Without any psychological worries, the journey back to Lian'an seemed much easier to Qiao Lu and Xu Haizhou than the journey to the north.

Qiao Lu didn't ask what his elder brother said when he called him away. The two of them kept a tacit understanding.

After this experience, she could clearly feel that their hearts had become closer. She seemed to have finally truly entered his world, all of his world, without a trace left.

After squeezing onto the train, I first looked for a seat. It was still the same layout, but this time the two beds were lower bunks, facing each other, which was much more convenient.

After putting the luggage away, we went to look for the dining car. Based on our previous experience, we knew there were many delicious foods on the dining car, so it became Qiaoan’s favorite place.

He wants to eat all the delicious food that he didn’t get to eat last time!

After ordering, you can sit at the table patiently and wait for the food to be served, while enjoying the scenery outside the window, which is also a unique experience.

After about five minutes, a serving of pork skin jelly was served. Qiao An couldn't wait to take a piece. It was cool, salty, chewy, and had a crispy texture when chewed.

"It's delicious! Mom, eat quickly, Dad, eat quickly~"

"Just eat it, we know." She smiled and pushed aside the bangs covering his eyes.

Well, it's time to cut my son's hair when I get home.

The chair behind them was suddenly pulled away and a passenger sat down. Qiao Lu and her husband did not take it seriously at first until they heard a man's voice behind them.

"Comrade, are all the dishes here?"

The flight attendant smiled and replied, “Yes.”

"Are there no steamed bread or porridge?" the man asked again.

The flight attendant still smiled: "Sorry, no."

Then a very soft female voice sounded, a little awkwardly: "Hu Zi, then, why don't we not eat, there are still a few cakes in the bag, let's..."

Qiao Lu looked back subconsciously and met the couple's eyes.

Hmm? That's not...

"Haizhou, look behind."

Only then did Xu Haizhou notice that the couple across from him were the man in military uniform who slept next to them on the train last time.

He was not wearing a military uniform today, only an old cotton shirt. The woman next to him, about twenty-four or twenty-five, was very close to him, and she clutched his sleeves with both hands.

The two people were almost stuck together. The woman looked very insecure, with panic in her eyes.

The man held his wife's hand, hesitated for a moment, and then comforted her: "Order one, it's okay, it doesn't cost much."

Judging from the way the two people get along with each other, they must be a couple. The man who had been eating cookies every day for three days and three nights actually brought his wife to the dining car for a meal this time. This must be true love.

Perhaps because the couple's gaze was too intense, the man noticed Qiao Lu and her husband. Until he saw the cute little girl sitting next to Qiao Lu, he walked over excitedly.

"Hey, hey, it's you? What a coincidence!"

"It's really you, comrade." Qiao Lu greeted him with a smile.

If she hadn't experienced it herself, Qiao Lu wouldn't have dared to imagine that such a coincidence could exist in the world.

The man's wife looked at them with tears in her eyes and nervously grasped his hand: "Hu Zi..."

Chen Hu introduced the two to his wife: "I came back by train before the New Year. The organization bought me a sleeper ticket, so I slept next to these two comrades. They also gave me a bowl of roast pork. They are good people."

Only after hearing the word "good man" did the woman relax her guard.

The man had a smile on his face all the time. After greeting everyone, he ordered a plate of stir-fried pork and cabbage and two bowls of rice, then sat down at the table at the back.

"Comrade, didn't you say you were going home to farm after retiring? Are you going back to the army now?" Qiao Lu asked.

Chen Hu scratched his face and shook his head, "No, I'm retired and can't go back. I just had some conflicts with my family, so I plan to take my wife to the south to do some small business to make a living. We'll go to Longkou, where there are many comrades and I can take care of them."

"That's good. There are many opportunities in the south, and doing business is indeed good." Qiao Lu comforted.

"Are you going back to the South too?" he asked.

"Yes. We settled there." Qiao Lu replied.

"Very good, very good."

After chatting for a while, all the dishes that Qiaolu ordered had arrived, and she ate leisurely while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

After finishing their meal, Chen Hu and his wife also planned to return to the carriage.

Several people walked back and forth, and found that Chen Hu was no longer sitting on a berth, but a hard seat.

It's understandable that the sleeper berth ticket was arranged by the army last time, and now that he has been discharged from the army, it is naturally difficult to buy a sleeper berth ticket without that relationship. Moreover, the price is high, and they can't afford it in their situation.

On the way back, Qiao Lu was still sighing.

"I find that compared to most people, our lives are really not that comfortable."

"It's comfortable. Mom, we all feel comfortable." He held her hand and jumped gently.

Qiao Lu stroked his chin and said, "As long as we are comfortable, we make so much money just to make us comfortable."

“Hehe~”

After squeezing her hand, Xu Haizhou said, "It's not enough."

Qiao Lu laughed: "Why is it not enough?"

"I also want to buy a big house for you and An'an. I also want to buy a car, a motorcycle, and a car when I have money. I also want to take you to travel. Do you like places like Tibet and Xinjiang? I heard that the scenery in the border areas is nice. When conditions permit, I also want to take you and An'an to travel abroad, although I have never been there."

"Wow - you have so many ideas?" Forgive Qiao Lu for being surprised by him: "I thought you had no other hobbies besides making money."

Xu Haizhou smiled helplessly: "It was like this before, but now I feel there are more important things than making money."

"What is it?"

He bumped his head against hers and rubbed her twice affectionately: "I'll be with you guys."

Qiao Lu felt very happy.

There was not much entertainment on the train. I held a collection of folk tales that I bought in Ancheng and told An An three stories. I fell asleep before eight o'clock.

After putting the child on the bed and covering her with a quilt, he went to the bed opposite. Xu Haizhou naturally put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his arms.

Of course, they couldn't do anything that a couple would do on such an occasion. They just cuddled up to each other and admired the night view outside the window.

The moon is full tonight and the night is bright. A few hours' drive is not enough to get out of the Northeast.

This is still the north. There is no heavy snow, but light snow is falling on the dry and yellow branches and leaves, alternating between yellow and white, with a kind of slender beauty.

"I can't sleep, let's watch the night view for a while."

"Um."

Qiao Lu gently leaned her head against Xu Haizhou's chest. After two years of marriage, she was already familiar with this intimate action. Xu Haizhou relaxed his muscles to welcome her, holding her shoulders tightly with his hands and pressing his cheek against her temple.

Just lower your head slightly and you can kiss her with your lips.

The place where she leaned was exactly his ribs, his heart.

The two of them snuggled together and looked at the stars. As it was getting late, some of the older people in the carriage could no longer hold out and fell asleep, so the two of them didn't talk much to avoid disturbing other passengers.

As she watched, Xu Haizhou suddenly covered her eyes.

"What's wrong?" Qiao Lu was puzzled. She thought it was a little funny and the corners of her mouth rose unconsciously.

Not getting a response, she reached up with her backhand, and her fingers landed just on his chin, touching the first bit of stubble.

I touched it gently, but his teeth suddenly bit my fingertips, making me unable to move.

Qiao Lu laughed, her laughter clear and melodious. Suddenly, a man behind her leaned over, kissed her cheek, and let go of her hand.

"Look, the sky."

Qiao Lu opened her eyes and looked up at the bright sky. Countless dazzling stars were shining with pure light.

The train was shaking as it headed south, and when people looked up at the sky, it felt as if the stars were following them.

Xu Haizhou pointed in a direction and said, "See? The Seven Stars of Beidou."

Looking in the direction of his finger, there was indeed a string of brighter and more regularly arranged stars in the night sky.

"Yes, I saw it. What's the matter? Why did you let me see the Seven Stars of the North Fight today?"

Is today a special day? Is there any special meaning in looking at the Seven Stars of the North?

Kissing her earlobe, his hot breath intertwined with hers like silk, lingering.

He asked: "Don't you think stargazing is a boring thing?"

"Well... most of the time, yes, but today is different." After saying that, she twisted her body and put her arms around his neck, her red lips breathing beside his cheek: "Because you are here today, aren't we watching the stars together? Although it's a bit boring, it seems very interesting because you are here with me."

Qiao Lu always has countless tacit understandings with him, and no matter how many times, he will still be surprised.

"That's what I meant." Stroking the back of her head again and again, Qiao Lu hummed comfortably.

There was no light in the carriage, so I could only see her facial features in the moonlight. She was incredibly beautiful.

Looking at each other, he said:

"Even if I just sit here aimlessly, watching the sunrise, sunset and stars with you, I still find it interesting."

My god, is this the romance of a straight man? The love words are both cheesy and seductive.

"Qiaolu, I really love you."

Whoosh—something quickly passed through my chest, and happiness filled my arms.

Qiao Lu hugged him tightly, her excitement evident in her words.

Although she didn't know why this man confessed his feelings for her out of nowhere, she was happy anyway.

"I hope we can continue to be so boring and interesting."

"Yes."

The evening breeze blew through her hair, leaving behind the scent of the mountains.

Gazing at the starry sky, with his strong arms resting on her back, she completely turned into a pool of spring water and lay softly in his arms.

After a long time, the breathing of both people became synchronized.

…

The train arrived in Li’an on time, and the moment my feet touched the ground, it was as if I saw the light of day again.

February in the south is warmer than in the north. You still need a cotton jacket, but you don't need to wrap yourself up like a bear.

There were many tricycles waiting for passengers at the exit. Xu Haizhou hailed two at random, and the family set off back to Ziyuan Street.

After not seeing the baby for half a month, the neighbors all miss the little baby!

"It's been almost half a month since you left. I missed you so much, baby!"

"Come here, give me a kiss, you've gained weight after going to the north. Your face is so tender, why didn't the north wind give you a highland rosy complexion?"

"You've met your grandma, right? Does she like you?"

One by one, they came over, vying to kiss, hug and lift Qiao An up high.

Everyone's enthusiasm frightened Qiao An so much that she rushed into her mother's arms.

Helpless, Qiao Lu hurriedly stopped them and hugged her son in her arms: "Sister, uncle, let's talk later. I'm going to go back and pack my luggage and clean up. The house is full of dust."

"Okay, let's talk again tonight!" He watched the little one leave reluctantly.

After entering the house and cleaning each room, Xu Haizhou went to Li Hongjun's house carrying a small bag of blood sausage and sticky rice dumplings.

The store has been run by him for half a month, so he should at least give him some benefits.

When we were going home, Li Hongjun also came with us. Before he even got there, he started to shout, "My little baby! Uncle is here! Did you miss me because I don't have a baby?"

Qiao An turned around, but before he could take a closer look, he was lifted into the air. He was picked up by Qiao Zhiwo and thrown into the air twice, which made Qiao An giggle.

"Little baby, come and give uncle a kiss."

Qiao An shook his head and dodged backwards to resist. Li Hongjun clicked his tongue and said, "Just give me a kiss. Why are you hiding?"

The young guy was a little reluctant, but under Li Hongjun's strong request, he reluctantly let him kiss him on the cheek.

After the kiss, she struggled to get off him, and when he wasn't paying attention, she wiped her face with the back of her hand, then threw herself into Qiao Lu's arms.

Rubbing her son's red face from being kissed, Qiao Lu seemed to be thinking about something.

…

While the two men were chatting about work in the house, Qiao Lu went into the kitchen to cook. She steamed six sticky rice dumplings in the pot. Because the stove was occupied, she waited aside and had nothing to do.

Qiao An was wearing a new cotton jacket and showing off in front of Chen Jingkang and a few other kids. Seeing this, Qiao Lu waved.

"An An, come here."

The move came instantly, and he ran like a little sparrow and threw himself into her arms.

"What's wrong, Mom?"

"Let me tell you something." Qiao Lu pinched his face.

"Telling a story?" Qiao An jumped up excitedly, "Mom, do you want to tell me a story?"

Qiao Lu was so helpless that she knocked on his forehead with her knuckles: "Your head is full of stories. Mommy will tell you some reality."

"What reality is this?" He tilted his head, his eyes full of innocence.

Alas, my son is too kind and simple, so he suffers losses easily sometimes.

"Uncle Li kissed you just now. Don't you want to be kissed by him?" Qiao Lu asked with a sigh.

Qiao An was confused and didn't know why her mother suddenly asked such a question.

He pinched his face, twitched his nose, pinched his eyebrows, scratched his ears and pinched his cheeks, as if he was more confused than asking his father who to save first if his mother fell into the water.

"It's okay, just tell the truth and mom won't scold you." As she said this, she rubbed his shoulders to make him relax.

"Then why does mom ask?" This time he was smart.

"Just tell me."

After thinking for a long time, he seemed to be at a loss.

"It's okay. Mom is the only one here. If you tell her the truth, no one else can hear you, and she won't tell anyone else."

Qiao An was a little depressed. He tangled his hands together and struggled for a long time. Under Qiao Lu's focused gaze, he spoke cautiously.

"Well...except, except dad and mom, I don't like anyone else kissing me." Not to mention Uncle Li, he doesn't even like his grandparents.

Sometimes he can accept Second Aunt because she smells good and she is his third favorite in the family.

"Then why did you let Uncle Li kiss you today?" Qiao Lu asked again, her voice soft and without any interrogative tone.

Because Qiao Lu was squatting, the little guy slowly bent over and hugged his mother's neck.

As if being coquettish, he rubbed his little face against her ear.

"I, I... because, because Uncle Li is a friend of my parents, we know each other, so I... I didn't want him to kiss me, but..."

Qiao Lu interrupted and asked, "But you thought he was a good friend of your parents, so you agreed to let him kiss you, right?"

Even though I don't want to admit it, I feel that I shouldn't lie to my mother.

Qiao An nodded and said softly: "Hmm..."

"So do you like him kissing you, or do you not like it?"

Biting her lower lip, Qiao An was troubled for a long time, and said in a depressed tone: "I don't like it."

"If you don't like it, should you refuse your uncle?" When talking about this, Qiao Lu suddenly felt distressed.

I feel sorry for a son like this - he is so cautious, always observing her expression before saying anything, always afraid that she might be angry or sad.

"Well...is it okay?" He grabbed his mother's collar and his voice became even smaller like a mosquito.

The author has something to say:

There is one more update, I will post it at 12 o'clock in the daytime, I can't finish it⊙﹏⊙