The train slowly started moving, accompanied by a clanging sound, leaving Shenzhen and heading towards its long-missed hometown.
This time we bought hard sleeper tickets, and there were five of us in one carriage, so we could look out for each other.
Xia Minmin took off her shoes and sat on the lower bunk. "Dad, does this train go directly to the county town?"
Xia Minmin seemed to have overheard Xia Jianguo and Li Chunmei talking about it last time, but she couldn't quite remember if it was accurate.
Xia Jianguo stuffed his suitcase under the bed. "Yes, from now on we won't have to transfer to two minibuses to go home."
Xia Xiaomei said, "That's really convenient. Come to think of it, it seems like it's been three years since I've been back to my hometown."
Li Chunmei said, "We're all in the same boat. The last time I went back was probably in '95 or '96? Never mind, I don't want to think about it. I wonder if the bedding and sheets at home are still usable?"
Xia Xiaomei said, "I guess they're unusable. We'll buy two new sets in the county town and take them back with us. We only come back once every few years, and these things are practically disposable, it's not worth it!"
Li Chunmei said, "There's nothing we can do about it. My parents' graves are still there. Although I can't go back every year, I still have to go back to visit them every few years."
Xia Xiaomei said, "Yes!"
It was already 8 p.m. when I boarded the train, so it's probably 8:30 p.m. now.
Xia Minmin took out a toothbrush and towel from her schoolbag. "Mom, I'm going to brush my teeth and wash my face!"
Li Chunmei looked at Xia Minmin, who was carrying toiletries, and said, "Go ahead, take care of yourself, and come back immediately if anything happens."
Xia Minmin walked towards the washbasin on the train, still wearing her shoes.
Xia Xiaomei watched Xia Minmin walk away and asked, "Second sister-in-law, are you sure you don't need to stay with her?"
Xia Jianguo said, "Really, there's no need. She's grown up now, and she doesn't need to be watched over all the time like she did when she was little. Parents need to learn to let go! That's how children grow up!"
Xia Minmin went during the peak time for washing up on the train, and it took her about ten minutes to get her turn.
Xia Jianguo was relieved to see Xia Minmin finally return. "Why did it take you so long?"
"If you don't come back soon, your dad will be coming for you!"
Li Chunmei teased Xia Jianguo, and Xia Xiaomei and Xiaowu also chuckled.
"Xiaomin may seem mature, but she's still a child. You all know how many children have gone missing in Shenzhen over the years! You can't judge a book by its cover, so you have to be careful!"
Everyone nodded.
Xia Minmin said, "Dad, there were so many people brushing their teeth and washing their faces when I went there. I waited for a long time before it was my turn. You guys go later."
Missing child notices appear in the Shenzhen Daily every few days, and most of the missing children are boys. Most of Xia Minmin's classmates are picked up and dropped off by their families, while those who live nearby, like Xia Minmin, go home on their own.
The property management of Dudu Garden Community is very responsible. They are on duty 24 hours a day and patrol the community. In addition, the number of residents has not changed much over the years, so the property security guards are very familiar with the residents and basically do not let strangers in.
Xia Jianguo and the other three took turns washing up just before lights out.
Xia Jianguo and Xiao Wu slept on the lower bunk, Li Chunmei and Xia Xiaomei slept on the middle bunk, and Xia Minmin slept on the upper bunk.
Accompanied by the clanging sounds, everyone drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Xia Minmin woke up to a commotion.
Xia Minmin saw that Xia Jianguo and Xiao Wu had gotten up, so she quickly climbed down.
Having been craving breakfast all night, Xia Minmin couldn't wait to go and have some.
There was still a little darkness outside when I drew back the curtains.
Xia Jianguo looked at Xia Minmin as she put on her shoes, "Why are you up so early?"
"I'm hungry!" Xia Minmin answered softly.
"Then hurry up and go wash up!"
When Li Chunmei got off the middle bunk, Xia Minmin was sitting by the window, looking at the scenery along the way. On the table were roasted pigeon, egg tarts, pineapple buns, wife cakes and a carton of milk. She looked incredibly happy.
After a quick breakfast, Xia Jianguo, Li Chunmei, Xia Xiaomei, and Xiao Wu took out a deck of cards to play. These two decks of cards had traveled with them all over the country; they used the same decks when they went to Beijing last time.
Xia Minmin leaned against the corner reading a book, completely unaffected by the four-person card game.
Xia Xiaomei asked, "Second Brother, what time will we arrive?"
"11:24. I estimate we'll arrive in two more stops."
After finding out the approximate time, they started playing cards again.
The flight attendant walked around shouting, "Tickets checked! Tickets checked!"
The train attendant checked everyone's tickets. "You'll be at the next stop soon. Pack your things carefully and make sure nothing is left behind."
Xia Minmin said, "Thank you for reminding me, sister!"
The large bag of snacks that I brought on the train has been almost completely eaten.
Li Chunmei took out the rest and put them on the table, so that everyone could eat a little to fill their stomachs and carry one less bag when they got off the bus.
The train's announcement system was broadcasting arrival information; the stop at the small station would only be for ten minutes, and everyone pushed their luggage toward the doors.
Xia Jianguo said, "Xiao Wu, later you can see the difference between our county town and yours."
"Understood, Second Brother."
As the train slowly came to a stop, the doors gradually opened after the train had come to a complete stop.
Xia Jianguo and Xiao Wu walked ahead and carried the luggage off the train. "Let's go! We're getting off! Watch your step!"
Very few people got off at this stop; fewer than ten people in total.
Li Chunmei said, "I wonder if the restaurant we went to back then is still open?"
Xia Xiaomei said, "Second sister-in-law, let's go take a look later."
Stepping out of the train station, a desolate landscape comes into view, with no buildings in sight. There are no taxis outside the station, only two or three sidecar motorcycles waiting for passengers.
The driver of the sidecar motorcycle saw a group of five people with five suitcases and walked up to ask, "Brothers, do you need a ride? Where are you going? We'll give you a ride."
With no other taxis available, Xia Jianguo negotiated prices with three drivers of sidecar motorcycles and rode to the bus station, which was the most bustling area in the county.
Looking at the unfamiliar county town, Li Chunmei exclaimed, "Jianguo, the county town has changed so much! If I don't come back in a few years, I'm afraid I won't even be able to find my way around!"
Li Chunmei patted Xia Minmin sitting next to her, "Xiaomin, do you still remember the county town?"
Xia Minmin pointed to the bus station not far away and said, "Yes! Isn't this the station we're about to reach?"
After a careful look, Li Chunmei realized it really was a bus station. She was surprised that Xia Minmin had such a good memory; she had come here four years ago and still remembered it!
Li Chunmei and Xia Jianguo exchanged a glance and understood each other's meaning. They knew they could never fool Xia Minmin so easily again; her memory was just too strong.
The driver of the sidecar motorcycle said, "Boss, we've arrived!"
Shortly after Xia Jianguo and his group arrived, the other two vehicles also arrived. They found a luggage storage shop at the station and stored their luggage there.
Li Chunmei looked around but didn't see any familiar signs. "Jianguo, let's go find a restaurant! Everyone's hungry! I think there's one nearby!"
Xia Minmin pointed to the right front and said, "Mom, where you are, their signboard has been changed to a new one."
Everyone followed the direction Xia Minmin pointed.
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