He quickly reached out to catch the little guy’s backside, lifting it to the center of the table, smiling as he examined it for a moment. “Gianna, I think you’re mistaken; this is a border collie, just a brown subspecies. Its fur color and pattern are a bit special; it should be about 45 days old.” He gently patted the puppy’s head, “So good.” “Teddy” clearly enjoyed his touch, nuzzling against his arm.
“Haha, can I hold him?” He lifted the puppy with both hands, looking at its hind legs in the light from the wall lamp in the corridor. The puppy rolled over, exposing its round belly, kicking in his palms, and he smiled, “It’s a girl; she’s a bit shy.”
Khanyi looked at him, curious, “How do you know?”
His lake-blue eyes sparkled with amusement as he looked at her gently. Suddenly, Khanyi realized something and blushed. “I’m sorry, I think… I need to go to the restroom. Can you watch her for me?” In fact, she had wanted to go to the restroom earlier; the train had just announced an asthma emergency requiring a doctor. Although she was just an intern nurse, her grandmother had asthma, and her father had sought out famous doctors for it, so she knew a few remedies that could help.
“Of course.”
She walked to the restroom in the compartment, turned the doorknob, and found it locked. She hurried to the restroom in the adjacent carriage, which was closer to second class, only to discover there was no toilet paper. She had to exit and return to her compartment to get some. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she smiled at the handsome man who was playing with the puppy, burying her head in her bag. Suddenly, she remembered that the roll of toilet paper she had brought was already used up by “Teddy.”
He understood and took out a box of tissues, handing it to her. She took it with both hands, her face turning even redder, and hurried back to the restroom.
Just as she came out of the restroom, a man wearing a cap suddenly appeared from nowhere and reached out to stop her.
“What… do you want?” Khanyi felt a bit scared and instinctively shrank back. She couldn’t see his face, but the eyes beneath the cap were cunning and alert.
“Are you Miss Gianna?” he asked softly, but it was clear he already knew the answer.
“I…” she stammered, unsure how to respond.
“Please don’t be nervous. I am a man of General Ryan, sent to deliver a message to you. This train will arrive at the capital station at 6:30 tomorrow morning. Before that, it would be best for you to stay in compartment V-2 and not wander around. After the train arrives, please exit from the left side of carriage number 4; he will be there to meet you.”
It was indeed his arrangement; he knew her whereabouts and had placed someone on the train to contact her. Khanyi was very surprised. She hadn’t told anyone about this “secret operation,” only leaving a note for the clueless “accomplice” Annabel, which would be mailed to her, and she wouldn’t see it so soon. “…How did you find out about me?”
“Clearly, you haven’t connected the dots,” the man said, leaning against the door, whispering in her ear. This was a small hint, but she didn’t understand. He continued, “Please give me some of your tissues, because the gentleman with you may have already become suspicious.” After saying this, he tore off a piece of tissue from the wad in her dazed hands, crumpling it in his hand, while simultaneously slipping a small note into her dress pocket, tipping his hat as if to salute her. “I wish you a pleasant journey, madam.”
Khanyi turned to look towards the second-class carriage, only to see the carriage swaying with a crowd of people, and his figure had already disappeared into the throng.
Khanyi could not remain as calm and composed as that agent. She returned to the restroom, splashed some cool water on her cheeks to wake herself up a bit. She couldn’t understand how he knew her whereabouts; his perceptiveness was always astonishing, and his speed of action was like lightning. Suddenly, she remembered the note in her pocket. She opened her palm to reveal the note, which depicted a small dove flying out of a train door, with the carriage number and platform number clearly marked. She recognized the capital letters and numbers as his handwriting, and the little dove resembled her drawing.
She exited the restroom and looked at the various passengers outside. Could it be that this carriage was filled with his spies? Perhaps in the city she had just left and the capital she was about to arrive at, he had placed his people, and her every move was under his control.
She felt a bit lost; her original plan to suddenly appear before him and give him a surprise had fallen through. But then she felt a warm sensation; he was concerned for her safety and left her some space, only sending someone to deliver a message instead of arranging for two soldiers in black uniforms with red armbands to sit across from her, watching her like a prisoner.
“Gianna, what’s wrong?” The man who had been sitting in the private room asked with concern. Since the moment the girl returned, she had been staring blankly at her seat. He had asked her several questions, but she only responded absentmindedly with a few words, while the night outside gradually darkened.
Khanyi held the note tightly in her palm, dampened by sweat. She finally remembered that it was time to put it away. Taking out a small satin pouch from her handbag, she stuffed the note inside. He had clearly seen the small satin-like purse. “You just mentioned that your hometown is in South Africa. In my impression, that is the homeland of silk and tea, a country with an ancient and profound civilization…”
Seeing that she did not respond, only blushing shyly, still lost in thought, he asked, “Are you out here alone? Who do you have at home?”
“My parents are both alive, I have an older sister and two younger sisters, and a little brother,” Khanyi glanced at him and added, “He was born of a concubine.”
“In your country, can a man marry multiple women?” He seemed very interested in this question.
