Zhang Shufen had been struck right where it hurt. Her face alternated between pale and livid. Finally, she simply put on the authority of a mother and snapped, “Why are you so rebellious? I carried you for ten months and gave birth to you. That alone is an enormous debt you owe me! I’m your biological mother, so naturally, I have the right to decide what happens in your life!”
“Oh, I’m not listening. What are you going to do about it?”
“You… you…”
Zhang Shufen was so infuriated by Lin Xiaxia’s complete refusal to give in that her chest ached. She nearly choked on her own breath. She was furious enough to grind her teeth, yet there was absolutely nothing she could do.
The people around them watched the farce unfold, their expressions growing even more contemptuous.
Sister Wang could no longer stand by and watch. She stepped forward to steady Zhang Shufen, her tone becoming less polite.
“Comrade, everything that needed to be said has already been said. Stop making a scene here and let the girl leave for the countryside in peace.”
Zhang Shufen looked at Lin Xiaxia’s indifferent expression, then at the cold, disapproving gazes of everyone around her. At last, she realized that she would gain nothing from causing trouble today.
She glared viciously at Lin Xiaxia while muttering insults about her being an ungrateful, heartless daughter. In the end, she could only turn around and leave in humiliation.
Lin Xiaxia watched her retreating figure without the slightest ripple of emotion in her heart.
Sister Wang moved closer to Lin Xiaxia and lowered her voice.
“You’re a brave girl. With parents that biased, you really do need to stay far away from them. Otherwise, they’ll drag you down for the rest of your life.”
Lin Xiaxia nodded, a hint of relief flashing through her eyes.
“Mm. Only by getting away from them can I finally live my own life. By the way, Sister Wang, do you know anyone who works for the railway? I’m going to the Northeast, and the train ride takes three days. If I have to sit in a hard seat the whole way, I’m afraid my bones will fall apart before I even arrive. I was hoping to find someone who could help me get a sleeper ticket.”
“That’s easy!”
Sister Wang confidently patted her chest.
“Leave it to me. Just wait here.”
Hearing that there was a chance, Lin Xiaxia hurried back to her room. She took a small cloth bundle out of her storage space and came downstairs again.
“Sister Wang, I can’t let you help me for nothing. There’s a small thank-you gift in here, along with the money for the ticket. If it’s too much, give me back the difference. If it’s not enough, I’ll make up for it.”
Sister Wang squeezed the cloth bundle and felt its considerable weight. She teased with a smile, “Such a big bundle? What kind of treasure did you put in here?”
“Just some useful things.” Lin Xiaxia smiled. “If you’re helping me get a ticket, I naturally have to show some sincerity.”
“Why be so polite with me?”
Despite saying that, Sister Wang didn’t refuse. She accepted the train information and letter of introduction from Lin Xiaxia, then turned and left.
By lunchtime, Sister Wang came rushing back.
The moment she entered, she proudly slapped an envelope onto the table.
“It’s done!”
“Sister Wang, thank you so much!”
Lin Xiaxia quickly opened the envelope. The instant she saw the ticket inside, her eyes lit up.
“A soft sleeper!”
Sister Wang sat down at the table, picked up an enamel mug, and took a sip of water.
“You were so generous. That bundle had three jin of brown sugar and two jin of cured meat in it. Those things are almost worth as much as the ticket itself. It would’ve been unreasonable if I didn’t get you a good one.”
Lin Xiaxia was still surprised.
“But soft sleeper tickets are difficult to get, aren’t they? I heard that normally only cadres can apply for them.”
“Your brother-in-law knows someone who works on the railway. Something this small is still manageable.” Sister Wang laughed heartily.
Then she leaned closer.
“But if you really want to thank me, could you get me some more brown sugar? Every month during those few days, I need to drink brown sugar water to ease the discomfort. But the hospital only prescribes two liang at a time. It’s nowhere near enough.”
“Don’t worry, Sister Wang!” Lin Xiaxia agreed immediately. “From now on, leave your brown sugar supply to me!”
As she spoke, she turned around and rummaged through her luggage. Soon, she took out an oil-paper package and handed it over.
“There are three jin here, already cut into small pieces. Just dissolve one piece in hot water whenever you drink it. This brown sugar is different from the kind I gave you earlier. It has ginger, roses, and red dates added to it. It’s more nourishing.”
Sister Wang accepted the package and gave it a sniff. A sweet fragrance mixed with a faint floral scent drifted toward her, making her eyes light up.
“Oh! This is good stuff!”
“Of course. I got it through a special source,” Lin Xiaxia said with a smile.
“You’re a good sister. I’m glad we got to know each other.” Warmth filled Sister Wang’s heart. “When are you leaving? I’ll take you to the train station.”
“I’m leaving in a little while. You don’t need to take me. I can manage on my own.”
Lin Xiaxia began packing her belongings.
“Why are you still being polite with me?”
Without giving her a chance to refuse, Sister Wang picked up her bag.
“Come on. I’ll take you there.”
Warmth spread through Lin Xiaxia’s heart, and this time, she didn’t refuse.
She climbed onto Sister Wang’s bicycle, and the two hurried toward the train station.
When they reached the platform, Sister Wang repeatedly reminded her, “Once you’ve settled down over there, write me a letter. Don’t you dare forget about your sister!”
“I know, Sister Wang. You should head back now. Be careful on the road.”
Sister Wang tightened her grip on the bicycle handlebars and cautiously scanned the area around the station. Then she lowered her voice.
“You need to be careful while you’re alone on the train. On our way here, I noticed two suspicious-looking people following us. I’m guessing your biological mother made such a scene at the guesthouse that word got around that you’re carrying money. Things aren’t exactly peaceful these days, so don’t let your guard down.”
In truth, Lin Xiaxia had already noticed even without Sister Wang warning her.
Ever since Zhang Shufen had stormed out of the guesthouse, Lin Xiaxia had noticed someone lingering outside her room.
And when she and Sister Wang had been heading toward the station earlier, a man wearing a short gray jacket had followed them from a distance. His eyes kept drifting toward the cloth bundle in Lin Xiaxia’s hand.
“Sister Wang, I understand. Don’t worry. I know what to do.”
Lin Xiaxia smiled and nodded.
Sister Wang gave her a few more reminders before reluctantly climbing back onto her bicycle and leaving.
Lin Xiaxia waved goodbye, then turned around and carried her luggage into the train station.
The station was bustling with noise and activity.
Everywhere she looked, there were educated youths carrying luggage and wearing red flowers pinned to their clothes, along with family members who had come to see them off. Cries, farewells, and repeated words of advice blended together, creating an atmosphere that was both lively and tinged with sadness.
A long table had been set up in one corner. Several people dressed in cadre uniforms sat behind it registering passengers, and a short line had already formed in front of them.
Lin Xiaxia joined the line.
As she listened to the people ahead of her report their names, hometowns, and assigned destinations in the countryside, she silently planned the next stage of her journey.
When it was finally her turn, she stepped forward and handed over her letter of introduction.
“Comrade, my name is Lin Xiaxia. I’m assigned to Gaojiatun in Hei Province, Northeast China.”
The cadre checked the information on her letter of introduction, found her name on the registration list, and placed a checkmark beside it. Then he handed her a red commemorative badge.
“Keep this safe. Go to the platform and report to Comrade Li. The train leaves promptly at one o’clock, so don’t be late.”
“Thank you, Comrade.”
Lin Xiaxia accepted the badge and pinned it to her chest. Adjusting the cloth bundle in her hand, she followed the crowd toward the platform.
A green passenger train was already waiting there.
A slogan had been painted across its side in large red characters:
“Educated Youth, Go to the Mountains and Countryside—There Is Much to Accomplish in the Vast World!”
Many educated youths were already struggling aboard with their luggage.
After meeting with the staff member responsible for receiving the departing youths, Lin Xiaxia found an opening in the crowd. Using her soft sleeper ticket, she entered through the passage reserved for railway staff and successfully found her compartment.
For the moment, the soft sleeper compartment was empty.
She placed her cloth bundle on the luggage rack, pulled open the curtain, and looked out the window.
Sunlight streamed through the glass, bathing her in a gentle, comforting warmth.