Chapter 12 Chapter 12 I don’t even know when we’ll meet again…

On the day of departure, the weather was a bit gloomy.

The Jiang family went to the county train station together.

The train station is a landmark of this small county town. It's not as large as the city's train station, and the trains aren't as frequent. But there are a lot of people around, some wanting to catch a train, others selling food. It's bustling with people coming and going.

Xia Li did not join in the fun and buy food. Jiang Dong's mother prepared a lot of things for her, including four or five apples, ten eggs, a can of pickled vegetables, and Jiang Dong's mother's best steamed buns.

Jiang Dong's mother had never traveled far before, so she just tried to prepare everything she could think of. She wanted to prepare more, but Xia Li was just one adult, and she had to take care of Jiang Cub on the road, so there was no way.

After discussing it, Jiang Dong's mother and Xia Li went in together, while Jiang Erdong, Ma Lijuan, and Jiang Mingming waited outside the station. Since they had no tickets and couldn't get in, they simply waited outside and looked around. They usually didn't have much to do around the county train station.

Jiang Dong's mother was worried, so Xia Li thought for a moment and bought them a standing ticket. She also helped carry their luggage. Clothes, food, and a child were a heavy burden for her.

But she thought that after she and Jiang Zai finished the food on the train, she would have some free time.

There are not many trains at this time and they are very slow. The time from the time passengers get on the train to the time the train departs is also very long, leaving people enough time to say goodbye with tears in their eyes.

But no matter how much time passes, it still feels short. The huge geographical distance gives people a sense of separation between life and death, as if there are not many chances to meet again in this life.

Xia Li held a ticket in her hand and checked which carriage she was in. She was carrying two bags, hers and Jiang Zai's, and walked ahead, checking every few steps to see if the grandparents were keeping up.

"Mom, why don't you just drop me off here? We're almost there, so don't bother. This station is quite complicated, and I'm worried about how you'll get out later."

Charlie's worries were not unfounded. At this time, many people had hardly ever left the house, let alone taken a train.

But Jiang Dong's mother refused, saying that since they had already bought the platform ticket, it would be a waste to leave now. She also told Xia Li not to worry about her, saying that she had her own way and could get out of such a small place by asking someone.

Charlie was secretly helpless and could only pretend that she had never said anything.

She bought a sleeper ticket for carriage 3. Fortunately, the carriage was not too far from them, so they arrived in a short walk.

After a while, the three of them arrived at the train compartment they were in. There weren't many people taking the train at this small station, especially the sleeper tickets, which were still a bit expensive, so even fewer people bought them.

When Xia Li and the other two arrived at this carriage, they didn't see anyone checking tickets. The conductor was standing at the door, but he didn't rush them. They probably still had time, and no matter how far they were at the door, they would definitely make it. So Jiang Dong's mother didn't rush them to get on the train, but instead carefully instructed Xia Li at the door.

Jiang Dong's mother was worried. The thought of a young mother taking a long-distance train with her child these days always sounded unreliable. She remembered hearing about the many human traffickers on the train, who specifically targeted children and women. She was so worried that she couldn't sleep well that night.

Now that they were at the station, Jiang Zai was about to leave with Xia Li, and her heart was pounding. "Xia Li, why can't I let go of all this? How can you take the child alone? Why don't we just not leave today? Let's buy new tickets and have Erdong take you and your mother there. Then Mom can rest assured."

They were already at the door of the carriage, so there was no reason to turn back. Xia Li knew the old lady's parting emotions, and that worry and anxiety were normal, so she patiently comforted her. She couldn't let the old lady watch them leave with such worry.

"Don't worry, Mom. The sleeper ticket I bought is better than the seated car. There are fewer people, people are more educated, and there are fewer problems. I will definitely not make any mistakes and will not let Jiang Zai out of my sight. Besides, it will be around tomorrow, so we will arrive soon." She said earnestly.

Jiang Dong's mother knew that what she had just said was nonsense, and she sighed deeply. She took out a handkerchief from the inside pocket of her clothes. There was a wad of money wrapped in the handkerchief. She took it out and put it in Xia Li's hand.

This was given to her by Jiang Dong before. Now Jiang Zai is going to live with Xia Li. No matter what, it is not easy for a woman to live outside with a child.

She didn't have much money to spend at home, so she let Charlie take care of it and spend it on the child.

Xia Li looked at the wad of money in her hand and was somewhat speechless. This money looked like it must be at least a thousand yuan, which was not a small amount. Her mother-in-law was really generous.

"Mom, I can't accept this. You can keep it for yourself." Xia Li declined and wanted to return it to Jiang Dong's mother.

Jiang Dong's mother had no reason to take it back after taking it out, so she forcibly stuffed it back into Xia Li's hands, telling her to keep it safe and sound, saying there were many thieves on the train and she needed to be careful not to be seen. She then glanced around, worried that someone on the train might see her through the window.

After hearing this, Xia Li didn't say anything else. She just put the money into the secret pocket of her clothes at the request of Jiang Dong's mother.

Jiangzai was feeling depressed at this time. Even a child knows what separation means, so even when he saw such a big train, he just looked at it quietly, holding his grandmother's hand tightly, and couldn't feel happy.

Sometimes his eyes would wander away from the huge green train and turn to the people beside him, carrying luggage and bags, coming and going. There were always people who couldn't figure out which car they were in and had to walk back and forth several cars before they could figure out their number.

There weren't many people getting on the bus in the small county town. Most of them were ordinary people going to work or on business trips.

There was also a man wearing a white hat on the platform, standing behind a glass cart, selling roast chicken. I don’t know how it tasted compared to the roast chicken made by Zhang Yun at home.

Perhaps because they had no worries about business, they only shouted intermittently. There were only two huge red words "roast chicken" printed on the glass, and the aroma of roast chicken wafting in the air.

In this era, roast chicken is always a high-end food.

Maybe the family would not buy one on weekdays unless it is a holiday, but on the train or while traveling, they always have this idea: it is a bit expensive, but it is not bad to buy one and eat it on the road.

When Jiang Dong's mother saw that Jiang Zai was attracted by the seller's shouting, she took the initiative to ask Jiang Zai if he wanted to eat it. If so, she would go buy it.

Xia Li believed that at this time, even if Jiang Zai said he wanted to eat dragon meat, Jiang Dong's mother would try to find out where she could get it.

Jiang Zai was not the kind of kid who believed everything he heard. He shook his head and refused.

Xia Li also felt relieved. She was really worried about so many things around her, such as clothes and food.

Perhaps thinking of something, Jiang Dong's mother suddenly asked Xia Li, "Xia Li, have you visited your mother-in-law in the past few days since you came back?"

Xia Li blushed, "Mom, you know what kind of person my mom is. I really don't want to see her, and I didn't want her to know when I came back this time. Oh, by the way, I have a favor to ask of you. You can't let her know my address and contact information, otherwise Jiangzai and I won't have a peaceful life."

Xia Li had a point. Her mother knew her all too well, and she absolutely couldn't let her know about her situation. Jiang Dong's mother also had to be warned. Otherwise, the elders wouldn't know the situation and would casually spread rumors. Word of mouth in small places could have a powerful effect, and then it would reach her mother's ears.

"Okay, whatever you say. If you don't let me say it, I don't want to waste my time. Jiang Zai won't need me to take care of him in the future, so I will be relieved. But I need to have a good rest." Jiang Dong's mother said the last words lightly, but her tone was a little lonely.

Just as she finished speaking, she heard the conductor standing at the door shouting towards them: "Are you the passengers in carriage number five? The train is about to depart, hurry up and get on board."

After hearing this, Jiang Dong's mother became anxious. She quickly picked up the luggage from the ground and urged Xia Li and Jiang Zai to get in the car quickly.

Xia Li didn't say anything. Seeing that the luggage and other things had been snatched away by Jiang Dong's mother, she took Jiang Zai's hand and pulled him towards the conductor at the door of the front carriage.

Xia Li only had one ticket in her hand. It was not because she forgot to buy a ticket for Jiang Zai, but because Jiang Zai was still young. A four-year-old child was not old enough to buy a ticket and could get on the bus with his parents.

The conductor was very responsible. He carefully checked Xia Li's ticket and ID card, and asked about her relationship with the child before letting Xia Li and Jiang Zai pass.

Because it is a high platform, there is a gap of three steps between the train and the platform, and it is quite steep.

So for convenience, Xia Li went up first, and was about to ask Jiang Dong's mother to help pass Jiang Zai to herself, and then she would pull the little man up. Unexpectedly, the train attendant was very kind, and before Xia Li could say anything, he pulled Jiang Zai up. Xia Li saw it and immediately caught the man, and then hurriedly smiled and expressed her gratitude to the other party.

However, the conductor was very reserved. He just nodded and motioned her to quickly take the luggage up. Seeing another passenger coming, he turned around and continued to check tickets for the people behind him.

Xia Li took the luggage one by one from Jiang Dong's mother's hands, but before she could say a few more words, the person behind her who had checked the tickets was about to go up the stairs and urged her.

Jiang Dong's mother was worried about causing trouble for the other party, so she quickly stepped aside. Now, she didn't even get to say the last word.

She stared at the door of the carriage with her eyes wide open, her face full of reluctance.

I don't even know when we'll meet again. Jiang Dong, son, you won't blame me for coming back, will you?

A unique train whistle sounded, indicating that the train was about to depart.

Jiang Dong's mother planned to stand at the back and wait for the train to leave before going out and taking another look at the two of them.

Unexpectedly, a familiar voice came from my ears: "Grandma! Grandma!"

It’s her precious grandson, Jiangzai!

She hurriedly looked in the direction of the sound. In front of her left, a window of the train was opened, and Ginger Boy poked his head out a little bit, along with his mother Charlie.

Jiang Dong's mother unconsciously smiled widely. She trotted over quickly, reached out and touched her grandson's head for the last time, and then patiently wished Xia Li to take good care of her, and then retreated to a safe place again.

Let’s go, let’s go.

Finally, it was time to depart. The train spun its wheels and began to move slowly. Xia Li seized the opportunity, stretched her arm out of the window, and threw something wrapped in it towards Jiang Dong's mother. It landed at her feet with a "bang".

Jiang Dong's mother was startled. Before she could react, the train drove forward with Xia Li waving goodbye.

She picked up the thing at her feet, and when she held it in her hand, Jiang Dong's mother realized what it was. When she opened it, she saw that it was indeed the stack of money that she had insisted Xia Li keep.

She gave it back to herself.

"What a fool."