coldness emanated from his person.

He pulled out three cents to buy two tickets, then pointed toward Jiang Rang. "The other ticket is for that girl; we are together."

The conductress looked up at the young man. Seeing his refined and handsome features, she tore off two tickets, handed them to him, and teased, "Had a fight with your girlfriend? Hurry over and make up with her."

Gu Qingcheng squeezed through the crowd to get closer to the girl.

He had noticed her while waiting for the bus. She looked deeply sorrowful, her emotional state clearly unstable. Her large, beautiful eyes were vacant and soulless, and she had even forgotten to buy a ticket upon boarding. There were several other young men around stealing glances at her, but none had taken the initiative to help her with the fare.