Chapter 25 Friend Plus One

The man excitedly introduced himself: “I’m Song Yan, a year younger than you. We played house together at the cannery when we were kids. I was your little follower.”

“Oh! I remember you, Xiao Yanzi,” Yang Mumu exclaimed, a memory flashing of a quiet, often glum boy who trailed behind her, playing her silent bodyguard in their games.  This was back when her mother was alive, and they lived in the cannery housing complex. She looked at him incredulously.  “You weren’t a shy kid? You never talked! What happened?”

“Well, I didn’t have any teeth back then, so my speech was unclear. I was afraid of being laughed at,” Song Yan explained, offering her a boiled egg. “Mumu Jie, do you have any more yeer ba? I’ll trade you.”

A clever kid, still craving her yeer ba. Mumu checked her bag. “Yes,” she said, handing him three in exchange for the egg, which she peeled and ate. “Didn’t expect you still liked yeer ba.”

“I love it! It’s so delicious!  Too bad my mom sent me to the countryside; I won’t get to eat it anymore, or any of Mom’s cooking. I might be the only one sent away for eating too much!  But it was so good! Did you make these? Where are you going?” Song Yan asked, hopeful they’d be in the same place.

“I made them. You’re not fat; you’re just strong, perfect for farm work,” Mumu said, noticing his build. “I’m going to Red Star Commune in Shandong Province.  Where are you going?”

“Great! I’m going there too!” Song Yan exclaimed, thrilled. “Hopefully, we’ll be in the same place. I’m strong; I can earn work points. We won’t starve! Mumu Jie, we can look out for each other. You protected me as a child; now I’ll protect you.”

“Okay, Xiao Yanzi, you protect me,” Mumu agreed, happy to have a familiar face on the train.

The time came to board the train. The clerk announced the distribution of train tickets.  A new wave of crying erupted.  Mumu, however, was immune and wanted to sleep. Song Yan, having found a friend, was also less sad and even helped Mumu with her luggage.

They received red flowers and boarded a truck.  Other youths, tearful, also boarded, waving goodbye to their families.  The truck left, accompanied by gongs and drums. Mumu found the send-off novel and felt a sense of honor and excitement.

The educated youth office staff organized the passengers by destination. Mumu was surprised to find that only she and Song Yan were going to Red Star Commune in Shandong Province.  They might even be assigned to the same team.

Song Yan moved closer, showing his ticket. “Mumu Jie, my seat is 2-45, opposite yours!”

“Great! We can take turns buying food and using the restroom, and one of us can watch our luggage,” Mumu said.

They arrived at the train station. After some instructions, they boarded the train. Many fellow passengers, already chatting and singing, were from towns along the route.  Those from their province were more subdued, some tearfully saying goodbye to their families.