Chapter 10: Taking the Train, Departing

There were many items bought from the supply and marketing cooperative, including a piece of fatty and lean pork belly. After taking out everything that was needed, Jiang Ningning placed it all on the stove and finally soaked a bunch of dried mushrooms that Director Liu had given her.

She was preparing to make meat sauce.

Jiang Ningning chopped the ingredients into small cubes. First, she fried the pork in hot oil to release the thick layer of lard, then added a bit of rapeseed oil to prevent the sauce from solidifying in the cold weather.

Next, she added star anise to fry until fragrant, followed by soybeans, mushrooms… The bold, rich aroma filled the air, quickly reaching the faces of the brother and sister.

The moment the smell hit, their stomachs stirred, and they couldn’t help but feel hungry.

Wuuuu, it smelled so good!

Manman and Xiaxia could almost eat two wild vegetable steamed buns just with this fragrant mushroom meat sauce.

But that wasn’t all. Jiang Ningning started a new pot, putting in a dozen eggs with cold water to boil. The weather was cold, so boiled eggs could last for two days.

She had just packed the sauce into jars when Aunt Zhu, drawn by the delicious smell, walked in, holding a rolling pin. “Ningning, what are you cooking today? It smells so good!”

There was still a bit of sauce left in the pot. Jiang Ningning quickly packed it into a jar and handed it to her. “Just in time to take some over to your house. I made mushroom meat sauce for the train ride. It’s made with soybean sauce, so it’s not spicy at all. Er Mao and the others can eat it too.”

Aunt Zhu grinned widely, “I steamed some buns and steamed bread. I asked Changguang to carry them, and I’ll take them over to my house. It’s not convenient for you to all leave together; it’ll give the old ladies something to gossip about. I’ll send him ahead to the train station.”

Aunt Zhu had been so considerate, and Jiang Ningning couldn’t help but feel grateful. She sighed softly, “Aunt, I’ll miss you the most when I go to serve with the army. Once I get there, I’ll send you some seafood to try.”

Just saying this made Aunt Zhu’s eyes water. “Seafood is expensive. Don’t waste money on it. Your kind thoughts are enough for me.”

The stove at home couldn’t be left unattended for too long, so Aunt Zhu rushed off, reminding her eldest son to do more work as she left.

At Qu County Train Station

According to the address in the letter, Huo Donglin’s unit was located on an island under Jiangcheng’s jurisdiction, a thousand five hundred kilometers away. Although the train would get them there, it would still take about two days and two nights.

Jiang Ningning had money and never compromised on small things. With the introduction letter and money in hand, she approached the ticket window. “Two adults, two four-year-old children, we need to take the earliest train to Jiangcheng today. All of us need sleeper tickets, preferably lower berths.”

The ticket clerk looked at them, noticing their patched-up clothes but seeing that they were quite generous with their spending. She couldn’t help but glance at them twice. “Comrade, the lower berth costs more. A sleeper ticket is thirteen yuan, and children under six ride for free. The total for four is twenty-six.”

Twenty-six yuan was roughly the monthly wage of a regular worker.

Zhu Changguang shivered, hurriedly waving his hand. “Ningning, just buy standing tickets for me. If I get tired, I’ll just find some space to sleep.”

“Nonsense, you’ve already gone to the trouble of taking us all the way to the army. These two train cars can’t be mixed. If we’re separated, how will you protect us?” Jiang Ningning subtly patted the pocket with over a thousand yuan in it, her eyelashes fluttering. “People who can afford sleeper tickets live in better conditions and are generally more decent. When traveling, it’s better to be cautious.”

Zhu Changguang looked into her misty apricot eyes and decisively conceded.

At this time, very few people were willing to pay for sleeper tickets, so the compartment was quite empty, which made it more peaceful. Jiang Ningning felt the money was well-spent.

On the other hand, Zhu Changguang felt guilty and kept his head down, either actively carrying all the luggage or going to fetch water for the children.

When he went for water for the third time, Manman, whose little belly was puffed up, grabbed his sleeve and said, “Uncle Changguang, sit down and rest. The lower berth costs twenty-three yuan. If you don’t sit for a while and keep walking, aren’t you losing money?”

Zhu Changguang’s heart stirred. He immediately sat down.

It was his first time sitting in such a clean and tidy place, and he felt uneasy all over.

Manman continued, “Also, think about it—two sleeper tickets cost 26, but children travel for free. So, if you calculate it, it’s like you’re only paying for a seat ticket, but you get to enjoy the sleeper treatment. Uncle Guangbei, you’ve worked hard all morning, why not close your eyes and rest for a bit? Every minute you don’t lie down is a minute lost.”

Zhu Changguang: !!

“That makes sense! Manman, you’re really smart.”

Adhering to the principle of not wasting anything, he eagerly lay down on the bed. Before long, the sound of his snoring filled the air.

Manman quietly sighed in relief.

Suddenly, a round of applause came from the side: “Little friend, you’re really smart! How old are you?”

Manman looked up and saw a kind-looking old man sitting on the bed next to them. He wore a light-colored, washed-out Zhongshan suit and black-framed glasses, holding a thick book in his hands.

Manman’s face immediately filled with wariness.

Before they boarded the train, their mother had taught them that only human traffickers would approach children and that the worse the person was, the kinder they looked.

Seeing that Manman didn’t respond, the old man smiled and took out a candy from his pocket. “Little friend, if you answer Grandpa’s question, you’ll get some candy.”

The old man’s sly expression immediately reminded Manman of a child trafficker.

Manman stepped back two steps, ran over to Jiang Ningning, and covered his mouth with his hands. He whispered, though not very quietly, “Mom, look at how cute and pretty I am—no wonder traffickers like me.”

The old man: …

Jiang Ningning: …

She helplessly said, “Son, do you know what a ‘whisper’ is? It’s when you say something very quietly, close to someone’s ear, so no one else can hear.”

Manman, being a humble and eager learner, nodded and said, “Mom, then you bring your ear here, and I’ll whisper it to you.”

The old man couldn’t help but chuckle.

At that moment, a nearby security guard, infuriated, shouted, “You little brat, what do you know? You’re the trafficker, not this kind gentleman!”

“Xiao Li!” The old man shot him a calm but stern look.

The security guard reluctantly fell silent, shooting a resentful glare at the family.

The old man’s refined appearance and demeanor indicated he was no ordinary person, and a sense of goodwill had already begun to form.

Jiang Ningning first gave the old man a weak but strong smile, then explained, “This morning, my child was almost taken by a trafficker, so we’re a little cautious right now.”

She then gently patted her son’s back, saying in a very understanding tone, “When interacting with people, one should not make hasty judgments based solely on assumptions. If you judge someone without knowing the full situation, you might wrong them, and that would make them sad. Please apologize to Grandpa.”

Manman, recognizing his mistake, quickly bowed deeply and said, “Grandpa, I’m sorry.”

The family of three all had distinct and attractive appearances, wearing simple but clean clothes, and their manners were cultured.

People tend to judge by appearances first, and the old man was no exception. He was now more inclined to have a favorable opinion, not minding the child’s earlier rudeness. After all, Manman had already apologized.

The old man stroked his beard and waved his hand, effortlessly letting the awkward situation slide.