Chapter 68: Finally Home

Time flew by so fast that before they knew it, it was time for the two of them to go home. Xu Shu specially took half a day off to drive Jiaojiao and Xie Zhi to the train station to avoid another incident. This time, he bought them two high-grade soft sleeper tickets.

They were departing at noon today and would arrive tomorrow. Some expenses just weren’t worth saving.

After helping carry their luggage, Xu Shu’s eyes turned red as he looked at his sister. She had only stayed for a few days, and he’d been working most of the time.

He hugged Jiaojiao tightly, choking up for a long time before finally saying, “Next time, big brother will bring you good food. I didn’t even get to take you out for fun this time.”

“Okay. You have to take care of yourself, big brother,” she replied.

“I will,” he said, reassuring her.

Jiaojiao patted her brother on the back before walking away. They wouldn’t see each other again until New Year’s. Thankfully, there was something to look forward to, otherwise it would’ve felt too bleak.

“Let’s go,” Xie Zhi said softly. After saying their tearful goodbyes, Jiaojiao walked through the entrance, turning back with every few steps to look for her brother, until his figure gradually blurred. Tears began to fall.

“Jiaojiao, don’t cry. You’ll see him again during the New Year. And once we’re in school, we’ll be able to see him every week,” Xie Zhi comforted.

“Mm,” she choked out.

They had too many belongings for Xie Zhi to carry alone, so Jiaojiao carried a small bag herself. They passed through the ticket check and boarded the train, finding their compartment.

Soft sleepers were different from long-distance hard sleepers—each compartment had several beds and a lockable door, making it their own little space once closed.

Seeing that Jiaojiao was still sniffling, Xie Zhi put their things away, pulled her onto his lap, gently rubbed her cheeks, and comforted her, kissing her cheeks over and over.

“There, there. Don’t cry anymore.”

“Wanna eat chicken feet or marinated snacks?”

Ever since he discovered her love for those kinds of snacks, he had made sure to buy some from a shop. Not a lot, though—it was too hot and they wouldn’t keep well.

Jiaojiao, the foodie, immediately had her attention diverted. Alongside her snacks, she also had some comic booklets her brother bought. The once boring journey suddenly became much more interesting.

They sat on the bunk bed, with Jiaojiao cross-legged and Xie Zhi sitting properly. She wore plastic gloves, munching on chicken feet while nudging Xie Zhi with her elbow to turn the page of her comic when she finished reading one.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm, beautiful light over the scene.

Eventually, Xie Zhi noticed she had fallen asleep mid-snack, a content smile on her face. He gently poked her cheek, whispering, “What am I going to do with you?”

He put away the booklet, wiped her hands clean, applied some hand cream to mask the smell, then lay down with her in his arms and fell asleep.

There were two beds, but they insisted on squeezing into one. It was cramped, yet so cozy.

After a safe day and night of travel, they finally arrived home. Looking at the narrow but familiar train station, Jiaojiao no longer felt the disdain she once did. Instead, she saw the beauty in it.

They didn’t rest and immediately headed to the bus station. Sure enough, her brother was already there waiting. Xu Yan took the bags from Jiaojiao and hugged her, giving her cheek a playful pinch.

With a serious expression, he teased, “Jiaojiao looks prettier after this trip.”

Jiaojiao gave a smug little hum, her homesickness easing. “I brought you guys gifts!”

“Oh, big brother is so touched! So Jiaojiao does have me in her heart,” Xu Yan said dramatically, pretending to wipe away a tear and nearly startling her.

Once everyone had arrived, they headed back to the village. The rougher the roads became, the bumpier the ride got, making the return feel more and more real.

Jiaojiao sat in the middle, surrounded by her brother and Xie Zhi, chatting away. “Brother, do you eat marinated peanuts? They keep well—I brought some especially for you.”

“Keep it down, my dear sister. Let’s wait until we’re home to talk about the snacks.”

“Okay,” she pouted.

Xie Zhi raised an eyebrow and teased, “The moment you see your brother, I get ignored. So cold to your husband.”

Immediately, Jiaojiao snuggled back into his arms, trying to appease him. Xu Yan was stunned by how close they were—so sweet it was almost too much.

When they arrived at the village, the whole family came to greet them. Despite the many items, everyone carried something, making the load manageable. Jiaojiao clung to her mother affectionately.

The villagers couldn’t help feeling something indescribable. That little girl was really treated like a treasure. It was just a short trip, but the whole family came to pick her up. And the clothes, shoes, and hair accessories she wore… they couldn’t help but show envy on their faces.

Why was her life so good? Most families had several sons to every daughter, but none pampered their girls the way the Xu family did.

Shen Yun’s teeth nearly cracked from jealousy—she was overwhelmingly envious.

And Sheng Jie, who had originally wanted to cause trouble for Jiaojiao, hadn’t even had a chance to see her. He was full of frustration.

When his mother and he went to the Xu house to ask for things again, the family wasn’t as easygoing as before. They were even scolded for being shameless freeloaders.

Sheng Jie still held his head high, telling himself he was doing Jiaojiao a favor by wanting her things. He thought darkly, Just wait till I marry her. Then she’ll be at my mercy.

“Mom, I bought ten jin of rice and flour. Big brother also gave us lots of meat. Let’s invite Grandpa and Grandma over for dinner tonight,” Jiaojiao said.

Yan Fenglian’s eyes lit up. “Jiaojiao, you really are our little lucky star. Alright, I’ll make something delicious for you tonight.”

“Just in time—the village shared some beef recently when a cow fell. I’ll make cold sliced beef for you.”

“Great!”

Yan Fenglian had all the traits of a good woman of that era—and she wasn’t biased toward sons over daughters either.

The Xu family didn’t just say they loved their daughter like many did in modern times. Those people often gave their daughters all the hardship and their sons all the inheritance, even while putting on a sweet facade.

But as they say, love follows money. Jiaojiao genuinely loved this family she had transmigrated into. She felt like Heaven had finally rewarded her after all the hardship.

The first thing they did upon returning was to lock the courtyard gate and unpack everything.

Instantly, the courtyard was filled with food, candy, cloth, dresses, accessories, and shoes—all spread out.

Jiaojiao sheepishly pulled aside some of her own things. “These are what I bought… and some from big brother.”

“Tomorrow, Mom will use hot water to roll your dresses so they don’t wrinkle. They’ll look even better.”

“Okay.”

“Which fabric and clothes are mine?” Xu Ze and Xu Yan asked almost in unison, then shot glares at each other and sat down, pouting.

Father Xu stood silently by the gate, like a guardian protecting his family, while Xie Zhi carried Jiaojiao’s things and some important documents into their courtyard.