The family housing complex was bustling with activity.

Today, the Lin family was moving.

Ning Shu had rented two tractors from the city’s fleet.

One was used to transport the new furniture they had ordered from the Moonlight Bay Production Brigade, and the other was for the furniture from the family housing complex.

When everything was neatly organized in the house, it didn’t seem like much.

But now that they were loading it onto the vehicles, they realized they had a lot of stuff.

“Lin Haizhi, Lin Huirui, Lin Haiyang, I’ll miss you all,” said He Jiaxing, tearfully looking at his three best friends.

From kindergarten until now, from the ages of five to twelve, it had been seven years.

This friendship had become eternal in their hearts, never to be eroded by time.

They first met due to a quarrel but became good friends through sincere apologies, making their bond even stronger.

“Lin Haizhi, I’ll write to you,” said Yang Wenjie, his eyes also red with tears.

Yang Wenjie’s introduction to the group was different.

He met Yibao during their first tug-of-war competition.

Yang Wenjie stood in front of Sanbao, turned around to talk to the first and third friends with a warm and cheerful smile.

“Lin Huirui, you have to remember to send me roast duck,” said Cheng Yingyong, his voice choked with emotion.

Cheng Yingyong met the three friends on the way home from school when Ning Shu, returning from the city, handed him an apple.

Since then, he shared snacks with the three friends, planting the seeds of their friendship.

Because they earned pocket money by farming together, the six children became a close-knit group.

They studied together, shared delicious food, participated in extracurricular activities, and played games.

They had never been apart in seven years, but now they were separating.

Yibao nodded, his voice also choked, yet he tried to maintain the leader’s composure: “Didn’t you say you wanted to attend university in the capital? We’ll see each other then. You need to study hard.”

Among the six, Yibao was only slightly older than the Erbao and Sanbao, but he was recognized as their leader.

In the past, when their parents told them to study hard, the children found it annoying.

But now, hearing it from their friend Yibao, they didn’t feel annoyed at all.

Only by studying hard could they get into a university in the capital and reunite with their friends.

“Yes,” the six children nodded firmly.

Erbao also spoke up: “I’ll definitely write to you and send roast duck. During winter and summer breaks, you can come to the capital and stay with us, just like Haicai did. You can also taste my mom’s cooking.”

Watching them say their goodbyes, Ning Shu felt a bit melancholic at first.

But after hearing Erbao’s words, she suddenly found it amusing: “Yes, you all should…”

“During the holiday, you can come to the capital and enjoy some good food every day from your aunt,” she said.

For their trip to the capital, Ning Shu and the three children took the train.

Taking a tractor would have been too bumpy and uncomfortable, with no proper seating, and it wasn’t practical for eating, drinking, or other needs.

Da Mao and Tie Dan, the dogs, wouldn’t be able to travel by tractor or train either.

Ning Shu couldn’t trust leaving them with others, fearing for their safety on the rough ride.

Even though the dogs were old, they were valuable in this meat-scarce time, so Ning Shu was very cautious about who took care of them.

Training or not, even well-trained police dogs like Da Mao couldn’t travel on a train without special conditions or military escort.

So, Ning Shu contacted a soldier responsible for police dogs.

The soldier suggested checking if any comrades were traveling to the capital and could take Da Mao and Tie Dan along if it didn’t affect their mission.

Given the large number of soldiers, someone was bound to be heading to the capital.

Da Mao and Tie Dan were thus arranged to travel with them, but they would leave a few days later than Ning Shu and her children.

During this time, the soldier took care of the dogs.

Eventually, it was time to part ways. Ning Shu and her three children took a tractor to the city.

As the tractor left the residential area, the people sending them off became small dots and then disappeared.

The tractor left them at the train station, and since it wasn’t yet time for their train, they had to wait in the station’s waiting room.

The children were both reluctant and curious about the unfamiliar place.

Although they had heard about their new home from their mother, their anticipation was high.

The children’s sadness didn’t last long because, with their mother around, they felt at home wherever they went.

In a completely unfamiliar place, they might even adapt better than the adults.

Finally, the train arrived, and the family boarded in order: Yibao, who was twelve, went first, then Erbao followed by Sanbao and Ning Shu, who went last, keeping a close eye on the children.

To prevent any danger from potential kidnappers, the children wore rope ties on their wrists to increase resistance if anyone tried to snatch them.

Ning Shu was extremely careful.

The train was particularly crowded, which Ning Shu attributed to policy changes.

With the college entrance exams over, many people received their admission notices, especially the educated youth returning to the city or visiting relatives.

Plus, with the New Year approaching, various factors contributed to the crowding.

Given the circumstances, it’s no surprise that the train station in a big city was crowded with people.

Having taken the train several times, the three children were no longer shy or overly curious, unlike their first trip when they looked around in wonder.

Yibao, carefully searched for their seats.

Not only Yibao but also Ning Shu, Erbao, and Sanbao were looking for their seats.

The four of them, with their eight eyes, quickly found their seats.

However, someone was sitting in them.

Just as they were about to speak, a woman sitting in one of the seats asked, “Are these your seats?”

Yibao pointed to the four seats and said, “Sister, these are our seats, and those over there too. All four of them are ours.”

The people sitting there stood up awkwardly.

One of them explained, “Sorry, there were no more train tickets available in the city where we boarded, so we had to buy standing tickets. We saw these seats empty and sat here for a while.”

It wasn’t really their fault.

Even Ning Shu couldn’t get sleeper tickets and had to buy regular seats.

Train tickets were indeed in short supply.

Luckily, it was winter, so sitting seats were bearable even without being able to wash up for a few days.

In summer, it would have been much worse.

“It’s okay,” Yibao said quickly when he saw them standing up.

He then told Sanbao, “Sanbao, you sit in the innermost seat.”

“Sure,” Sanbao said, holding his small backpack to his chest as he climbed into the seat.

Yibao followed.

Across from them sat Erbao and Ning Shu.

The seats were arranged in pairs facing each other, perfect for the mother and her three children.

The four people who had given up their seats looked a bit dejected.

One of the men had an idea and asked Ning Shu, “Excuse me, can I discuss something with you?”

Ning Shu looked at him, curious. “What is it?” she asked.

She wondered what he wanted to discuss, hoping it wasn’t about the seats.

The man explained, “You see, there’s a bit of extra space with the children sitting here. Could I share the seat with them, just taking a little bit of space? I can pay for a seat, and with so many people on the train, I could help keep an eye on the kids and protect them. What do you think?”

Ning Shu was surprised that her guess was correct.

She had a good impression of these people.

They had given up the seats willingly, and now this man was politely suggesting a mutually beneficial arrangement.

In any era, some people would refuse to give up their seats.

Their politeness and thoughtfulness were impressive.

Seeing that Ning Shu hadn’t responded, the man continued, “Don’t worry, comrade. I’m a good person. I’m going to the capital. I was sent to the countryside in 1968, and now I’ve been admitted to university after the college entrance exams. I’m returning home for the New Year and will go to school after that. Here’s my introduction letter and university admission notice.”

To prove his sincerity, the man was making an effort.

Ning Shu was somewhat tempted.

Having someone to help look after Yibao and Sanbao seemed like a good idea, and there were extra seats since she had bought two for the kids.

Additionally, the man’s clothes were clean.

Seeing him present his introduction letter and admission notice showed his genuine intentions.

However, she did not immediately agree but examined the documents and then returned them.

She nodded and consulted with her children. “Yibao, Sanbao, you heard what Uncle Lu said. Do you think his suggestion is okay?”

The man’s surname was Lu, and Ning Shu had seen the name Lu Yaozu on the documents.

It didn’t seem like a typical city name.

Yibao nodded. “I’m okay with it.”

Sanbao also nodded. “Mom, I’m okay too.”

The two children moved a bit closer to make room.

Lu Yaozu sighed in relief.

It would take a few days to reach the capital, and he was willing to risk his life for this. “Thank you, comrade. Thank you, little comrades.”

Yibao and Sanbao gave small smiles.

Politeness was ingrained in them, whether at home or outside.

Three other passengers, seeing that Lu Yaozu’s plan worked, also wanted to try.

If they were to try, they would need to sit with Ning Shu.

But how should they approach her?

One of the women spoke up first: “Comrade, I will get off at the next city, which is about three hours from now. I also want to share a seat with you. I’m willing to pay. Is that okay?”