Chapter 24: A Combination of Contradictions

After all the hassle, Guo Xiang found a shop and ate a bowl of noodles. After thinking for a while, she went to the cake shop and bought two pieces of bread, which she could eat when she was hungry.

Later, she bought some commonly used medicine from the pharmacy, especially for external injuries, in case of injury.

When she returned to the train station, she first refunded the ticket to Taiqing. It was money, after all, so she didn't want to waste it.

As for the things that she had stored in the locker, she could only save them for now. Fortunately, the food shouldn't go bad soo soon, so it should not be a problem to save them for half a month.

Guo Xiang counted the money that she spent today. Two sets of clothes, shoes, bags, and some miscellaneous items. She spent almost half of what she had gotten, which was equivalent to Gu Zhennan's one month's salary.

If Wang Guiying knew that she was so extravagant, she would definitely complain. Fortunately, it was all her money.

That was why women needed to be financially independent. Otherwise, it would be really inconvenient if she had to look at other people's faces whenever she spent money. 

Thinking about how she was worrying about a few yuan yesterday, and how she had spent so much today, Guo Xiang sighed. Life was really unpredictable.

At around 9:30, Guo Xiang walked out of the station and came to the entrance of the train station.

Yi Zichen said that the train was at 10 pm. Now that it was almost time, she could only wait at the entrance. Otherwise, how would she find them?

From afar, she saw Yi Zichen and Huang Zhengli standing together. Guo Xiang carried her bag and quietly walked over from behind.

"See anyone yet? Is she here?" Huang Zhengli asked.

"Not yet!" Yi Zichen shook his head.

"Why isn't she here yet? Do you think she took our money and ran away?" Huang Zhengli was a little anxious from waiting.

"Let's wait and see!" Yi Zichen said.

"But it's already 9:30. We're about to get on the train. The train will be leaving soon." Huang Zhengli looked at his watch. "Did she trick us?"

Yi Zichen didn't say anything. He didn't think she would. That girl didn't seem like that kind of person. He was sure he didn't misjudge her. 

Guo Xiang pursed her lips and stood behind the two of them without making a sound. She wanted to see what else the two of them would say.

"Zichen, forget it. Why don't we go in first? She definitely won't come. Let's just admit our bad luck," Huang Zhengli complained. "Can't judge a book by its cover! Even though she had the looks, she was still a liar."

"Who are you calling a liar?" Guo Xiang couldn't help but ask.

Yi Zichen was delighted. He turned around and saw the woman behind him. He couldn't help but frown. What is she... 

"What? You don't recognize me in the new outfit?" Guo Xiang pursed her lips and smiled.

"You... You're Guo Xiang?" Huang Zhengli looked at Guo Xiang in disbelief. "You... how did you become like this?"

"Why? Do I look bad?" Guo Xiang asked.

"You look good!" Yi Zichen blurted out. His heart skipped a beat. During the day, he had noticed that Guo Xiang looked good. However, she was dressed in a rustic style at that time, so he didn't feel anything.

Now that she had changed her outfit, her temperament had changed. She was so different from the rest.

"Why did you cut your hair? Your hair was so long," Huang Zhengli asked.

"Isn't it better this way?" Guo Xiang shook her hair and asked with a smile.

"It does look good, but shouldn't girls grow their hair out?" Huang Zhengli said.

Guo Xiang pursed her lips. He had a straight man's sense of beauty. 

"Do you still want to say that girls should be gentle and virtuous at home? Then why did you hire me?" Guo Xiang was a little unhappy.

"Well..." Huang Zhengli was at a loss for words. She was indeed different from ordinary girls.

"Why are you so late? We've been waiting for you for a long time. I thought you wouldn't come!" Huang Zhengli changed the topic.

"I've been here for a long time. I was in the train station. You guys are late!" Guo Xiang was annoyed. "I heard you talking bad about me."

"Hehe..." Huang Zhengli scratched the back of his head. "I was just anxious because I thought you wouldn't come."

"Let's go, time for the train!" Yi Zichen handed the ticket to Guo Xiang.

Guo Xiang saw that it was a seat ticket and teased, "What, the Big Boss can't even afford to buy a bunk bed ticket?"

"No, I originally thought that the other person wouldn't be coming and might change the date. I bought the tickets at the last minute, so I didn't get bunks." Yi Zichen was a little embarrassed. "If there are still bunks, I'll buy one for you."

"Forget it!" Guo Xiang waved her hand. She was just teasing. Although she was the type to enjoy herself, she was still reasonable. It wasn't like she couldn't endure hardship.

The three of them boarded the train. Their seats were together. The three of them were in the same row. Guo Xiang asked for a seat by the window. This way, she could open the window when the air was bad and sleep by the window at night. She did not have to worry about sleeping on someone else.

Thinking of this, she could not help but think of the handsome man whom she had relied on last night. She did not know where he had gone. She was afraid that she would never have the chance to see him again in this lifetime.

Huang Zhengli took out a bag of food from his bag and placed it on the small table, "Are you hungry? I have food here."

Guo Xiang looked at it. Stewed chicken feet, chicken wings, and pork trotters. They were all meat. She could not help but swallow her saliva. Initially, she did not care about these things. However, she had been a vegetarian for the past two months. How long had it been since she had eaten meat?

Yi Zichen smiled. "Let's buy two more bottles of beer."

When the trolley came over, Huang Zhengli stopped the train attendant and looked at Guo Xiang. "Do you want one too?"

"Okay!" Guo Xiang nodded. On such a hot day on the train, the meat would taste better with cold beers.

Huang Zhengli bought three bottles of beer, but they were not cold enough. By the time he got back to their seats, they were already warm. 

"Cheers!" Huang Zhengli raised his beer. Guo Xiang and Yi Zichen also raised their bottles and clinked them together. "Cheers!"

The three of them ate with relish. They chatted as they ate. The people watching by the side swallowed their saliva. They were both envious and jealous.

There were too few people in this era who could eat and drink like this. They must be rich.

Guo Xiang was also very emotional. Last night on the train, she was still eating sweet potatoes pitifully. Today, there was alcohol and meat. It was really a huge change.

It was great to be rich.

She will definitely make money! A lot of money!

Yi Zichen looked at Guo Xiang and could not help but smile.

When he first met her, she was dressed in a rustic manner. However, when he saw her again, she changed so much. He thought that she was someone who hid their thoughts well, but now, when he looked at her again as she craved for the food, he started to think otherwise. 

When she drank, she was so forthright. He had never seen such a girl. She had a cheerful personality and good skills. She did not care about trifles. Yet, she was so beautiful. She was simply a combination of contradictions.

Guo Xiang saw that Yi Zichen kept looking at her and could not help but touch her face. "Why? Do I have something on my face?"

"Huh? Oh... a little..." Yi Zichen's face turned red and he reached out his hand. Coincidentally, there was a little gravy on Guo Xiang's face, so he gave an excuse to help her wipe it off.

Guo Xiang tilted her head to avoid him, "I can do it myself!"

Yi Zichen withdrew his hand awkwardly. His face was a little hot. What was wrong with him? It was too abrupt. Did he upset her?

Then, he saw that Guo Xiang did not seem to care at all. She took out a small mirror from her bag and took a look. There was only a little stain, and it was gone with a casual wipe.

Yi zichen heaved a sigh of relief. It seemed that she did not mind, but he was a little disappointed. It seemed like she did not care about him at all. 

It was already late at night by the time they were full. Huang Zhengli packed his things. Guo Xiang went to the toilet. She washed her face and brushed her teeth while she was at it. She took out a piece of clothing and placed it by the window. She leaned against it and slept.

Yi Zichen sat in the middle of the three of them. When he saw that Guo Xiang was asleep, he quietly sized her up. 

The little girl had her eyes closed. Her eyelashes were long and curled. She had a small nose and her hair was tucked behind her ears, revealing a small section of her white neck. She looked like an elegant white swan.

Yi Zichen's heart seemed to have been moved by something. He could not help but reach out his hand to touch her face.

Suddenly, there was a scream from behind him. He was shocked and hurriedly withdrew his hand.

"What's wrong?" Guo Xiang woke up due to the noise. She opened her eyes and looked back.

"I don't know!" Yi Zichen shook his head.