After Dunhuang, farther east, there were several railway stations that had once been strongholds for major thieves, and many travelers had suffered at their hands.
Of course, most victims were targeted around the station entrances and exits, but occasionally someone would run rampant aboard a train for a stretch too. They had encountered that on their last round trip. Although they were in a sleeper carriage this time, they still needed to be careful.
While passing through the mountains, the train made an unscheduled stop, and people outside in the snow tapped on the windows with sticks.
The attendant warned the passengers not to open their windows in case something happened. But it was broad daylight, and some people paid no attention and actually opened them.
The people outside had come to sell things. Since there was no platform and the train sat high above them, they could only lift their goods on sticks.
Several windows had been opened, and the attendant did not bother interfering much. He had warned them, and if they refused to listen, what else could he do? They were all adults and had to take responsibility for their actions.
Li Long and his family did not open their window. Someone tapped it with a stick, but they ignored it.
Soon, people began talking over by the open windows, and Li Long and the others could hear what was going on.
Someone was offering pheasants on a pole for ten yuan each. The passengers thought that was too expensive, but the seller refused to lower the price, leaving them at an impasse.
At another window, someone was selling kiwifruit. Who knew how they had kept it until now? Some passengers bought a little and found it tasted pretty good. It was probably wild fruit from the