Chapter 19

A crisp chime and a shrill whistle rang out, accompanied by a blinding flash of white light as the CC1000 Express glided into the platform. The massive train came to a slow stop. Its silver-patterned exterior was woven with vine-like motifs, exquisite and magnificent, shining like scales. Under the glare of the headlamps, the polished body gleamed with a pitch-black luster, resembling a giant black python that had wearied of hunting, returned to its nest, and plunged into a deep slumber. A man in a dark green uniform stepped slowly out of the carriage. Holding a small golden bell in his left hand and a card scanner in his right, he stood quietly by the ticket gate with a gentle smile, gazing into the distance at Lu Mingfei and his companions.