Chapter 3: Arriving in Xiang Province

For the next two days, Tang Xiaoxiao was dragged by her mother to department stores and supply and marketing cooperatives every day, until she said she really couldn’t carry anymore, did her mother finally give up on shopping.

Finally, she packed a large bundle containing summer quilts and bed sheets, two bamboo baskets filled with clothes and shoes, a small bundle with a teacup and a rice bowl for the journey, and some snacks. She would pack some food for the journey later.

“Should I send this bamboo basket to you?” Tang’s mother realized that her daughter, who was only 1.62 meters tall, couldn’t really carry all this.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Tang Xiaoxiao nodded vigorously, afraid that her mother would change her mind the next second.

“You can’t come back for the first year after going to the countryside. You must come back next year for the New Year.” Tang’s mother held her daughter’s hand and said.

“I will definitely come back.” Tang Xiaoxiao leaned against her mother’s embrace. For two lifetimes, her mother’s embrace was still so warm.

The moment of separation would always come. The next day, her parents accompanied Tang Xiaoxiao to the train station.

“I’ll send this box to you later. It’ll arrive soon after you do.” Tang’s mother looked at her daughter with reluctance.

“Okay.” Tears welled up in Tang Xiaoxiao’s eyes. She had only been reunited with her parents for three days after being reborn, and now she had to leave again.

“Remember to send a telegram when you arrive. Don’t be afraid to spend money. Letters take a long time.” Tang’s father said from the side.

“I know.”

“Remember to ask if the commune has a phone. Do you remember the phone number at Dad’s office?”

“I remember. It’s engraved here.” Tang Xiaoxiao pointed to her head.

“Remember to eat on time. If you can avoid working, don’t work. We don’t lack food.” Tang’s mother reached out and touched her daughter’s cheek.

“If you need anything, just tell us, and we’ll send it to you.” Tang’s father also instructed.

“Okay.” She nodded obediently.

“Get on the train. It’s about to leave.” Tang’s father handed her the luggage.

She carried a large bundle on her back, a bamboo suitcase and a small bundle in her hand, and a small shoulder bag. She had already put important documents and money in her space.

“Dad, Mom, I’m leaving. Take care of yourselves.” She looked at her parents, took her luggage, and turned to leave.

As she turned, tears streamed down her face.

After getting on the train, she quickly found her seat. The aunt from the Educated Youth Office had arranged a window seat for her.

After putting her luggage away, she looked at her parents outside the window. They were waving to her, and Tang’s mother was crying.

She sniffed and wiped the tears from her face, not wanting her parents to see. She smiled and waved back at them.

The train slowly started moving. Most of the people in this carriage were educated youths going to the countryside.

Soon, the carriage began to sing red songs.

Tang Xiaoxiao looked at the energetic young people in the carriage and smiled. In her previous life, she had also gone to build the countryside with a heart full of sincerity, just like them.

“You look really beautiful when you smile.” A round-faced girl across from her said.

Tang Xiaoxiao had been a beauty since she was a child. Under her curved willow eyebrows, she had a pair of bright, clear eyes that shone like stars. Her skin was as white as snow, and her small lips were naturally red. A slight smile revealed dimples on her cheeks, making it hard for anyone to ignore her.

Tang Xiaoxiao looked at her. “You’re pretty too.”

“My name is He Xiaoqian. I’m 19 years old and from Beijing. I’m an educated youth going to Yuhu Village, Qingzhu Brigade, Yun City, Xiang Province.”

“Tang Xiaoxiao, 18 years old, from Beijing. I’m going to the same place as you.”

“Really? That’s great.” He Xiaoqian almost jumped for joy. It was rare to meet an educated youth going to the same place.

“Wow, you guys are so lucky. I’m also going to Xiang Province, but unfortunately, not to the same brigade.” The girl next to Tang Xiaoxiao said.

“My name is Li Li. I’m 19 years old and an educated youth going to Beixiang Brigade, Yun City, Xiang Province.”

“I’m also going to Beixiang Brigade. My name is Cao Zhenzhen. I’m 19 years old.” The girl next to He Xiaoqian said.

“So we’re all going together.”

Later, He Xiaoqian and Li Li switched seats, and the two girls going to the same place sat together.

At lunchtime, everyone took out their own food and ate separately.

Tang Xiaoxiao brought dumplings made by her mother. The other three took out their lunch boxes, and they all laughed when they saw each other. They had all brought dumplings.

“My mom said, dumplings on the train, noodles off the train. It seems like everyone’s mothers think the same way.” He Xiaoqian was lively and talkative.

Because it was summer and food didn’t keep well, everyone finished their dumplings at noon and ate the train’s boxed meals at night.

The atmosphere was very cheerful along the way. The next afternoon, the train arrived in Yun City, Xiang Province. The four girls helped each other get off the train.

Tang Xiaoxiao looked at the sky in Yun City. Song Jingzhi, I’m here! I’m here to heal your leg.

“Those going to Yuhu Village, Qingzhu Brigade, come here.” A deep voice came.

“Here we are.” Tang Xiaoxiao and He Xiaoqian greeted the other two and walked towards the voice with their luggage.

“Tang Xiaoxiao, He Xiaoqian?” The middle-aged man who had called out asked.

“Yes.”

“I’m the village head of Yuhu Village. My name is Song Jianguo. This time, only you two female educated youths came to our village. Come on, let’s take that tractor.” Song Jianguo pointed to the tractor under the tree.

The two followed Song Jianguo towards the tractor, where another young man was waiting.

The young man helped them load their luggage onto the tractor when he saw them coming.

“This is my son, Song Wei, the village tractor driver.”

“Hello.” The two greeted Song Wei.

“Hello.” Song Wei smiled and scratched the back of his head, his face turning red.

“Let’s go.” Song Jianguo shouted and got on the tractor. The tractor rumbled forward.

“Village Chief Song.” Tang Xiaoxiao took out two packs of Daqianmen cigarettes from her small shoulder bag and handed them to Song Jianguo.

She had a good impression of the village chief. In her previous life, when she went to the countryside in Heilongjiang, the village chief had been disgusted when he saw that there were several girls.

“Oh, girl, we don’t do that here.” Song Jianguo waved his hand, refusing to take them.

“Uncle, please take them. I want to ask you about someone.” She placed the cigarettes in Song Jianguo’s arms.

“Uncle, is there a firefighter named Song Jingzhi in our village? He’s currently recovering at home.”

“Girl, do you know Jingzhi?” Song Jianguo looked at Tang Xiaoxiao, his mind already filled with thoughts. Could this girl be Jingzhi’s girlfriend?

As fate would have it, Song Jianguo happened to be Song Jingzhi’s paternal uncle.

“Uncle, to be honest, I was an educated youth in Xushan. Comrade Song Jingzhi was injured while saving me.”

At that moment, the tractor suddenly swerved. It was because Song Wei heard this and turned his head to look back.

“Drive properly.” Song Jianguo shouted at him.

“Did you come to our village specifically to find him?”

“Yes.” Tang Xiaoxiao nodded, admitting it frankly.