Chapter 163

The little dog that Xiao Zhuzi bought really won the hearts of the children, especially Xiao Doubao and Xiao Tangyuan. They especially loved cotton candy. They liked to hold it whenever they could. If it weren’t for Su Xiaoxiao saying that the dog needed to learn to walk and couldn’t always be carried, Xiao Tangyuan would have wanted to sleep with Cotton Candy.

Su Xiaoxiao made a soft and warm nest for Cotton Candy with a small basket knitted by Li Yufeng before. Cotton Candy seemed to like it very much, probably feeling everyone’s love for it. It was no longer as timid as when it first arrived home, and it could stay quietly in its nest without running around.

Dogs need to be fed scientifically and systematically to live longer. Su Xiaoxiao earnestly explained to the children that they couldn’t feed the dog randomly. There were certain things that the dog must not eat; otherwise, the children would treat it like a chicken, feeding it anything. Training the dog to do its business (pee and poop) in designated places was also important. They couldn’t let it develop bad habits of eating, drinking, and relieving itself whenever it wanted. When it got hot, they also needed to bathe the dog regularly, and so on.

The cubs are very obedient and follow Su Xiaoxiao’s instructions. Cotton Candy was a particularly clever dog. It listened to whatever Xiao Tangyuan taught it. It probably knew that Xiao Tangyuan liked it the most. It stuck particularly close to Xiao Tangyuan. In a short time, cotton candy has been promoted to Xiao Tangyuan’s favorite. 

(T/N: Bear with me, everyone; I still don’t know the gender of the puppy, so I’ll use “it/he” for now.)

On the last day of January, Zhao Xianfeng drove with Xiao Yu, and Zhang Hongtu’s security guard drove another car. Both cars were packed to the brim. Early in the morning, they sent both families to the train station to catch their train.

The train tickets were bought in advance. Four adults bought four soft-sleeper tickets, each occupying exactly one compartment. Fantuan and Zhuzi bought two half-price tickets, but they didn’t need seats. It was still quite crowded for four adults and five children to stay in one compartment, but nearing the Lunar New Year, compared to those who only managed to get standing tickets, they already considered themselves fortunate.

There was too much luggage to move. After unloading the luggage, the two drivers found a place to park. Su Xiaoxiao took Xiao Doubao and the twins through security first. Zhang Hongtu’s family and Han Cheng Fantuan made two trips to get all the luggage onto the train.

Their compartment was not far from the dining car. A kind-hearted attendant cleared a space in the corner of the dining car for them to store their luggage. Otherwise, if they tried to stuff everything into the compartment, no one would be able to get in.

As the New Year approached, the train was truly crowded. It was so packed that they could hardly move. Fantuan and Zhuzi led the way; Han Cheng carried his daughter while his daughter was carrying cotton candy. Zhang Hongtu carried Xiao Roubao, Su Xiaoxiao held Xiao Doubao, and on the last trip, Yali stayed in the compartment to watch the luggage. The rest of them were exhausted by the slow trek back to their compartment.

Zhang Hongtu’s family took the train back to the capital every year to visit their elderly father. They were already used to this kind of hustle-and-bustle. Han Cheng also often took the train for business trips, but it was the first time for Su Xiaoxiao and the four children to take the train. The children found it quite novel, but this journey overwhelmed Su Xiaoxiao, who had only taken a plane or high-speed rail in his previous life.

The twins and Xiao Doubao found the experience of riding the train extremely exciting, while Fantuan and Zhuzi climbed onto another upper bunk. The two couples each had one lower bunk. Su Xiaoxiao sat by the window and only recovered after a while, saying, “There are too many people here, aren’t there?”

Han Cheng said, “Travelling during the Spring Festival is just like this. It’s not usually crowded like this.”

Of course, the Han family would feel reluctant to leave the place they have been living in for so many years. In this era where they have to be cautious in what they do, this small and simple town has sheltered the Han family from wind and rain, allowing them to safely pass through the most difficult years. 

Su Xiaoxiao has lived here for a longer time than in Su Family Village. This is not her hometown, but it is better than her hometown.

Su Xiaoxiao knows that from the moment the train starts, there is a high probability that it will not come back in the future, and it is inevitable to feel sad for a moment.

The train slowly drove out of the train station, and Su Xiaoxiao saw Zhao Xianfeng leading Xiao Yu inside. He probably bought a ticket to come in. Xiao Yu chased the train all the way, and Su Xiaoxiao waved her arm towards the window. A few big kids climbed down, regardless of whether the people outside could hear them. They waved their hands and shouted, “Uncle Zhao, Xiao Yu, goodbye!”

Xiao Yu chased the train, and the usually carefree and naive child cried uncontrollably as he waved goodbye.

Zhao Xianfeng took his son back into his arms and said, “Alright, stop chasing them. A handsome man doesn’t shed tears, and it’s not that you won’t see them again in the future. Fantuan and his family are going back to Sujia Village during the summer vacation. Dad will send you over and let you play with them for a summer vacation.” His mischievous kid is honest and doesn’t cry even when he’s beaten, so seeing him cry was a very rare scene.

Xiao Yu sniffed wiped away his tears and said, “You must keep your word; otherwise, I’ll take the train myself!”

Zhao Xianfeng hugged his son’s shoulder and said, “When did Dad break his promise?”

Xiao Yu pursed his lips and said, “Hmm. Let’s go, Dad. Let’s quickly kill the chicken!”

“Ah?” Zhao Xianfeng can’t keep up with his son’s brain circuit; isn’t he still feeling sad? Why did it involve killing chickens?

Xiao Yu said, “Xiao Tangyuan is not here, and we can finally eat the big rooster she raised. To be honest, Dad, I haven’t seen such a big rooster with such long feathers and high cockscomb before. It must be delicious!”

Zhao Xianfeng: “…” This brat. How could his stinky kid cry? He must have hallucinated just now.

The twins and Xiao Doubao found the experience of riding the train extremely exciting. Everything seemed new and interesting to them. If it weren’t for the crowds, they would have wanted to go outside for a walk.

Han Cheng was worried that the cotton candy would fall off, so he picked up his daughter and let her sit by the window. He climbed up to the upper bunk on his own, only to find Xiao Roubao hiding in the corner with his buttocks sticking out and secretly eating candy.

No wonder he was so quiet. Han Cheng patted the little one’s butt.

Xiao Roubao turned around and saw his father’s stern face, hesitating for two seconds before explaining, “Dad, I haven’t eaten much. This is my first candy today. If you don’t believe me, ask Second Brother.”

Han Cheng lifted the little one up to sit properly. “I believe you. Sit properly and eat.”

The little one blinked and kissed his father’s face. “Dad, smell it. Is it sweet?”

Han Cheng’s face was smeared with candy; it was so sticky that he almost couldn’t resist tossing the little one down. Who taught him to be this?

Xiao Roubao didn’t wait for his dad to throw him down. He wanted to climb down himself, scaring Zhang Hongtu on the opposite bunk into quickly grabbing him and saying to Han Cheng, “Let the kids sleep below; climbing up and down is dangerous.”

Han Cheng plans to take a nap first and let Su Xiaoxiao come up to have a good night’s sleep when he goes down to watch the children later.

The children were full of energy. The scenery outside the window looked the same after a while, so they started to take out various chess pieces and play cards to play.

Zhang Hongtu also climbed up to rest. Yali wasn’t sleepy; she stayed with the children to play. Su Xiaoxiao felt a bit drowsy, so she instructed the two older brothers to take care of their younger siblings and climbed up to rest as well. The upper bunk wasn’t spacious. Su Xiaoxiao nestled against Han Cheng’s chest, and the couple rested together on the narrow bed.

As the train rattled on, Su Xiaoxiao and Han Cheng fell asleep until noon.

Su Xiaoxiao woke up slowly, realizing that her arm was half numb. She couldn’t even turn over. Han Cheng sat up first and then pulled her up. “Is your hand numb?”

Su Xiao pitifully handed her hand to him. “A little.”

Han Cheng gently massaged her hand. “I don’t need to sleep tonight. You can rest here.”

Su Xiaoxiao also knew that sleeping like this all night wouldn’t work. She shook her head. “I’ll sleep in the first half of the night, and you can sleep in the second half. You can’t skip sleep.”

Fantuan overheard and said, “Mom and Dad, we can put some stuff on the floor and bring another blanket. Zhuzi and I can sleep on the floor; Mom can sleep with me; Dad can sleep with Xiao Roubao; you two can sleep on the lower bunk; Aunt Yali and Uncle Zhao can each sleep on the upper bunk.”

Yali shook her head. “No, you and Zhuzi can sleep together on the upper bunk, and let Uncle Zhang sleep on the floor.”

Zhang Hongtu nodded. “Right, that’s it. We used to sleep outdoors often. It’s just one night, and I can sleep anywhere as long as there’s a blanket.”

Su Xiaoxiao glanced at the narrow aisle. “I’m afraid of accidentally stepping on someone sleeping on the floor when I get up at night.”

Zhang Hongtu waved his hand and said, “I’m tough. It’s fine if you step on me a few times.” (T/N: That sounded weird, tbh.)

Han Cheng frowned. “Old Zhang, you sleep with Xiao Roubao on the bed, and I’ll sleep on the floor.”

Zhang Hongtu looked at him speechlessly. “Seriously, Han Cheng? Do you even want to argue about this? Anyway, whoever’s son, whoever holds him to sleep.”

Han Cheng: “…”

Xiao Roubao understood what was going on and blinked his big eyes. “Uncle Zhang, do you dislike me?”

Zhang Hongtu was at a loss for words. “Of course not; I like Xiao Roubao the most.”

Xiao Roubao questioned, “Then why won’t you sleep with me?”

Han Cheng made a firm decision: “My son prefers to sleep with you, so it’s settled.”

Zhang Hongtu: “…” 

Is that really the case? Why do I feel like something’s off?

………………

At lunchtime, they took hot water, poured milk powder for a few children, and had a delicious meal with dry food before going to the dining car later for a hot meal for dinner.

The food on the train didn’t require tickets and was plentiful, but the taste was mediocre. Only Xiao Roubao, who found everything delicious, thought it was particularly tasty.

Cotton Candy had been cooped up in the compartment all day, feeling bored. It tried to go out a few times but was brought back by the little sister.

Han Cheng decided to take it for a walk while he went to relieve himself. But as soon as it was Han Cheng’s turn, in the blink of an eye, Cotton Candy was nowhere to be seen!

That was his daughter’s beloved pet! 

Even the usually calm Han Cheng panicked.