"Ma’am, is that your son-in-law?" The young woman with short hair watched Xu Ancheng exit the compartment again and couldn’t resist asking.

Li Hongying was slightly taken aback, then she smiled and replied, "He’s my son."

The young woman was stunned, along with the other two men.

"Ma’am, you are truly kind to your daughter-in-law," the middle-aged man with glasses said with a smile.

Hearing this, Li Hongying’s smile deepened, "A woman leaves her family to enter her husband’s, bear and raise children, she sacrifices more than men. I am a woman too, so I understand this truth."

"You are a very sensible lady," the middle-aged man praised.

"I’ve never met a better mother-in-law than mine, either. I’m lucky to have married into such a wonderful family," Yi Roujing chimed in to compliment.

Xu Ancheng came back with the lunchbox freshly washed, and as soon as he entered, everyone in the compartment looked at him, and he nodded politely.

"Young man, what do you do?" the middle-aged man asked with some curiosity, "By the way, I’m the office director at the Su Province power plant, and I’m on a business trip to the East Province. My name is Xu Gangzheng."

"Director Xu," Xu Ancheng said with a smile, "Are you the Xu with the double man character?"

Xu Gangzheng nodded.

"What a coincidence! My surname is also Xu, Xu Ancheng from Jing University. We’re visiting family in the East Province," Xu Ancheng replied.

"A teacher at Jing University?" Xu Gangzheng was astonished, along with the other two who all gasped, "So young and already a teacher at Jing University, that’s impressive."

Xu Gangzheng was genuinely impressed, realizing that going to Jing University was impressive, and teaching there meant nurturing talent.

"I didn’t expect you to be so accomplished at such a young age. By the way, I’m Yuan Zhenqing, a purchasing officer from the Jiang Province machinery factory. This time, I’m also heading to the East Province to exchange experiences with the machinery factory there, purchasing parts too," said the somewhat overweight Yuan Zhenqing, kindly introducing himself and explaining his purpose, as he hoped to make acquaintances.

"My apologies, I’m not able to discuss the nature of my work," the short-haired woman said with a dignified expression, with a hint of unintentional pride, likely due to her good circumstances, "but I’m Dai Caixia."

Xu Ancheng then introduced Yi Roujing and Li Hongying, and the atmosphere in the compartment warmed considerably.

Li Hongying, being a hospitable person, shared some of her homemade food with the fellow passengers in the compartment.

"This meat sauce tastes amazing," exclaimed Yuan Zhenqing, "Ma’am, where did you buy it? I’ll have to get some if I ever have the chance."

"I made it myself," Li Hongying responded, her culinary skills acknowledged with a deepened smile.

"If you opened a restaurant and worked as the head chef, your business would surely thrive," Yuan Zhenqing praised with a thumbs-up, "I was even thinking, if the supply is stable, and things taste this good, it could be provided as a benefit for our factory’s employees."

Upon hearing this, Yi Roujing raised an eyebrow. She had always harbored the idea of doing business, but since Xu Ancheng was best at it, she gradually let go of the thought.

When she initially considered it, she thought of her mother-in-law, Li Hongying.

"Brother Zhenqing, let’s exchange contact information. If the country and conditions allow, we could pursue this business together, don’t you think?" Xu Ancheng asked with a smile.

Being a smart man, Yuan Zhenqing understood immediately and they exchanged contact information at once.

"Is there any news from Jing City?" Yuan Zhenqing asked quietly.

"No, but since the college entrance exams have resumed, I believe the country will revitalize the economy soon, and policies will follow. We should follow the national policies," Xu Ancheng replied.

It seemed like he hadn’t said much, yet he had said enough, and the idea proposed by Xu Ancheng made Yuan Zhenqing consider preparing to act.

"Comrade Xu Ancheng, you’re a teacher at Jing University, how could you think about doing something so opportunistic?" Dai Caixia frowned, disapproval showing in her eyes.

"One must look forward," Xu Ancheng raised an eyebrow, "Moreover, everyone has their own aspirations."

Since he’d put it that way, Dai Caixia didn’t say more, only her participation in the conversation dwindled after that, feeling out of place with them.

With intentions of fostering good relations, Yuan Zhenqing invited everyone in the compartment to lunch in the dining car on his account, "Our factory can reimburse it, and it’s due to fate that we’re in the same compartment, let’s keep in touch."

"How could you misuse public funds for personal use?" Dai Caixia’s expression darkened, "I won’t go, you all can go if you want."

Now seeing Dai Caixia, Yuan Zhenqing found her somewhat unlikable. While this might be an unwritten rule, factories and units across the nation operated this way, and it wasn’t extravagant dining, just train meals, did she need to say it like that, trying to mind others’ business unnecessarily?

"Let’s go then."

"Brother Zhenqing, it’s on me. We have a big family, and we might need your help in the future, so don’t be too polite," Xu Ancheng said, stepping in. If Dai Caixia hadn’t said that, he might’ve agreed, but as she did, using public funds wasn’t appropriate.

Earlier, Xu Ancheng speculated about Dai Caixia’s profession, considering the few jobs that required confidentiality, and judging by her demeanor and attitude, a government office seemed the most likely. Thus, he thought it best to be cautious.

Expressing genuine sentiment, with firm resolve, Yuan Zhenqing agreed with a smile. The group spent about half an hour dining in the train’s dining car. Though they didn’t drink alcohol, they had soda, enjoying a merry meal.

Baozi, being small, was mostly curious along the journey, but after witnessing enough scenery and filling his belly, he started getting sleepy.

Li Hongying slept on the lower berth, so Baozi slept with her while Yi Roujing went to rest on the upper berth. The journey from Jing City to East Province Dongji City took nine and a half hours.

At 7:15 PM, the train arrived at Dongji City station, and everyone in Yi Roujing’s compartment began to move, all disembarking here.

Xu Gangzheng and Yuan Zhenqing bid farewell to Xu Ancheng’s group on the platform, heading to the guesthouse, while Dai Caixia left without a word.

Xu Ancheng carried two big bags, holding Baozi, while Yi Roujing and Li Hongying each carried a bag, as they walked towards the station exit. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Waiting at the station exit, they saw Dai Caixia speaking with Dai Chunsheng, her face full of respect and admiration. Yi Roujing couldn’t help lifting the corners of her mouth, thinking how small the surname Dai was—could they be relatives?

"Uncle, I didn’t expect you to come pick me up personally, sorry to trouble you. I was thinking of going directly to the compound,"

Upon approaching, they heard Dai Caixia expressing her gratitude.

Dai Chunsheng didn’t expect Dai Caixia to come, overhearing her, he realized she misunderstood.

"Little sister," Dai Chunsheng intended to explain, but noticing Li Hongying and the others from the corner of his eye, hurried forward to help with the luggage.