CHAPTER 103: 103 FIRST ENCOUNTER

Su Liangliang angrily went into the house. He was still full of hope that he could ask for some noodles. But now there’s nothing left. Just corn grits porridge, day in and day out. It’s not even as good as Jiangbei.

He’s young, so there’s not much work for him. Although Jiangbei is cold, it didn’t really feel unbearable.

Su Daqiang felt that everything at home was going wrong. The thought that Tian Xiaohua was a jinx and a bringer of bad luck crept up in his mind again.

During dinner, "Dad, the Zhuzi family is slaughtering a pig tomorrow. Should we buy some meat?"

Su Daqiang nodded, "Yes, buy some meat from the Zhuzi family, and get some white flour and a few cabbages."

This made Su Liangliang happy. "Dad, life here isn’t even as good as in Jiangbei."

Hearing this, Su Daqiang was practically fuming. He was worried that he might lose his life there in the future, yet his son only thought about himself, never caring about him.

Su Daqiang secretly decided that he would save money for himself, as he couldn’t rely on his son at all.

The Su Family was always particularly tense every day. The feelings between the couple were also deteriorating, and Su Daqiang felt nothing was going right when he looked at his wife and son.

So even on the first day of the New Year, he made them go to work.

Su Yuanyuan didn’t realize how effective the hint she gave Su Daqiang was. Now, she felt such days were hard to come by.

By the fifth day, Liang Daqiang came to find Su Daqiang. "Big brother, I’m going back to Jiangbei tomorrow. I don’t have the luck you do, where my daughter can go in my place."

Su Daqiang didn’t know what to say. Although they were both in Jiangbei, they were not in the same city. To really meet, it would take at least two days by train and another day on foot.

"Daqiang, is there really no way for you to stay? I’m afraid of dying out there." Su Daqiang spoke with a heavy tone.

"No way. If someone really goes in my place, they’ll be cursed for a lifetime."

Su Daqiang was silent. People are selfish by nature, and since he didn’t want to go, he wouldn’t worry about so many things.

After sending off Liang Daqiang, Su Daqiang felt much relieved. He wouldn’t have to suffer there anymore.

On the train, Su Yuanyuan was at ease until the tenth day. This winter, there was no snow, and all along the way, there hadn’t been any snow. Moreover, it was only from the eighth day that people started getting on the train gradually.

On the tenth day, a person entered the carriage where Su Yuanyuan was staying. He came in like a bear.

Su Yuanyuan, laying on the lower bunk, saw the "bear" stripping off his clothes one by one.

Turned out he was a young fellow. Su Yuanyuan found it quite amusing—that person must be very afraid of the cold.

Tan Shaoting tidied himself up and felt that the little girl in the carriage was watching him.

He turned around and saw the little girl diverting her gaze, not looking at him anymore.

He folded his coat neatly and placed it on the upper bunk, carefully arranging all his belongings before sitting on the bed.

Su Yuanyuan held a newspaper but was still aware of his every move. Gosh, this was serious obsessive-compulsive disorder, right? Actually, people like this usually have psychological issues.

Tan Shaoting lay on the bed and also took out a book. Although there was one more person in the carriage, apart from the faint sound of breathing, it was still quite quiet.

When it came time for lunch, Su Yuanyuan got up with her lunchbox and teapot. She wondered if it would be inappropriate to lock the door, but if this person also went out to eat, there would be no one in the carriage.

Tan Shaoting also sat up, "Little girl, should we take turns going out to eat?"

Su Yuanyuan nodded, "Then I’ll go get the food."

Today’s meal is steamed cornbread, cabbage, and frozen tofu.

Su Yuanyuan returned with her lunchbox and then went to get a kettle of hot water.

"I’m done, you can go now."

Tan Shaoting nodded, stood up, found his lunchbox, and went out.

Su Yuanyuan took out two pieces of braised pork from her space. She really didn’t want to skimp on food.

After eating her fill, she slowly drank hot water, waiting for the person to return before she went to wash the lunchbox.

When Tan Shaoting returned, Su Yuanyuan stood up and went out.

He sat in the room, smelling the aroma of meat, and raised an eyebrow. Today, there was definitely no braised pork on the train’s menu.

When Su Yuanyuan came back, "Little girl, my name is Tan Shaoting, I’m fourteen this year, and I’m going to the Second Farm in Lishan City, Jiangbei."

Su Yuanyuan nodded. Turned out I ran into a lively person.

"My name is Su Yuanyuan, I’m also going to the Second Farm."

"We can go together."

Su Yuanyuan shook her head with a smile, "I have some things to do after getting off the train."

She had to find a way to bring her sheep and some supplies aboveboard. How could she travel together with someone else?

"Are you going to handle some business in Lishan City? Me too, I’ll be in Lishan City for two days. Can you finish your business in two days?

We can accompany each other along the way."

Su Yuanyuan thought for a moment, "Sorry, but I can finish my business in a day."

Tan Shaoting found it amusing. This girl was quite capable. She just didn’t want to travel with him, right?

"That’s really a pity. Have you been to the Second Farm before? From Lishan City to the farm, if you walk, it takes a full day and night.

I have a donkey cart stored in the city, and I was thinking of giving you a ride.

By the way, I’ve been at the farm for over a year and haven’t seen you before. Are you new?"

Su Yuanyuan thought for a moment, "Thank you, I’ll wait for you for a day.

And yes, I’m there as a substitute, so you could say I’m new."

"Are you so young, but you’re going to support the construction?"

Su Yuanyuan nodded, "Yes, I’m here to support the construction."

Your age isn’t that big either, but Su Yuanyuan wouldn’t say that out loud.

Next, the two lay down and chatted idly.

Tan Shaoting realized that the little girl was particularly aloof. He started all the conversations, and she would only reply with a sentence or two. Is it that she can’t chat? Is she shy? Or does she really not want to talk?

"Little girl, farm work is very tough, you should be mentally prepared."

Su Yuanyuan thought this kid was quite enthusiastic. Since they were headed to the same place, they might bump into each other often in the future. She decided she could make a friend.

"I assume it’s going to be very tiring. I come from a rural area myself, so I’m used to working in the fields."

"I really couldn’t tell you did farm work."

Su Yuanyuan chuckled, "Can you really tell that by looking?"

"Of course you can. You’ll understand once you get to the farm."

"Actually, you can only plant one crop here, right? Doesn’t that mean you’ll have a long time just to hang out?"

"Yeah, only one crop a year, but staying in the winter isn’t comfortable. It’s too cold."

Su Yuanyuan thought this person, with his thick northern accent, how could he be so afraid of the cold?

"Also, it’s very large here, and everyone is responsible for a large area. Many people at the farm can’t complete their tasks."