"Attention passengers, Train G**** is now boarding. Those taking Train G****, please proceed to Gate 9 to enter the station. The train is located at Platform 9. Once inside, please do not run on the platform, smoking is prohibited..."
As the station's pleasant broadcast came through, Xiao Ning hoisted a small backpack with a few spare clothes, stood up, took out her high-speed train ticket from a small bag, and headed towards the ticket gate.
After finding her platform position for the train, getting in line, Xiao Ning sighed with relief. This hot weather really makes business trips unbearable.
"Running before there's time to pray, always feeling the outside world is so wonderful..."
Her phone rang. Xiao Ning opened her bag and took out her phone, but didn't zip the bag back up right away.
"Mom."
"Xiao Ning, where are you? I made some soup today and brought it over, but you weren't home. I left it in the fridge for you. When you have time, heat it up and drink it, it's good for reducing heat."
Xiao Ning bought a studio apartment near the law firm where she usually only goes home on weekends.
Xiao Ning gave a wry smile. This business trip was really sudden and rushed, and with everything being so troublesome, she forgot to tell her mom.
"Mom, I'm on a business trip. I'm about to head back. I'll be home around eleven tonight. I forgot to tell you earlier."
"Be careful out there by yourself, okay? Is anyone with you?"
"Mom, it's just me. Don't worry. Your daughter isn't a kid anymore..."
While chatting with her mom, Xiao Ning's face was full of smiles, clearly looking very happy and carefree.
Not far away, in the shadow of a pillar, stood a woman in long sleeves and jeans, wearing a hat, with not a bit of skin exposed.
She seemed to be in a slumber, but when Xiao Ning laughed, she suddenly awoke, looked at Xiao Ning's bright smile with envy and madness in her eyes.
The woman walked in Xiao Ning's direction.
She held two tickets, one of which looked peculiar, reflecting in the sunlight, clearly not made of paper.
The woman passed by Xiao Ning, a slight movement of her hand, and that peculiar ticket fell right into Xiao Ning's open bag.
Xiao Ning had just ended the call and noticed the woman pass by, but paid no heed. The train was about to arrive, and people still hadn't found their carriages.
Xiao Ning didn't see the strange ticket quietly lying at the bottom of her bag. She slipped her phone back in, zipped it up, and quietly waited for the train's arrival.
Meanwhile, the peculiar woman, after passing by Xiao Ning, saw that Xiao Ning didn't notice the ticket, and with her head lowered, wore a crazed, malicious smile that no one saw.
Why should others have such smooth and happy lives? Destroy it, destroy it, haha.
Onboard, the cool air brought Xiao Ning back to comfort. Ah, in five and a half hours, she would be home and could finally sleep well. These past few days had been exhausting, working tirelessly to resolve everything. Tomorrow she'd return to the office to draft a report for her boss.
Finding her seat, Xiao Ning placed the small backpack on her lap, opened her bag, and took out her phone. The moment she retrieved her phone, she noticed something unusual; there seemed to be something else in her bag.
Frowning, she pulled out what was at the bottom of her bag and found it was a ticket.
Why was there another ticket?
Recalling how the bag was open during the call, with people bustling around, could someone's ticket have fallen into her bag? Losing a ticket could be troublesome.
Xiao Ning didn't look closely, thinking she'd find a conductor, but it seemed none had yet passed through this carriage.
She sat down again, examining it more closely, and realized the ticket was unusual.
It wasn't made of paper but resembled an artifact. Xiao Ning couldn't tell the material, but it felt cool and smooth, very comfortable.
Moreover, the station details on this ticket were obviously incorrect.
This train was from XM to HZ, but this ticket read from XM to Nadis Planet.
Xiao Ning couldn't help but smile. It must be a prank, right? Planet, that's too far-fetched.
Her initial worries instantly dissolved.
Still, what puzzled Xiao Ning was that the ID on the ticket was hers. What was going on?
Also, the ticket didn't show a lot of information like price, time, or point of sale.
Who would know her ID and make such a thing?
Xiao Ning couldn't figure it out, feeling somewhat worried. After all, her ID number was somehow leaked. But being out of town, on the train, some things couldn't be checked. Never mind, she'd handle it after getting back to HZ.
What Xiao Ning didn't know was that before the ticket entered her bag, it didn't display her information.
With more than five hours remaining, Xiao Ning slung her small backpack across her chest, placed her small bag underneath it, pressed it down with her hand, and leaned against the chair, closing her eyes.
Perhaps she was overly tired from the past days, or maybe the coolness and quiet of the carriage relaxed her, and she quickly fell asleep.
What she didn't know was that the woman who had tossed the ticket into her bag was still lingering on the platform. She seemed anxious, inquiring with the station staff if she could catch the train after missing the time.
Her eyes showed a hint of regret and annoyance. She had just disembarked, lingering on the platform. When she saw others boarding, she couldn't help but feel pained, and amid suffering, she wanted to disrupt the happiness witnessed around her.
Though painful, that item brought her obvious benefits. Damn it, why did she foolishly toss it away?
How could she find that woman again? And if found, would she return it?
The woman was still somewhat unwilling, heading to the ticket office to inquire about the passenger list from that carriage.
However, unfortunately, passenger information wouldn't be disclosed by the ticket office staff.
She couldn't claim her item was taken because the platform was under surveillance, and it was clear she had deliberately tossed the ticket in. Moreover, given the ticket's peculiarity, she didn't want others to know.
The woman left the station in a daze. The item had come into her possession coincidentally, yet she knew its rules and was uncertain of what to expect next.
No, this can't be. She must find that woman and retrieve the ticket.
Xiao Ning slept against the seat, fuzzy visions filling her mind with inexplicable thoughts.
Was it to ponder, to dream?
Having glanced at the ticket earlier, why did her mind now fill with detailed information about Nadis Planet? And the information seemed so vivid, was it just imagination?
Xiao Ning felt her heart sink slightly. Could there be something wrong with that ticket?