CHAPTER 129: DEPARTURE 129

Yuanyuan wanted to say, "You get excited and grab?" But this is the train station. There are too many people, and there’s no need to hold on to the issue. So she sat down and continued reading, ignoring her.

"Comrade, could you let me have a look after you’re done?" Liang Lihua asked persistently.

Yuanyuan didn’t even lift her head, "Sure, but please return it to me immediately after you’re done."

Actually, Yuanyuan only had one more page to read. It would be awkward not to lend it.

Tan Shaoting had been observing and felt relieved when he noticed this little girl didn’t suffer any loss. He continued reading the newspaper.

Liang Lihua stood by the side waiting, she was very eager to know the border situation because her future husband was over there.

After Yuanyuan finished, she handed it over, letting her continue reading.

Tan Shaoting handed her another issue, as it was just a way to pass the time.

Yuanyuan shook her head, "The light is too dim, it’s straining my eyes. I’ll take a break," and continued munching on sunflower seeds, also offering some to Tan Shaoting. It’s better to share joy than to enjoy it alone.

The train station became much less crowded at night, reducing the hustle. Yuanyuan noticed the female comrade standing in front of her, reading the newspaper she had lent.

She glanced at it earlier and didn’t find any news worth getting so excited about, so she lost interest.

Tan Shaoting didn’t eat the sunflower seeds, instead, he shelled them and handed the kernels to Yuanyuan.

"You eat them yourself, I’m just killing time."

Tan Shaoting smiled and shook his head, "I don’t like these. You eat. Should I buy you some peanuts?"

Yuanyuan nodded, "That works, we still have several hours."

At this time, the girl returned the newspaper to Yuanyuan, "Thank you, little student."

Yuanyuan nodded and didn’t say much. After the girl left, she checked out the report the girl was reading, which turned out to be news about the war.

Probably because she has relatives or friends over there, there’s no choice — someone has to defend the country. Actually, Yuanyuan also shared that passion.

However, she knew she couldn’t do anything about it now. Besides, if history repeats itself, then the war would surely be won.

Tan Shaoting came back with peanuts, "If you like them, we can plant some peanuts in the future."

"I remember peanuts are grown in sandy soil, but the black soil on our farm wouldn’t work, the yield would likely be very low."

"Didn’t you notice? Near the soybeans, there are a few acres of uncultivated sandy land."

"I really hadn’t noticed, you’ve been the one working there.

If possible, we can plant peanuts, but I also know that sweet potatoes taste better when grown in sandy soil.

Sweet potatoes aren’t picky about soil. If it’s not a drought next year, we can plant peanuts."

Tan Shaoting had no objections, his farming knowledge was limited, having had poor health in his previous life, he would fall ill with slight temperature changes. Surviving into his thirties had been quite difficult.

Tan Shaoting shelled peanuts and sunflower seeds for Yuanyuan to eat. Unknowingly, Yuanyuan ate a bit too much.

"I can’t eat anymore. I’ve eaten too much today."

"This water temperature is just right, have a few sips."

Yuanyuan had never been taken care of like this before, finding Tan Shaoting’s attentiveness quite comforting.

"It’ll be a three-day three-night train journey, and we don’t have sleeper tickets. Once on board, I’ll try to exchange some food for sleeper tickets."

Yuanyuan didn’t like having too many people around, and sitting for three days and nights was very uncomfortable.

"I asked, and there’s no sleeper ticket. The ticket seller also suggested asking the conductor after boarding."

"It would be great to not have to suffer."

The two whispered, as the waiting hall was quieter now with fewer people, most of whom were asleep.

"Should I keep watch while you sleep for a bit?"

Yuanyuan shook her head, "I slept during the day, you should sleep."

Waiting for the train was the most boring, but there was no choice with only one train available, patience was necessary.

"I’m not sleepy either."

With neither feeling like sleeping, they chatted quietly.

Finally, it was time to board the train, the two traveled light, each carrying a crossbody bag, with Tan Shaoting holding a bundle containing lunch boxes and a thermos.

There weren’t many people boarding, making it easy for them to get on without being jostled.

There were still quite a few seats on the train, "Do you want to sit or should I go ask about the sleeper tickets?"

Since Tan Shaoting was offering, Yuanyuan readily agreed and sat down to wait.

Tan Shaoting found a middle-aged female conductor.

"Conductor, excuse me, I wanted to ask if there are any sleeper tickets available?"

"Where are you headed?"

"To the terminal."

"There are, did you just get on?"

"Yes," Tan Shaoting replied with a smile.

"Then it will cost you an additional two yuan and eighty cents."

"Alright, there’s also a girl with me, two of us together. Where should I pay for the upgrade?"

The female conductor pulled out some tickets from her bag and tore off a few with a flourish.

Tan Shaoting handed over five yuan and sixty cents.

"Just head this way, it’s in coach number nine."

"Thank you, conductor, I’ll go fetch my companion, and then we’ll head over."

Yuanyuan saw Tan Shaoting returning, and from their time spent together, she could tell he had succeeded.

"It’s all settled, cabin nine, let’s go."

"Alright, it worked out. You did well."

"Seeing there aren’t many people on the train, there should be sleeper tickets available."

The two made their way to cabin nine, opened the door, and found it empty, which made Yuanyuan even more satisfied.

"This is much better."

"Why do you so dislike interacting with strangers?"

"I was born on the eighth of December, from a young age everyone shunned me. So I developed this habit."

"Is there really such a superstition?"

"Yes, it’s said that girls born on the eighth, especially on the ’La Ba’ day, are particularly unwelcome. Otherwise, Su Daqiang and his wife wouldn’t have left me behind, fearing I’d bring them misfortune."

"Not bringing you along turned out good. Otherwise you wouldn’t have had the chance to break away from them."

"Exactly, I wasn’t aware, but the villagers told me since birth I hadn’t had any milk, surviving really wasn’t easy."

Yuanyuan took out a mattress from her space and spread it out. They both settled on the lower bunk. It’s unlikely anyone else would come, and even if they did, first come, first served, right?

Tan Shaoting followed suit, they both got ready and lay down. This environment wasn’t suitable for Cultivation. Besides, with so many people watching, it wouldn’t be easy to explain.

It was already the middle of the night, so they tucked themselves in and went to sleep without further conversation.

Concerning Su Daqiang and his family of three, they’re having a tough time now. This year saw a severe drought; the grain they bought at the end of last year from the village, only a few hundred pounds, is barely enough to last until the autumn harvest.