Chapter 21 The Unfinished

Chapter 21: The Secret of 'To Be Continued'

The afternoon sun pierced through the clouds, slanting down onto the snow-covered plain, reflecting a dazzling glare.

The train sped across the vast snowy expanse, resembling a tireless silver snake.

The carriage's broadcast had already announced the impending arrival at the station. That unique female announcer's voice, laced with static, stirred the previously quiet compartment back into a restless state.

“Attention passengers, the train is about to arrive at this line's transfer station... Passengers, please organize your luggage and belongings...”

The compartment also began to bustle with activity.

The tangible feeling that the journey was about to end became clearer and clearer as items were stuffed into suitcases.

Su Qingge had changed back into her sharp professional attire.

Although the washed white shirt was slightly wrinkled, under the enhancement of her cold and glamorous aura, it instead exuded a casual, high-end feel.

She stood before the mirror, carefully buttoning every button, right up to the top one, once again sealing that section of her fair neck beneath the strict collar.

She had transformed back into the decisive CEO Su.

Chen Man, however, presented a completely different style.

She sat on the lower bunk, facing a pile of bottles and jars, meticulously drawing her eyebrows and applying eye makeup in a small mirror.

The carriage swayed slightly, but her hands were astonishingly steady. The eyeliner pen traced an upward curve, instantly injecting soul into her slightly weary face.

“Little brother, hand me that red bag,” Chen Man directed while applying lipstick, pointing toward the luggage rack.

Jiang Chen reached up, took down the Hermès Birkin bag that looked very expensive, and handed it to her.

“Thanks,” Chen Man winked, taking the bag. She pulled out her phone, “Come on, let’s add each other on first. Otherwise, once we get off the train and it’s crowded, we’ll lose each other.”

She deftly tapped open the QR code and thrust it in front of everyone without asking.

“I’ll make a group chat,” Chen Man typed rapidly on the screen. “The group name will be... ‘Snow Country Train Survivors’? How about that? Isn't it powerful?”

“Tacky,” Su Qingge scanned the code and commented bluntly with a single word, but she still tapped to agree to join.

“Tacky? This is called realism,” Chen Man was unconcerned. She then moved her phone toward Lin Wan. “Sister Wanwan, hurry up and scan.”

Lin Wan was squatting on the floor, tidying things up.

Her luggage was actually not much; most of it consisted of local specialty products for her family, along with some clothes bought for her husband.

Conversely, her own belongings were pitifully few.

Hearing Chen Man, she nervously wiped her hands and pulled out her phone, which was covered in cartoon stickers, and scanned the code.

There was a soft ‘ding’ sound.

The profile picture was a simple landscape photo, and the nickname was ‘Wanwan’.

It perfectly matched the impression she gave others: gentle and non-aggressive.

Finally, it was Jiang Chen’s turn.

Jiang Chen took out his phone and scanned it.

“Ooh, Little Brother’s profile picture is quite deep,” Chen Man teased, looking at Jiang Chen’s black-and-white silhouette avatar. “Looks like an artist.”

“Just a random shot,” Jiang Chen smiled and accepted the group invitation.

Four people, one small group.

It seemed this was the only proof of their strange fate together.

“Alright, let’s keep in touch in the future,” Chen Man put away her phone and clapped her hands with satisfaction. “If anyone runs into trouble, just shout in the group. Especially CEO Su, if you ever need money, feel free to ask. I might not have tens of millions, but treating you to a good meal is no problem.”

Su Qingge paused her file organizing, a very faint curve appearing at the corner of her mouth: “Got it. I won’t starve.”

Just then, Jiang Chen felt his sleeve being gently tugged.

He turned his head and saw Lin Wan squatting by his feet, holding the dirty T-shirt he had changed out of.

“Um... Little Jiang,” Lin Wan looked up, her voice very soft. “This shirt is dirty, why don’t... I take it back to wash for you? I have laundry to do anyway.”

What she said was a bit abrupt.

A UNIQLO T-shirt worth only a few dozen yuan—why bother taking it back specifically to wash?

But this wasn't just about washing clothes.

It was a test, an excuse to maintain contact, a desire to extend this relationship.

Jiang Chen looked at her.

Lin Wan’s eyes flickered evasively, not daring to meet his gaze, but the hand gripping the shirt was tight, her knuckles slightly white.

She looked like a primary school student who had done something wrong, awaiting the teacher’s verdict.

That humble yet yearning look was heartbreaking.

“No need for such trouble,” Jiang Chen squatted down, bringing his gaze level with hers.

The light in Lin Wan’s eyes instantly dimmed, and her hand loosened slightly.

“I’ll wash it myself,” Jiang Chen reached out and took the shirt. As their fingertips brushed during the handover, he intentionally or unintentionally grazed the back of her hand. “But Sister Wan, if you really want to help... could you pass me that bag over there? I can’t reach it.”

That bag was right beside Lin Wan.

Lin Wan was stunned for a moment, then reacted immediately. The light in her eyes reignited.

“Okay, okay, I’ll get it for you,” she quickly turned to grab the bag. Because she moved too hastily, she almost bumped into the edge of the bed.

This scene fell into the eyes of Su Qingge beside them.

Su Qingge pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on her nose, and a glimmer of understanding flashed behind the lenses. She said nothing, merely picked up her handbag and stood up.

“I’m going to the restroom,” Su Qingge said lightly, pulling open the door and walking out.

“Me too, me too! I need to touch up my makeup!” Chen Man also seemed to suddenly remember something, grabbed her makeup bag, and bustled out after her.

As she closed the door, she even deliberately winked at Jiang Chen, her eyes full of teasing.

The compartment door clicked shut.

In the narrow space, only Jiang Chen and Lin Wan remained.

The air seemed to freeze at that moment.

The sunlight from outside streamed in, casting mottled shadows on Lin Wan’s face.

She still maintained that half-crouching posture, holding the bag in her hand, but she hesitated to hand it over to Jiang Chen.

“Sister Wan,” Jiang Chen called her name softly.

Lin Wan trembled all over and slowly raised her head.

Her eyes were slightly red, and her lips were bitten pale.

The emotions suppressed throughout the journey were finally becoming hard to contain in this private space shared only by the two of them.

“Little Jiang...” she began, her voice terribly hoarse. “Are we... really going to part ways like this?”

Jiang Chen did not answer immediately.

He reached out, took the bag, and casually set it aside, then leaned a little closer.

The distance between them instantly closed.

Close enough to smell the faint milky fragrance on her, the scent of her hand cream mixed with a hint of anxious sweat. It wasn't unpleasant; rather, it carried an attractive authenticity.

“Sister Wan, what are you afraid of?” Jiang Chen looked into her eyes, his tone calm and certain.

“I...” Lin Wan bit her lower lip, tears welling up in her eyes. “I don’t want to go back. I really don’t want to go back.”

Once these words were spoken, it was like opening Pandora's Box.

The fear of the future, the disgust with the present situation, and the dependence on the man before her all mixed together, transforming into an uncontrollable impulse.

“If you don’t want to go back, then don’t,” Jiang Chen reached out and gently wiped away a tear escaping the corner of her eye. “Your legs are attached to you; who can tie you down?”

“But...” Lin Wan shook her head. “Where can I go? I don’t have a job, no savings, I don’t even have a friend to talk to...”

“You do,” Jiang Chen interrupted her.

He grabbed Lin Wan’s hand and pressed the phone—the one they had just used to add contacts—into her palm.

“Look at the group chat.”

Lin Wan lowered her head. On the screen was the newly established four-person group.

“And me,” Jiang Chen’s voice was low, yet it sounded like a promise. “I said, if you ever want to start over, you can do it anytime.”

Lin Wan looked up, gazing at him dazedly.

That promise was too tempting.

It was like a life raft, making her want to grasp it regardless of the consequences.

Just then, the distinctive sound of high heels echoed from the corridor, along with the voices of Chen Man and Su Qingge talking.

They were returning.

That sense of urgency, of being on the verge of interruption, made Lin Wan’s heart beat violently.

She suddenly made a decision.

A crazy decision that went against all the education she had received in the last thirty years.