Chapter 485: Chapter 168: The 80s Drama Queen is Forced to Become a Top Student (Part 3)

The old lady’s expression grew even more gentle and loving as she looked at her. She placed the peeled tea egg on top of the boxed meal. "There’s not much good to eat on the train. You’ll have to make do. Once we get off, have your new father take you to a restaurant to eat something nice."

Sheng Leyun smiled and nodded. "You’re so kind, Grandma."

The old lady was taken aback for a moment, then touched the wrinkles her smile had formed. "Not many people say I’m kind. You’re the first, little girl."

"Do you know how to read?"

Sheng Leyun shook her head and climbed down from the middle bunk. "I’m nine this year, but I haven’t started school yet. They said they’re taking me to the Capital City to go to school. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been shameless enough to come with them."

"You go ahead and eat, Grandma. I’m going to wash my hands."

The old lady had Li follow her. "Stick to the crowded areas. Tell the child’s parents that I helped buy some local specialties that cost fifteen yuan, and he can reimburse me."

Sheng Leyun’s eyes sparkled as she heard this, and she couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up. "Grandma, you’re amazing!"

The old lady chuckled. "When you’re dealing with shameless and stingy people like them, you have to go after their wallets. There’s no reason to let them take all the advantages."

Sheng Leyun nodded vigorously. "What a coincidence, that’s what I think too. Hmph. They’re taking me to the Capital City to legitimize their marriage on one hand, and to use me to boost their reputation on the other."

"So they’ll have to treat me like a princess. They want me to be a nanny for their future kids? That’s impossible. Not even if the sky falls."

The old lady looked at the little girl’s lively, cunning eyes and couldn’t resist gently flicking her cute little nose. "Yes, I know you’re a clever one."

"I wouldn’t have dared to help you otherwise. If I hadn’t, you might be comfortable for now..."

"...but once Grandma leaves, who knows how that couple would bully you."

Sheng Leyun was surprised to hear this and asked in a low voice, "So, Grandma, you... you knew I was pretending back in the waiting room?"

’Back then, I just thought the station was full of strangers. My attention was focused on Xiao Xuezhen and Ren Xingchen, so I didn’t notice anyone else, nor did I think I needed to.’

’Besides, I’m short, and the waiting room was packed. Unless someone right next to me was staring, how could they have possibly noticed my little tricks?’

The old lady smiled and nodded.

"Then... then why did you still help me? Don’t you think I’m a bad kid for getting in the way of my mother’s remarriage?" Sheng Leyun’s face showed no fear or nervousness, only pure curiosity.

The old lady chuckled and shook her head. "No. A child’s heart is pure. If it gets stained, that’s the work of adults."

"No child with nothing better to do would play these kinds of mind games with their parents. Besides, looking at how small, dark, and rough you are, if your mother hadn’t admitted it herself, no one would ever imagine you two were mother and daughter."

"On top of that, your father was a martyr. No matter what, I should extend a helping hand to a young comrade in need."

Sheng Leyun’s eyes curved into crescents as she gave the old lady a very solemn bow. "Grandma, you’re a good person. Thank you for your help. I was foolish before, and I held on to some fantasy about what a mother should be. That’s why my life has been so miserable."

"It won’t be like that from now on. I’m going to be my own little princess and make sure everyone notices my sparkle!"

"Good girl. Now go wash your hands and eat. You’re at the age where you need to grow, so don’t neglect yourself." The old lady once again stroked her coarse hair.

Sheng Leyun hummed in agreement, and after a moment of fiddling, started walking toward the more crowded part of the car.

After quite some effort, Xiao Xuezhen had managed to make everyone in the car aware that he was Mr. Xiao, the editor of the True Stories column at the Kyoto Ming Daily Newspaper.

Everyone was chatting and laughing, sharing food, and even playing cards. Their camaraderie shot up like a rocket, to the point where they were ready to pour their hearts out to one another.

As an editor, Xiao Xuezhen was especially aware of the importance of connections. This was particularly true since he was in charge of the True Stories column. If he could feature a heavyweight figure in one of his issues, he would be one step closer to the position of editor-in-chief.

So when he looked at everyone, he saw halos of promotion and prosperity hanging over their heads.

"Dad, are the meat zongzi I made this morning any good?"

"I stayed up all night just to wrap a whole pot of them. When you brought me my meal just now, didn’t you leave a couple for that grandma to try?"

That crisp, clear "Dad" made everyone turn to look, their curiosity piqued.

TSK TSK. A girl in a wrinkled, white dress with a crooked collar and indelible stains had appeared abruptly behind the crowd.

The little girl’s eyes were beautiful—large and watery—but her dark, rough skin was like a mask plastered on her face. It was so discordant that it was hard to ignore.

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