The train rocked steadily along the tracks, the rhythmic “clack-clack” echoing through the soft sleeper compartment. Chen Shuang leaned against the pillow arranged by He Yanzhi, gazing out at the winter scenery rushing past the window. Fields, villages, distant mountains—all looked serene and vast in the morning light.
“Hungry?” He Yanzhi pulled out some pancakes and pickles prepared by Aunt Zhou from their luggage. “Have a little to tide you over. We can eat proper food in the dining car at noon.”
Chen Shuang took the warm pancake and nibbled it slowly. Her appetite had been unpredictable since becoming pregnant, but today she felt fine. The pancake, made with fine flour and eggs by Aunt Zhou, was soft and fragrant, paired with homemade pickles—it whetted her appetite perfectly.
Around ten in the morning, the train stopped at a station for ten minutes. He Yanzhi got off to buy some fruit on the platform, leaving Chen Shuang to rest in the compartment. Just then, the compartment door opened.
A woman of about fifty peeked in. Seeing Chen Shuang alone, her eyes brightened. “Young lady, is anyone here?”
Chen Shuang politely replied, “Yes, auntie, someone’s here.”
The woman, however, walked right in and plopped down on the lower berth across from her, scanning her over. Her gaze lingered on Chen Shuang’s rounded belly for a moment. “Oh, pregnant? How far along?”
“Over four months,” Chen Shuang answered politely.
“Over four months and your belly’s this big?” the woman clicked her tongue. “Must be twins! When I was pregnant with my eldest, it wasn’t this big until eight months.”
Chen Shuang smiled politely, not wanting to explain. But the woman, unabashed, continued chatting. “Where are you headed? Back to your family?”
“To the capital.”
“The capital, huh? Nice place!” The woman’s eyes lit up further. “My daughter married into the capital too; I’m going to see her. Do you have relatives there?”
Chen Shuang nodded, hoping the woman would take the hint and leave. But the woman didn’t, instead leaning closer. “Where’s your husband? How come you’re alone?”
“He’ll be back soon,” Chen Shuang replied as calmly as she could.
At that moment, He Yanzhi returned carrying a bag of apples. Frowning slightly at the extra visitor in the compartment, he asked, “Excuse me, who are you?”
Seeing his military uniform and rank insignia, the woman’s attitude shifted immediately to respectful. “Comrade from the People’s Liberation Army, I’m from the neighboring car and just came to say hello. I’ll be leaving right away.”
She stood up but glanced back at Chen Shuang. “Young lady, take care of that belly—it’s big, easy to go into premature labor. When I was pregnant…”
“Thank you for the advice. We’ll be careful,” He Yanzhi interrupted politely but firmly.
Finally, the woman left, embarrassed. He Yanzhi closed the door and looked at Chen Shuang. “All good?”
Chen Shuang shook her head. “Yes, just a little annoying.”
He Yanzhi sat beside her, holding her hand. “There are all sorts of people on the road. Don’t take it to heart.”
At noon, He Yanzhi brought back lunch from the dining car: braised pork, stir-fried cabbage, rice, and a bowl of egg soup. Though the taste was average, the warmth was comforting, and Chen Shuang ate most of her rice.
In the afternoon, Chen Shuang napped. When she woke, dusk had fallen, and the village lights twinkled in the distance. He Yanzhi sat by the window reading. Seeing her awake, he handed her a glass of water. Chen Shuang drank, feeling her little ones stir inside her. She gently rubbed her belly, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. The capital, the He family—family she had never met before…
After three days and nights, the train finally arrived on schedule at the capital station.
The platform was crowded, and the cold wind bit sharply in the midwinter air. He Yanzhi wrapped Chen Shuang in a cashmere scarf and cotton jacket, carrying the luggage and carefully helping her down from the train.
Outside the station, a young man in military uniform hurried over. “Are you Commander He? I’m Li, sent by your superior to drive you.”
“Hello, Comrade Li. Thank you for your effort,” He Yanzhi nodded.
Li efficiently took the luggage and led them to a waiting military jeep.
Chen Shuang sat inside the warm vehicle, watching the night view of the capital. Wide streets, bright streetlights, and despite the evening hour, plenty of pedestrians. The buildings were grand and dignified, reflecting the capital’s imposing air.
The car drove into a quiet residential compound, guarded by sentries. Li showed his ID, and the guards saluted and let them through. Chen Shuang realized—they had arrived at the legendary military district compound.
The car stopped in front of a two-story building. Warm lights glowed from inside. Through the windows, a cozy interior could be seen.
He Yanzhi got out first and carefully helped Chen Shuang down. Just as they steadied themselves, the door opened.
A middle-aged man in a navy sweater, energetic and smiling uncontrollably, came forward. “Yanzhi! Finally here!”
“Dad.” He Yanzhi smiled and approached.
He Yanzhi’s father patted his son’s shoulder, then looked at Chen Shuang. His gaze softened instantly. “So this is Shuangshuang? You’ve had a long journey. Come inside, it’s cold out.”
Chen Shuang nervously greeted, “H…hello, Dad.”
“Yes, yes!” Her father nodded repeatedly, eyes slightly red. “Come in quickly. Your mother’s been waiting all afternoon.”
The warmth of the house hit them immediately. In the living room, a middle-aged woman in a deep red sweater with a gentle demeanor rushed over. Seeing Chen Shuang’s belly, her eyes welled up. “Shuangshuang, my dear, you must be exhausted!”
“Hello, Mom.” Chen Shuang’s voice trembled slightly. Her mother’s warmth and unreserved care made her heart ache.
“All right, sit down, sit down.” Her mother held her hand, examining her carefully. “You’ve lost weight—surely didn’t eat well on the way. I’ve been keeping chicken soup warm for you all along.”
Footsteps sounded from the stairs. A young woman in her early twenties, short-haired and wide-eyed, wearing a fashionable red coat, ran down energetically.
“Brother! You’re finally back!” She first hugged He Yanzhi, then curiously looked at Chen Shuang, eyes wide. “Wow, sister-in-law, you’re so beautiful! And your belly—really triplets?”
“Qingqing, don’t be so forward,” their mother chided gently, full of affection.
Qingqing stuck out her tongue playfully, approached Chen Shuang. “Hi, sister-in-law! I’m He Yanzhi’s sister, He Qingqing. Can I touch your belly?”
Chen Shuang laughed and nodded. Qingqing carefully placed her hand on her belly, just as the little ones moved inside.
“Ah! They moved!” Qingqing exclaimed, delighted. “Mom! Dad! The babies are greeting me!”
Everyone laughed. Her mother wiped her eyes. “Okay, Qingqing, let your sister-in-law rest first. Shuangshuang, are you hungry?”
At that moment, a fifty-something woman wearing an apron came out of the kitchen, smiling warmly. “So you’re Shuangshuang? I’m Aunt Wang. I’ve been helping the He family for years. You must be tired. I made chicken soup—have a bowl to warm up.”
“Thank you, Aunt Wang. I’m not very hungry now, had a little on the way,” Chen Shuang politely replied.
“You should still have some soup to warm up,” her mother insisted, turning to go into the kitchen with Aunt Wang.
He Yanzhi led Chen Shuang upstairs to rest. A south-facing bedroom on the second floor, bright and spacious, with fresh bedding and a few potted plants on the windowsill.
“This room gets the best sunlight. Mom set it aside for you,” He Yanzhi helped her remove her coat. “Lie down for a bit. I’ll bring you the chicken soup shortly.”
Chen Shuang was indeed tired. Though lying on the train, it wasn’t as comfortable as home. She leaned against the headboard, and He Yanzhi carefully adjusted her pillow and tucked her in.
“Your family is wonderful,” Chen Shuang said softly.
He Yanzhi held her hand. “They’re also your family.”
From downstairs came her mother-in-law’s voice. He Yanzhi went down to fetch the soup and returned with a steaming bowl. Golden in color, dotted with goji berries, fragrant.
“Aunt Wang simmered this all afternoon—it’s very nourishing,” He Yanzhi said, blowing on a spoonful before feeding it to Chen Shuang.
She sipped carefully. The soup was fresh and light, warming her from throat to stomach and spreading to her limbs.
After finishing, Chen Shuang felt drowsy. He Yanzhi tucked her in further. “Sleep now. You’ll meet the grandparents tomorrow, and the elder uncles want to see you too.”
Chen Shuang nodded, closing her eyes. Exhaustion from the day overtook her, and she quickly fell asleep.
He Yanzhi quietly left the room, closing the door behind him. Downstairs, her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and Qingqing waited in the living room.
“Shuangshuang asleep?” her mother asked.
“Yes, she had soup and is tired from the trip.”
Her mother nodded, eyes full of concern. “Carrying triplets isn’t easy, and such a long journey. Tomorrow I’ll make sure she gets proper nourishment.”
Her father sighed, “Yanzhi, Shuangshuang seems like such a sensible girl.”
Qingqing leaned over, whispering, “Brother, sister-in-law really translates foreign books? And got praised by the publisher?”
“Yes, she translated a series on agricultural techniques, over a million words. The publisher was very pleased,” He Yanzhi replied proudly.
“Wow, amazing!” Qingqing’s eyes sparkled. “I want to learn from sister-in-law too!”
Outside, the capital received its first snow of the season. Flakes drifted gently, quietly covering this warm home.
Upstairs, in her bedroom, Chen Shuang slept soundly. In her dreams, spring had arrived, the garden was in full bloom, and three plump little babies crawled across the grass, laughing joyfully.