NOVPUBChapter 241: Chapter 241: Home
Chapter 241 -241: Home
Bai Xiao and Bai Song had finished packing their things and the suitcase was ready. Anyway, it was a ready-made case that just needed packing, and An Zhiyuan had indeed contacted his friends at the train station to send them off on their journey. The goods were sent directly via cargo service, which had already been arranged.
An Zhiyuan had bought a platform ticket and came out with a young man wearing glasses and a railway uniform. He looked at Bai Xiao with curiosity in his eyes, “This is Bai Xiao, my fiancée. This is Ding Ke, an old classmate of mine and also a brother who grew up playing with me.”
Ding Ke reached out to Bai Xiao enthusiastically. An Zhiyuan he knew all too well—always setting a high standard, rarely showing interest in women. So many girls in the courtyard cried and shouted to be with An Zhiyuan, but he was indifferent. Now suddenly introducing a fiancée, and so formally, what did it mean?
“Sister-in-law, hello, this is our first meeting. If you need anything in the future, just come to me. I’m just a minor leader here, but I can still help with buying tickets and handling shipments. Don’t be polite with me. An Zhiyuan is my big brother, so don’t be shy to ask your brother-in-law for anything.”
Bai Xiao, overwhelmed by Ding Ke’s enthusiasm, responded, “Hello! Hello, I will definitely come to you if I need anything. Thank you!”
“That’s all, you go ahead. I will send them on the train and then head back,” An Zhiyuan dismissed him unceremoniously since Ding Ke was holding Bai Xiao’s hand a little too long.
Ding Ke rolled his eyes. This was a classic case of favoring a romantic interest over friends.
“Alright! Then I’m off! Sister-in-law, see you later!”
Approaching An Zhiyuan, Ding Ke gave him a strong hug and whispered in his ear, “Good for you, An Zhiyuan. Wait for it, I’ll call everyone as soon as I get back. Your heroic deeds will soon spread throughout the Capital City circles. Let them grill you a bit.”
Then nonchalantly patting An Zhiyuan on the shoulder, he left, waving to Bai Xiao.
Bai Xiao smiled lightly and waved back. An Zhiyuan watched Ding Ke make faces at him.
After seeing Bai Xiao and the others onto the train, this time both had lower berths, An Zhiyuan placed a bag on the table, “This is some food and drink for your trip. I’ll call you when you get back, big brother, take care on your journey.”
Bai Song looked at his brother-in-law bustling about and felt very pleased. He was happy to see him treating Bai Xiao well.
“Don’t worry, I’m here. Give my regards to your uncle and aunt for the New Year!”
An Zhiyuan nodded and squeezed Bai Xiao’s fingers forcefully, “I’m off!”
“Take care, I will miss you,” whispered Bai Xiao, leaning in close.
He looked up into her eyes that shone with tenderness and met her smile, which was rarely so bright and charming. His gaze deepened and intensified, as if soft emotions were spilling from his eyes. Nodding, he squeezed Bai Xiao’s hand again and stepped off the train.
This time, he left without looking back.
Bai Xiao stood at the train window watching An Zhiyuan leave. It seemed that their farewells always occurred like this—by the train window, on the platform.
But it seemed that the feelings involved had changed from one time to the next, such as now. Even though An Zhiyuan didn’t look back, her heart still overflowed with sweetness. This man had taken care of everything he could for her—it wasn’t materialistic but everything she couldn’t do herself, which was quite rare.
Watching him leave, she couldn’t help but smile, her dimples lightly showing and her eyes curving into a smile.
Feeling very happy, she settled back into her seat.
Bai Song shook his head and teased, “Ah, a grown daughter is hard to keep at home!”
That brought a glaring look from Bai Xiao, followed by hearty laughter.
The two of them chatted about family matters all the way, and time flew by quickly.
By the time it got dark, they finally arrived in the county town. As soon as Bai Xiao and her party exited the station, they saw someone holding a sign with Bai Xiao’s name on it, probably the person An Zhiyuan had arranged to pick them up.
Hurriedly, they went over to greet the person.
“Hello! I am Bai Xiao.”
The man, thrilled to see Bai Xiao and Bai Song, shook her hand warmly, “Sister-in-law, remember me? I am Xiaowa. I fetched water at your house once. Our instructor had called me about this matter, and I’ve been thinking about it since. By the way, I know you have a lot of luggage; where is it?”
Bai Xiao actually didn’t remember the students who had helped out at her house, as at that time she was eager to distance herself from An Zhiyuan, never paying much attention to those who came to help.
“Xiaowa, we need to pick up our luggage at the luggage counter at the station,” Bai Xiao mentioned.
Feeling quite apologetic as she saw the redness from the cold on Xiaowa’s face, she knew that he had been waiting for them outside the station for a long time.
Without mobile phones, the only way to connect was to wait here, and Xiao guessed that Xiaowa had waited a long time, not wanting to delay their plans.
Xiaowa said with a smile, “Let’s go then, sister-in-law, let’s go get the luggage.”
Bai Song and Bai Xiao followed Xiaowa to the luggage counter. It was lucky that Ding Ke had notified them in advance; otherwise, they couldn’t have retrieved their luggage right away. Holding the ticket, they began collecting their bags, and it was then that Xiaowa realized why the instructor had insisted on them being escorted home—the five cases were not few.
Fortunately, with Bai Song and Xiaowa there to help, Xiaowa carried two cases, Bai Song carried three, and Bai Xiao wanted to carry one, but her brother and Xiaowa wouldn’t let her. Instead, she took all the backpacks on Bai Song’s back, clutching them to her own chest, each filled with parcels large and small.
The three of them hadn’t walked far from the station when they saw the jeep parked.
After loading the luggage, Bai Song sat in the front, Bai Xiao in the back.
Xiaowa drove directly to Liupan Village. Along the way, he kept praising An Zhiyuan, making him sound more beautiful than flowers, which amused Bai Xiao immensely.
When they arrived at the village, it was already dark.
Driving straight to Bai Xiao’s house, Bai Song jumped out of the car and knocked on the door loudly.
Bai Yue and Li Haiping had already received Bai Song’s telegram and knew they were due back these days. The moment they heard the knocking, draped in their clothes, they asked from inside.
“Is that you, Bai Song, Bai Xiao?”
The family had not slept well for several days, listening every night for any noise outside, fearing Bai Xiao and Bai Song would arrive when it was too dark.
Bai Yue had heard the sound of a car earlier—no other households in the village had a car.
She felt faintly hopeful it might be her brother and sister returning. Now someone was knocking, of course, she got up immediately.
“Sister, it’s Bai Song and Bai Xiao; we’re back.”
Bai Yue quickly opened the door, and Bai Song called to his nephew, “Haiping, come help with the luggage.” Now that they were home, it seemed unfair to trouble Xiaowa anymore.
Bai Xiao hopped out of the car and took down the bags, with Bai Yue already coming forward to take them from her hands.
Bai Xiao then turned and grabbed another case, while Bai Song, Xiaowa, and Haiping carried the remaining four cases into the house.
By then, Bai Yue had already stoked the stove, placed a pot of water on top, and was getting ready to cook for them.
She stepped out to greet Xiaowa, “Comrade, thank you for bringing my brother and sister back. Please come inside and warm up, I’m going to make something hot for you to eat.”
Xiaowa repeatedly waved his hands, “No thanks, big sister, I really can’t stay for a meal, I have to hurry back.”
He had training tomorrow and couldn’t afford to miss the drill.
Bai Xiao quickly took two boxes of cigarettes from her bag and stuffed them into Xiaowa’s hands, “Then take these two boxes of cigarettes. Since you have duties tomorrow, I won’t keep you, but whenever you have time, come over for a meal, I’ll cook something delicious for you.”
Xiaowa, grinning, pocketed them! They always had a liking for smoking and drinking.
“Alright! Sister-in-law, when I have time, I’ll definitely come over for a meal. I know you’re a great cook. While the instructor is away, I’ll come over and sneak in a few meals. I won’t be going home for the New Year, so you won’t mind, right?”
This little guy was still thinking about the feast he had missed previously. Back at their pace, they had boasted quite a bit, and Xiaowa had been longing for it for a while.
“Sure, come over during the New Year’s if you have time. I’ll be home cooking something delicious just for you,” Bai Xiao warmly agreed.
Xiaowa happily drove off.
