Everyone said he would be fine, but the more they comforted him, the more uncertain Jiang Xuan felt.

Ma Xiaolan said that soup noodles tend to clump together, so she mixed some cold noodles for her and put them in the cupboard so that she would remember to eat them.

But Jiang Xuan had no appetite.

She boiled water for Diandian and Fanxing to take baths, and then settled them down to sleep.

Because Yang Shuying and her son are here tonight, Diandian and Fanxing will be sleeping in the same room.

Not daring to let herself be idle, she went to the pool to wash clothes.

Yang Shuying and Jiang Qiaoyun didn't return until after eight o'clock.

"Oh, Jiang Xuan, you're still doing laundry so late? Do it tomorrow."

"It'll be dry by tomorrow if I wash it tonight."

After saying this, Jiang Xuan was stunned. She remembered that Lu Shengye had given her the same answer last time.

“We just took a walk around the yard. It’s really nice here. There’s even a bathhouse. Qiaoyun and I just took a bath there.”

Jiang Xuan looked at the two of them. They hadn't changed their clothes. So, they put their dirty clothes back on after taking a shower?

She had no interest in asking too many questions, so she said, "I've vacated Fanxing's room. You should go to sleep early. A comrade will take you to school early tomorrow morning."

"Okay, by the way, Jiang Xuan, you haven't eaten yet, have you? Tomato and egg noodles are hard to keep, so I made you some cold noodles before I left."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuan said irritably, "Where did Auntie put the cold noodles she mixed? I only saw the portion that Sister Lan mixed."

Yang Shuying didn't expect Jiang Xuan to say that. She was angry, but she couldn't show it.

While cooking dinner, she found out that Ma Xiaolan was going to work the night shift. She thought Ma Xiaolan wouldn't tell Jiang Xuan about the noodles.

Who knew she actually found out?

"Oh dear, look at my memory, I really can't do anything now. I was about to mix it, but Ma Xiaolan said she had an extra portion and told me not to mix it, as it would be a waste to mix too much."

Fearing that Jiang Xuan might say something else, Yang Shuying quickly said, "Then we'll go to sleep first. By the way, you don't need to see us off tomorrow. Just let that soldier take us. Our things are still in his car."

Jiang Xuan certainly knew why Yang Shuying was stopping her.

It's highly likely that they were afraid she would suddenly change her mind and cause a scene once she entered Ningzhou University.

Jiang Xuan was right.

As soon as the lights were turned off, Yang Shuying whispered to Jiang Qiaoyun, "Go to sleep quickly. Get up early tomorrow and leave early. Don't let Jiang Xuan follow you."

"Don't worry, Mom. Look, she's still washing clothes in the middle of the night. How could she possibly get up?"

"That's why Mom often tells you that when choosing a husband, you shouldn't look at his appearance, whether he's tall or good-looking. Those are all superficial and don't matter. The important thing is whether he can earn money and take care of his family."

"I understand, Mom."

"Mom will say it again: your brother Hailong is a good person, and your aunt is also a very honest person. Once your uncle transfers your brother Hailong's job to Ningzhou, you can just wait to enjoy a life of luxury."

*

The moonlight was as clear as water.

Jiang Xuan sat by the window, resting her chin on her hand, unable to sleep.

The moon is like a hook.

Jiang Xuan suddenly recalled a line of poetry: "The bright moon rises over the sea, and we share this moment though we are far apart."

Lu Shengye, are you also looking at this crescent moon?

On the sewing machine sat a blue origami crane that Fanxing had given her.

Jiang Xuan suddenly stood up. "That's right, isn't it true that you can make a wish come true if you fold a thousand origami cranes?"

She wasn't a superstitious person, but at that moment she really wanted to give it a try.

Without hesitation, she slipped quietly into Dot and Star's room and found a stack of colorful square pieces of paper on their bookshelf.

This is something Lu Shengye specially sold to his two children for making handicrafts.

With a limited supply of paper, Jiang Xuan folded each sheet in half twice and cut it into four equal parts.

She began folding origami cranes quickly, praying silently after each one she finished.

It lasted until 5:30 in the morning.

The table was piled high with tiny origami cranes, probably three or four hundred.

She wasn't planning to sell pancakes these past two days, but Guo Caiyun had already placed an order yesterday. She also went to the state-run store and bought some fresh vegetables.

She had just finished making the pancakes when the doorbell rang; Ma Xiaolan had returned.

She went straight into the kitchen.

"Hey, Sister Lan, why are you up so early today?"

"I took a day off." Ma Xiaolan looked at her swollen eyelids. "You didn't sleep last night, did you?"

"I can't sleep."

Ma Xiaolan said softly, "Today is the first day of the lunar month. I'll take you to Baitashan to burn incense. The incense there is very effective."

Jiang Xuan was deeply moved.

"Thank you, Sister Lan. You just got off your night shift. Go and get some sleep. We'll go after you've had a good night's rest."

"I'm not sleepy. I slacked off at the factory last night and took a nap. We should go burn incense early. Hurry up and get ready so we can go."

"Okay, but it's still so early. I don't know if Sister Yun is up yet. I have to deliver the pancakes to her."

"Sister Yun? Guo Caiyun?"

"Yes, yes, it's that young lady who lives in courtyard number 5. She bought my pancake yesterday and said she'd save one for her every day from now on."

“That’s her. She also works at the garment factory. She’s on leave these past few days. It’s okay, I’ll take it over for you later. You settle Dian Dian, Fan Xing, and your aunt and cousin here, and then we’ll set off.”

"good."

Jiang Xuan thought she would go to the family compound again later and ask her younger sister to help drop off Diandian and Fanxing.

At this moment, Yang Shuying and Jiang Qiaoyun also got up.

"Jiang Xuan, where's your comb? I need to comb my hair."

"It's on my bedside table. Go get it."

"Has the soldier arrived yet?"

"He'll be here soon, around seven."

Jiang Xuan took an aluminum lunchbox to the entrance of the courtyard and bought two steamed buns and two bowls of porridge.

She wasn't in the mood to make pancakes for Yang Shuying and her son, and frankly, she didn't want to.

The little sister will help solve the breakfast problem for Dian Dian and Fan Xing.

The old woman felt very pleased to see that Jiang Xuan hadn't sold any pancakes today, but instead came to buy her steamed buns. She knew that her pancakes weren't selling.

“In our area, if the goods are too expensive, they won’t sell. We need to sell more affordable items.”

Jiang Xuan didn't bother to reply and left with her things.

Looking at the steamed buns and porridge, Yang Shuying muttered to herself: How come the breakfasts of city people are simpler than those in the countryside? At least in the countryside, they have some pickled vegetables.

However, considering that Jiang Xuan said last night that he was short of money, he probably really is out of money.

"Jiang Xuan, after Qiaoyun reports for duty, I'd like to stay in Ningzhou for a few more days. Could you arrange for that soldier to pick me up this afternoon?"

Jiang Xuan was feeling really annoyed.

If Lu Shengye were to return safely at this moment, she would be in the mood to give Yang Shuying a good talking-to.

“Auntie, the soldiers have their own duties. It was Shengye who arranged for them to pick you up and drop you off. I have no right to tell them what to do. If you really want to stay, you’d better take the bus yourself.”

Yang Shuying's expression was not good.

Jiang Qiaoyun secretly nudged her arm, "Mom, I guess you won't start classes right after registering today. Let me show you around first."

"That's okay too."

Just after seven o'clock, the soldier appeared at the door right on time.