Chapter 334 Chen Tangtang Arrives
In the Chen family of Qishi, Mother Chen woke up early to prepare food for Chen Tangtang and Chen Tonghua for their journey. It was already very cold in Qishi, so bringing more food wouldn't spoil.
Youngest brother Chen also woke up early. Without a word, he followed his sister step by step. He watched her sew the money and coupons into different clothes.
Chen's parents wouldn't let their children go without. They each gave them one hundred yuan for spending money, along with the sixty yuan subsidy for going to the countryside.
"Tangtang, when you get to the countryside, don't bother Ye Shenggge with everything. After all, you have to live your lives yourselves. However, having a familiar person there is good, so make sure to stick with your elder brother. If you can't do farm work, let your elder brother do more. Our family doesn't rely on work points for food. Dad will send each of you fifteen yuan every month, so you won't starve. Your health is most important."
Chen Tangtang's eyes instantly blurred, and she could no longer see the needle and thread in her hands. She wiped her face with her hand, smearing away her tears.
"I know, don't worry about us. I'm not stupid. If I can't do it, I won't. I have money, so I'm not afraid of anything."
Actually, Chen Tangtang was very scared. At home, she only knew how to cook and do laundry. She hadn't done any other chores, and she couldn't even distinguish between crops and weeds. However, when she thought of her elder brother and Shenggge, she felt much better. She smiled and comforted her dad, knowing that once they left, only her youngest brother would be left at home, and their parents would be even sadder.
"Dad, I'll write to you every month. With Shenggge there, what's there to be afraid of!"
"Oh, good. Luckily, it's not cold in Chuncheng in winter, so you won't suffer. If anything happens, send a telegram home. If I get a chance, I'll find a way to bring you back."
"Mm, if there's a chance, let my elder brother come back first. He's getting older and should be looking for a partner. I can wait. I can keep Shenggge company. She probably doesn't have many friends and must be looking forward to me going to keep her company."
Mother Chen fried eggs, stewed braised pork, and steamed white rice. The steamed meat buns from the day before were heated up again and wrapped layer after layer in cotton cloth. It could be said that they packed all the good things the family had for the month for the two of them.
The moment Chen Tangtang and Chen Tonghua sat on the train and looked at their parents and younger brother outside, no one could hold back their tears.
"Be careful on the road. Remember to send letters home."
"Got it. Goodbye, Mom and Dad. Take care of yourselves."
And so, Chen Tangtang was dejected for the entire day on the train, not even interested in the fragrant braised pork.
"Young master, you can get ready to gather at the Educated Youth Office. Your luggage is already at the post office, and you can pick it up there."
The man, stroking his face, tidied his clothes, picked up a rattan suitcase, and walked out of the yard in soft-soled cloth shoes. He was already wearing a washed-out thin cotton jacket.
"Bai Rong Brigade, gather around for roll call."
A Can stood next to two bicycles, with Captain Gong Aidang standing beside him. His son, Gong Mingde, was driving the ox cart.
Since Gong Suoer was sent away, Gong Aidang's family had been peaceful for a while. Even the captain's wife, Chen Fen, rarely roamed around the village. This also made Gong Aidang realize that the troublemaker in the family was his youngest daughter. Moreover, the Ye and Bai families hadn't caused any more trouble, and everyone lived in harmony. This also gradually calmed Gong Aidang's restless heart. Sometimes, he could even chat with A Can and others, and their interactions became increasingly harmonious.
"Which two people are you referring to?"
A Can had spent the most time with Ye Shenggge previously, so he had seen Chen Tangtang many times. He pointed to the person carrying large bags and small packages in the crowd.
"It's that plump one, and the tall man following her. Please ask the captain to look after them in the future. If there's anything you can't resolve, you can tell us. This chubby girl is Shenggge's classmate, so we should look after her."
Gong Aidang looked at the two people walking towards him and nodded without hesitation.
"Alright, as long as they aren't troublemakers, there shouldn't be any problems."
"That's great. Shenggge said she'll invite the captain and the village head to her home for dinner another day, with good wine and good food prepared for you."
"Hahahaha, alright, I'll be there when it's ready. I'll have to come with an empty stomach the day before."
A Can quickly stepped forward to take Chen Tangtang's luggage, completely ignoring Chen Tonghua's. Chen Tonghua, however, was being treated differently now. He had to stick to his sister's side.
"I'm A Can, do you remember me?"
Chen Tangtang was already dizzy from being jostled. Just as she felt someone snatching her luggage, before she could unleash her fury, she recognized A Can and immediately grinned like a plump bun.
"Yes, yes, I remember. I didn't expect you to recognize me."
"Let's go. Put the luggage on the ox cart. We'll ride bicycles back. The ox cart alone can't fit everyone."
Chen Tangtang immediately felt the feeling of having someone to back her up. Amidst envious and jealous gazes, she got on the bicycle ridden by her elder brother.
"Thank you, I'm truly blessed."
A Can said from the bottom of his heart, "Aren't you blessed? By relying on the eldest daughter of the Ye family, you only need to stay on the sidelines to have someone looking out for you."
"Hong Jun, Hong Jun, are you here? We're just waiting for him."
The captain looked at the list, his face contorting further. Before he looked up, he saw the black cloth shoes in front of him.
"Hello, I am Hong Jun. I just went to the restroom."
The captain really didn't want to get angry with these people. He waved and told them to put their luggage on the ox cart.
"Once your luggage is on, follow the ox cart and try to walk faster, or you won't make it back for lunch."
"What, we have to walk back? Isn't there an ox cart?"
"How long will it take to walk? Can't we squeeze onto the ox cart?"
The captain sat beside his son and said nothing more.
"If you don't want to walk, you can take your luggage and leave."
Hong Jun looked at the cloth shoes on his feet and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. He then looked at the two bicycles that had only left a blurry silhouette and walked to the ox cart first.
Chen Tangtang, sitting in the back seat, couldn't stop talking. She kept asking about things she wanted to know. She and Shenggge exchanged letters, but they couldn't communicate many things, so she was still very curious about the village where she would be living. A Can worried about Ye Shenggge's quiet life. She was practically a ticking time bomb.
Ye Shenggge only woke up past nine o'clock today. She sat in the yard waiting for Chen Tangtang's arrival.
"Shenggge, should I prepare food for your friend?"
Aunt Zhen had already started preparing lunch. With resources being tight, even though their family's conditions were better than most, she still cooked according to the ration, resolutely not wasting any food.
"No need to prepare. It's their first day here, so let's not make them too special in Zhizhi. When there's a chance later, we can let them have a good meal."
Having A Can pick them up was already special treatment. If it weren't for the fact that they had been on the train for two or three days and must have been uncomfortable, she wouldn't have wanted Chen Tangtang to be envied by others in Zhizhi on the first day.