Free Web NovelChapter 304: Chapter 304: A Little Tail
"You snuck onto the train? Auntie is going to be worried sick!" Su Qing stared at Li Huan, dumbfounded, before pulling her to sit down beside her. "When did you buy your ticket?"
Li Huan grinned and hugged Su Qing’s arm. "I had a friend help me buy it. Qingqing, I’m already on the train, so you can’t send me back. If you do, I’ll just follow you in secret. Don’t worry, once we get to Yun Province, you can go do your thing, and I’ll just wander around on my own. I promise I won’t get lost. My mom is just too overprotective, always worried I’ll get lost since I’ve never traveled far. But I’m older than you, so how could I possibly get lost?"
The last time Su Qing went to Yun Province, Li Huan had already wanted to tag along for a visit. This time, she was determined to go with Su Qing no matter what, especially after hearing about all the delicious food in Yun Province that she had never tried before. That made her yearn for the trip even more.
Su Qing felt a headache coming on. ’She’s brought a little tagalong!’
Her trip to Yun Province was just a cover. Her real plan was to go there first to ask Qiao Wensong about the situation, and then travel onward to Xiangcheng via Guang City. But now that Li Huan was with her, she couldn’t just leave her behind. If anything happened to the girl, she would never be able to forgive herself.
’But to bring her to Xiangcheng...’
’Hmph, Li Huan’s identity is even more complicated than my own. Her father is a man with some real authority.’
After a moment of thought, Su Qing said to Li Huan, "You can come with me to Yun Province, but we need to set some ground rules. From now until we get back to Beijing, you have to listen to me. You do whatever I tell you to do, don’t ask questions, and you can’t tell my uncle and the others what you see. Remember, you can’t tell a single soul."
The moment Li Huan heard this, she knew Su Qing was up to something big. Her eyes widened with excitement, and she quickly said, "Deal! I’ll listen to you. Whatever you say, goes. I promise I won’t ask questions, and I won’t tell anyone."
Seeing Li Huan’s promise, Su Qing nodded. "Then it’s a deal. If you go back on your word, I’m never taking you out with me again."
Li Huan’s eyes shone even brighter. ’Ooh, there’s a next time!’ she thought. ’Great!’ She immediately mimed zipping her lips and said, "Don’t worry, I promise."
Su Qing and Li Huan had both bought sleeper tickets, and Li Huan had even made sure to get a bunk in the same compartment as Su Qing. There was no one else in their compartment, and the journey went smoothly. On the afternoon of the third day, the two of them got off the train at Chuncheng Railway Station.
"Wow, it’s so beautiful!" The moment she stepped out of the railway station and saw the dazzling profusion of flowers, Li Huan cried out in delight, feeling as if she couldn’t possibly take it all in.
Chuncheng was famous for its flowers. The city’s streets and alleyways, any place that could be used for planting, were filled with all kinds of fresh blossoms. It was now July, and the flowers were all vying to bloom, creating a magnificent, brocade-like spectacle.
"Qingqing, I can’t believe Chuncheng has so many beautiful flowers! There are so many I’ve never seen before." Li Huan felt completely overwhelmed by the sights.
Su Qing couldn’t help but laugh. "Just wait until you try the food here. You’ll be even more amazed."
"Ah, now that you mention it, I feel so hungry." Li Huan rubbed her stomach and said to Su Qing with a grin, "Qingqing, let’s go eat first."
"Alright." Su Qing glanced at the sky, nodded, and took Li Huan to a state-run restaurant. The two of them ordered a Steam Pot Chicken, a Braised Termite Mushroom, and two servings of Bamboo Tube Rice. Li Huan ate without even looking up, declaring that she had never had such delicious food in her life, leaving Su Qing at a loss for whether to laugh or cry.
After they finished eating, they found a guesthouse. Su Qing instructed Li Huan to stay in their room and not go out, then headed to the local police station to find Qiao Wensong.
