One Day, the Train Will Set Off Again

[I really didn't expect that twist at the end of the railway story. Mr. Ma, you were Aha all along? So Aha is the real main wife?]

"First, you must leave Aolai City with me."

Zhen Hua raised a finger.

"I'm going back to Heaven Dou City. You'll only be able to keep learning from me if you come along."

"You can go home during that time, but you must let me know in advance."

Chen Xing nodded.

He had already planned for that.

Someone like Zhen Hua could not stay in a small place like Aolai City just for him, so he would have to follow him.

"Second, once we get there, learn as much as you can. Watch, ask questions, and keep the right attitude."

"And don't go around causing trouble just because you're my student."

"If I find out you've been acting recklessly, I can take back your status as my student at any time."

Chen Xing nodded again. "Understood."

"Third, I'm not taking you there to feed and house you for free. You'll have to work for me and earn your living expenses."

"Of course, you're young, so I'll start you on the simplest jobs."

After hearing the three conditions, Chen Xing found them far more lenient than he had expected.

"I can accept that."

Zhen Hua looked at him, then suddenly smiled.

"Nothing you want to ask for?"

Chen Xing thought for a moment. "I have a few small requests."

Zhen Hua raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

"First, I need to go home at least once a month."

"Second, I need a good place of my own to live where no one will disturb me."

"Third..."

After hearing Chen Xing's requests, Zhen Hua agreed to every one without hesitation.

Chen Xing froze for a moment.

He had not expected Zhen Hua to agree so readily.

"Thank you, Teacher."

Zhen Hua waved a hand.

"Don't thank me yet. Pack your things first. We need to leave tonight, so go home and say a proper goodbye to your family."

Chen Xing nodded and turned to leave.

That evening, Chen Xing walked out of the alley with his luggage on his back.

He had gone fewer than a hundred paces when hurried footsteps sounded behind him.

"Brother Chen Xing!"

Na'er came running out of the alley and stumbled into his arms.

Chen Xing paused, put down his luggage, and turned to catch her.

"Na'er? Why did you come out?"

Her muffled voice came from against his chest.

"Brother, you promised me you'd come back every month."

"I will. I promise."

"Then pinky swear."

She tipped her face up. Her purple eyes were wet, and she held out her little finger with stubborn determination.

Smiling, Chen Xing hooked his finger around hers and gently shook it.

"Pinky swear."

Only then did Na'er let him go and step back. Tears finally spilled down her cheeks, and she hurriedly wiped them away with her sleeve.

"Go on, Brother."

Chen Xing looked at her and said softly,

"Wait for me."

Then he bent to pick up his luggage and headed toward the end of the street.

After a few steps, he glanced back.

Farther down the alley, Lang Yue stood beside Tang Ziran, with Tang Wulin in front of them. All three watched him through the dusk.

Chen Xing smiled and waved to them, then turned and walked on.

Na'er stood beneath the setting sun, motionless.

The last light of day caught in her purple hair and eyes, setting their color aglow.

She kept watching the end of the street until Chen Xing's figure disappeared completely.

Chen Xing did not go straight to the Blacksmiths Association.

He took a detour to a beach.

The abandoned train still lay where it had been, rusted and half-buried in the sand.

Chen Xing stood before it for a long time.

Only when the sun had completely set did he speak.

"I'll be back."

One day, you'll set off again.

Heaven Dou City.

Chen Xing arrived at the Blacksmiths Association with Zhen Hua and Mu Xi.

Two days ago,

he had still been standing in that little repair shop in Aolai City.

Two days later,

he was already at the Blacksmiths Association Headquarters in Heaven Dou City.

The difference was as staggering as finding out during the story in his previous life that Mr. Ma was Aha.

The moment Chen Xing entered the hall, he spotted someone.

Zhen Hua saw the man and stopped short.

"Junior Brother? What brings you here?"

Junior Brother?

Then this must be Mu Chen.

Mu Chen was the president of the Eastsea branch of the Blacksmiths Association. In the original story, he would become Chen Xing's dear little brother Tang Wulin's forging teacher in Eastsea City three years from now.

He was probably here to pick up Mu Xi.

Mu Chen glanced at Chen Xing behind Zhen Hua.

"Senior Brother, you said you'd be back in two days. It's the third day now. My daughter's been running around with you for three days. Of course I had to come check on her."

Zhen Hua gave a dry cough.

"We were delayed on the way."

Mu Chen did not press him. His gaze returned to Chen Xing.

"Is he the student you took on in Aolai City?"

Zhen Hua nodded.

Mu Chen gave Chen Xing another look but asked no more questions. He turned to Mu Xi.

"Xi, let's go."

Mu Xi's face fell.

"Dad, I only just got here..."

"You haven't been to the academy in three days," Mu Chen said, leaving no room for argument. "Your mother's waiting for you at home."

Mu Xi opened her mouth, then swallowed what she had been about to say.

She hurried over to Chen Xing and planted her hands on her hips.

"Hey, I'm going back to Eastsea City. Don't slack off while I'm gone."

"I haven't seen enough of your Imagenesis ability yet. You have to show me again next time I visit."

Chen Xing smiled and nodded.

"Okay."

Mu Xi leaned closer and lowered her voice.

"And don't make anything scary again. My heart can't take it."

Chen Xing could not help laughing.

On the Soul Guidance Train, he had drawn a chameleon toy to pass the time. He had accidentally pressed a button, making its tongue shoot out right in Mu Xi's face. She had nearly jumped out of the seat opposite him.

Mu Xi shot him a glare and ran back to Mu Chen.

Mu Chen clasped his hands toward Zhen Hua. "Senior Brother, I'll be going, then."

Zhen Hua nodded.

At the door, Mu Xi turned back and waved.

"I'll come play with you again, little brother Chen!"

The doors closed, and the hall grew much quieter.

Zhen Hua was about to take Chen Xing to his lodgings when another voice suddenly rang out nearby.

"Zhen Hua, you're finally back."

Chen Xing looked toward the voice. A man who appeared to be around Zhen Hua's age strode over with a hearty laugh.

Zhen Hua frowned.

"Mu Ye? What are you doing here too?"

Mu Ye?

Chen Xing's heart gave a jolt.

The leader of the Body Sect, a rank ninety-four Titled Douluo, a Four-Word Battle Armor master, and a Red-Class Mecha Engineer!

He's here too?

Mu Ye did not answer Zhen Hua. He walked straight up to Chen Xing, bent down, and peered at him closely.

"So you're the little one?"