Chapter 16

Wang Qiang seemed intrigued as he sat in the aisle seat. “I heard it’s freezing cold in the northeast—so cold in winter it can freeze your fingers off. Is that true?”

Jin Bo, perhaps feeling it was getting too noisy and unable to ignore it any longer, closed his book and finally joined in on the conversation with these young, inexperienced kids.

“The northeast is vast and rich in resources. There’s a lot to eat—animals and wild fruits in the mountains. But usually only hunters dare to venture deep into the forest.”

“Winter lasts a long time. Usually by October, the bitter cold sets in. You need to prepare food and firewood in advance, and basically stay holed up at home for half a year.”

“But it’s truly tough. You young people, pampered and untested, will definitely suffer. You’ll shed a layer of skin, guaranteed.”

“Back in our day, things were worse than now. Going hungry was a common occurrence.”

A haughty young woman tilted her neck in disbelief. “My parents will send me supplies, and so will Brother Lin’s family. We won’t have any problem living there. It’s just a temporary transition, that’s all.”

The man called Brother Lin cut her fantasy short with irritation. “You’re wrong. I had a falling out with my family before coming here. I’m not going back. I’m staying in the northeast to contribute to its development. You and I are not on the same path.”

The haughty girl, Zhou Yurou, jumped up with a shriek. “What did you say?! Qi Lin, are you crazy, or am I? You’re settling in the northeast—what about me? Did you ever consider me?”

Qi Lin glanced at the fast-retreating view of the capital outside the train window. A sense of relief washed over him, and a sincere smile appeared on his face.

“I like freedom. I don’t like schemes or power struggles. My marriage, my future—everything about my life—I don’t want it tainted by politics, profits, or performance. I’m a person. A living, breathing person.”

“I already warned you not to come. It was your parents and my mom who forced you. This wasn’t my idea.”

“You can still turn back and stay in the capital. But once you reach Harbin, you probably won’t get another chance.”

Even Wang Qiang dropped his joking demeanor and silently watched the scenery outside the window.

They all knew what leaving meant. But staying in the capital wasn’t ideal either—everyone was plotting against each other. Might as well go to the countryside; after a few hard years, you can still return a better man. At least now, he was free.

Feng Moyan remained silent. This wasn’t a topic she could relate to.

Still, she guessed that Qi Lin was the young master of some prominent family in the capital, sent away to “temper” himself. But judging by his tone, he seemed to know that something big was coming—something that might collapse.

Not that it had anything to do with her. She figured it was better to rest while she could. She didn’t even know what kind of place the Hongqi Brigade was.

Would the people there be easy to get along with? And who had her father arranged for her to contact?

By noon, it was definitely time to eat. Feng Moyan took out the food Aunt Aihua and Aunt Lian had prepared for her. In this heat, it would spoil if left uneaten.

“Uncle Jin, why don’t you eat with me? My family packed more than enough. If we wait until tomorrow, it’ll go bad.”

Jin Bo didn’t stand on ceremony. “Alright, but I’ll pay you. Can’t just eat for free.”

“It’s just one meal—no need for money. It’s just simple home-cooked food. And besides, you helped me earn money—I should be the one thanking you.”

Jin Bo didn’t refuse again and joined her for lunch. In this weather, you just need to rinse things with hot water and it’s fine. “The flavor’s really authentic. The cook must be from Sichuan, right?”

Feng Moyan, who loved spicy food, kept eating with her eyes squinting in delight. “You’re spot on! Auntie Aihua is from Sichuan, but she followed the army to the capital. Her cooking is absolutely delicious.”

The proud girl Zhou Yurou watched them eat and was annoyed they didn’t offer her anything. “Brother Lin, I brought pastries. Want some? I bought them from the store—they’re really good!”

Qi Lin closed his book and tucked it into his satchel. “Wang Qiang, let’s go eat in the dining car. We might not get food this good again for a while.”

Wang Qiang stood up and walked ahead, completely ignoring Zhou Yurou’s chattering behind him. He could already picture her yelling in frustration in a poor rural village—it’d be quite a sight.

He wasn’t her father; he didn’t need to cater to her.

Jin Bo took a liking to the girl. “Technically, with your parents being martyrs, you shouldn’t need to go to the countryside. It’d be better to stay in the capital. The government would’ve arranged a job for you. You seem well-educated—why go suffer?”

Feng Moyan sipped from her mug of malted milk, her tone sweet: “Uncle Jin, you probably know I get a pension. Before I even left, someone was already eyeing my house—trying to take it. I had no choice but to leave.”

“Otherwise, I’d have been torn apart by now. There’d be no one to hear me cry for help. At least in a remote rural place, I can live quietly for a few years.”

“I believe the country won’t always be like this. I’ll return to the capital on my own merit. When that time comes, no one can touch me, and I’ll be able to deal with those people myself.”

Jin Bo understood how chaotic things were behind the scenes in the capital—especially for an orphan girl trying to survive. “Be careful out there. There are plenty of thugs in the countryside. Stay away from rivers, lakes, or anywhere dangerous. People might set you up. You’re pretty—you’ll attract attention.”

Feng Moyan said nothing, just lowered her head and sipped her drink. No one could see the reflection in her eyes.

Jin Bo thought she was in a bad mood and made up his mind to ask someone to keep an eye on her. It had taken him a long time to find such a promising youngster—he couldn’t let her get ruined.

On the fourth morning, she finally arrived in Heihe City. Amidst the bustling crowd, she bid farewell to Jin Bo on the platform.

“Uncle Jin, is someone coming to pick you up? You’ve got a lot of luggage.”

Jin Bo nodded. “Don’t worry, someone’s coming. How are you getting to the Hongqi Brigade? Should I have someone take you?”

Feng Moyan refused. Some things needed to be done on her own. Besides, there must be a large group of sent-down youth—she wouldn’t be alone, so it was relatively safe.

“Uncle Jin, I’ll go find the group. I’ll head out now. Write me if anything comes up.”

Jin Bo waved and walked in the opposite direction.

This girl really hasn’t grown up yet, he thought. Even though she tries to act like an adult, she’s probably scared out of her mind.

He’d have his son keep an eye on her. The girl was pitiful and endearing. So many had sacrificed in this era—not just soldiers, but doctors, researchers, police, even villagers had given their lives for the nation’s welfare.

Truly admirable and worthy of song.

Feng Moyan hurried ahead alone and spotted two trucks in the distance.

“Excuse me, is this where the youth heading to Honghe Town, Hongxing County catch the ride?”

A tanned man holding a welding rod coughed twice. “Which village are you assigned to? Why are you alone? Where are the others?”

“I’m assigned to the Hongqi Brigade in Honghe Town. I’m Feng Moyan. I came alone—I don’t know the others.”

The man glanced at her face and pointed behind him. “That truck over there. Just hop on. Get off when you reach Honghe Town.”

“If you get carsick, throw up now. Don’t puke in my truck.”

Feng Moyan understood how precious transportation was at the time. She didn’t argue. She handed him a cigarette and left right away.

The man froze for a moment, holding the cigarette. A smile tugged at his lips, and he gave it a sniff. Yep, smells way better than welding fumes. This girl knows how to behave.