**Day 53**
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After escaping from the absurd and debauched life in Paris, Tinjau ultimately chose to head to Munich, Germany. This country gave him a sense of rationality, lucidity, and disciplined, which hit exactly what Tinjau needed at this moment.
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Upon arriving in Munich, Tinjau deliberately adopted a regular and leisurely lifestyle. He ate meals on time, strolled through the local central park and art museum, enjoyed the famous German beer, and even watched a home game of the world-renowned football team, “Bayern Munich”. These were the most popular activities for tourists visiting Munich. After his various experiences in Vietnam and Paris, Tinjau seemed to enjoy being a well-behaved traveler.
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However, after a few days, he began to feel restless again.
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Being able to sleep undisturbed every night was indeed quite pleasant. But after enjoying three nights of stable sleep, he found himself reminiscing about the passionate nights with Martha and Vera (the nature of men?). When you get used to doing the same thing every night, suddenly you don’t have to do it for several days, you will feel a bit lost.
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While visiting the Deutsches museum in Munich, his mind was filled with memories of playing "war games" in Cu Chi Tunnels.
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Even the blonde female receptionist at the hotel was dissatisfied. She was indeed beautiful, but she couldn’t compare to the girl he had encountered in Ho Chi Minh City. The fish that cannot be caught always seems bigger.
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While daydreaming alone in an outdoor café, Tinjau couldn’t help but think: It would be great if Siupui was around and had someone to chat with.
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But if he felt lonely, he could meet new friends locally, right? There were plenty of backpackers on the streets casting curious glances, seems they are welcoming any friendly advances.
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Yet, Tinjau just wasn’t in the mood.
(Taking the initiative to chat with strangers on the street feels like trying to sell insurance.) Although no one in the world would believe that an insurance salesperson would backpacking around the world looking for clients (how can you attract the clients with completely different national condition?)
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His leisurely rest in Munich had restored his physical strength, but Tinjau's mood still leaned toward fatigue. Engaging in small talk with strangers required a lot of energy, and he just didn’t have the motivation for it at the moment.
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Feeling lonely yet lacking the energy to socialize, Tinjau seemed to be in a bit of a dilemma.
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After a few more days, he became so frustrated that he couldn’t even sleep. At that point, he reluctantly opened the travel guide to look for his next destination that might attract him.
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**Day 57**
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Before the locals even started their workday, Tinjau tightened the collar of his trench coat and walked through the swirling morning fog into the lobby of Munich Central Station.
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The sunlight streaming through the skylight was dazzling yet warm. Even though Tinjau wore comfortable shoes and walked lightly, the cold and ruthless marble floor and the empty waiting area amplified the sound of his footsteps, making it feel somewhat desolate.
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If you don’t take into account the large backpack on his back, Tinjau looked a bit like a deep and down-and-out private detective, relentlessly pursuing clues for an old murder case in hopes of earning a meager fee that even not enough to cover his drinking expenses.
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Since trying it once in Vietnam, Tinjau had fallen in love with long-distance train travel. He enjoyed the open platform layout of foreign train stations, loved daydreaming while listening to the rumbling sounds of old trains, and he liked watching the farewells and reunions of strangers (the scene of someone running alongside a train crying does indeed happen! Even as an observer, you still feel moved to watch someone else’s farewell). He cherished the determination and courage it took to step onto a train from the platform, resolutely severing ties with the past and heading toward the unknown.
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Although he held a free unlimited travel pass personally issued by the owner of Virgin Atlantic, Tinjau still felt that paying for train tickets at his own expense was more enjoyable.
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To hear the rumbling of old trains, he deliberately chose unpopular routes of short and medium distance, stopping at each station to stay overnight, traveling north along the Rhine River, rather than taking the express train directly from Munich to Cologne.
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The train moved steadily and gradually leaving the suburbs. The scenery outside shifted from neat and harmonious public housing to scattered bungalows with varying architectural styles nestled among the forest.
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At this moment, the morning sun was at its most intense. Tinjau pulled down the blinds halfway to shield himself from the sunlight. As the contrast between the light outside and inside the carriage narrowed, the reflection in the window became clearer.
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Tinjau had been focused on the scenery outside and hadn’t noticed the activity inside the carriage. Now, from the reflection in the window, he realized that there were only three or four passengers scattered throughout the carriage he was in.
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He noticed a woman leaning by the window at the other end of the aisle, quietly looking through a paperback novel. Her slender figure caught Tinjau's attention.
(She has a very Asian vibe. I wonder which country she’s from?) Judging from the large backpack placed at her feet, he guessed she must also be a free traveler.
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Tinjau propped himself up from his lazy position, stretched his neck to peer out the window, trying to get a better look at the reflection. He didn’t realize that the long shadow was formed by his moving posture had caught the woman’s attention, but the woman pretended not to notice.
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At the end, the woman reluctantly bit her lip and finally couldn’t help but smile.
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Tinjau knew he had been caught peeping and quickly straightened up, adopting a serious expression as he picked up his travel guide, pretending to study it intently.
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That woman’s smile lingered in Tinjau’s mind.
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It was an elegant, playful, and simple smile, and not at all defensive. Yet, what seemed like a natural smile carried a certain refined perfection. This woman must have either undergone strict etiquette training from a young age or had a wealth of life experiences (she looked to be under thirty) that allowed her to display such unruffled and decent smile in front of a completely stranger in a foreign country.
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Such a sophisticated and elegant smile, paired with her thin cat-like lips, pointed chin, and slender neck, made her appear as exquisite as a porcelain dancer statue. Yet, like a porcelain statue, it also revealed a vulnerability that could not be concealed, making one wonder if her inner self was as fragile as her outward demeanor, easily shattered with a single misstep.
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A simple smile could evoke such rich interpretations. This was not due to Tinjau's imagination or literary prowess, but because women are indeed such rich and charming beings. Each woman possesses a unique depth and charm. Every man is born with the instinct to appreciate women, but often, their own sexual desires overshadow this pure spiritual touch.
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Having just escaped from a prison of sexual indulgence, Tinjau, with a weary and lazy heart devoid of much primal motivation, found it easier to appreciate the unique charm of the woman in front of him.
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After try to acting normal for few minutes, Tinjau glanced at the reflection in the window again. The woman was still reading her book, but coincidentally, at the same moment, she stole a glance at the interesting man who had just made that amusing gesture.
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They both turned their heads in completely opposite directions, yet their gazes met in a fleeting reflection.
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This perfect timing made Tinjau's heart skip a beat. Although this heartbeat was largely due to surprise, it still carried a meaning beyond mere astonishment in his mind.
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The woman seemed to continue reading her book nonchalantly. But Tinjau seemed to notice that the book in her hand seemed to tremble slightly at the moment when their eyes met in a split -second.
(Could it be… that she felt the same way?)
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Even though it was just a reflection in the window of the carriage, Tinjau didn’t dare to keep staring at her all the time. He flipped through his travel guide for a while, then took another sneaky glance.
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The woman was gone.
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Even her backpack was gone.
(Did my gaze scare her away?) He sighed helplessly and decided to cover his face with the travel guide, leaning back to take a nap (even though it was still morning).
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He had barely closed his eyes for five minutes when the book covering his face was suddenly taken away by someone. Tinjau immediately sat up straight and saw that woman standing in front of him, holding his travel guide.
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Seeing the surprised expression on Tinjau's face, she couldn’t help but laugh again.
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"Do you mind if I sit here?" she tilted her head and gestured to the empty seat across from Tinjau.
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She spoke in Chinese with a Cantonese accent.
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Looking at her up closely, Tinjau suddenly discovered that this woman was actually his compatriot. As her figure was so slender, her long curly hair was dyed brown had led him to believe she was an Eastern European with an Asian vibe.
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He quickly shook his head. "Go ahead."
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The woman nodded at him, then took off her backpack and slowly organized her belongings. After sitting down, she even adjusted her hair in the reflection of the train window.
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To Tinjau, all of this felt like a subtle hint. As a man, he should take this opportunity to initiate a conversation, allowing the entire encounter to unfold naturally with him as the lead.
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The woman’s slow and calm movement was a form of polite restraint, not necessarily an invitation to pursue, but more like a well-honed social skill.
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Tinjau really couldn’t think of any reason to refuse such respect offered elegantly by her.
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After the woman finished adjusting her hair, she smiled warmly at Tinjau. Seizing the moment, he opened the topic, "Are you an international student from Hong Kong?"
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"Do I look that young?" she replied simply.
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"If you are working, it would be hard to get such a long vacation to go backpacking, right? Why choose this kind of inefficient mode of transportation and super slow route?" Tinjau guessed. "Did your company grant you a special leave for study abroad? Are you here in Europe to study for an MBA?"
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"You asked five questions in a row; you’re really curious about me."
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"...In a place on the other side of the planet, in a season when there are hardly any tourists visit, on a train route that no tourists will be interested in, and you meet someone who speaks the same language, even look like have similar age, and also carry a big backpacker. Don’t you think this is a very miraculous coincidence? It is almost like a mystery?" Tinjau was as comfortable as a fish in water when he could use his native language to compliment women. His sleepy heart gradually began to awaken.
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"I like that you used the word 'mystery' to describe our coincidence. Hmm... to some extent, I do feel the same...That is why I took the liberty to move my seat over."
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"Then... can we solve the mystery now?" he said playfully.
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"Well... based on gentleman’s demeanor, can you let the lady satisfy her curiosity first?" she said.
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Although they had only exchanged a few words, Tinjau had already grown fond of this conversation battle.
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The woman’s words were impeccable, as if she had deliberately erected a wall in front of him. This wall was indestructible, yet it would unconditionally open for those chosen by the castle's owner. As for how to win the favor of the lord of the castle, it all depended on how he, the one who standing outside the castle, performed.
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Tinjau accepted this challenge.
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Explaining how he as an ordinary white-collar worker embarked on this journey, it is difficult not to mention his connection to "LV." Tinjau remembered that neither Siupui nor Bianca had ever asked him to keep his "LV" experience a secret.
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So, he told the woman his story: how "LV" used its unimaginably powerful network to arrange his leave of absence, manage his finances, and provide him with an advance travel budget in an incredibly short time, which allowing him fulfilling his long-held dream to travel freely and leisurely without any worries.
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Of course, he intentionally omitted the one-night stand with Siupui, vaguely saying it was “introduced by a friend".
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The woman listened attentively, responding politely to Tinjau's tone and making appropriate reactions at the appropriate turning points. Although it cannot be said that she is not a good listener, Tinjau doesn’t think his story deserves only such polite reaction.
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"Your reaction is a bit unexpected," Tinjau said. "Have you... heard about 'LV' before? Or maybe you simply don’t believe what I said at all?"
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"No, how could that be? Aren’t the membership card and the boarding pass of Virgin Atlantic you just showed me earlier are the best proof? That boarding pass isn’t something an ordinary backpacker can have," she said slowly. "I’m really happy for you that you got such an opportunity! Although 'LV' operates in a very mysterious and unique way, after hearing your explanation just now, it seems quite natural that similar organizations exist in the world. Because 'sharing experiences' and 'encouraging those around you to embark on journeys' are the wishes of most backpackers... (Sigh)if only I had known about 'LV' five years ago, I wouldn’t have had to wait until now to start my journey."
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"Then... how did you—"
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"I haven’t finished asking yet. Hehe~" she laughed. "So... before you came to Germany, where…"
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“You’re using the same trick again. At least tell me your name!”
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“…Okay. You can call me Puisam. ‘Pui’ is the one with “person” radical, and ‘sam’ is the one with “mountain” radical on the top side, the word “gam” (mean ‘today’) at the bottom.
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“My name is Tinjau. Blessing from sky. ‘Tin’-sky, ‘jau’-blessing.
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“Hehe…OkayOkay. Then…Tinjau, where did you go before you came to Germany?
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Tinjau felt that this question seemed to ask him back: is that all you have to share about your experiences? Obviously, this wasn’t enough to shake her heart.
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Tinjau continued to talk about his journey in Vietnam, including the incident of being robbed in Ho Chi Minh City and the scene of playing war games in the jungle. Puisam’s face expression became slightly richer, and it seemed that her interest had been aroused, but it still fell far short of Tinjau's expectations.
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(Could it be that what I experienced in the past two months is still too ordinary for this woman?) This made Tinjau a bit angry, as to some extent, this reaction was equivalent to her denying the value of his past journey.
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(I refuse to believe that I can’t say something that would truly shock you!) There is no point in lying and cheating. Tinjau wanted to gain this woman’s recognition based on "real material" and he found himself easily falling for her provocation.
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Although the existence of Siupui was still hidden, Tinjau sullenly talked to Puisam about his encounters with Martha and Vera, detailing their debauchery life from Hanoi to Paris.
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With his male pride stirred, Tinjau chose to abandon the possibility of establishing a healthy image in Puisam’s mind, preferring to be seen as a lecherous man rather than being labeled as a bore.
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Tinjau succeeded.
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Puisam was dumbfounded and her ears turning red... but she didn’t seem to express disdain or disgust.
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"So, at that time, you were deliberately indulging your body in pursuit of freedom?" she asked.
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"This is the explanation I give myself in retrospect," he admitted. "At the time, I didn’t think that much; I was purely driven by instinct."
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Then, Tinjau explained how he could no longer tolerate such a ridiculous lifestyle and decided to escape overnight, ultimately arriving in Germany and boarding this train.
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This part seemed to capture Puisam’s attention the most, which intrigued Tinjau.
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"That’s only natural," Puisam said. "Doing whatever you want doesn’t bring you true freedom."
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Tinjau was jolted.
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Puisam seemed to have no intention of elaborating further. She gently bit her lip, gazing out the window as if contemplating something. "Maybe he really..."
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"What?"
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"Nothing, I was just talking to myself." A stiff expression appeared on her face for the first time. Although it was fleeting, Tinjau knew something had slipped into her heart.
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After considering for a moment, she seemed to have figured something out and returned to her usual composure and confidence. She asked Tinjau, "Then what are your plans next?"
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"Um... I plan to head north along the Rhine River, stopping at each midway station to stay in a hotel for a night or two and then hit on the road again..."
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"Your plans are just like mine, that’s great!" she clapped excitedly. "Tinjau! I have an idea. There’s a way of traveling I’ve always wanted to try, but unfortunately, it’s not convenient for me to do it alone. Can I invite you to be my partner?"
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"Well... that’s basically fine for me. Just as a partner and traveling together."
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"Not just that," she said slyly. "I want you to be my husband."
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"H-Husband?" Tinjau's mouth dropped open in shock. (Oh my god... I just knew her name, and she’s asking me to be her husband! What on earth is this woman plotting?)
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