Without an ID card, you can’t buy train tickets or stay at hostels without an introduction letter.

When she was in Liangzhou, she and An’an had to get help from Cen Zhengnian’s classmates for the introduction letter.

Now that Cen Zhengnian was busy with work, Chuxia had to ask Grandpa Jiang for help.

“This is easy; both of your uncles can help with that. Once it’s done, I’ll have Da Zi(Jiang Zhida) send it to you.”

“Okay, thank you, Grandpa.”

Grandpa Jiang waved it off, “We’re family; no need for thanks.”

Cen Huai’an only learned that his mother was going back to Liangzhou when she talked with Grandpa Jiang.

He took Chuxia’s hand as they left Grandpa Jiang’s house and couldn’t help but ask, “Mom, when are you going? How long will you be gone?”

Chuxia gently patted his head, “Don’t worry, I’ll be back once the exam is over. It won’t be too long.”

Although she said this, Cen Huai’an’s mood was still downcast because his mother was leaving.

The next day, Jiang Zhida delivered the introduction letter and a sleeper ticket for two days later to Chuxia.

“Cousin, I’ve taken care of everything for you. I’ll come to send you off the day after tomorrow and take An’an to Grandpa’s house.”

“Okay.” Chuxia accepted without being polite.

Two days passed quickly.

Even though Cen Huai’an was reluctant, Chuxia had to set off for Liangzhou.

Jiang Zhida drove to pick her up.

Cen Huai’an, having asked his teacher for leave the day before, also went to see his mother off.

Chuxia wanted him to go to school; she didn’t want him to see her leave because it might be too upsetting for him.

But Cen Huai’an was a stubborn child, and no matter how much Chuxia tried to persuade him, he kept insisting on coming along.

Chuxia couldn’t bear to refuse him any longer.

When she got into the car with Cen Huai’an, she noticed not only Jiang Zhida but also a young man of similar age who was dressed quite modestly.

“Cousin, my friend is heading to a place that passes through Liangzhou, and we’re on the same train. I thought it would be safer for you to travel together.”

Chuxia understood his kind intention and nodded in agreement.

After the introduction, Chuxia learned that his friend was named Qian Ran.

She frowned slightly, finding the name familiar but couldn’t place it immediately.

After a moment, she remembered that the principal of An’an’s experimental primary school was also named Qian, and he had mentioned a junior named Xiao Ran.

Looking at Qian Ran, Chuxia couldn’t help but feel he resembled Principal Qian to some extent, such as having double eyelids and slightly darker skin.

Although she didn’t investigate further, she figured he was a friend of Jiang Zhida’s, and traveling with him would make her feel a bit more at ease.

On the train, Cen Huai’an clung to Chuxia, not wanting her to leave.

He knew she would be gone for several days.

Chuxia gently patted him and asked, “Do you have any messages for Bangzi and the others?”

Cen Huai’an had been so focused on not wanting to part from his mother that he forgot Bangzi and the others were also in Liangzhou.

However, Chuxia had reminded him a few days earlier to prepare anything he wanted to bring for Bangzi and the others.

Cen Huai’an had prepared everything and included a letter in Chuxia’s bag.

He had written letters to Bangzi and the others when he arrived in the capital.

The letters from Bangzi and the others were difficult to read due to their poor handwriting and various scribbles, which Cen Huai’an had to decipher with some guessing.

The mail was slow.

Cen Huai’an had only received a letter from them after arriving in the capital, so it would be quicker for his mother to bring the letter.

Looking at Chuxia’s luggage, Cen Huai’an said, “Mom, I’ve already included everything in the letter.”

At the station, Uncle Jiang and Cen Huai’an bought platform tickets to accompany Chuxia.

Cen Huai’an had never been so clingy; he followed Chuxia everywhere, even waiting outside the bathroom.

Jiang Zhida joked, “An’an, why don’t you come inside with me?”

Cen Huai’an gave Jiang Zhida a disapproving look and said, “Uncle, boys shouldn’t go into the girls’ bathroom. You’re a boy, so you shouldn’t go in either.”

Jiang Zhida: Of course he knew, he was just teasing. He didn’t expect to be taught a lesson by his six-year-old nephew.

He patted Cen Huai’an’s head and laughed, “I’ll remember that.”

Qian Ran laughed from the side, “Da Zi, you can’t even match up to a child’s manners!”

Jiang Zhida nudged him, “Go away. Can’t you see I’m comforting a child?”

When Chuxia came out, she noticed the atmosphere was a bit off.

She raised an eyebrow in confusion, and Jiang Zhida quickly said, “Sister-in-law, the restroom is too smelly; let’s get out of here.”

She smiled, knowing it must be related to Jiang Zhida, and didn’t ask further.

Before boarding the train, Chuxia kept reminding Cen Huai’an to take care of himself while she was away.

“Mom will be back soon. If you miss me, just look at my photo.”

When Cen Huai’an thought about his mom leaving, his eyes welled up with tears.

He reached out and hugged Chuxia tightly, burying his head in her arms and said, “Mom, take me back to Liangzhou with you.”

Before Chuxia could respond, Jiang Zhida spoke up, “That won’t do. You still need to go to school, so don’t think you can skip it with this excuse! Plus, I’m looking forward to staying at Grandpa’s house with you. Don’t you want to sleep with me?”

Without hesitation, Cen Huai’an’s muffled voice came from Chuxia’s embrace, “No.”

He only wanted to be with his mom.

Jiang Zhida clutched his chest in mock agony, “Oh no, you’re breaking my heart! My heart is aching because of you!”

Chuxia was also feeling distressed, but Jiang Zhida’s antics made her unable to hold back a laugh, which eased her sadness a little.

However, as Chuxia was about to get on the train, the emotions of parting surged uncontrollably, overwhelming her.

Chuxia looked back at Cen Huai’an’s small figure and his eyes filled with reluctance.

It felt like tiny needles were constantly poking her heart, causing waves of pain.

“Huai’an, listen to Grandpa and Cousin Zhida, okay? Be a good boy and wait for me at home!”

Hearing this, Cen Huai’an wanted to run after his mom and go back to Liangzhou with her.

But he held back, his eyes reddening, keeping his gaze fixed on Chuxia’s figure, not daring to blink for fear that she would disappear.

Just as his mom was about to vanish at the train door, Cen Huai’an couldn’t hold back and shouted, “Mom!”

Tears that had been held back for so long fell down, and he quickly wiped them away, pressing his lips tightly together to stop himself from crying.

Chuxia heard the call and turned back.

Cen Huai’an raised his hand and waved, “Mom, I will be good and wait for you to come back!”

As her mom’s figure completely disappeared at the train door, Cen Huai’an lowered his head, and a few tears fell to the ground.

Jiang Zhida frowned tightly, looking at Cen Huai’an standing there, feeling a lump in his own heart.

He would rather Cen Huai’an had cried and made a fuss, insisting on going to Liangzhou with Chuxia, than to see him endure the pain in silence, trying to be a good boy who reassures his mother.

Jiang Zhida walked over and hugged Cen Huai’an, “If you want to cry, then cry. I won’t laugh at you.”

“I’m not crying.” Cen Huai’an stubbornly denied it, but his head rested obediently on Jiang Zhida’s shoulder, and tears flowed silently from his eyes.

As the tears fell, he raised his hand to wipe them away, determined not to let anyone know he was crying.

Jiang Zhida finally understood how stubborn Cen Huai’an was and felt even more heartbroken for him.

He gently patted Cen Huai’an’s back and didn’t expose him.

Meanwhile, Chuxia, sitting in the train sleeper, felt the same sadness.

This was her first separation from Cen Huai’an, and although it wouldn’t be for long, she couldn’t help but start thinking about him as soon as she boarded.

She wondered if he was very upset, if he could adjust to the days without her, and if he would get used to staying at Jiang Grandpa’s house.

Chuxia sighed and looked out the window, seeing Jiang Zhida holding Cen Huai’an.

She didn’t speak; Cen Huai’an must be very sad right now. If she called him again, it would only make it harder for him.

Qian Ran, who had packed the luggage and noticed Chuxia’s low mood, didn’t disturb her.

He quietly took out some snacks and sat in the aisle eating.

As the train started, Cen Huai’an and Jiang Zhida’s figures slowly disappeared from view.

Chuxia withdrew her gaze and took a moment to compose herself.

She smiled apologetically at Qian Ran and asked, “Do you want me to get some water? I can bring it along.”

“I’ll go get it,” Qian Ran said.

Having eaten a bunch of sunflower seeds and peanuts, Qian Ran was thirsty.

He grabbed Chuxia’s water cup and his own, running to get water without giving Chuxia a chance to react.

Chuxia found her sleeper, put on the sheets and blankets she had brought, and noticed the other passengers watching her with surprise.

While some people are particular about cleanliness on the train, it’s rare to see someone like Chuxia put their own sheets and blankets on the sleeper.

Chuxia ignored their gazes, made the bed, and then took out her exam papers to continue studying. She wasn’t going to let the journey interrupt her studies.

When Qian Ran returned with the water, Chuxia thanked him and shared some of her snacks with him, then continued working on her papers.

Qian Ran didn’t disturb her and went back to the aisle to eat his snacks.

With Qian Ran around, the journey to Liangzhou went smoothly.

Qian Ran didn’t talk much, but Chuxia learned that he was indeed the nephew of Principal Qian.

He was on his way to visit his grandfather and had been feeling somewhat overlooked by his parents at home, who thought he was aimless.

Chuxia didn’t see any signs of aimlessness in him. Throughout the journey, he was diligent, attentive, and considerate.

Perhaps due to Jiang Zhida’s advice, Qian Ran stood guard outside the restroom while Chuxia brushed her teeth and washed her face, just in case something happened.

His demeanor was different from Jiang Zhida’s; he was a bit shy and introverted, loved to eat, and didn’t seem like someone who would rebel against adults.

However, Chuxia didn’t pry into others’ matters.

Everyone has their own troubles, and some people’s inner lives are different from their outward appearances.

Despite being introverted, Chuxia could see from the details that Qian Ran had his own principles and was not easily manipulated.