Chapter 5

Ye Huan bundled the money and food coupons together—it made two thick rolls.

Li Xiufen came over with a needle and thread and asked, “Which pair of underwear are you wearing on the trip?”

Ye Huan didn’t know what she was planning and pulled out a pair of floral underwear. “This one.”

“Mom will sew two pockets on this. Keep enough money and coupons on hand for the journey, and put the rest in these pockets. I heard there are thieves on the train—if you hide them here, they won’t be able to steal it.”

Li Xiufen sewed two pockets onto the floral underwear, complete with flaps and buttons. Once she finished, she showed it to Ye Huan. “Once you button it up, it’ll be secure. You won’t lose it, and no one will steal it.”

Ye Huan stuffed the money and food coupons in but complained, “It’s all bulky and awkward. It’ll look terrible when I wear it.”

“Better looking terrible than getting robbed. Thieves on trains are ruthless. Even your smart cousin Chizi had ten yuan stolen on a train.”

Ye Huan obediently nodded.

Li Xiufen added, “There’s a small blue cloth pouch in your bag with some dirt I dug up from our yard. I sifted it—it’s clean. When you get there, put a pinch into your drinking water. It’ll help with the water and soil differences.”

Ye Huan: “……” Is she telling me to eat dirt?

Li Xiufen said seriously, “Don’t take it lightly. Last time Chizi went on a business trip to Donglin, he had diarrhea the entire week because of the water there. Came back looking like a ghost. Donglin’s only a hundred li away; Jiangping is over a thousand li. If you get sick, no one will be there to take care of you.”

Ye Huan nodded reluctantly. “Alright, I got it.”

“In the future, with Mom not around, you have to take care of yourself. Be alert when you work—don’t bury your head and work like a machine. Don’t try to be some model worker either. Just do your part. If you feel unwell, don’t force it. Your health comes first. Being out there isn’t like being at home. Don’t cause trouble, but don’t be afraid of it either. If you can’t handle something, write to me. I’m here for you. Write home often so I know you’re doing okay…”

Li Xiufen’s heart ached terribly. As she spoke, her eyes reddened. She quickly stood up so Ye Huan wouldn’t see. “If there’s nothing else, go to sleep. You’ve got to get up early tomorrow. It’s a two-day train ride. I’ve left the underwear on the bed—don’t forget to change into it tomorrow.”

“Got it. Don’t worry, Mom. Maybe in a few years, I’ll bring home a tall, handsome, and capable man for you to see.”

Li Xiufen, who had just been on the verge of tears, smiled at that. “Alright, I’ll be waiting.”

Her usually quiet and reserved daughter had really changed in the past few days.

Seems she’s really grown up—she even knows how to comfort her mother now.

……

After Li Xiufen left, Ye Huan was just about to get into bed when she heard her mom scolding someone at the door, “Why are you standing here? It’s so late! Go to bed!”

Ye Mingqiang muttered, “I’m going, I’m going…”

He said it, but instead of going to his room, he slipped into Ye Huan’s.

Since the siblings wouldn’t be seeing each other for years after this departure, Li Xiufen didn’t stop him. She just reminded him, “Don’t keep pestering your second sister. She has to get up early to catch the train. Let her get some rest.”

“I know,” Ye Mingqiang replied.

He ran over to Ye Huan and pulled a handful of coins from his pocket, stuffing them all into her hand. “Second Sister, for you.”

The biggest denomination was ten cents, most were one-cent coins. Ye Huan counted them—one yuan, eighty-eight cents.

“Where did you get this?” she asked.

With a tragic expression, Ye Mingqiang said, “I smashed my piggy bank.”

He had been saving up for almost two years, planning to buy a toy gun. But seeing how everyone in the family was giving money to Ye Huan, he wanted to contribute too. So he gritted his teeth, broke his bank, and rushed over before he could regret it.

Ye Huan said, “Second Sister has money. You keep it for yourself.”

“This is my share.” he insisted.

He meant: I’m part of the family too. Since everyone else is giving you money, so should I.

It wasn’t much, but it was full of sincerity. Ye Huan accepted it and added it to the bundle her parents had given her.

Ye Mingqiang beamed. “Second Sister, wait for me. In two years, I’ll grow up and take your place. I’m a man, I’m stronger than you. They’ll definitely let me switch with you. If I don’t keep my word, I’m a puppy!”

He looked at her earnestly, waiting for praise.

Ye Huan patted his little head. “Okay, Second Sister will wait for you.”

He grinned, showing off his two little tiger teeth. “Goodnight, Second Sister. I’m going.”

Then he zipped out of the room.

***

The next morning, Li Xiufen woke Ye Huan. “Huanhuan, get up and eat.”

Ye Huan yawned, got dressed, and went to wash up.

Li Xiufen followed her, worried. “Did you put on the underwear?”

“I did. Want to see?”

Ye Huan lifted her shirt, revealing the two bulges. Thankfully it was still chilly, so her clothes were thick and it didn’t show.

“Did you keep out enough money and coupons for the trip?”

“Yes, they’re in my shoulder bag.”

“Keep that close, don’t let it out of your sight.”

“Mm.”

“You have the introduction letter?”

“Got it.”

“Don’t lose it.”

She nagged on and on until Ye Yongguo couldn’t take it. “Why are you going on and on? She’s not a clueless kid.”

“She’s going far away by herself for the first time!”

Her daughter had never been apart from her. Now, all of a sudden, she was going so far, and alone. Li Xiufen couldn’t bear it. If she could, she’d go with her.

At the table, Ye Mingqiang shouted, “Mom, I’m hungry!”

Only then did Li Xiufen stop nagging. “Alright, let’s eat.”

Breakfast was rice porridge, fried dough cakes, and pickled radish strips. She also made two boiled eggs for Ye Huan. When Ye Huan said she couldn’t eat anymore, she shoved them into her hand. “Eat more. You won’t get hot food on the train.”

“I’m stuffed to my throat.”

“Then pack them. Eat them on the train.”

Without another word, she shoved the eggs into Ye Huan’s bag. “There are more boiled eggs, fried cakes, egg sponge cakes, and some pork jerky from Sister Feng in the green bag. Eat them if you get hungry.”

Ye Yongguo borrowed a flatbed cart from the factory. After breakfast, they loaded all of Ye Huan’s luggage onto it.

There was a lot—her bedding roll, a large duffel, and a net bag.

Ye Yongguo said, “How’s she going to carry all this when she gets off the train? She’s just a girl.”

Li Xiufen wiped her hands and came out of the kitchen. “Shengbing arranged it. There’s a comrade also headed to Hongxing Farm. Shengbing asked him to help Huanhuan get her luggage off the train and to the Jiangping Zhiqing Office. The farm will send someone to pick them up.”

She pushed the luggage together to make space and called, “Huanhuan, hop on.”

“I want to come too!” Ye Mingqiang said.

“You’re coming,” Li Xiufen replied.

Like a monkey, Ye Mingqiang climbed up and sat at the edge. “Come on, Second Sister!”

Ye Huan clambered on. Ye Yongguo called to his wife, “You too!”

“There’s no space. I’ll walk behind,” she said, worried about him.

“Hold Mingqiang. Come on. If we take any longer, we’ll miss the train.”

So she climbed on too and hugged her son tightly.

***

At the entrance to the compound, Li Xiufen craned her neck, staring down the road.

When Ye Mingliang and Ye Qing visited last time, they had said they might not have time to come see Ye Huan off.

Still, she couldn’t help but hope.

Even if they didn’t have the same mother, Ye Huan was still their sister. She was going to the countryside for several years—who knew when she’d return? As her older siblings, how could they not come?

Ye Mingliang was understandable—he had to work. But Ye Qing? She wasn’t even employed.

Li Xiufen kept looking for a long time but didn’t see either of them.

She didn’t want to bring it up to Ye Yongguo—he’d just think she was overthinking again. She could already hear him saying, “If they weren’t busy, wouldn’t they have come? You’re always overthinking.”

…..

Ye Yongguo pedaled toward the train station.

It wasn’t far, just half an hour’s ride.

There were attendants watching the bikes, but it cost a cent. Li Xiufen couldn’t bear the expense, so she said, “Mingqiang, stay here and watch the cart. We’ll take your sister to the train.”

Ye Mingqiang didn’t really understand what going to the countryside meant. He was still excited from the cart ride. But as he watched his parents carry bag after bag into the station, he finally understood—his second sister was really leaving. He wouldn’t see her for years.

He burst into tears and clung to Ye Huan. “Second Sister, are you really leaving? I don’t want you to go!”

Over the past few days, this carefree little brother had become her favorite. Seeing him sobbing, Ye Huan took out a handkerchief to wipe his nose and tears. “If you miss me, write me letters. I’ll write back too. Don’t you like collecting stamps? I’ll buy you the prettiest ones.”

“I don’t want stamps. I just want you!” he choked, still crying and refusing to let go.

Li Xiufen scolded him, “What are you crying for? It’s not like she’s never coming back. Let go or she’ll miss the train!”

Even as she scolded, her own eyes were red.

But when it was time to actually board, there was no time for sentiment.

There was a sea of people at the train door, pushing and shoving with bags.

Ye Yongguo said, “Give your bag to your mom. You get on first. I’ll pass the luggage in through the window.”

Ye Huan handed her bag to her mom and pushed her way through the crowd. It was easier without luggage, but still exhausting. After a great struggle, she finally made it on board and found her seat.