TYH-DCI | Chapter 13 – You’re Too Mean

The people inside the restroom finally came out one by one. Xi’er immediately said anxiously,

“Sorry, Jiang Lai, I really can’t hold it anymore. I’m going in first!”

Jiang Lai didn’t argue with her.

“Go ahead, I can wait.”

But the moment Xi’er entered, it was obvious she wasn’t mentally prepared for what was inside.

She barely stepped in before gagging several times.

From outside, Jiang Lai could hear it too and wondered—was it really that bad?

Xi’er held her breath, rushed through the whole process, and bolted out as fast as she could.

Her face was already purple from holding her breath, and she gasped for fresh air while warning Jiang Lai,

“Take a deep breath before you go in. It’s really… eye-watering in there.”

Jiang Lai instinctively did as told.

But the moment she opened the door and saw the disastrous state of the restroom, she almost reflexively breathed in—

Then immediately remembered Xi’er’s warning and the gagging sounds.

She held her breath, finished quickly, and rushed out.

The second she stepped outside, she couldn’t hold it anymore and took a small breath of air.

That was enough.

She immediately started gagging just like Xi’er.

No exaggeration—she gagged all the way back to her seat.

People in the crowded aisle quickly dodged out of her way, afraid she might actually throw up on them.

That actually made it easier for her to get through.

Wang Shengnan saw her stumbling back and immediately stood up to support her.

“What happened? Did you eat something bad?”

Xi’er, meanwhile, was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes.

“Hahahaha—she got defeated by the restroom smell! Hahahaha!”

The moment Xi’er mentioned the word restroom, Jiang Lai’s nose was instantly flooded again with that suffocating smell.

“Ugh—don’t say it—ugh—I’m gonna—ugh—I’m really gonna—ugh…”

Tears actually came out from her gagging.

She felt like everything she had eaten earlier was about to come back up.

Wang Shengnan quickly rummaged through her luggage, trying to find something to help her.

And then, a fresh citrus scent suddenly filled the air.

They all turned around.

It was Li Zhaodi, who had somehow taken out a green orange.

She peeled off a piece of rind and handed it to Jiang Lai.

“Quick, smell this! The sourness helps suppress it. You just ate so much meat—it’d be a waste if you threw it all up!”

Jiang Lai was a little helpless.

Was that really the main concern right now?

Still, she took the peel and held it under her nose.

Instantly, the nausea subsided.

Then Li Zhaodi handed her an orange segment.

Jiang Lai, without thinking, assumed it would be sweet like modern oranges, and immediately shoved the whole segment into her mouth.

Before Li Zhaodi could even say “it’s sour—”

Jiang Lai’s face instantly scrunched up.

Tears almost came out from the acidity alone.

Xi’er panicked.

“Are you okay? Are you still going to vomit? Quick, lean out the window!”

She rushed forward in alarm.

Jiang Lai swallowed it down with effort.

“I’m fine… I’m fine now. It’s actually… pretty sweet. You guys should try it.”

She handed the remaining orange to Li Zhaodi while frantically signaling her with her eyes.

Li Zhaodi immediately looked down, pretending nothing happened.

“Come on, come on, try it. It looks plain, but it’s really sweet!”

Xi’er, who had no suspicion whatsoever, happily took a bite.

Wang Shengnan watched her and, seeing no reaction, cautiously took a bite as well.

The next second—

Three identical twisted faces appeared.

Li Zhaodi finally couldn’t hold it anymore and burst out laughing.

Jiang Lai wasn’t going to let her escape either. She quickly shoved an orange segment into Li Zhaodi’s mouth too—and even closed her jaw for her.

Caught off guard, Li Zhaodi had no time to react.

Her face instantly scrunched up just like the others.

Now she couldn’t laugh either—but the other three definitely could.

Xi’er, still salivating from the sourness, accused Jiang Lai:

“Jiang Lai! You’re too mean!”

Wang Shengnan immediately retorted,

“You’re talking? You weren’t any better!”

Xi’er looked guilty but justified herself anyway:

“Sharing blessings and suffering together! If we’re all eating it, nobody gets left out!”

Wang Shengnan was speechless and drank water to rinse her mouth.

Jiang Lai added calmly,

“I think the worst one here is Li Zhaodi. She didn’t warn us how sour it was. She should be punished.”

Li Zhaodi immediately protested,

“Injustice! I was about to say something—but you were too fast!”

Jiang Lai nodded solemnly.

“Very reasonable. I reject it.”

The group laughed and chatted until the tension faded.

Li Zhaodi slowly relaxed and started integrating into the group more naturally.

“Let’s drink less water,” Jiang Lai reminded them. “The restroom’s going to get even worse later.”

Although they didn’t fully understand “eye-watering,” they got the meaning.

Xi’er nodded.

“True. It felt like my eyes were burning earlier.”

Wang Shengnan sighed.

“Well… just endure it for another three days and three nights.”

Silence instantly fell over the group.

Only then did she realize what she had said and awkwardly brushed her hair aside.

Xi’er started yawning repeatedly, and Wang Shengnan also looked exhausted.

“If you’re tired, sleep for a while,” Jiang Lai said considerately. “Hold your valuables close. I’ll watch the rest.”

Li Zhaodi added, “We can take turns in pairs.”

Xi’er and Wang Shengnan didn’t refuse.

They quickly settled in and fell asleep.

During their rest, the train stopped three times.

More people got on than off each time.

The third stop brought on a couple holding two children.

The kids were fast asleep, and the couple kept adjusting their posture while holding them.

Seeing this, Jiang Lai’s sense of compassion kicked in again.

She gently moved her luggage aside and stood up.

“Big sister, do you want to sit for a bit? It’s not convenient holding a child while standing.”

But the woman immediately refused.

“Thank you, but I bought a standing ticket. I can’t take your seat.”

She quickly squeezed away with her husband, as if afraid Jiang Lai would insist further.

Jiang Lai understood.

In this era, people were cautious—especially with strangers.

She didn’t push it further and sat back down after adjusting her things.