At the moment she heard those words, panic flashed in Yu Yueâs eyes, like a startled fawn. The light seeping through the cracks shattered into tiny fragments across her pupils.
Reflecting Su Huanâs stern profile, mostly hidden in the shadows, leaving only a blade-like sliver of brightness.
He was smiling.
Even though it wasnât clear, Yu Yue felt that he was indeed smiling.
In that moment, Yu Yue felt she was close to not a person, but a cruel beast, much like the terror wolf that attacked the train today.
However, his cruelty carried a hint of desire, rather than pure malice.
The fear of being discovered by her daughter compounded with the fear of being oppressed by a man.
Her defenses collapsed in an instant, exposing her weakness and fear almost palpably before the man.
Her hands grasped Su Huanâs arm leaning against the bathtub.
With pleading eyes like water, she looked up at him, "Donât let Xiaojing see me like this. I promised my sister to take good care of her."
Su Huan suddenly understood, so thatâs what it was.
Yu Yue looked at most in her thirties, how could she have a daughter in her twenties.
Moreover, her demeanor didnât seem like someone seasoned by life.
"Am I going in, or are you coming out?"
Outside the door, Yu Jingâs voice sounded again, as casually as discussing what to eat tomorrow.
Su Huan turned his head and said this coolly towards the door.
"Pass me the wine."
"Oh, I see..."
Outside, Yu Jing handed the whisky and the glass with ice inside.
Taking the glass, Su Huan casually asked, "Is there still enough power on the train?"
Yu Jing outside paused, pinching her chin, her eyes gleaming, "Today I managed to get quite a few batteries, planning to connect them in series to solve the electricity problem in the compartments."
Su Huan narrowed his eyes, motioned with his fingers to Yu Yue, who hesitated, yet obediently moved closer.
"The kinetic energy recovery system in Compartments 4 and 5 should ensure thereâs enough electricity, right?"
"The water purifier uses a lot of power to start up; I directed the electricity from two full carriages to it, ensuring stability."
Yu Jing sat in a chair, observing the items on Su Huanâs table, helplessly sighing internally.
Indeed, the petty train conductor was still hung up on it.
Suddenly, she noticed a plastic card on the table, reached out a finger, and dragged it out by the corner.
Surprised by the information on it, Yu Jing raised an eyebrow, âHeâs actually a younger brother...â
Inside the bathroom, Su Huanâs expression softened considerably.
This explanation made sense, but he still didnât feel entirely at ease.
Looking at Yu Yue, who was standing humbly before him, wicked thoughts surfaced in his mind.
Heat waves radiated around, the water temperature in the bathtub gradually rising, the steam starting to fill the air, drifting outside the door.
Yu Yue felt her chin being lifted, jaw opening, seeing the whisky in Su Huanâs hand, she immediately realized what he was going to do, a wail of regret in her heart, she should never have brought that bottle of wine...
A faint sound of running water arose, the smooth, rich whiskey flowed into her mouth.
She instinctively wanted to swallow, but a finger was pressed against her throat, forcing her to endure the despair of the whiskey filling her mouth, the amber liquid trickling down her mouth, dripping onto the leftover bread from lunch.
Yu Yue barely managed to close her mouth, cheeks puffed, her moist eyes under the influence of the alcohol looked at him.
"I want to rest. You can leave now." Su Huanâs hoarse voice came from the bathroom.
âTch, still sulking...â
Yu Jing didnât believe he was some upright gentleman; her phoenix eyes flashed with suspicion, her tone deliberately laced with provocation.
"Youâre only 22, do you need to drink to do such things?"
Inside the bathroom, Su Huanâs face turned dark immediately, he coldly picked a half-melted ice cube from the glass, pressing it against Yu Yueâs rosy lips.
Sighing inwardly, the woman helplessly swallowed some of the alcohol.
A blush colored her cheeks.
The coldness took off much of her drunkenness.
Not hearing Su Huan speak, Yu Jing grew more puzzled. Since when was the train conductor so magnanimous?
Lest heâs holding back something bigger.
Clenching her teeth, she decided to continue provoking him, already being remembered anyway, might as well resolve it in one go tonight.
"Brother, why arenât you saying anything?"
Su Huan still didnât speak, only kept stuffing ice cubes, Yu Jing said a line, and heâd stuff a cube.
The cold in her mouth and the burning sensation in her stomach made her shiver.
Her head spinning, she felt like she was collapsing.
The gradually warming steam around made her feel like she was being tormented by fire and water.
She wanted to bite off those two cold fingers, but dared not.
The manâs eyes before her grew increasingly frosty.
âDonât say anymore, donât say anymore... I canât handle it...â
As Yu Yue was about to break down, her daughter finally fell silent.
"Since thatâs the case, I wonât disturb your rest." Yu Jing walked out of Compartment 1 with some thought, her eyes still carrying faint doubt.
âCould it be that I really misjudged him?â
Hearing the door lock click, the huge weight in Yu Yueâs heart finally settled down.
At least... at least itâs better than laying everything bare.
Her body, as if no longer supported, slid softly into the water, cautiously carving with her lips and teeth, seeming to carry a hint of gratitude.
Even slightly prepared, Su Huan took a sharp intake of breath.
Like leaping from a Hawaiian beach into an Antarctic ice cave all at once.
His eyes tinged with a bit of desire.
Not until the icy numbness in her mouth receded did Yu Yue lift her head to look at him, her full, rounded form fully revealed.
Her eyes carried a glint of restlessness, "Could you not sing at times like these?"