Long-distance travel in 1983 was not convenient.

Between Shang Du and Yang Cheng lay over a thousand kilometers, and direct trains between the two cities were rare, with hardly one departure per day. However, Yang Cheng was a major southern city, and Shang Du was a central railway hub, so besides direct trains, there were also passing trains that originated from other cities.

While Shang Du had developed railway transportation, Qing County had no train platform. The distance between An Qing County and Shang Du was short – if there had been a train service between them, it would have made Xia Xiao Lan’s trading much easier. She wouldn’t have needed to rely on bicycles, as short-distance train tickets were inexpensive; it was the long-distance tickets that were costly!

Zhou Cheng drove Xia Xiao Lan to Shang Du quickly. As a central railway hub, Shang Du Station appeared modest compared to modern train stations, but the crowding was even worse than in future times. Thirty years later, people would have more diverse travel options, with developed highways, high private car ownership, and affordable air tickets making long-distance travel more convenient and comfortable.

Zhou Cheng asked Kang Wei to stay in the car while he accompanied Xia Xiao Lan to the station.

The station was chaos incarnate – people carrying large and small packages, families with children, tied-up poultry squawking and defecating on the ground… or occasionally on some unfortunate person’s shoes. People were arguing, others mindlessly pushing forward, some being scammed, and others attempting to steal. The station was a place where anything could happen, filled with strange odors – livestock, sweat, heavy smokers’ stench, and the sour smell of preserved vegetables carried by travelers. Xia Xiao Lan held her breath.

Zhou Cheng protected her, worried about pickpockets and hooligans taking advantage, while also concerned she might slip on discarded fruit peels. By the time they squeezed into the ticket hall, despite it being nearly November, they were both sweating.

Someone carrying a child pushed past Xia Xiao Lan, their sturdy frame nearly knocking her over.

As Xia Xiao Lan stumbled, Zhou Cheng steadied her by her arm.

“Stay close to me, don’t get lost!”

What started as holding her arm naturally transformed into holding her hand.

Xia Xiao Lan’s hands weren’t the delicate, boneless type of a pampered lady, but Zhou Cheng had never held another girl’s hand, so he had no basis for comparison. He only knew that his hand could completely envelop hers, and the touch felt wonderful, leaving him feeling as if he were floating… Despite the surrounding chaos, Zhou Cheng could hear his heartbeat amid the noise.

Thump, thump, thump-thump-thump… The sound was like a military drum, its beats becoming increasingly rapid, leaving Zhou Cheng dizzy and entranced.

All other sensations became dull and weak, except for the feeling of their joined hands.

Zhou Cheng, who could remain calm even with shells exploding before him, was now completely overtaken by adrenaline – what was love? He didn’t know, but he felt conquered by supreme joy.

It was just holding hands.

Yet it was more than just holding hands.

His palm became slightly sweaty, and Xia Xiao Lan felt somewhat awkward. Zhou Cheng’s gesture seemed so natural, yet was he nervous?

Realizing this, Xia Xiao Lan’s composure also gave way to nervousness.

Despite her mental age, she was no expert in relationships. Several romances in her previous life had fizzled out, and pure affection was equally unfamiliar to her. Zhou Cheng was bold, seizing the opportunity to hold hands decisively, yet his palm was sweating from nervousness – bold yet innocent?

Which was the real Zhou Cheng? Xia Xiao Lan’s heart stirred with unusual emotions.

Zhou Cheng led her to the ticket counter, “Comrade, are there still tickets available for Yang Cheng today?”

“Shang Du to Yang Cheng? There are tickets for 6 PM, show me your introduction letter.”

When Xia Xiao Lan needed to get her introduction letter, she moved the hand Zhou Cheng was holding. He reluctantly let go, experiencing a sense of loss.

The ticket seller returned Xia Xiao Lan’s introduction letter, “One hard seat ticket is 25.60 yuan.”

“No sleeper berths available?”

The journey from Shang Du to Yang Cheng would take over 30 hours, and a hard seat would be uncomfortable. Zhou Cheng wanted Xia Xiao Lan to travel comfortably.

The ticket window was extremely crowded, and the ticket seller was impatient: “Only hard seats available, do you want it or not? If not, next in line!”

Sleeper berths?

Railway resources were very tight during this period, and each train had limited sleeper berths. Without connections, hoping for a sleeper ticket was wishful thinking.

“Comrade, one hard seat ticket, please.”

Xia Xiao Lan directly handed over the money.

A hard seat was already better than she’d expected. For a 30-plus hour journey, people in a hurry would even buy standing tickets! Standing tickets were much cheaper than hard seats, and Xia Xiao Lan buying a hard seat to Yang Cheng was already quite luxurious… one ticket at 25.60 yuan was equivalent to over half a month’s salary for an ordinary worker!

The ticket seller took the money and handed Xia Xiao Lan a ticket.

Zhou Cheng didn’t say anything more. The earlier intimate atmosphere had been truly serendipitous. He continued to protect her as they squeezed out of the station.

The train station was complex, but Kang Wei hadn’t left the truck at all.

“Did you get the ticket?”

“A hard seat to Yang Cheng, train leaves at 6 PM, still over two hours until departure.”

Why did they buy a hard seat?

Kang Wei and Zhou Cheng were quite in sync. He put his hand on his stomach: “Good thing you’re back, watch the car, I need to use the station bathroom.”

As Kang Wei disappeared, Xia Xiao Lan and Zhou Cheng were left alone again.

Zhou Cheng opened the driver’s door, “Xiao Lan, get in the car, I have something to give you.”

Zhou Cheng showed Xia Xiao Lan a small flashlight.

This flashlight was different from those large metal ones that used batteries. It was more compact and refined, with a high-quality black plastic casing and rectangular shape that gave it a technological feel.

“What’s this?”

No way, did they have these things already?

Xia Xiao Lan had a guess, but Zhou Cheng didn’t immediately hand it to her, instead demonstrating its operation:

“There are two buttons here. The green one gives normal light, and the red one produces a high-voltage current. Direct skin contact can knock out an adult within three seconds… Remember to fully charge it after use.”

This wasn’t just a flashlight – it was a stun gun!

It was already very similar to the self-defense stun guns Xia Xiao Lan remembered from her future life!

Was technology this advanced already? Xia Xiao Lan couldn’t hide her surprise.

Zhou Cheng thought he had frightened her, “Don’t be afraid, hold it by the handle, and it won’t shock you.”

Xia Xiao Lan held it in her hand – the compact stun gun was a weighty expression of Zhou Cheng’s care.

“Shanghai opened its first paging station this summer. There’s a tool for instant communication, as small as a cigarette box. If Yu Nan area also opens a service station, we could stay in touch anytime…”

Shanghai already had pagers?!