Time flew by and soon it was the eve of Shen Jingyao’s departure for the countryside.
Over the past few days, Mother Shen had used the family sewing machine to make Shen Jingyao’s coarse work clothes, undershirts, and Neizi coat for her rural life.
In the afternoon, she also packed the luggage Shen Jingyao needed to bring to the countryside—one large bundle and a big trunk.
For now, Mother Shen had only packed her a thinner quilt, along with her original three cotton-padded jackets and some everyday clothes and shoes from home.
As for the thick quilt and heavy cotton-padded coat, they would have to wait until Mother Shen could gather more cotton to make them before mailing them over.
Shen Jingzhou and Xu Zhiyi returned to their own room.
Shen Jingzhou said, “Zhiyi, I plan to give Yao Yao fifty yuan to take with her to the countryside.”
Xu Zhiyi nodded, “That’s only right. A traveler needs more resources, and Yao Yao is a girl. She probably won’t be able to handle heavy labor in the countryside, so it’s good for her to have extra money for emergencies.”
Shen Jingzhou held her hand and said with a smile, “Our Zhiyi is such a wonderful sister-in-law.”
Xu Zhiyi glanced at him, “Do I seem like the stingy type?”
The Shen family had been very good to her, and she wasn’t the kind to be ungrateful. Like this time, when her mother-in-law made clothes for her sister-in-law, she made one for Xu Zhiyi too.
She was very happy about it. Besides, both she and Shen Jingzhou had salaries, and Mother Shen only asked them to contribute five yuan per month to the household.
The rest was saved by the young couple. Since they didn’t have children yet, giving fifty yuan was completely manageable.
Shen Jingzhou pinched her nose and laughed, “Of course not. My wife is very kind and generous.”
Xu Zhiyi pushed him away, “Oh, stop it. Hurry up and take the money to Mom.”
“Alright.”
Shen Jingzhou went out and knocked on his parents’ door.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
“Come in.”
Shen Jingzhou entered and found Mother Shen and Shen’s father counting money.
“Mom, this is fifty yuan from Zhiyi and me. Please give it to Yao Yao later.” He handed the money to Mother Shen.
Mother Shen didn’t refuse—it was good that they had such thoughtful intentions.
“Alright.”
“Then I’ll head back.”
Mother Shen placed the fifty yuan from Shen Jingzhou together with the subsidy from the Subdistrict Office for going to the countryside.
“Old Shen, let’s take out another hundred yuan for Yao Yao. With two hundred yuan, it should be enough for her to take along.”
Shen’s father thought for a moment, “Let’s take out another hundred.”
Over the years, the only major expense in their family was for their eldest son’s wedding. Now, they still had two thousand yuan in savings.
This money was set aside for their second son’s marriage and their daughter’s dowry. Plus, with his recent salary raise, they could slowly earn more.
Their only daughter was going to the countryside—no matter how much they gave, it would never feel like enough.
“Alright, I’ll follow your suggestion. Let’s also give Yao Yao some of our family’s Meat Ration Coupons and Grain Ration Coupons.”
Once in the countryside, if Yao Yao wanted to eat something nice, she would have to go to the town or county seat, so she needed to take more coupons.
“Good idea, let her take them. I’ll be getting my salary soon, and we’ll receive some coupons then too.”
“Alright.”
After discussing, Mother Shen brought three hundred yuan and the coupons to Shen Jingyao’s room.
“Yao Yao, this is money and coupons from your eldest brother and from your dad and me. Take them with you, and when you have the chance, treat yourself to something nice.”
“On the train journey, be careful with your safety. Keep the money in a place only you know about.”
“Once you’re in the countryside, don’t overwork yourself. Just get by comfortably. For food and daily necessities, your dad and I will send them to you.”
“When the opportunity arises, your dad and I will bring you back to the city.”
As she spoke, Mother Shen’s tears began to fall—she truly couldn’t bear to part.
Shen Jingyao’s eyes also welled up with tears as she hugged Mother Shen tightly.
“Mom, I’m so happy to have been your child. I’ll take good care of myself.”
Over the past few days, Shen Jingyao had deeply felt the genuine love from Shen’s father and Mother Shen.
Although she wasn’t the original owner of this body, she was Shen Jingyao now.
Having received their affection, she would treat them as her own biological parents.
“Alright, alright. You need to wake up early tomorrow, so rest soon,” Mother Shen said, wiping her tears and forcing a smile.
Shen Jingyao saw Mother Shen out of the room, closed the door, and stored the money and tickets in her Space.
In the cabinet under the original owner’s desk, she found twelve yuan of pocket money saved up from what Shen’s father and Mother Shen usually gave her.
She placed the twelve yuan in the army green bag she would carry tomorrow. As for the books on the desk, it would be hard to explain taking them now, so she’d have her family mail them to her later.
After organizing everything, Shen Jingyao went into her Space to take a bath before coming out to sleep.
She slept soundly through the night without any dreams.
The next day, Mother Shen woke up at 4:30 in the morning.
She boiled the household’s eggs and made flatbreads with the white flour.
The boiled eggs, freshly made flatbreads, and the three large steamed buns bought yesterday were all packed into the lunch box.
Then Mother Shen knocked on Shen Jingyao’s door. “Yao Yao, time to get up. We’ll be leaving soon.”
Shen Jingyao was already awake. “Okay, I’m getting up now.”
Today, Shen Jingyao wore brown pants and a beige shirt, with a pair of Warrior Shoes on her feet for ease of movement.
The whole family was present—Shen’s father, Shen Jingzhou, and Xu Zhiyi had all taken the day off work.
Everyone joined forces to see her off at the train station.
The train station was packed with people, all educated youth carrying luggage and bedrolls, heading to the countryside for re-education.
Shen’s father and the others helped Shen Jingyao onto the train, stored her luggage, then disembarked.
Shen Jingyao had a window seat, and they stood outside the window to say their goodbyes.
“Yao Yao, make sure to take good care of yourself in the countryside. If anything happens, be sure to write or call us.”
“Do you remember your father’s office phone number?”
“I remember.”
“And when making friends in the countryside, be careful, understand? Don’t pay attention to people who just want to take advantage of you, like Lin Xiaoman.”
Shen Jingyao nodded. “I know, Dad. I won’t make the same mistake twice with the same type of person.”
“Dad, you and Mom need to take care of your health at home, understand?”
She looked at Shen Jingzhou and Xu Zhiyi. “Big brother, sister-in-law, I’m counting on you to look after Mom and Dad.”
“Don’t worry, you take care of yourself too.”
Mother Shen tightly grasped Shen Jingyao’s hand, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Yao Yao, you must be well, you must.”
Shen Jingyao’s nose tingled, and her eyes reddened. “Okay, I’ll be fine. I’ll write to you often.”
The train conductor’s voice came over the intercom: “The train will depart shortly. All passengers, please take your seats.”
As the train began to move slowly, Shen Jingyao waved to them. “Mom, Dad, you should head back now.”
Mother Shen was crying uncontrollably; if Xu Zhiyi hadn’t been supporting her, she would have collapsed to the ground.
“Yao Yao, take good care of yourself.”
“I will.”
The train moved forward, and the figures of the people outside grew smaller and smaller until they vanished from sight.