Chapter 4: Dear White (1)

As day morphed into night and classic orange lamps lit up the whole length of the train, Shi Ruijie began to feel grateful for being born in the modern era. If he had to take a long-distance train, at least he would have his phone or a tablet with him to pass the time. He could not imagine having only the options of either reading a book or staring out of the window for hours to watch the changing sceneries of mountains and snow-covered farms. Thankfully, on this journey he had someone to chat with and even to have dinner with. Perhaps it was because they shared common interests, or maybe it was because they recognised that it was a curious twist of fate that brought them to share a brief journey together. Shi Ruijie felt as if there was some kind of connection between him and Zhu Lirong, but he couldn't tell if it was related to Yang Yi's story arc or not.

After sharing a simple dinner of coarse grain buns and some leafy vegetables, Zhu Lirong excused herself to visit the lavatory. Parting ways in the dining car, Shi Ruijie decided to first return to their compartment instead of exploring the train. Although he was interested about vintage trains, he was more afraid that he may stumble across a detail that was not historically accurate. But he still had some credit to give to the author of this book—it was obvious that he or she had done extensive research while writing this book and crafting the world within.

As the seconds ticked by, the silhouettes of the night countryside outside constantly evolved. Occasionally, there would be some lampposts along the tracks and little huts with light spilling out through the windows in the distance. The longer Shi Ruijie stared out of the misty windows, the more he felt that something was amiss. Zhu Lirong had left about half an hour ago—

It couldn't be that she had lost her way, had she?

Just as he stood up to leave the cabin to look for her, then doors slid open with a loud bang. Zhu Lirong rushed into the compartment before bolting the door behind her. Her chest rose and fell quickly as she leaned against the door to catch her breath. But before Shi Ruijie could ask any questions, she had already composed herself and was pulling him by his arm to take a seat.

Leaning in, she said with a little tremor in her quiet voice: "When I was on my way back from the washroom, someone said that there was a fugitive who was hiding on this train. They said that the police are on board now and have been singling out young women who are travelling alone and taking them aware for interrogation. I was afraid so I quickly ran back."

Shi Ruijie frowned at the strange turn of events. "Don't they have a portrait of the fugitive? Why are they taking people away indiscriminately?"

"I don't know—maybe they have some other agenda," she whispered with a fearful gaze in her eyes.

Her cryptic words stirred up some suspicions in his mind, but hearing loud footsteps and noises from outside the compartment, he shoved those thoughts aside. Zhu Lirong's grip on his arm tightened.

"Don't be scared." He heard himself say under his breath in a calm manner despite his erratically beating heart. "You're not who they are looking for."

Hearing his words, Zhu Lirong's face softened.

Although those words were meant for her ears, Shi Ruijie was well aware that he had said those words for his own assurance—as if voicing them would give truth to them. He sure hoped that this demure and gentle young lady was not a fugitive or a criminal.

The door to the compartment rattled as someone tried to open it from the outside. Seeing that it was locked, that person began pounding on the door impatiently.

"Open up, this is the railway police!"

Zhu Lirong stood up to unlock the door before sliding it open slowly. A gloved hand suddenly reached through the gap and forced the door wide open to reveal two police officers standing in the narrow hallway. A train attendant stood nervously a little distance away by the side, looking apologetic and helpless.

One of the railway police officers, a sinister looking middle-aged man, sneered when he saw Zhu Lirong. "Young lady, why did you run away upon seeing us earlier?"

"What do you mean?"

"Sir, she looks like the woman named Yu Rong in this sketch." The younger officer held up a sheet of paper, his gaze shifting between the drawing and Zhu Lirong.

The officer smirked. "Arrest her."

Zhu Lirong stepped backwards instinctively, but held her glower. "Surely you have gotten the wrong person. I'm not this Yu Rong woman you are looking for." She pulled out her identification document from a coat pocket and handed it to the man.

The officer scrutinised the card before looking up in annoyance. Staring pointedly at her, he started to question: "Your name is Zhu Lirong?"

"Yes," she replied.

"Where are you from?"

"Beiping."

"And what are you going to Harbin for?"

"To attend a friend's wedding."

"I see that you're not travelling alone?" The railway police captain peered over Zhu Lirong's shoulder, his eyes meeting with Shi Ruijie's. "Sir, may I see your identification document?"

Shi Ruijie clenched his jaws, but complied with a sigh.

The moment the officer caught sight of the cover of his identification document, his attitude instantly changed. As he was turning open the identity card, he asked in a friendlier tone. "Sir, may I ask if you are travelling with this young lady?"

Shi Ruijie looked at Zhu Lirong, whose large round eyes seem to be pleading with him to help her out. Giving her a smile, he nodded. "Yes, we are travelling together."

The officer looked up from the document in his hand with a slight furrow between his brows. "And your relationship is?"

"She's my—"

"I'm his fiancée." Zhu Lirong rejoined quickly, sounding somewhat flustered. Yet, her fluster could also be interpreted as shyness, especially when she casted a sweet and soft gaze in his direction.

Shi Ruijie didn't say anything, and simply smiled with a nod.

The captain showed a crooked smile as his eyes darted between Zhu Lirong and Shi Ruijie. He seemed to have thought of something as he took in a deep and ominous breath. "Both if you are citizens of different countries—can I ask, how did this cross-border love story begin?"

"How... we met you ask, officer?" she laughed, one dainty hand covering her mouth in a genteel fashion. "Yang Yi and I went to the same college. He was my upperclassman."

Shi Ruijie looked at Zhu Lirong uncertainly, but when he saw that the officer was observing him, he quickly nodded. But when he noticed that the officer was about to open his mouth to interrogate further, he suddenly felt a burst of irritation bubbling up from within.

"Officer, now you have ascertained both of our identities, do you have any further business with us?" His mouth moved on its own as his temple wrinkled with furrowed brows. Shi Rujie felt as if he was suddenly overcame by something, or someone. Was it the original owner of his body who had suddenly awoken?

The officer and his minion seemed to flinch at his harsh tone, but the officer who had experience dealing with local dignitaries and wealthy businessmen quickly recovered and plastered a polite smile on his face. "My sincere apologies for alarming Mister Yang and Miss Zhu. Let me return to you your identification documents—once again, we are really sorry for disturbing your peace. Please have a pleasant journey ahead."

Yang Yi retrieved his identification card and swept a cold glare over the officer. Tugging it into his breast pocket, he returned to his seat. "Kindly close the door after you, officer."

"Yes, yes. We'll be on our way now."

"Hope you'll be able to catch the criminal soon!" Zhu Lirong said in a sing-song voice as she waved the railway police officers away.

As soon as the door rolled shut, she bolted it before turning towards the man who had supported her earlier with words of gratitude and praise. Like how it was in his earlier dream, Shi Ruijie watched like a member of an audience as Yang Yi broke into a small shy smile as spring butterflies fluttered around excitedly in his previously hibernating heart.

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