Chapter 277: Back to the Farm

When Luo Qiao returned home, Lu Yichen and Shitou were already back. Dinner was ready, and the vegetables had been washed and cut.

Lu Yichen looked at Luo Qiao and asked, “Did something happen? Why did you come back so late?”

Luo Qiao put down her bag, rolled up her sleeves, and began preparing to stir-fry. She recounted the events of the day at school.

A vague glint flashed in Lu Yichen’s deep eyes, but his face remained unchanged. He said, “I’ll give you an explanation about this matter. Just stay assured.”

Luo Qiao sneered inwardly, thinking, “I’m not in a hurry. I haven’t had time to deal with them these past few days. They think an apology will make everything go away—that’s just wishful thinking.”

Lu Yichen, hearing this, showed a slight smile and said, “I’ll give you a satisfactory answer when you return from your National Day break.”

The pork ribs were tender and the vegetables were stir-fried. After dinner, Lu Yichen cleared the dishes while Luo Qiao packed her things. When everything was ready, it was time to head out.

Shitou had initially wanted to accompany them to the station, but since it was getting late, Lu Yichen declined. After comforting Shitou for a while, Luo Qiao heard him say with a smile, “Sister, come back early and be careful on the road.”

They dropped Shitou off at the gate of Lu Yichen’s residence, and this was Luo Qiao’s first time here, so she took the opportunity to get familiar with the place.

Lu Yichen bought a platform ticket and saw Luo Qiao off on the train, handing her the things he had prepared. He then said, “Be careful on the road. Remember to call me when you return, and I’ll come pick you up.”

After saying this, he got off the train, stood on the platform, and waited until the train had left before turning and exiting the station.

Once outside the station, his expression darkened. He thought to himself, Ding Xiangdong, you’re quite something. I haven’t had the chance to settle the score with you from last time, and now you’re spouting irresponsible words just to appease your partner.

Lu Yichen didn’t go straight home after leaving the train station, instead, he went to the police station and made a phone call.

—

Once the train had left the station and Lu Yichen was no longer visible, Luo Qiao finally opened the canvas bag Lu Yichen had given her. Inside, she found canned oranges, fruit candies, White Rabbit cream candies, and two packs of brown sugar—essentially, the small canvas bag was packed full.

For some reason, Luo Qiao suddenly felt warm and sweet inside. It was nice to feel cared for. Unconsciously, some people were starting to enter her heart.

The train would only arrive at the station at five in the morning, and from there, she would have to travel more than fifty miles to reach the farm. However, there were usually donkey carts and ox carts available across from the train station that could take her to the farm.

After getting off the train, Luo Qiao didn’t store the things Lu Yichen gave her in her space but carried them on her back. She knew these were gifts from Lu Yichen for her journey back to the farm.

The station was small, so walking just over fifty meters from the train station brought her outside. Looking around, she saw that there were already ox carts and donkey carts waiting across the station. These were from nearby villages doing side jobs. Luo Qiao also noticed a stall selling wontons not far away.

She walked over and, as she passed the donkey and ox carts, someone asked her, “Young lady, need a ride?”

Luo Qiao replied amicably, “I’ll have a bowl of wontons first.”

The people smiled and said, “Sure, sure, go ahead. Old Wang’s wontons are very tasty.”

After finishing a bowl of wontons, Luo Qiao said with a smile, “They really are delicious, very flavorful.”

She ordered another serving to take with her as an offering for Grandma Luo, knowing from the original owner’s memories that Grandma Luo loved wontons and dumplings. It was a way to show her respect.

She negotiated the price with a friendly old man and took a donkey cart to the farm. Since it was a special trip without other passengers, it cost her two yuan, which was quite a bit.

The road wasn’t very good, and after nearly three hours, it was almost nine o’clock when they finally reached the farm. Luo Qiao paid the old man, and looking at the familiar yet strange farm gate, she couldn’t help but feel her eyes well up.

She was startled when she realized this, wondering if the original owner had not truly left. How could that be? Perhaps it was just a lingering thought left in this body. She lifted her legs and walked towards the farm gate.