NOVPUBChapter 272: Chapter 272: Return to the City
Chapter 272 -272: Return to the City
After leaving Li Chunhua’s house, they went to Liu Baoguo’s home; it was only proper for them to pay a New Year’s visit there, too. Liu Baoguo and his spouse were so hospitable, they insisted on having them stay for a meal, and in the end, Bai Song and Bai Xiao did stay. The others, along with the six children, felt it was too much of an imposition to stay as well.
The day after New Year’s Day, Bai Ju and He Wang took their children back to town, as they still had shifts to cover at work. Bai Ju was the workshop director and had to check in at the factory. Everyone found it hard to part, knowing that after this separation, it wouldn’t be easy to gather again—they were scattered to different corners of the world.
Bai Ju and her husband left.
Bai Yue and Bai Xiao began to pack their luggage, seeing as she had three little ones to take care of, not willing to leave behind any of their possessions.
The problem was that there were too many things, and in the end, it was Bai Xiao who had to step in. She eliminated some of the unnecessary items and those difficult to carry on the journey, for even with their numbers, it would be impossible to take everything on the road.
Then Liu Hong came to tell Bai Xiao that there was a phone call for her at the village committee.
Who could be calling her at this time?
When Bai Xiao picked up the phone, she said, “Hello?”
“Xiaoxiao, happy New Year!” An Zhiyuan’s deep voice instantly warmed Bai Xiao’s heart. Suddenly, even the air she breathed seemed sweet, and the corners of her mouth curled up more and more.
This man actually called her—a rarity even among couples in that era because it wasn’t convenient. An Zhiyuan specially made this call just to send a New Year’s greeting.
“Happy New Year! How are you?” Bai Xiao couldn’t help but ask sweetly.
“Not good! I’m missing you!” Hearing the deep, resonant response, Bai Xiao’s ears turned slightly warm, and she hummed nonchalantly.
For some reason, the atmosphere of this conversation made her nervous and embarrassed; perhaps it was truly a different feeling when in love. An Zhiyuan was not a man who easily showed his emotions, so this phone call was probably a first for him.
She wanted to say ‘I miss you too’ but was afraid he might think less of her. She had to beat around the bush with her response.
“We are coming back on the fifth!” Her answer made her blush as if she couldn’t wait to return.
“The fifth? When on the fifth? I’ll be there on the fourth and will come to pick you up then!” she then heard the man say in a low voice.
“We haven’t decided on a time yet, we’ll know once we buy the tickets.”
“Alright then, I’ll call you the day after tomorrow to confirm the time.” There was a soft sound of their breathing over the phone.
Bai Xiao gave a hum, not knowing what else to say. After a moment, An Zhiyuan was the one who spoke.
“I’ll hang up then, and call you the day after tomorrow!”
“Where are you?” she asked, enduring the heat on her face, not wanting An Zhiyuan to think she was too indifferent. 𝚗o𝚟pub.𝚌𝚘𝚖
“At home!”
“Okay, I’ll hang up then!” Knowing he was at home made her think of Wei Shufen; she didn’t want to cause any unpleasantness because of this.
“Okay!” An Zhiyuan finally hung up the phone.
Bai Xiao’s face flushed with embarrassment under Liu Hong’s gaze, yet she couldn’t help but smile.
Liu Hong could tell Bai Xiao was in a good mood, “Is it Instructor An?” she asked her with a raised eyebrow and a sideways glance.
Bai Xiao walked away quickly, which drew a burst of laughter from Liu Hong.
During their ninth grade, Little Wazi drove over with two comrades to celebrate the New Year with Bai Xiao. They were die-hard fans of An Zhiyuan, who, even though he was no longer the instructor at their school, was still regarded as their instructor in their hearts. Thus, they saw it as their undeniable duty to look after Bai Xiao.
Bai Xiao and Bai Yue had prepared lots of delicious food to treat them, with Bai Song joining in. For the four of them together, it was like finding kindred spirits over a thousand cups of wine. When the feasting reached its peak, Little Wazi learned that Bai Song and the others were going to buy train tickets, planning to head back on the fifth day of the lunar new year.
He immediately slapped his chest and assured them that he had a way; their military unit had means to purchase tickets, after all, they have certain connections with the locals. Cooperation over time naturally fostered some goodwill.
Especially since Little Wazi was exceptionally capable with people skills, he managed relationships very well.
On the fourth day, Little Wazi specially delivered the train tickets to Bai Xiao’s group—seven bunk beds. Except for one that couldn’t be near, all were closely-located berths.
He handled the task with incredible efficiency.
Bai Yue specially packed a big bag of fried meatballs, roast pork, and crispy meat for Little Wazi to take with him. They couldn’t carry too much with them, and what was left wouldn’t keep, so after a lot of declination, Little Wazi finally couldn’t resist and took it away.
Who would have known that the three of them, on their way back, would think of the steamed dishes they had at Bai Xiao’s house and drool over their clothes, this snack truly satisfied their cravings.
Little Wazi also made sure to tell them, he would come in a truck the next morning to send them to the county town to catch the train, otherwise, with so much stuff, it would be really inconvenient to lug everything around in large and small bags.
Bai Xiao did not refuse; after all, with An Zhiyuan around, repayment was always possible.
Early on the fifth day, Little Wazi came with a truck. They loaded their belongings onto the back of the truck, and only three people could sit in the front driver’s seat: Bai Xiao, Bai Yue, and Li Haishun. Bai Song, Wang Yan, and Li Haiping and Li Haian, the four of them wrapped in coats, sat in the back.
Liu Baoguo, Li Chunmei, and Liu Hong came specifically to see them off and followed them out of the village. Li Chunmei truly had grown fond of Bai Xiao! She was as dear to her as a daughter, and Li Chunmei’s tears flowed freely. Bai Xiao reassured them that next year, she would bring Li Chunmei and Liu Baoguo to the provincial city for the New Year.
That finally comforted the couple.
Liu Hong watched Wang Yan and Li Haiping leave, her emotions complex, as she quietly made a resolve.
No one knew Liu Hong secretly bought a train ticket after the lunar month had passed, copied Bai Xiao’s address, left a letter for her family, and set off alone.
When Bai Xiao and her group arrived at the train station, this time a formidable group of seven didn’t need Little Wazi to escort them inside. Since they had sleeping berths, there was no scramble for seating, so the boarding went smoothly.
After settling their luggage, the only one in a neighboring lower berth, Wang Yan, went to sleep, as there was still a bit of restraint. The three boys preferred to climb up to sleep, finding it novel and exciting, as this was their first time on a train—pure curiosity surged.
Bai Xiao and Bai Yue slept in the lower berths, for convenience.
Bai Yue’s heart was filled with anxiety, not knowing at all what the provincial city would be like.
Although her sister had told her about all the benefits of the city, the fear and unease towards the unknown future remained. After all, the whole family was moving to an unfamiliar place to live, where they’d need to find food, clothing, and schools. These thoughts truly made one anxious enough to question life itself.
Fortunately, the journey was smooth with no hiccups, and they soon arrived in the provincial city.
As soon as they got off the train and left the station, Bai Xiao saw An Zhiyuan waiting at the exit from afar. At the sight of her, a smile spread across his lips, and Bai Xiao’s eyes likewise curved into a smile.
She waved towards An Zhiyuan.
