12: I'm getting on in years and I still don't have a partner.

Xiao Niannian was a little surprised. She hadn't expected Old Chief to actually give her his phone number and even tell her she could call him if she encountered difficulties.

"Thank you, Old Chief."

"Hey, little comrade, don't call me Old Chief. Call me Grandpa Gu."

"Yes, thank you, Grandpa Gu."

Lu Jing looked at Xiao Niannian. He was a little surprised that Old Chief Gu had given his number to Xiao Niannian.

One must know that Old Chief Gu was usually extremely strict with those around him, even his own family, never making exceptions. Yet today, he had actually taken the initiative to write down his number for this little girl, and not just one.

"Little comrade, what's your name?"

"Grandpa Gu, my name is Xiao Niannian."

"Xiao Niannian? Nian from 'missing' or 'remembering'?" Old Chief Gu asked with a smile.

Listening to Old Chief, Xiao Niannian nodded.

"Good name, Grandpa Gu has noted it down."

Xiao Niannian nodded, glanced at Old Chief, then looked at Lu Jing. She had just noticed Lu Jing continuously observing her. It wasn't a hateful gaze, but one filled with some doubt and surprise.

"My grandma is still in carriage four, I'll go find her first..."

"Alright, go ahead."

Old Chief Gu nodded, smiling.

The secretary beside Old Chief saw him smile and was secretly surprised. Old Chief had smiled many times today. This little girl was truly extraordinary.

Old Chief Gu sat back in his original seat and said to Lu Jing with a smile.

"Lu family boy, look at Niannian. She's at least ten years younger than you, right? Her skills are no worse than any of yours."

"Old Chief, I'm not that old." Lu Jing immediately retorted.

"Hmph, do you think you're still very young? So old, yet still without a partner."

Old Chief Gu snorted coldly.

Lu Jing didn't speak; he wouldn't argue with the Chief. He was only twenty-four now. That Xiao Niannian looked young, but she was probably sixteen or seventeen. It seemed Old Chief was right. With this calculation, Lu Jing felt even more uncomfortable.

It seemed Old Chief was right. With this calculation, Lu Jing felt even more uncomfortable.

The subordinates around Lu Jing stifled their laughter, all looking elsewhere.

Lu Jing's eyes swept over their faces, and everyone immediately suppressed their smiles in fright.

Not far away, Grandma Shen looked at Xiao Niannian's retreating figure.

She recognized her. This little girl was the one who had given her things earlier. Although her voice and attire were different, and she was tightly covered at the time, she remembered her eyes and scent clearly.

This little girl is truly a good child.

Unfortunately, in their current state, they couldn't repay this child.

Just now, they almost got this little girl into trouble.

Grandma Shen's gaze fell on some of the others. She knew none of them had recognized her. But it didn't matter; she would just remember this kindness, and after a few days, she would tell them the whole story.

She couldn't guarantee that the hearts of the people in this group wouldn't change. If someone turned bad, it would be repaying kindness with enmity.

Xiao Niannian squeezed back into carriage four. Seeing her Granddaughter return, Grandma Xiao breathed a sigh of relief.

"Someone just said there was a fight in your carriage, and someone even used a gun. You weren't scared, were you?"

Grandma Xiao asked her Granddaughter anxiously.

"Grandma, I wasn't scared. That bad guy has already been caught. You and Uncle Xiao Shu just sit here."

Listening to her Granddaughter, Grandma Xiao nodded.

"Are you hungry? Have an egg?"

Grandma Xiao took an egg from her bosom and gave it to Xiao Niannian, then another to Xiao Xiaoshu.

"Sixth Aunt, I'm not hungry."

Uncle Xiao Shu quickly refused. He knew the situation of Sixth Aunt's family. This time, Sixth Aunt and the others didn't accept the money his parents gave him, so his parents gave him the money instead, telling him to give all of it to Sixth Aunt and Niannian so they could live better in the south.

His parents also said that if he could find work in the south, he should do so there and help take care of Sixth Aunt and Niece Niannian. Their family owed Sixth Aunt's family two or three lives, a debt of gratitude that could never be repaid in this lifetime.

Seeing Uncle Xiao Shu's expression, Xiao Niannian knew everything. She directly shoved an egg into Uncle Xiao Shu's hand.

"Eat."

These were Wild Chicken and wild duck eggs that she and Grandma secretly picked by the river. Grandma had always been reluctant to eat them, originally intending to sell them for money, but this time they brought them all.

"Grandma, you eat one too."

Grandma Xiao waved her hand.

"Grandma isn't hungry, just munch on a biscuit."

The biscuit Grandma Xiao mentioned was made of chaff with a tiny bit of flour, something extremely difficult to swallow.

"You eat, or I won't either."

Hearing Xiao Niannian's words, Grandma Xiao couldn't refuse and reluctantly began to eat.

Xiao Niannian took the military canteen from Grandma's hand and took a sip of water. This military canteen was given to the family by her Adoptive Father long ago. Grandma had always been reluctant to use it, but later gave it to her. Even after so many years, though the paint had peeled, the canteen was still in good condition, and both the original owner and Grandma cherished it.

Uncle Xiao Shu also used a military canteen, which he had from his time in the Military Unit, also many years old.

"Girl Nian, you sit here with your grandma. Uncle Xiao Shu will go sit in carriage eight."

Hearing this, Xiao Niannian thought of the people in carriage eight and quickly refused.

"Uncle Xiao Shu, I'll go over there. There are fewer people there, and I can sleep. Please help watch the luggage. What if the luggage gets lost if I fall asleep here?"

Hearing Xiao Niannian's words, both Grandma Xiao and Uncle Xiao Shu felt that it made sense. The train wasn't very safe these days.

"Alright, but you must be careful. If a stranger offers you food, asks where you're from, or tries to pry into your situation, you must ignore them..."

"Okay, I've got it."

Xiao Niannian returned to carriage eight. This time, her seat wasn't occupied, and to her surprise, the people sitting around her were Old Chief Gu and Lu Jing.

Seeing Xiao Niannian return, Old Chief Gu said with a smile.

"Niannian, have you had lunch? Grandpa Gu had someone buy a few boxed meals. This one is for you."

Xiao Niannian refused.

"Thank you, Grandpa Gu, I've already eaten."

After refusing, she sat down in her seat and closed her eyes, preparing to sleep for a while.

From yesterday to today, she had indeed expended a lot of energy. Although the system had increased her physical fitness, sleeping more would help her body recover better.

Xiao Niannian was sitting by the window. With Lu Jing and Old Chief Gu sitting nearby, her guard instantly dropped a lot, and she quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Old Master Gu glanced at Xiao Niannian, then looked at Lu Jing.

Since Lu Jing graduated, he heard that Old Lu and the others wanted Lu Jing to go on blind dates, but Lu Jing always refused. This little girl in front of him was beautiful, skilled in martial arts, and had a very straightforward personality. He had to admit, the more he thought about it, the more he felt that if Lu Jing could find such a partner, it would be Lu Jing's good fortune.