Chapter 2: Taking the Train to the Army

Yang Tianzhu was afraid she would change her mind, so he quickly said, “You just need to agree to marry him. Whether you come back or not, you won’t have to take care of us in the future.” Yang Niannian wiped away her tears, “That’s settled then. Give me Lu Shi’s address and some travel expenses, I’m going to find him.” “Niannian…” Seeing Yang Niannian’s resolute look, Huang Guifang suddenly regretted her scheme against her youngest daughter.

“Go rest first, I’ll send you to the train station tomorrow.” Worried that Huang Guifang would soften her heart, Yang Tianzhu pulled her out of the room. Once in the main room, Huang Guifang wiped away tears and sobbed uncontrollably, “Niannian hates us.” Yang Tianzhu wasn’t worried at all, “Mother, don’t worry. She’s just angry. Have you seen any woman who would cut off ties with her family? Once she gets there, after a month or two, her anger will subside.” Yang Niannian’s personality was a bit weak, she was naive and kind. She would rather jump into a river than run away from home, showing her deep affection for her family. It was impossible for her to truly cut off contact with them.

Hearing this, Huang Guifang felt a little relieved and stopped crying. But after thinking carefully, she became worried again. “If Niannian goes there, won’t the truth come out? What if Lu Shi doesn’t like Niannian?” The Lu family still doesn’t know that it was Yang Niannian who got married to Lu Shi. They still think he married their eldest daughter, who went to college. Yang Tianzhu thought simply, “Niannian is prettier than Huiying. Lu Shi has been a soldier for years; he doesn’t see women all year round. Seeing Niannian so beautiful, he wouldn’t dislike her. Besides, military marriages are hard to dissolve, divorce would affect his career.

As long as he’s not stupid, he won’t get a divorce. When he comes back with Niannian, we can apologize and say nice things to him.” Although he didn’t want to praise Yang Niannian for being prettier than Yang Huiying, it was true. Niannian was prettier than movie stars, and her skin was very fair. If Niannian wasn’t beautiful, Fang Hengfei wouldn’t have liked her in the first place. When they were dating, Fang Hengfei hadn’t received his college acceptance letter yet, but he was still a cultured college student. At this moment, Yang Niannian was also evaluating her own appearance.

She stared at the mirror for a while, confirming that this body was indeed pretty and delicate, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Lu Shi was also a victim. His college-educated wife turned into a village girl who hadn’t finished nine years of compulsory education. He would definitely be angry. If she was ugly, Lu Shi might want to slap her to death. Being beautiful gave her some confidence. Sigh! Although she was also a college student in her previous life, it was useless.

The original body didn’t have a college degree. That college diploma was a passport in this era. College students in 1983 were very valuable. When Yang Huiying got into college, everyone in the village thought it was a matter of honor. Especially the village head, he was very enthusiastic whenever he saw their family. Unfortunately, the original body gave up her studies for her sister. What a silly girl. … Early the next morning, Yang Tianzhu sent Yang Niannian to the train station.

Afraid that she would run away, he stayed with her until she got on the train, then handed her the money and scallion pancakes. “Take these two yuan and your ticket. These scallion pancakes are what your mother made for you early this morning, take them with you to eat on the way.” He paused, then added, “You can hate me, but don’t hate your mother.

She loves you very much. These pancakes are made with wheat flour, we don’t even eat them normally.” Yang Tianzhu and Yang Huiying looked about five or six points alike, both with thick eyebrows, big eyes and thick lips, which fit the beauty standards of this era. On the contrary, Yang Niannian looked like her father, with delicate and harmonious facial features, bright eyes and white skin. She was a recognized beauty in any era. Yang Niannian snatched the things from Yang Tianzhu’s hand and sneered, “Don’t say these ridiculous things. My selling price is over a hundred yuan, right? These things together don’t even add up to a fraction of that.” It’s over 500 kilometers, and you only gave me two yuan. Clearly, you were afraid that I would run away with the money, cutting off my way back. Seeing her attitude, Yang Tianzhu also got angry, “Don’t talk so harshly. If you don’t marry Lu Shi, you might not find a better husband.” With that, he turned and left the train, striding away without looking back. Yang Niannian carried her luggage bag and scallion pancakes and squeezed into the carriage.

She searched for her seat number for a long time before she found it. It was a double seat; her seat was by the aisle. The person inside hadn’t come yet. Yang Niannian tiptoed to put her luggage bag on the overhead rack, but her foot twisted, she didn’t manage to put the bag up, and almost fell. “Be careful.” Someone suddenly spoke from behind her, and helped her with her arm.

After she stood firm, he quickly withdrew his hand. “I’m fine.” Yang Niannian shook her head and looked back. Standing behind her was a soldier with handsome features and a tall and straight figure. She had a flash of inspiration and thought subconsciously, If Lu Shi looked as handsome as him, it would be great. The man was a little embarrassed by Yang Niannian’s gaze, he blushed slightly and said, “Let me put it up for you!” He was over 1.8 meters tall, a head taller than Yang Niannian. He easily put the bag on the rack. “Thank you.” Yang Niannian nodded in thanks. In order not to obstruct others from walking, she sat down honestly. The man beside her didn’t move, she found it strange.

“Did you buy a standing ticket?” “No.” The man shook his head and smiled awkwardly, “My seat is inside.” Afraid that she wouldn’t believe him, he showed her his ticket. Yang Niannian didn’t look carefully, just glanced at his name, Qin Aonan. “…” Yang Niannian quickly stood up to give him space, “Sorry, I didn’t know.” “It’s okay.” After Qin Aonan sat down, Yang Niannian sat down too. There were many people coming and going in the aisle, most of them carrying a lot of things, and they would bump into her shoulders from time to time. Seeing this, Qin Aonan offered to switch seats with Yang Niannian. Yang Niannian was happy to oblige. Sitting by the window, she wouldn’t be bumped by anyone, it was very comfortable. She looked out the window in a daze, while Qin Aonan was like a live-in good Samaritan, helping people find their seats and putting their things away.

He was strong and enthusiastic. He didn’t sit down until the train started, and he was sweating, his clothes were wet. Yang Niannian started to think about what Lu Shi looked like, wondering if he was as enthusiastic as this man. The train rumbled along, the carriage was hot and there was a foul smell. Yang Niannian thought that she might have to save these scallion pancakes, she couldn’t eat them in this kind of environment. She got up a little early in the morning, the noise of the train was like a lullaby, and Yang Niannian quickly felt sleepy. Her head kept swaying back and forth. In a daze, she found a comfortable position and fell asleep soundly.