Chapter 14: Departure

She didn’t have time to scold him, because the bird eggs really did taste good—tenderer than chicken eggs and fragrant from being roasted.

“Where’d you get these bird eggs?” Lian Yuqing asked casually.

“Found them in a tree while chopping firewood.”

Lian Yuqing didn’t respond. Before leaving, he had even thoughtfully chopped firewood for the family. Wei Dong was truly good to his parents. Or maybe this was just how most rural folks expressed care—simple and genuine. If she hadn’t come here, Lian Yuqing would’ve never imagined it.

“Sis-in-law, my big brother used to climb trees all the time to collect bird eggs when he was little—no matter how tall. All the village kids would follow him around because he always had good stuff to eat,” Wei Miaomiao excitedly shared stories from her brother’s childhood.

Wei Dong slowed down peeling the egg.

“Your brother always looks so stiff and serious, like an old relic. Who would’ve thought he could climb trees?” She clearly meant to poke fun, but all the village kids climbed trees.

When Chen Caiqi came in and saw the three of them leisurely eating, not in any hurry at all, she said, “Dongzi, you packed everything already, right?”

“Yeah.”

Seeing Chen Caiqi’s doubtful glance, Lian Yuqing quickly buried her head and continued eating.

“Mom, big brother found these bird eggs. They’re really good, try one,” Wei Miaomiao offered.

“You’re still climbing trees the day you’re leaving? What if you tore your clothes? Not worth it,” Chen Caiqi said, though she’d already been handed an egg and admitted it smelled great—so she didn’t say more.

By the time Wei Chunsheng arrived, only one egg was left in Wei Dong’s hand. Lian Yuqing protectively said, “That one’s mine.”

Wei Chunsheng stared at her stuffing it in her mouth. “Starved ghost reincarnated.”

Wei Dong pretended not to see their childish antics and went to wash his hands.

Because Lian Yuqing had too many things, Chen Caiqi and Wei Ximin didn’t go to work and helped carry the luggage to the donkey cart at the village entrance. Wei Dong gave the cart owner two yuan to rent the whole cart.

Chen Caiqi kept fussing over her son—dangerous jobs where you risk your life always worry parents. She told Wei Dong he didn’t need to send money home anymore; she and her husband had enough to support Wei Chunsheng through school.

Wei Dong didn’t agree.

“Dad.” Lian Yuqing pulled something from her bag and placed it in Wei Ximin’s hand.

“Qing’er, what are you doing?” He was holding a wad of money, which felt burning hot to the touch.

Lian Yuqing said casually, “I’ve spent so much of your money before. Now that I have some, of course I have to pay it back. I’m not someone who freely spends elders’ money.”

Looking at his beautiful daughter-in-law, Wei Ximin couldn’t help but feel a pang. Such a girl—truly, the Wei family had married up. He wanted to return the money, but Lian Yuqing hid behind Wei Dong.

She peeked out and said, “Dad, please just take it. Everyone in the village is watching—this will help restore my reputation.”

“You child~” Wei Ximin accepted it. After all, she was going with Dongzi, and Dongzi was never stingy.

Wei Dong’s expression grew complicated. He could tell—the money was the same fifty yuan he had given her the night before. So that was why she’d asked for money—to pay them back.

She loved spending money, yet she hadn’t kept a cent for herself.

“You coming or not?” Lian Yuqing was already on the donkey cart, yelling at Wei Dong.

He came to his senses and said goodbye to his parents.

Finally, he reminded Wei Chunsheng, “Chunsheng, look after Mom, Dad, and Miaomiao.”

Chunsheng held back tears. “Don’t worry, Brother. I’m a man—I’ll take care of them. Be careful on your missions. Also, don’t argue with her too much.”

Wei Dong patted his head. “Go on.”

He easily jumped onto the cart. The driver shouted, “Hold on—let’s go!”

The simple Wei family was left behind, getting smaller and smaller in the distance.

Wei Dong sat across from Lian Yuqing, back straight, legs apart, hands resting on his knees. He stared at the slouched figure across from him.

“Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“If I told you, it’d be like you were giving money to your dad. Remember, this is my breakup fee—my money.”

The hands on his knees clenched tightly. After a moment, Wei Dong said, “I’ll give you ten yuan every month from now on.”

Whoa, a raise? Lian Yuqing immediately sat up straight, energized. “Have I moved you with my actions?”

“You’re my wife. It’s my duty to support the family.”

“Pfft.” She scoffed, bored again.

She still hated donkey carts. The ride was so bumpy she felt her butt would fall apart. As soon as they got off, she rushed to find somewhere to throw up.

Wei Dong somehow managed to find a bottle of water for her to rinse her mouth and helped pat her back.

They should’ve headed straight to the bus station to catch a ride, but seeing her pale face and red eyes, Wei Dong said nothing and let her rest another ten minutes.

It didn’t help. When she heard they had to take a long-distance bus, her face fell—but she didn’t throw a tantrum and quietly followed him to the station.

The bus had just pulled up when they arrived. Wei Dong knocked on the door and the driver let them in.

The ticket seller said impatiently, “Hurry up. Don’t waste everyone’s time.”

As she boarded, Lian Yuqing shot the seller a fierce glare. The seller looked like she wanted to snap back—but the tall man in military uniform beside her looked intimidating, so she held her tongue.

Only the last row had two seats left. Lian Yuqing was eager to sit and headed toward them when she was pulled back.

“What?” she asked.

Wei Dong didn’t explain, just asked the two young men in front if they’d be willing to switch seats.

Lian Yuqing noticed the two glanced at her, then got up and moved. Wei Dong thanked them.

Sitting by the window, Lian Yuqing poked his thigh. “You think I get carsick?”

“Don’t you?” You just threw up leaning against a tree.

“I got sick from the bumpy cart, not the bus.”

Wei Dong fell silent. Seemed like he was overthinking.

Like a little rascal, Lian Yuqing crooked her finger at him. When Wei Dong leaned over, she wrapped an arm around his neck and whispered in his ear, “Thanks.”

Then she let go and leaned against the window, eyes shut.

Wei Dong’s ears turned red—especially the one she had leaned against.

That soft voice, like a feather brushing his ear, and her familiar scent had never been so vivid. It tickled, but also stirred something else he couldn’t quite name.

Two hours into the ride, the bus braked hard. Lian Yuqing’s head almost slammed into the seat in front, but Wei Dong caught her just in time.

She gave up and leaned against his shoulder to sleep.

Wei Dong sat frozen, not daring to move.

When the driver called out the stop, Lian Yuqing slowly woke up. After a nap, she felt much better. She patted his solid arm.

“Thanks, bro.”

Wei Dong moved his stiff arm. So… she saw him as a bro, and that’s why she could sleep on him so comfortably?

There was still some time before their train arrived. Chen Caiqi had packed dry food for them in the bag. This train ride would take two days—what a tough journey.