Chapter 32: The 1924 Train Murder Case (5)

Judging from his actions, their train attendant was hardly an expert in the art of tying shoelaces. He was a gentleman who appeared meticulous on the surface, but beneath it, he was clearly flustered. Amidst her barely contained amusement, Tang Mu found herself recalling the fleeting warmth of Eli’s gentle hand as he had softly tousled her hair moments ago. If he truly was Yan Xingwen… But if he wasn’t… The thought that Eli might not be Yan Xingwen sent Tang Mu’s lighthearted mood spiraling into inexplicable agitation. Yet he was so like him… Well, they had only just met. She would have plenty of time to probe Eli’s true identity.

She returned to her seat, quietly watching Eli’s figure as he bustled back and forth, ever busy. As the train was about to depart, a man entered in a long black mink coat, entirely out of season, with a heavy newsboy cap pulled low over his face. He hurried aboard, hunched and withdrawn, arms wrapped tightly about himself, as if concealing something near his belly. Once on board, he deliberately snatched an empty seat and curled himself into a corner, speaking to no one and avoiding all conversation. When a train attendant approached to gently ask if he needed anything, he barked loudly at the attendant, ordering him away.

“What an ill-mannered fellow!” he spat at the attendant, “Do you not know the rules for serving distinguished guests, you lowly servant? Who allowed you to disturb a guest without permission?”

James’s expression stiffened for a moment. He was not as handsome as Eli, but that did not mean he had to accept such abuse from passengers. Still, the etiquette required of a Haier train attendant must be ingrained to the bone, or else he would be failing in his duty. Forced to smile apologetically, James replied, “My sincerest apologies, sir. Inquiring after passengers’ basic needs is part of every attendant’s responsibilities, especially on a journey that will last several hours.”

“That’s none of your concern,” the man grumbled in a deep voice. “Just do your job!”

Left with no choice, James shrugged. “But sir, we’re about to begin ticket inspection. At the very least, you must show us your ticket.”

Hearing this, the man in the out-of-season mink coat and oversized cap grumbled his dissatisfaction and rummaged through his pockets for his ticket, which he then flung at James in a fit of temper.

“Do I look like someone who can’t afford a ticket? Open your damned eyes and look!”

Even under such insult, James maintained his outward composure, carefully punching a round hole in the ticket with his inspection device and handing the now-validated ticket back to the irate passenger.

“There you are, sir. Your ticket has been inspected, please hold onto it.”

The passenger snatched his ticket back with the same aggressive air, pressed down his cap, and continued to berate James, demanding he leave at once. “Now can I finally rest on this train? Noisy lowlife!”

James’s face stiffened slightly. “Of course, sir. I’ll take my leave.”

James withdrew from the presence of the volatile and peculiar passenger. In the next moment, he hurried over to Eli’s side, venting about the unpleasant encounter.

“Eli, that passenger is the most temperamental person I’ve ever met. I swear, I was only concerned for him. After all, spring has already arrived, yet he’s still wrapped in a thick winter coat—a most unusual sight.”

“James,” Eli frowned, clearly displeased, “what are the principles of an attendant’s conduct?”

Suddenly asked about his duties, James’s mood soured, but as Eli was the chief attendant, he had to acquiesce. “We must not comment on guests’ appearance, attire, or demeanor… That would be disrespectful.”

“Since you know, why complain?” Eli looked perplexed. “James, I understand that guest’s attitude was dreadful. But fortunately, this journey lasts only a few hours. If we simply do our jobs, the time will pass quickly, don’t you think?”

Well, since Eli put it that way, James could only settle himself and return to his duties.

At that moment, the lady of noble birth had changed into a clean dress and returned to her seat. She glanced at her husband, who had fainted before her, and rolled her eyes in disdain.

“Hert Arnold, wake up,” Lady Ottilia called her husband by his full name. “I must have the worst luck in eight generations to have married you.”

It was only a prop gun, and yet her husband had been terrified to this point.

Tang Mu was seated across from her. Perhaps Tang Mu’s gaze was too direct, for it irritated Lady Ottilia.

Lady Ottilia glared at Tang Mu. “People of breeding never stare rudely at others in their moment of distress. Did your adoptive father fail to teach you manners?”

Faced with Ottilia’s repeated provocations, Tang Mu was not to be outdone. “Elders should indeed fulfill their duty to educate the younger generation. But not all nouveau riche receive proper education. Some people’s arrogance and insolence are etched into their bones—how could others possibly teach them?”

“You…”

Ottilia’s face flushed with anger at Tang Mu’s retort. She reached out, intending to tug at Tang Mu’s clothes and embarrass her publicly. But Eli approached with the ticket inspector in hand.

“Excuse me, madam, could you and your husband please present your tickets?”

Eli’s interruption was ill-timed, and Ottilia was especially incensed.

“Are you doing this on purpose, you contemptible commoner!”

Even when faced with insults from those of high status, Eli maintained his impeccable smile, not even allowing the smallest flicker of discomfort to cross his face.

“Madam, the train has already departed. We must inspect the tickets of all distinguished guests before the next station. Checking your tickets is merely our duty.”

Ottilia was half-convinced, half-doubtful, but still produced her ticket for Eli to inspect. Eli took the ticket, punched a round hole, and returned it to Ottilia.

“Madam, and your husband’s as well.”

Ottilia impatiently searched her husband’s suit pockets. Hert Arnold’s excessive girth made turning him over quite the ordeal, but after much effort, Ottilia managed to retrieve his ticket.

“There, that’s it,” the lady said impatiently. “Hurry and check it. Once you’re finished, I and this young lady across from me have important matters to attend to!”