"Come on, everyone look here!"

The photographer called out, snapped a picture, and took a smiling family photo.

Because it was expedited, the photos were taken in the morning and printed out in the afternoon, in duplicate.

Most of the luggage had been sent north by post, with only some clothes and valuables, including these photos, remaining with me.

In the afternoon, Feng Mingshu started working in the kitchen, steaming buns, making pancakes, making meat sauce, and boiling eggs—all food prepared for the train, using up almost all the ingredients at home.

In the evening, the last meal before parting was very simple: cornbread with cabbage stewed with potatoes and seaweed soup, but the whole family enjoyed it very much.

The next day.

Before dawn, the family got up quickly, packed their luggage, and headed to the train station.

When I arrived, it was just dawn, and the train station was already bustling with people.

After checking tickets and entering the station, Zhou Jinshan, tall and long-legged, led the way with most of the luggage, escorting them all the way to the hard sleeper carriage.

As for soft sleeper tickets, they are not available to ordinary people; only cadres at the level of division chief or above are eligible.

After putting down his luggage, Zhou Jinshan grabbed a thermos and strode to the water room to get hot water.

Yu Jingqiu held her daughter's hand and said, "Zhuzhu, Jinshan is a good man. Live a good life with him from now on."

"Mom, I know." Feng Mingshu forced a smile and nodded in agreement.

"Sister, if you have a baby, you must write to tell me," Xiaomingxue earnestly instructed her like a little adult.

Yu Jingqiu and Li Yanzhong couldn't help but laugh.

Feng Mingshu blushed at the teasing and reached out to tug at the little girl's braid: "Don't worry about your sister's affairs. Remember to study hard and send your report card to your sister every final exam." Then she looked at the little man in the family, "Mingyu is the same."

Feng Mingshu had always supervised the twins' studies, and when she heard her request, Xiao Mingxue happily agreed, but Li Mingyu's face fell.

It's not that he's bad at studying, it's just that he's impatient and a bit careless, so his test scores are always worse than his twin sister's.

The little boy was concerned about his image, so he acted a bit awkwardly.

Feng Mingshu also patted his head and bent down to instruct him, "From now on, I can't watch you study every day. You need to be more self-disciplined and serious, and get rid of your careless habits. If you ever catch up with your sister in a test, I will give you an extra gift."

The little boy's eyes lit up immediately: "Sister, I don't need a gift, just come to see me is enough."

Feng Mingshu's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. She tilted her head back, blinked, and then vigorously rubbed his little head: "Okay, I'll come see you when I have time."

Just then, Zhou Jinshan returned with hot water, and the loudspeaker began urging the people seeing him off to get off the bus.

Yu Jingqiu reached out and hugged her eldest daughter, then pushed her in front of Zhou Jinshan: "You guys get out of the car, don't delay us."

"mom--"

"Get off, the bus is about to depart," Yu Jingqiu urged with a smile, then gave Zhou Jinshan a look.

"Mom, Uncle Li, please take care of yourselves. We'll be going now." Zhou Jinshan said goodbye and put his arm around Feng Mingshu as they walked towards the car door.

The train conductor was urging them on, the whistle sounded, and another wave of people was disembarking. It was difficult for Feng Mingshu to turn back, and he quickly followed the flow of people off the train.

But then she ran to the train window and waved to her family with a smile.

The twins also ran to the window and waved back at her.

Soon, the train started moving with a clang, and the usually cheerful twins seemed to finally realize the impending separation. Their eyes reddened, and they called out loudly for their sister.

Yu Jingqiu walked to the window, hugged the two children, and told them through the glass, "Zhuzhu, remember to eat well and sleep well every day."

Feng Mingshu could no longer hold back her tears, which welled up in her eyes. She nodded and replied as she chased after the departing train, "Mom, I remember everything. Please take good care of yourself..."

She wanted to say more, but the train sped up, and the whistle and the sound of the train clattering on the tracks grew louder, drowning out her voice.

Zhou Jinshan came over and put his arm around her shoulder, stopping her from chasing after them. Through her blurry, tearful eyes, Feng Mingshu saw her mother and younger siblings waving at her, the image growing farther and smaller until it disappeared completely.

At that moment, Feng Mingshu felt as if her heart had suddenly emptied, and large tears fell down her cheeks.

It was the first time Zhou Jinshan had ever seen his little girl cry, and his heart ached. Forgetting that they were still on the bustling platform, he reached out and pulled her into his arms to comfort her: "Mingshu, you still have me."

Her clothes were quickly soaked, and the crowd on the platform gradually dispersed. Zhou Jinshan remained still, only raising his hand to gently pat her back.

Those who hadn't left the platform couldn't help but turn their heads to look, but no one pointed or whispered. After all, many people lose control of their emotions when parting, and crying and hugging are not uncommon. The main thing was that the man was handsome and tall, and although the woman's face couldn't be seen, she was a beauty just by looking at her figure.

Who wouldn't want to take a second look at something beautiful?

After crying her heart out, Feng Mingshu finally noticed the stares and quickly pulled away from the man's embrace. Seeing the large dark stain on his shirt, she apologized in a hoarse voice, "I'm sorry."

"Ming Shu, we are husband and wife, there's no need to be so polite."

Zhou Jinshan spoke casually, then took out a handkerchief to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"I'll do it myself."

Feng Mingshu took the handkerchief, and Zhou Jinshan didn't insist. He then took out a military water bottle from his pocket, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to her: "Drink some water, your voice is hoarse."

Feng Mingshu wiped her face clean. Hearing the man's words, she looked up and met his concerned gaze. Her previously empty heart seemed to have been filled a little by something.

She lowered her eyes, took the kettle, took a sip, and whispered, "Thank you."

Zhou Jinshan sighed softly, screwed on the cap, and said, "Let's go home."

Feng Mingshu nodded, then shook his head: "I'll go home, you go back to military academy."

"I'll take you home first, then we'll go to the military academy."

Zhou Jinshan's tone was resolute, and Feng Mingshu had no strength to argue with him, so she followed him out of the train station and then took a bus home.

Just as she arrived at her doorstep, Aunt Huang from next door called out to her.

“Mingshu, your mother gave me some money yesterday and asked me to help carry some things. Now that you’re back, come to my house and move them in.”

Upon hearing this, Feng Mingshu was stunned for a moment. She went to the next room and saw that her aunt had helped her bring five jin of flour, five jin of rice, a basket of vegetables, a jin of eggs, and a piece of pork belly. The tears she had held back on the platform suddenly welled up again.

"Mingshu, why are you crying?"

"Auntie, I'm fine, you must have mistaken me for someone else." Feng Mingshu quickly wiped away her tears and forced a smile.

The aunt next door didn't think much of it and asked with a smile, "Mingshu, is your mother taking your younger brother and sister to visit relatives out of town this time? When are they coming back?"

"Yes, my mom went to another city and will be staying there for a while before she comes back."

This period could be ten years, or even longer.