The slow train stops at every station, big or small, along the way, including Xiaoshan Station, Huangniwaizi, Wenquan Station, and so on.

At noon, Sheng Xiping and his companions didn't buy the boxed meals from the train. Instead, they took out two boxes of fried dumplings and a flatbread made by Zhang Shuzhen using bear oil.

The pancakes made with bear oil are soft; even in the dead of winter, if you throw them in the snow, they won't harden. They're the best thing to take with you when you go out.

With dumplings, pancakes, and pickled vegetables and scallions brought from home, plus two teacups of hot water, this meal can be quite satisfying.

Of course, Sheng Xiping and his two companions ate with great relish, making the people nearby quite envious.

These days, how many people can afford to bring dumplings or large white flour pancakes when they go out? Most people are lucky if they can bring some cornmeal pancakes.

"Hey? Comrades, where are you all headed?" The person standing next to them looked Sheng Xiping and his two companions up and down and asked.

"Oh, I'm going to the provincial capital to take care of some business and visit some relatives."

Sheng Xiping stopped Zhou Qinglan and Sheng Xi'an from speaking with a look, and made up a lie to get by.

As soon as Sheng Xiping said that, the people around him immediately understood.

Judging from their appearance, the three were probably educated youth returning to the city from some remote rural area. They might have even sneaked back, which is why they said they were going to the provincial capital to visit relatives, to avoid being investigated.

These educated youth, despite being sent to the countryside for training, mostly couldn't shake off their bad habits.

Look at you, eating so well just to go out. Aren't you afraid of attracting attention?

This car isn't just for people going out on errands; it also has professional pickpockets.

"Be careful when you're out and about," the other person said kindly, offering Sheng Xiping a friendly reminder.

"Okay, okay, thanks." Sheng Xiping nodded quickly and thanked the other party with a smile.

The reason he didn't mention going to university was because he was afraid of being targeted.

After finishing their meal, they drank some hot water to warm themselves up, and the three of them leaned back in their seats, comfortably closing their eyes to rest.

Of course, on the surface, Sheng Xiping appeared to be dozing off, but in reality, he was wide awake, constantly aware of his surroundings.

He happened to be sitting on the outermost side of the three-person bench, so Sheng Xiping could detect anything, whether someone tried to get close to their luggage or made any other move.

The journey from Songjianghe to Hunjiang takes seven or eight hours by slow train, and the train rattles and clatters all the way, finally arriving at the station after 5 p.m.

The three of them had too much luggage, so they didn't wander around. After buying their tickets, they sat in the waiting room and grabbed a quick bite to eat.

Around 8 p.m., the train from Hunjiang to Changchun departed. Since it was the starting station, there weren't many people on the train.

The three of them boarded the bus with their luggage and occupied two long seats facing each other.

Then Sheng Xi'an and Zhou Qinglan lay down on the long bench, while Sheng Xiping spread the wolf-skin rug on the ground and curled up on it with his back against the seat.

This way, he's positioned right outside the long bench, allowing Sheng Xiping to detect any disturbances promptly and prevent any accidents from happening.

The train departed from Hunjiang, passed through Tonghua and Meihekou, and then passed through Liaoyuan and Siping. In one night, the train traveled around most of the province.

Fortunately, the night passed peacefully without any unexpected incidents. It wasn't until nearly 10 a.m. on the 3rd that the train finally arrived at the provincial capital station.

"Please make sure you have your luggage. Check that you haven't forgotten anything. This is the final stop. Don't rush when you get off the train. Don't push and shove."

Sheng Xiping gave the two a few instructions, then checked all their luggage and belongings to make sure everything was there before he felt relieved.

The train pulled into the station, the doors opened, and passengers disembarked one after another.

Sheng Xiping and the other two also got off the bus with the crowd and walked towards the exit.

The crowd surged out of the exit, but Sheng Xiping and his two companions weren't in such a hurry, so they followed slowly behind.

They had just passed the exit and hadn't even taken a few steps when they heard someone shout, "Xiping, over here!"

Sheng Xiping looked in the direction of the sound and saw two people standing not far away. They were Chen Ruiqing and Shao Minzhi, a married couple who had come to pick him up.

Sheng Xitai and Chen Feng maintained correspondence. Sheng Xitai had told Chen Feng about his sister-in-law and brother taking the college entrance examination a long time ago.

Chen Feng knew, and naturally, Chen Ruiqing and his wife knew as well.

After the college entrance examination results were released, Chen Ruiqing made a special phone call to inquire.

Upon learning that Sheng Xi'an and Zhou Qinglan had both been admitted to university, Chen Ruiqing was overjoyed and specifically asked Sheng Xiping when he would depart and approximately when he would arrive in the provincial capital.

Therefore, Chen Ruiqing took a day off today to come and pick up Sheng Xiping and the others.

"Brother Ruiqing, Sister-in-law Minzhi." Sheng Xiping led his wife and younger brother forward to greet Chen Ruiqing and his wife.

"Look, I'm sorry to have troubled you two to come and pick me up from the station," Sheng Xiping said with a smile, extending his hand to Chen Ruiqing.

"What are you saying? What do you mean by causing trouble?"

I haven't even congratulated my sister-in-law yet, and there's also my brother Xi'an! He's amazing, he got into a top university, what a talent!

Chen Ruiqing reached out and shook hands with Sheng Xiping, and then shook hands with Sheng Xi'an as well.

"What a spirited young man! He's finished four years of university, found a good job, and got married. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Upon hearing Chen Ruiqing's words, Sheng Xi'an immediately felt embarrassed, her face turning red as she didn't know how to respond.

"Haha, what my brother said is true. Back in our forest farm, many people wanted to find him a wife. My mother was also anxious at the time and wanted to build a house for my second son to find a wife."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!