Chapter 24

“It’s so warm in the south. I’ve been taking off layers the whole way.” Hu Xiu, who had never left their county before, held Guoguo, who couldn’t lie down, and they sat by the window, watching the scenery pass by. Everything felt new, especially the stark contrast between the north and south’s climates.

Lin Ting held Miaomiao in her arms. The little girl was usually quiet and rarely threw tantrums, but after three days in a cramped train, her initial excitement faded, and she became restless. That morning, she even cried.

Lin Ting understood. Even as an adult, she found it tough—let alone a four-year-old child. Fortunately, Miaomiao was easy to soothe. Lin Ting held her, told her a story, and hummed a few songs until she dozed off.

Hearing her mother-in-law sigh, Lin Ting whispered, “It’s over ten degrees here, at least twenty degrees warmer than home.”

Hu Xiu, wearing just a light jacket and still feeling hot, was surprised. “No wonder I feel warm. The southern cities are nice—I even saw flowers blooming! Unlike our hometown, which is still covered in ice and snow.”

Seeing her mother-in-law’s envious look, Lin Ting smiled. “You came at the right time. If you had come in January, it wouldn’t feel this way.”

Hu Xiu asked, “Why? Could it be colder than our place in January?”

Lin Ting explained, “There are no kangs here in the winter, and it rains a lot. The cold seeps into your bones.”

Hu Xiu hadn’t known that, but she was eager to understand their new home, so she kept asking questions. To pass the time, Lin Ting softly described the beauty of the Jiangnan ^[1]a region south of the Yangtze River known for its scenic landscapes and rich culture..

Two other passengers in their carriage, factory buyers who often traveled between north and south, occasionally joined the conversation, making the journey feel less exhausting.

Elsewhere…

To personally greet his family at the train station, Huo Xiao set aside half a day. Knowing his mother and wife had brought many belongings, he got approval from the brigade commander to use a small military truck.

When the time was near, Huo Xiao, who had been eagerly waiting, quickly informed his colleagues and drove off with an orderly.

Xing Guoqiang, watching this, felt both amused and a little sad. He had learned that Huo Xiao had been in the army for over ten years but had returned home only three or four times. After factoring in travel time, how many days did he truly spend with his family?

Being a soldier wasn’t easy… No wonder he was so excited.

Thinking of this, Xing Guoqiang checked the time and grew impatient. He turned to his attendant. “Xiao Chen, go to the family compound and tell my wife to make an extra dish tonight. The Huo family is coming over, and they’ll be exhausted from the journey. Actually—forget it. Northerners like to eat dumplings after a long trip. Tell her to make dumplings instead.”

Xiao Chen nodded and was about to leave when Xing Guoqiang stopped him again. Remembering his somewhat naive wife, he added, “Make plenty of dumplings. If we’re short on flour, borrow some from the neighbors.”

Xiao Chen sighed, “Got it, Political Commissar.”

“Alright, go!”

“Yes!”

Huo Xiao had no idea that dinner had already been arranged for him. He arrived at the train station an hour early. Even in the 1960s and 1970s, Tianjin Railway Station was grand and well-planned, with a designated parking area.

Huo Xiao parked and told his orderly, “Wait in the car,” before jumping out of the driver’s seat.

The orderly, He Xiaojun, leaned out of the window and reminded him, “Commander, there’s still an hour left. If the train is delayed, it could take even longer.”

“I know!” Huo Xiao replied without looking back and strode into the station.

Seeing this, He Xiaojun smacked his forehead, realizing he had been foolish. The commander had spent days preparing his home—of course, he was eager to see his family.

He Xiaojun still found it hard to believe that their usually cold and aloof commander was such a family man.

Watching the travelers hurry by, he muttered to himself, “I just hope today’s train arrives on time.”

Huo Xiao, tall and broad-shouldered in his military uniform, stood out in the bustling station. Instead of squeezing into the crowd, he found a spot with a clear view of the arriving trains.

He could feel people staring, but he didn’t care. His heart was filled with joy—his long-time dream of reuniting with his family was finally coming true.

To be honest, he had always felt guilty toward his family. Joining the army had been his lifelong dream, but he was an only child. In the past, it had just been him and his mother, depending on each other.

Once he joined the army and learned that deputy battalion-level officers could apply to have their families join them, he devoted himself to training, studying, and earning military merits to secure that right.

Finally, in his fourth year of enlistment, Huo Xiao was recommended to study at a military academy, just as he had hoped.

After earning his university diploma, his promotions became easier, as the army urgently needed highly skilled personnel.

Some might see this as utilitarian, but Huo Xiao believed his original intent—to defend his country—remained unchanged. Advancing in rank was his way of creating a win-win situation, as it brought him closer to reuniting with his mother.

However, his mother was reluctant to leave her hometown, leading to a constant tug-of-war over his military service. Eventually, after adopting twins—a boy and a girl—and becoming well-known in Chengdu, he feared exposing the children’s identities and decided to temporarily give up persuading his mother to join him.

Now, at 29, he had been transferred to an entirely new environment, fulfilling his long-cherished dream. Huo Xiao was happier than he had imagined—his life now included not only his mother and children but also a wife.

A wife who met all his expectations…

“Woo woo…” The whistle of a steam train jolted Huo Xiao from his thoughts. He looked toward the arriving train but could only see billowing smoke.

Still, the sight filled him with excitement, just like the other passengers on the crowded platform:

“The train is here!”

“It’s arriving!”

“Look how fast it’s coming!”

“Incredible!”

“Stop pushing! You’ll fall if you keep shoving!”

While most people gathered at the front of the train, Huo Xiao ran straight to the back.

Sure enough, in the third-to-last carriage, he spotted his beloved wife through the window. At the same time, Lin Ting also saw him—easily the most noticeable figure in the crowd.

She smiled and waved before motioning to her mother-in-law and the children to look. The twins still remembered their father, but having spent little time with him, they had no strong attachment. Right now, they were more eager to get off the train.

Hu Xiu, overwhelmed with excitement, saw another couple climbing out of the window and jumping down. He immediately followed suit.

Lin Ting panicked and instinctively grabbed her mother-in-law’s clothing, worried she might fall.

Fortunately, by then, Huo Xiao had squeezed under the window and caught her. After ensuring his mother landed safely, he reached for his wife.

“There are too many people up front,” he said. “You can get out through the window too. Don’t worry, I’ll hold you.”

Lin Ting had done this once before, assisted by her second brother. Now experienced, she first handed down the twins, then the small package she carried. After confirming nothing was left behind, she climbed onto the window.

Suddenly, she felt a firm grip around her waist, and before she knew it, she was safely on the ground.

A reunion like this was naturally joyous, but the crowded and noisy environment made talking difficult. With luggage still to collect, Huo Xiao lifted the twins—one in each arm—and said loudly, “It’s too crowded now. Let’s get to the car first and pick up the luggage later.”

Lin Ting understood that busy stations were hotspots for lost children, especially since her twins were well-behaved. However, she was also worried about their luggage being misplaced. She shouted back, “Take Mother and the kids outside. I’ll talk to the steward and wait for you by the courtesy car.”

Huo Xiao hesitated, glancing at the packed platform. “Should we go together?”

“Don’t worry. Remember, I traveled here alone before.”

At her reassurance, he didn’t insist. Before leaving, however, he reminded her, “Don’t talk to strangers.”

Amused, Lin Ting teased, “Got it, Dad Huo!”

Huo Xiao…

The drive from the train station to Huo Xiao’s unit took an hour and a half. By the time they arrived, it was past 5 PM.

As their military truck entered the residential compound, Huo Xiao honked multiple times to avoid any children running out unexpectedly. The noise attracted a crowd of military families, who gathered around the truck, buzzing with curiosity.

Huo Xiao ignored the stares and polite murmurs—after all, everyone who moved in received the same attention. He simply nodded in acknowledgment before heading to the back of the truck.

Since the truck had only two seats, his family sat in the covered cargo area. Just as at the train station, Huo Xiao helped his mother down first, then the twins, and finally Lin Ting.

She wondered if he would actually carry her down in front of all these people.

When she heard someone chuckle, “The young couple seems so affectionate,” her ears turned red. Rolling her eyes at him, she said, “It’s such a short drop. I can get down by myself. Why are you carrying me?”

Huo Xiao replied honestly, “I’m just used to it.”

Lin Ting…