CHAPTER 354: 339 FOLLOWED THE ARMY AGAIN

"Lu Chi, listen to me. Let me explain. I really didn’t know Ji Yao’er is your sister-in-law. I just wanted to teach Zhao Chun a lesson." Jia Wenxiu called out to the man who was about to leave, the composure she usually wore finally giving way to a trace of panic.

Now, the Zhao Family wouldn’t let her off, and she couldn’t return to the Jiang Family in Beijing. Other than clinging to the Lu Family, where else could she go?

Lu Chi turned back with a sinister gaze: "I always thought you were smart, one of my own. But this time, you’ve caused a big mess for me. You nearly got me killed!"

He chuckled lightly, "Wenxiu, what value do you still hold? What cards do you have left to play?"

She hadn’t succeeded in accusing the Jiang Family, and now she turned to target Ji Yao’er—yet she didn’t even realize Ji Yao’er was on the same side as him. Her efforts weren’t entirely in vain though; if she hadn’t acted before Ji Yao’er’s belly started showing, things would’ve been much worse.

"I have nowhere else to go." Hearing this, Jia Wenxiu panicked; it was clear Lu Chi intended to abandon her. "Give me another chance, please. I haven’t gotten my revenge yet—I’m not ready to give up."

"Then I’ll point you in a new direction." Lu Chi clasped his hands behind his back, his gentle eyes narrowing slightly. "You can go back to Beijing. Show me your worth."

Jia Wenxiu instantly understood his implication. "But my grandfather fell ill from anger because of me, my parents have given up hope on me, and as for my brother—he despises me to the core."

Lu Chi spoke ambiguously, "Your grandfather didn’t fall ill because of you; he’s old and probably doesn’t have many days left anyhow. Your parents raised you for so many years; they won’t be completely devoid of feelings for you. As for your brother... you probably don’t know this—he’s already married. He couldn’t care less about you. You might want to go meet your sister-in-law and nephew."

Jia Wenxiu gasped in shock, "What? That’s impossible! My brother, he..."

"It’s funny you’ve been in the East Sea for so long yet haven’t thought to inquire about him. As for your sister-in-law, you probably know her—she’s Tian Sangsang."

Jia Wenxiu let out a hollow laugh, her expression slowly settling into an eerie calm. "I’ll definitely return to the Jiang Family. Just you wait." The incident on that train was something she would never forget. Her pride, her dignity—everything had been buried on that train!

Sister-in-law.

Tian Sangsang.

**

At the beginning of February, she received a reply from Jiang Jinghuai. The letter stated that she was permitted to join him in the military, but he advised her to wear twice as many clothes as usual. If she was afraid of the cold, she should reconsider going.

Through Jiang Jinghuai’s handwriting, Tian Sangsang could almost feel the paper radiating cold. It was as if she could see the vast expanse of the Northern Country covered in snow and ice for thousands of miles—barren within and without the Great Wall, tumultuous rivers frozen into stillness.

Having spent so much time in the South, she found herself missing the North again. She was someone who’d lived in both places and wasn’t afraid.

Thankfully, having her personal storage space made it easier to bring things. She already had plenty of food stored, so she didn’t need to prepare much more. Clothes, especially winter gear, were what she needed to focus on. As for everything else, there wasn’t much to worry about.

She tidied up her home, knowing she would return someday.

She packed medication to prevent colds and motion sickness, along with a small medical kit—just in case.

She left the shop under Guan Kunling’s care. Joining the army this time, she wasn’t sure when she’d be back in the South. Before leaving, she handed over recipes to Kunling and taught her how to make their products. Kunling was sharp-witted and quick to learn, which reassured Tian Sangsang.

Guan Kunling had grown increasingly considerate, no longer as cold and detached as when she first arrived: "I’ll wait for your return. Send my regards to Brother Jiang."

"Mm. I’ll miss you." Tian Sangsang’s eyes grew moist. After spending so much time together, she had come to truly see Kunling as a friend. "If that Lu Chi comes looking for you again, be very careful. I always felt he was... complicated." And cunning. In terms of martial arts, Kunling would undoubtedly triumph, but when it came to scheming, she might not be his match.

Guan Kunling’s cool gaze softened slightly. "Don’t worry. I can handle him."

After purchasing her train tickets, she realized it wasn’t a direct route. Because the East Sea was too far from X Province, she had to first take a train to the central S Province and then buy another ticket from there to X Province. She calculated that the journey would take three days.

It was difficult to get sleeper tickets during this time. Fortunately, Political Commissioner Lin helped Tian Sangsang obtain one. As for the shorter trip from S Province, a regular seat would suffice.

That morning, after breakfast, Tian Sangsang took Meng Shuyan out the door. The East Sea was also very cold, though always above freezing. Sangsang wore thermal underwear, a sweater, and an overcoat. Her pants were lined with fleece, and she wore cotton boots. Meng Shuyan wasn’t dressed too heavily either. Once they arrived, she would add a hat, a thick scarf, and a heavy coat—all of which she had prepared and packed at the top of her suitcase.

"Sangsang, take care of yourself out there." You Huixixi saw her off downstairs, reluctant to let her go. "X Province is so cold. Do you really have to go? The conditions there are terrible." The tickets were already purchased, so there was no turning back. Even so, she couldn’t help expressing her concern. That place was far too harsh.

"Don’t worry about me, Sister Huihui. I’m not someone who can’t endure hardship. Besides, Jinghuai will take care of us."

You Huixixi faltered for a moment. You don’t look like someone used to hardship—you look so delicate. Also, are you going to take care of someone, or to be taken care of?

She silently felt pity for Jiang Jinghuai, forgetting that there was a time when Tian Sangsang had been a strong, broad-shouldered woman.

Meng Shuyan temporarily stopped attending kindergarten and waved his little hand to say goodbye to Nini.

Dragging her luggage, she arrived at the train station. Their ticket was for 8:50 in the morning. The train arrived quickly, and they found their car. Fortunately, they had a bottom bunk by the window. Once onboard, it was incredibly quiet—so quiet it made her contemplate life.

Ever since she transmigrated, she had been constantly on the move—from the village to the town, from the town to the city, and now from the city to X Province. At least she had family and friends. But friends couldn’t always stay by your side or form a family with you. So in the end, all she had was her son. Fortunately, she now had a husband she could rely on.

She dared not think about how she and her son had survived before—all alone, just the two of them. It had been unbearably lonely.

The train sped northward, and on the third morning, they switched trains. As the distance closed, Tian Sangsang grew more and more excited.

Meng Shuyan was evidently even more thrilled. Raising his little head, he asked excitedly, "Mom, will we arrive tomorrow? No more train switches?"

"That’s right." Tian Sangsang tapped his forehead lightly. "Tomorrow, you’ll see your father."

Meng Shuyan was overjoyed, throwing himself into her arms and nuzzling her. "I miss Daddy."

As the train moved farther north, the cold intensified, and the snow outside grew thicker, transforming the world into a pure white wonderland. Meng Shuyan, having never seen snow before, was glued to the window, marveling in awe.

A woman sitting across from them found the child utterly adorable and asked Tian Sangsang, "You’re from the South, aren’t you? Seeing snow like you’ve found a treasure."

"Yes," Tian Sangsang replied with a smile. "It’s his first time seeing snow. He’s very excited. We’re heading to X Province. Big Sister, where are you headed?"

The woman answered with a destination and then warmly advised, "The place you’re going is extremely cold right now. What you’re wearing won’t be enough—you’ll need to put on another cotton jacket and probably a hat."

"I know." Tian Sangsang smiled. "I’ve prepared everything." Meeting a kind-hearted woman like this on the train brought her comfort. A few simple words of kindness were far better than the deliberate looks and words of judgment that some people offered.

She felt grateful that no strange or unpleasant incidents had occurred on this train journey.