Chapter 3 – Departure

“Sigh.” Father Nan let out a long breath. He didn’t say anything—the emotions in his heart were too many, and he didn’t even know where to begin.

When he looked up and saw his youngest daughter coming out of the house, a smile returned to his face.

Nan Qiao bounced out of the yard with a brand-new army green canvas satchel slung across her body. Her elder brother trailed behind, lugging big and small bags.

After all the luggage was loaded into the car, Nan Qiao and her mother sat in the backseat, while Nan Bo got into the front passenger seat. The whole family set out to send Nan Qiao off.

At the train station, Nan Qiao took in the distinctly dated atmosphere—people bustling in and out, the loudspeaker broadcasting slogans encouraging educated youth to go to the countryside. It was only at this moment that Nan Qiao truly felt the unique spirit of this era.

The car stopped at the station entrance. Passersby stared curiously, trying to guess which family was sending someone off in a private car—and why, with such means, they were still sending a child to the countryside.

When Nan Qiao stepped out of the car, people noticed her delicate features and the brand-new women’s army uniform she wore, and their eyes filled with envy. After all, wearing this kind of outfit meant either having family in the military or possessing the right coupons and money to buy it—either way, it meant status.

Father Nan and Mother Nan helped unload Nan Qiao’s bags, while only Nan Bo was allowed to accompany her onto the packed train.

After finding Nan Qiao’s seat, Nan Bo placed her luggage at her feet and stood up to say, “Qiao Qiao, remember everything I told you. Write me whenever you get the chance.”

“Got it, Gege. Don’t worry.” Nan Qiao hugged her brother and whispered, “When I come back next time, you’d better have found me a sister-in-law—one who dotes on me!”

“You little brat, now you’re trying to run my life?” Nan Bo teased.

“Alright, Ge, go on. The train’s about to leave.”

“Okay, I’ll head out. Take care of yourself. Call or send a telegram if you need anything.”

“I will!” Nan Qiao waved him off with a smile.

Once Nan Bo stepped off the train, Nan Qiao sat by the window, eyes red with tears. She had only just reunited with her parents for a day, and now she had to part ways again. She couldn’t help but curse the original host’s stupidity.

“Dad, Mom, I promise I’ll take good care of myself. Please take care of your health too.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine. Just call or send a telegram once you’ve arrived safely,” Mother Nan instructed anxiously. This precious daughter of hers was going far away for the first time—it was like a knife to the heart.

“I got it! Mom, Dad, lean closer.”

“What is it, Qiao Qiao?” both parents asked in unison, instinctively leaning in.

Nan Qiao stuck her little head out the window and planted a kiss on each of their cheeks.

“You silly girl! Aren’t you embarrassed? What will people think?” Father Nan looked around awkwardly.

“I don’t care what they think. I’m kissing my own parents!”

“Exactly! Our darling Qiao Qiao can kiss her parents as much as she likes!” Mother Nan agreed, clearly comforted.

Not long after, the train’s whistle blew. Nan Qiao sat back down, her gaze fixed on the fading silhouettes of her parents and brother. Her heart ached.

As the train chugged along, Nan Qiao spaced out, staring at the scenery outside the window.

“Hi there! I’m Shen Nian. What about you?” the girl sitting opposite her greeted cheerfully.

Nan Qiao turned to look. Unlike Nan Qiao’s cold elegance, Shen Nian had a soft, adorable look—pure and innocent. How could her family let someone so gentle go to the countryside? Wouldn’t she be bullied?

“Hello, I’m Nan Qiao.”

“Here, have this. Something sweet to stop you from missing home.” Shen Nian handed her a White Rabbit candy from her pocket.

“Thanks.” Nan Qiao accepted it. This era’s White Rabbit was much creamier and tastier than the modern kind—and far rarer. She noticed nearby female educated youths eyeing it greedily.

Nan Qiao didn’t like taking gifts for nothing. She reached into her pocket, pulled out a chocolate her brother had given her, and said, “Try this—it’s wine-filled chocolate from my brother.”

“Wha—this is way too fancy! Isn’t this only sold in foreign exchange shops?” Shen Nian was astonished.

“It’s fine. My brother got it from a foreign guest. He doesn’t like sweets, so he gave them to me.” Nan Qiao stuffed it into Shen Nian’s hands.

Touched, Shen Nian said, “Nan Qiao, you’re my sister from now on! If you ever need anything, just ask!”

“Really? One chocolate and I bought your loyalty?” Nan Qiao teased.

“Besides my family, no one’s ever been this nice to me. Everyone just wants something from me,” Shen Nian said sadly.

Nan Qiao: …Sounds just like the original host…

“So, where are you going?”

“Hongqi Commune in Qingshi!”

“No way! I’m going there too! That’s awesome!” Nan Qiao exclaimed.

“Then I’ll be counting on you for help, Qiao Qiao!”

“We’ll help each other, hahahaha!”

“Are we all from Qingshi?” asked a girl with round glasses nearby.

“Seems so. I’m Jiang Tian, going to Hongliu Commune. It should be close to yours,” the boy next to Shen Nian said.

“I’m Long Guo, also from Hongliu.”

“I’m Zhang Ran, same.”

“I’m Long Tiantian, Hongliu too,” the round-glasses girl added.

“Wow, you’re all headed to the same place,” Shen Nian noted.

“Nice! We can look out for each other,” Nan Qiao said.

The group chatted the whole way, and time passed quickly. As night fell, everyone took out their dry rations to eat.

Most had eggs, steamed buns, or veggie pancakes. Nan Qiao hesitated about eating her braised pork, worried it’d look showy—until she saw Shen Nian take out a lunchbox with smoked fish and eight-treasure duck.

Suddenly, Nan Qiao didn’t feel so out of place.

She took out her own aluminum lunchbox, just in time for it to be seen by Qin Fang and her two companions.

“Qiao Qiao, this must be your mom’s cooking, right? Gosh, I’ve missed it,” Qin Fang said, drooling.

Nan Qiao had noticed them the moment she boarded—Qin Fang, the others, even Su Mu—but she didn’t feel like acknowledging them.

Now they came begging for food? Disgusting.

Before Nan Qiao could respond, Shen Nian asked, “Qiao Qiao, do you know them?”

“Yeah, they’re beggars. Probably drifters from the street,” Nan Qiao snapped.

“Hey! That’s too much! We were friends once,” Wang Yuman argued.

“Then why are you drooling in front of my food? Don’t you know how precious meat is?”

“You…” Qin Fang started, but Dong Jiayan stopped her.

“Qiao Qiao, Fangfang didn’t mean it that way.”

“Don’t act so familiar. Did you come over just to ruin my meal? Eat what you can afford, and stop eyeing others’.”

“Alright, alright, we’ll leave you alone.” Dong Jiayan turned and dragged the other two away, her face burning.

Nan Qiao sneered.

“Were those your friends?”

“Nope. First two used me and insulted me. Last one’s just a fence-sitter.”

“They’re also going to Hongqi Commune. Be careful around them,” Nan Qiao warned Shen Nian.

“Hehe, I’ll follow you, Qiao Qiao!”

“Here, try my mom’s cooking.” Nan Qiao offered her a piece of braised pork, then shared some with the other four around them.

They all had decent temperaments, and despite their dry veggie pancakes, they only showed brief envy before politely looking away.

Shen Nian, moved, also shared her dishes.

Li Guo shyly placed his mom’s homemade spicy sauce in the center. “I don’t have much, but this is really tasty.”

“Thanks!” everyone responded. The six of them enjoyed a warm, friendly meal.

After two days and nights, they finally arrived in Qingshi. Since the confrontation with Dong Jiayan’s group, they hadn’t exchanged a word.

As they disembarked, Dong Jiayan quietly watched Su Mu. Everyone thought Nan Qiao had a crush on Su Mu, but only she knew the truth: Su Mu had fallen for Nan Qiao first. She had accidentally read his diary once at his home.

She liked Su Mu too much to expose this, but seeing him steal glances at Nan Qiao still stung deeply.

“Those for Hongqi Commune, over here!” a man’s voice with a strong accent called out.

She looked up and saw a man waving a sign. Dragging her heavy luggage, she followed Su Mu.

The man from the commune frowned at the group of delicate-looking girls. What could they possibly do on a farm? He sighed—there were quotas, after all.

Meanwhile, Shen Nian, Nan Qiao, and the others also headed over. Ten new arrivals: five men, five women.

The man’s gaze swept over them, sighing again when he saw Nan Qiao’s cold and beautiful face. “Another troublemaker,” he thought.

Still, he led them toward two waiting tractors—Hongqi Commune was wealthy enough to own two.

“Erhu, is that all of them?”

“Yep. Take a look, Chuanzi.” Erhu gave his friend a meaningful look.

Chuanzi understood. Educated youths sounded good on paper, but most just wanted to survive. Every commune had to take them in, willing or not.

Then Chuanzi’s eyes landed on Nan Qiao—and he froze.

She was tall, fair-skinned, with red lips and white teeth. Even in her uniform, her slim waist and graceful figure stood out.

Sensing his gaze, Nan Qiao turned her cold, beautiful face toward him, smile gone.

Embarrassed, he scratched his nose and looked away. Then, without thinking, he jumped off the tractor and grabbed her luggage, loading it for her.

“Vixen,” Qin Fang muttered.

Nan Qiao heard it and snapped her head around, voice cold as ice. “Say it louder if you want a beating.”

Qin Fang shrank back.

Realizing he may have overstepped, Chuanzi helped Shen Nian too before hopping back onto the tractor.

“If you want to contact home, the post office is over there,” he said, pointing.

“Nian Nian, do you want to?” Nan Qiao asked.

“Yes! My parents told me to!”

“Sir, we’ll be back quickly after making a call,” Nan Qiao said politely.

“Sheng Yanchuan,” the man said.

“Huh?” Nan Qiao blinked in confusion.