This winter break, Zhan Chunlan and Wang Wenchuan finally returned to Haicheng.

Before I could even process what was happening, a furry figure pounced on me like an arrow released from a bow.

"Zhan Xiaoman!"

She gasped as the enthusiastic dog pounced on her and knocked her to the ground. Zhan Xiaoman trembled with excitement, its wet nose darting incessantly around her face, its tail wagging like a propeller, sending fallen leaves swirling in the air.

"Alright, alright, Mom's back." Zhan Chunlan smiled and hugged the furry child, letting it "wash her face" with its tongue. At that moment, all the sorrow of parting was washed away by this most simple and heartfelt welcome.

Wang Wenfeng stood to the side, watching this scene with a gentle smile in his eyes: "It waits for you at the door every day, without fail."

Zhan Chunlan sat up and carefully examined Zhan Xiaoman. In the six months since she last saw it, it seemed even stronger, its fur glossy, indicating it had been well cared for.

After calming Zhan Xiaoman down, she finally had time to look at the person who had been standing beside her, who seemed more mature: "You... seem to have lost a lot of weight."

Wang Wenfeng looked at her with a smile and naturally picked up the luggage on the ground: "In order to catch up with our Comrade Zhan, I have to work harder." He stepped aside to let her go in first, his movements so familiar that it was as if they had never been apart.

The house was filled with the aroma of food. Ms. Fang Li, wearing an apron, peeked out from the kitchen: "Ever since you wrote back, he's been counting down the days until you arrive. Today he specially went to buy ribs so I could make your favorite sweet and sour ribs." She glanced outside again, "Didn't Fourth Brother say he'd be arriving with you? Why hasn't he come in yet?"

Zhan Chunlan felt a little awkward. The two had parted ways right after getting off the train: "He went home and didn't know you were called here today."

She glanced at Wang Wenfeng with a hint of reproach, saying, "Why didn't you tell me beforehand? What are we going to do now?"

Wang Wenfeng said matter-of-factly, "When I received the letter, you were all about to leave. Besides, who told him not to send you back? You deserved it!"

"Tsk!" Zhan Chunlan gently nudged him, gesturing for him to leave: "Then hurry up and call him over."

Ms. Fang Li, holding a spatula, glanced between the two men, then waved to Wang Wenfeng, "Go and fetch your brother. Tell him I made his favorite braised prawns."

After pushing Wang Wenfeng out the door, Zhan Chunlan rolled up her sleeves and went into the kitchen: "Mom, let me help you."

“No need, no need,” Ms. Fang Li quickly waved her hand. “You’ve had a long train journey, you should go and rest.”

But Zhan Chunlan had already skillfully tied on another apron and started washing the vegetables: "I've been sitting in the car the whole way, and now I want to get some exercise. My cooking skills may not be as good as yours, but I can still help out."

An enticing aroma wafted from the kitchen. Zhan Xiaoman obediently lay by the doorway, her eyes fixed longingly on the stove. Fang Li, while stirring the sweet and sour pork ribs in the pan, chatted with Zhan Chunlan: "Wenfeng, ever since you went to Beijing, he's been spending all his time at the hospital. Hearing you were coming back, he arranged his shifts with the department a week in advance."

Zhan Chunlan paused slightly as she chopped the vegetables, a sweet feeling welling up inside her.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. Wang Wenchuan sniffed as he entered: "It smells so good! I could smell it from outside the door. It really is Mom's cooking."

"You have such a keen sense of smell," Ms. Fang Li said with a smile, playfully scolding, "Go wash your hands, dinner is ready soon."

The table was laden with a sumptuous feast: glistening, reddish-brown sweet and sour pork ribs, tempting braised prawns, fragrant steamed fish, and several seasonal stir-fries. The four of them sat around the table, and Zhan Xiaoman, who had also been given a bowl of specially made meat-mixed rice, wagged her tail happily.

"Come on, Chunlan, try these ribs," Ms. Fang Li said warmly, placing some food on her plate. "You look much thinner than you did in the summer. Were you so busy studying in Beijing that you didn't eat properly?"

Wang Wenchuan interjected, "Mom, you don't know, my third sister-in-law is really amazing at school. Her group even won an award for their research report!"

"Really?" Wang Wenfeng turned to look at her, his eyes filled with surprise. "Why didn't you tell me in the letter?"

Zhan Chunlan said somewhat embarrassedly, "It's not a big award, just an inter-school competition."

Ms. Fang looked at them with satisfaction: "You young people are so promising, we elders are relieved."

"Mom, you wouldn't believe it, Wenchuan and his team have already produced results on their CNC experimental platform. It's been submitted for approval, and we expect it to be used in major factories next year." Although Zhan Chunlan majored in humanities, she was quite concerned about the current state of national development, as were the opinions of her professors and leaders at the China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation. "I heard from the professors that this is the direction of industrial development and will play a significant role in automated factory production in the future."

Wang Wenfeng raised his teacup: "Come on, let's toast to our two outstanding talents!"

The four teacups clinked gently in the air, making a crisp sound. Zhan Xiaoman seemed to sense the joyful atmosphere as well, and barked excitedly twice, making everyone laugh.

On the platform of Haicheng Railway Station, the sound of train whistles filled the air. Zhan Chunlan, carrying a simple bag, bid farewell to Wang Wenfeng and Ms. Fang Li, who had come to see her off. Zhan Chunlan would only stay in Haicheng for a few days; she had arranged to go to Guangcheng with Li Xiuxiu and Fan Hongying to broaden their horizons.

"Remember to write when you get to Guangcheng," Wang Wenfeng said, adjusting her scarf. "Although it's warm there in winter, the temperature difference between day and night is significant, so don't catch a cold."

Ms. Fang Li stuffed a cloth bag full of snacks into her hands: "Eat these on the road. Be careful on the train when you're traveling alone."

Zhan Chunlan agreed to their requests one by one, her gaze lingering on the two men for a moment before she finally turned and boarded the train. From the train window, she waved to them until their figures on the platform gradually became blurry.

Watching the departing train, Wang Wenfeng sighed softly, "It's only been a few days since he came back, and he's gone again."

“I thought you’d already adapted. You still have to practice!” Ms. Fang Li patted his shoulder reassuringly. “I told you long ago, Chunlan is a girl we can’t keep. Her world is much bigger than we imagined.”

"I know." A helpless yet proud smile appeared on Wang Wenfeng's lips. "It's just that every time I see her working so hard, I can't help but feel sorry for her."

"If you feel sorry for her, then support her wholeheartedly." Ms. Fang Li's gaze was far-reaching. "Your generation has had a tough time, but now you're finally living in a better era, able to freely explore the world. You must learn to be her strongest support from behind."

After a day and a night of bumpy travel, the train finally pulled into Guangcheng Station. As soon as she stepped off the train, she saw Li Xiuxiu and Fan Hongying waving vigorously at her from the crowd.

"Chunlan! Here!"

The three girls embraced each other excitedly. Since Zhan Chunlan arrived in Haicheng at the end of 1971, the three had not seen each other for eight years, but there was no awkwardness between them when they met again.

Li Xiuxiu looked Zhan Chunlan up and down: "Is the environment in big cities particularly good for people? You look even more energetic!"

Fan Hongying took her luggage: "Come on, let's go to our accommodation first to drop off our things, then I'll take you to see the wholesale market here. You'll be quite surprised!"

"Really?" Zhan Chunlan looked at the two people who were getting excited when they talked about the wholesale market, and was somewhat surprised.

Li Xiuxiu raised her hand: "I can vouch for you! Things that are hard to find even in Jiangcheng Department Stores can be picked up here. Take whatever you like, as long as you have the money."