Chapter 1
I bought a first–class train ticket during my winter break, but I found someone already. sitting in my seat when I boarded. I approached her politely and asked, “Ma’am, I believe this is my seat.”
“Just because you say it’s yours doesn’t make it so. Why don’t you call it and see if it answers? I’m older than you, can’t you just let me have it? If you want to sit, go find a seat in second class.”
I was so shocked I could only laugh. I pulled out my phone and showed the old. lady the payment receipt. “The fare difference is $100. Would you like to pay with? Card or cash?”
To my surprise, she snatched my phone. and threw it to the ground, smashing it to pieces. She grabbed my hair and started slapping me across the face. “I’ll teach your to ask for money! You’re shameless!”
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I ended up in the hospital the day I was supposed to arrive home. It wasn’t until my father’s employee came to visit with gifts that things changed. Seeing the woman’s face turn pale, I smiled slowly. “Dad, she’s the one who hit me.”
The school was quite far from the station. and we’d also run into traffic. I barely made it onto the train in time for boarding.
After stowing my suitcase, I took out my phone to reply to my parents‘ messages. “Mom and Dad, I’ll be home this afternoon. Don’t forget to pick me up!” Then, I began searching the compartment for my seat.
Due to the late announcement of the school holidays, most tickets were already sold out when we tried to book. My parents had wanted to pick me up, but it was too far, so I convinced them not to. After waiting a while, I managed to secure a first- class ticket through the waitlist.
Following the flow of passengers, I
carefully checked the numbers on the seats
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Chapter 1
with my phone. I felt awkward looking at the older woman sitting comfortably in my seat. After double–checking everything, I finally spoke up. “Excuse me, ma’am, but I believe this is my seat.”
My home was far from school and this train ride would take the entire journey. A first–class ticket wasn’t cheap–it cost nearly half a month’s living expenses.
The woman glanced at me dismissively and scoffed, “There are so many seats and you’re saying this one’s yours? Why don’t you call it and see if it answers?”
I was momentarily speechless and caught off guard by her rude remark. It was clear she was deliberately taking my seat.
When I entered the compartment, I noticed her looking around and assumed she was waiting for someone. I hadn’t realized she was checking if the person whose seat she’d taken had arrived.
I didn’t want to cause a scene on my way
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home, so I calmly opened my ticket app and showed her my booking details. “This is indeed my seat. See? Here’s my ticket information,” I said patiently, holding my phone up to her.
Her expression changed briefly before she returned to her defiant stance. She raised her voice. “What’s wrong with you? There are so many people in this compartment, yet you’re picking on an old lady like me! It’s just a seat! Do you want to drive me to my death?”
Her sudden outburst left me frozen in place. The entire compartment turned to stare at us and I felt my face flush with embarrassment and anger. “This is my seat! You’re the one who took it. How am I the one pushing you to the brink?” I retorted, raising my voice.
I felt a little wronged and speechless in my heart. What bad luck to run into this on my way home for the holidays.
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