Song Ning froze where she stood.
Teacher Fang had already boarded the train and called down to urge her along. "Song Ning! Hurry up and get on! The train's about to leave!"
Song Ning looked up. "Teacher Fang, go on inside! I'll keep an eye on the time and board before it leaves."
With that, she strode toward the carriage ahead.
It was some distance away, and dusk was falling. She wanted to get closer and see who that person was. Could it be someone she knew?
He was a man of about thirty. To put it kindly, his clothes were trendy; less kindly, he looked rather scruffy. His hair was long, almost covering his eyes, so he had to keep brushing his slightly wavy hair aside as he spoke.
He was waving his arms vigorously, gesturing to the conductor as he explained what he could do.
He said he could paint, translate, and write articles... In short, if the conductor needed anything, he was willing to help.
But on one condition: could he be allowed aboard?
He had lost his wallet, and it had taken a great deal of pleading before the station staff let him onto the platform.
He needed to get back to Yu City and hoped the conductor could help him.
The conductor explained over and over.
Without a ticket, he could not board.
The conductor was only an employee, too. He had no authority to accept the man's talents in lieu of a fare.
Yet as Song Ning watched the man trying so desperately to get aboard, she broke into a grin.
She sniffed and steadied her emotions.
Coming up behind the conductor, she tapped his shoulder and said:
"Conductor, this man is my friend! I'll pay for his ticket."
Seeing Song Ning, the conductor