Chapter 209 Realizing where the other party had brought him...
In the minds of Fu Mu and many others of their generation, Tiananmen = Beijing, and Beijing = Tiananmen.
But Tang Mingli knew that arriving in Beijing at this time might not guarantee her a trip to Tiananmen Square.
However, she didn't say anything discouraging; instead, she went along with her mother-in-law's conversation.
"I brought my camera. I'll take your picture when we get to Tiananmen Square."
Tang Mingli thought optimistically that since she was already in Beijing, the chances of seeing Tiananmen Square were definitely greater than in Guangzhou. Once she settled into her hotel in Beijing, she would call Fu Ci and ask for his advice.
Upon hearing about taking photos, Fu's mother became even more excited and asked her daughter-in-law, "How much film did you bring? Is it enough?"
Tang Mingli didn't bring much with her; she only had one roll of unused film in her camera, but she wasn't worried about not having enough.
"Don't worry if you don't have enough, you can buy more at photo studios in Beijing."
"That's true." Fu's mother thought her daughter-in-law was really capable, always confident in everything she did.
When the topic of taking photos came up, Tang Mingli felt that it would be meaningful to take some photos in the soft sleeper compartment of the train as a memento, so she sat up and took out her camera from her bag.
"Mom, I'll take a few pictures for you right now."
Fu's mother did not resist, but touched her hair with some unease.
"Now? You've been rushing to catch the train, isn't your hair messy? Won't it look bad in the photos?"
Tang Mingli smiled and said, "It's not messy at all, it looks good."
It wasn't just a perfunctory gesture; my mother-in-law had a very trendy short bob that reached her ears, so how messy could it possibly be?
After a few quick snaps, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law took four or five photos in the private room.
Unfortunately, modern cameras are made of rubber, so you can't immediately check how well the photos turned out.
However, Tang Mingli felt that the two of them had good looks, so they should look good no matter how they were photographed.
Even if it's not good-looking, so what?
It's not a bad thing to have a few unflattering photos taken during your life.
As the afternoon approached, the two who had been excited gradually began to feel tired.
After each person ate a boxed lunch, the two of them lay down in perfect unison and took a nice afternoon nap.
Fu Mu's afternoon nap is usually only half an hour.
So she was the first to wake up. After using the restroom, she sat by the window watching the scenery along the way.
Tang Mingli's afternoon nap sometimes lasts for a whole noon, and sometimes for a whole afternoon.
Especially given today's situation, where she'll definitely be on the train all day, she's even more indulgent in sleeping.
When I woke up, it was almost 5 p.m.
The moment consciousness returned, the first thing I said was, "Mom, what time is it?"
Fu's mother glanced at her watch and told her the exact time.
Tang Mingli yawned and opened her eyes with satisfaction.
It's so nice to have slept until this time.
Actually, it can't be said that she slept all night; she did wake up once in the middle of the night, but it was only a little past three o'clock, and she felt it was too early, so she went back to sleep.
Upon waking, she didn't rush to get up. Instead, she turned to her side, rested her chin on her hand, and smiled at her mother-in-law.
"Mom, do you get bored when I'm asleep?"
Mrs. Fu smiled and shook her head: "No, I've been enjoying the scenery along the way and reading for a while. It's been a long time since I've felt this relaxed."
To be precise, I've never felt so comfortable at this age.
During this journey, she didn't think about anything but the scenery before her and the world in the book.
It seems that apart from childhood, my life has never been as pure as that journey of several hours just now.
Of course, this is not to say that my past life was bad.
Fu's mother was very content, more grateful than anyone else that she had never experienced too much hardship in her life.
However, the moments when one can simply enjoy oneself without thinking about anything else are always something to cherish.
Tang Mingli also felt comfortable, but the moment she woke up, she still thought of her daughter.
No worries.
The child will certainly receive excellent care at home. But that's just how a mother's heart is; it's impossible not to worry.
After lingering in bed for a while and spacing out, Tang Mingli finally sat up lazily.
Seeing her still looking like she hadn't had enough, Fu's mother asked with a smile, "What will you do if you can't sleep tonight after sleeping for so long?"
This was almost impossible for Tang Mingli; she had never tried sleeping too much during the day and going to bed too late at night, perhaps because she wasn't old enough yet.
However, she wouldn't say that; she simply said in a relaxed tone, "Anyway, I'm just staying on the train, so it doesn't matter if I can't sleep."
If I really can't sleep, I brought two novels to keep me entertained.
Mother Fu liked her daughter-in-law's composure and ease, and nodded with a smile.
However, by evening, she realized she had been worrying unnecessarily.
Around 10 o'clock, my daughter-in-law started yawning repeatedly, feeling sleepy even before I did.
Perhaps influenced by Tang Mingli's composure, Fu's mother slept very well, even though it was the first time in her life she had spent the night on a train.
When I woke up the next morning, the train had already entered the Hebei Plain.
For Tang Mingli, who had lived in hilly cities in the south for two lifetimes, such an endless expanse was extremely rare. She pressed her face almost against the windowpane, wishing she could see the vast plains that had appeared in her textbooks more clearly.
Time seems to stand still before it.
It was also the first time that Fu's mother had seen such a sight, and she stared straight outside.
Neither of them knew how much time had passed until the sun outside pierced through the clouds and became increasingly dazzling, at which point they finally slowly turned their gaze back into the carriage.
Fu's mother exclaimed in disbelief, "I can't believe there is such a vast expanse of land in the world that is completely flat."
There are actually ups and downs, but since they are sitting inside the train with a wide view, the ups and downs of nature seem to disappear.
Tang Mingli understood her mother-in-law's shock. Many years ago, when she went to the Northwest with Fu Ci, she saw the mountains and rivers in the ancient paintings for the first time, and she was also very shocked.
Thinking of the beautiful scenery of Northwest China, Tang Mingli extended a wonderful invitation to her mother-in-law: "Mom, when the country's highways are more complete in the future, let's drive around and see the scenery we've never seen before."
If before today, Fu's mother longed for her daughter-in-law's similar wishes, then today that longing has become concrete.
Different mountains, different waters, even different trees and flowers.
The wonders of nature cannot be imagined without witnessing them firsthand.
Fu's mother smiled brightly, "Then I must stay healthy and wait for our country to get better and better, so I can go with you to see the world."
"good."
Tang Mingli smiled, her eyes crinkling, and turned her gaze back to the window.
I've already arrived in Hebei. If all goes well, I should be able to reach Beijing Railway Station before dark.
However, things are unpredictable. After traveling 90% of the way, an accident occurred in Hebei Province, causing the train to be delayed. It didn't arrive at Beijing Railway Station until 2 a.m.
At this time, and considering the public security situation in this era, Tang Mingli was actually worried.
But there was nothing I could do about it. I couldn't just stay on the train when I arrived at my destination, so I had to bite the bullet and get off.
On her way out of the station, Tang Mingli prayed silently, hoping there would be a hotel nearby.
If not...
Tang Mingli's heart trembled.
You may think you've made all the necessary preparations, but when something unexpected happens, you realize that nothing in this world is ever truly perfect.
If I had known this would happen, I should have agreed to Fu Ci's suggestion and had his friend in Beijing pick them up at the train station.
Although it's embarrassing to make them wait so long, I can repay this favor sooner or later, which is better than taking the risk now.
Tang Mingli became increasingly nervous as she thought about it, her mind filled with images of burglaries and thefts from movies she had seen in the 1990s.
Fortunately, as soon as they exited the station, they saw the brightly lit words "XX Hotel" not far from the square.
Tang Mingli breathed a sigh of relief.
I knew it! It's a big city, after all; there should be places to stay.
Just as I was about to tell my mother-in-law which way to go, I heard a voice ask, "Excuse me, are you Ms. Tang Mingli and Ms. Wei Yujuan?"
The sound wasn't loud, but it clearly reached their ears.
Tang Mingli watched warily as a middle-aged man inquiring about them approached from a distance.
The man added, "I am Fu Ci's friend. I received a call from him during the day, asking me to pick up his mother and wife at the train station."
Upon hearing that it was Fu Ci's friend, Tang Mingli and Fu's mother relaxed halfway.
Why only half? When you're traveling, you can't completely trust someone just because they're a friend.
However, since they could hear their names and mention Fu Ci, they were already mostly convinced.
Tang Mingli smiled politely at the other person, her mind racing. How could she quickly confirm whether the other person was truly Fu Ci's friend or just being polite?
However, before she could think for a few seconds, the other party gave her another phone number.
Tang Mingli believed it completely.
She recognized the number; it was the one Fu Ci had copied down for her.
"Hello, hello." Tang Mingli greeted them warmly with a smile, and apologized for her earlier over-cautiousness: "I'm sorry, I just arrived in Beijing and I was too nervous."
The man smiled, not minding at all, and even laughed, "Fu Ci was right, saying that I might have to reveal my own number to make you believe me."
Tang Mingli felt even more embarrassed.
"You must have been waiting for us for a long time, right? I'm so sorry, the train was delayed."
The man did not deny that, at the request of his friend, he did arrive at the train station half an hour before the train's arrival time.
However, he did not admit it directly, but only said, "Being late is perfectly normal."
Especially for trains heading to Beijing, they may even stop at the previous station for inspection.
After saying that, he pointed to a jeep not far away and said with a smile, "That's my car. I'll drive you to the hotel."
They'd waited here until this late just for this, so Tang Mingli didn't refuse and sincerely thanked them, saying, "Thank you so much."
"You're too kind. Although I haven't met Fu Ci many times, we are indeed very compatible friends."
In particular, he greatly admired Fu Ci's courage to give up such a good job at the forefront of the times, to venture out on his own, and to actually achieve great success.
I got into a jeep and drove through the streets of Beijing.
Tang Mingli looked out the window at the Beijing night view, but her mind was filled with thoughts of her husband, Fu Ci.
He must have been tossing and turning for a day and a night, and finally couldn't take it anymore, so he called a friend in Beijing and asked him to come and pick them up.
They might even be as anxious as ants on a hot pan.
It's this late, and I still haven't received a call from her to let me know she's safe.
Thinking about all this, Tang Mingli felt a lump in her throat and became a little anxious. She asked the person who came to pick them up.
How much longer until we reach the hotel?
"Soon, very soon." The man smiled and asked jokingly, "Worried that Fu Ci is worried?"
Although Tang Mingli's ears turned red, she still hummed in agreement.
"Don't worry, I called him around 8 p.m. after I saw the news about the train delay and told him about it."
Hearing this, Tang Mingli finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Birds of a feather flock together; Fu Ci's friend is just as meticulous in his work as he is.
In the short time it took to exchange those few words, the car slowed down, clearly indicating that it was about to turn and stop.
Tang Mingli then looked out the car window again.
When I saw those words clearly, I realized where the other person had brought me, and I was quite surprised.
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Author's Note: Updated! A red envelope is dropping in this chapter!
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