Chapter 11: Train Ride

Su Nan instinctively locked the room door, then took off her jacket, revealing her undershirt.  She quickly found a small gap, revealing a hidden compartment.  Inside was her writing earnings. She quickly took it out, along with her letter of introduction, and put them into the space. With this space, she no longer had to worry about pickpockets. 

She hadn’t slept soundly during her train journey, fearing her money and coupons would be gone when she woke up.  Having done everything, Su Nan sat in the room for a while before Song Chunxiao came to call her to take a bath. She brought her own towel; she only needed to borrow Song Chunxiao’s washbasin.  Washbasins at this time were used for washing faces, feet, and clothes.

Su Nan, used to it, picked up the basin and was about to go to the bathroom to bathe when she heard Song Chunxiao hesitantly say, “Um… Second Sister-in-law, this washbasin is specifically for washing faces. If you want to wash your feet, you can pour out the water and then wash them. Please don’t put your feet in the basin.” Su Nan quickly nodded, “Of course, that’s cleaner and more hygienic!”

 “Okay, go take a bath quickly.” Song Chunxiao urged. “Um.” Meanwhile, He Xiaomei brought Song Chunfeng a clean blanket and pillow, “These are Qingdai’s, I just washed them today. If you don’t mind, use them for now.

” Song Chunfeng refused without hesitation, “How can I use Qingdai’s things?” “Sister-in-law, just take them back.” He Xiaomei joked, “You even dislike your niece’s things?” “No, it’s just that if I use hers, what will she sleep on?” Song Chunfeng voiced his concern. “The child can just squeeze with us at night, you don’t have to worry about that.”

 He Xiaomei directly put the blanket and pillow in Song Chunxiao’s room before leaving. Li Tiantian watched them longingly, wondering where she would sleep tonight. Before He Xiaomei spoke, she quickly closed the door as she returned to her room. Li Tiantian clicked her tongue and went to her mother, “Mom, where am I sleeping tonight?” Ye Hong also knew it wasn’t appropriate for a girl to sleep in the living room.

After thinking for a moment, she went to Song Chunxiao, “Chunxiao, Auntie wants to talk to you about something.” Song Chunxiao’s tone was indifferent, “Auntie, just say what you have to say.” Ye Hong asked with a smile, “Um… can Tiantian squeeze in with you?” “She’s a girl, it’s not appropriate for her to sleep in the living room, right?” Song Chunxiao refused decisively, “No, my second brother doesn’t like her sleeping in his room, if you want Li Tiantian to be kicked out, let her continue sleeping here.”

 Song Chunxiao inwardly scoffed, she had a living room to sleep in and still wanted more? Ye Hong chuckled dryly, “It’s not that serious, is it?” If she didn’t want Tiantian to sleep there, she could just say so, why use such a crude excuse. Seeing that Ye Hong was unyielding, Song Chunxiao directly shouted, “Second Brother, Auntie wants Li Tiantian to continue sleeping in your room.”

“No!” After receiving Song Chunfeng’s affirmative answer, Song Chunxiao raised a mischievous smile, “Auntie, you heard it too, my second brother doesn’t want Li Tiantian to sleep here.” “This is his room, of course, he has the final say.” Ye Hong frowned, a faint annoyance creeping into her heart, quickly suppressing the displeasure in her eyes, she smiled, “Of course.” “Then I’ll take away the pillow and blanket Tiantian slept on, she’ll just make do in the living room for a few days.

” Before Song Chunxiao could agree, Ye Hong skillfully picked up the pillow and blanket thrown aside. Li Tiantian was unwilling, aggrievedly saying, “Mom, do I really have to sleep in the living room?” Ye Hong lowered her voice, “You see all the rooms are full, you just need to make do for one night, and tomorrow you can go back to your old room.” Li Tiantian understood Ye Hong’s meaning and lay down in the living room with anticipation.

 …

 The next day, Ye Hong left early. She took the earliest bus to the countryside to buy pig-breeding medicine. After Su Nan and Song Chunfeng confirmed their intention to marry, Song Chunfeng bought two tickets to Su Nan’s hometown through a comrade. Before boarding the train, Song Chunfeng called his superior in the army to expedite his marriage application. Su Nan also knew this was a bit fast, but her household registration book was still in their hands, she was worried something might happen, she had to quickly resolve this concern. As long as she got the marriage certificate and successfully moved her household registration, she would have no more worries.

 Seeing Su Nan remain quiet after getting on the train, Song Chunfeng worriedly asked, “What’s wrong?” Su Nan knew he was a reliable man, so she didn’t hide it, replying, “I’m worried my stepmother will make things difficult for us.” “If they don’t want to hand over the household registration book, we won’t be able to register our marriage.” Before leaving, she had searched the house and couldn’t find the household registration book, so she was anxious.

 Her stepmother had a son and a daughter, the eldest son was 24 and hadn’t married yet, eagerly wanting the bride price to marry a wife, her stepmother definitely wouldn’t easily let her go. She would at least extort a lot of money before letting go. Song Chunfeng softly comforted her, “It won’t be like that.”

“Marriage freedom is advocated now, no one can stop us from getting married.” “If they want to cause trouble, I will make them regret it.” Song Chunfeng’s words were like warm sunshine, enveloping Su Nan’s anxiety. Perhaps one day, she wouldn’t have to live like a little hedgehog in this world. The train swayed, and it was dinner time. Song Chunfeng took out a prepared aluminum lunchbox, lifted the lid, and the aroma of zhajiangmian (noodles with savory sauce) instantly wafted out.

 “I got it from the state-run restaurant, try it, see if it’s delicious.” Su Nan didn’t expect him to go out and not only get train tickets but also prepare dinner. Thinking that this man was quite thoughtful, she ate contentedly.

 After eating a few bites, Su Nan saw Song Chunfeng take out a dry bun, and immediately put down her chopsticks. Song Chunfeng explained warmly, “Only one box of zhajiangmian was left when I went, I’m strong, I can just eat something casually at night.” Su Nan quickly ate a few bites of zhajiangmian and put the rest in Song Chunfeng’s hand, “I’m full, the rest is yours.” She planned to get off at the next stop to buy some food and put it in the space, lest she starve before getting home.

She hadn’t prepared anything for this hurried trip. Song Chunfeng looked at the large box of zhajiangmian, knowing Su Nan wasn’t full, but she still gave it to him. She was a considerate girl. Eating the remaining zhajiangmian, his heart felt sweet. He planned to get off at the next stop to buy some hot food to fill Su Nan’s stomach.