Xia Minmin really doesn't understand why so many people like to take off their shoes in public. Don't they know whether their feet smell or not?
To pass the time and distract himself, Xia Jianguo took out the books and magazines he had bought in the county town. Xia Minmin sat on the table inside, where there was a dictionary and a children's book with pinyin.
This caught the attention of people on the train who had nothing else to do. Everyone found it very strange that a child who looked only two or three years old could read books by himself.
"Hey kid. Can you read? Are you reading a book?"
"Little girl in red, I'm talking to you!"
Xia Jianguo and the others looked up at the person who spoke. Xia Minmin pointed to herself, as if asking, "Is it me?"
"Yes, it's you!"
Xia Minmin said, "Uncle, hello. I've only been learning to use a dictionary for a short time, so I can read books, but it's a bit slow."
How old are you this year?
"It's turning three this year!"
"You're really good. You can continue reading! Uncle won't bother you anymore."
…
"That's amazing!"
"Her parents raised her so well, much better than my child."
"How old is she? She speaks so logically."
"They said they're not even three years old yet!"
“My son looks about the same age as him, but he can’t even speak, let alone read books.”
"Great people are slow to speak; your child will be able to speak sooner or later."
"Thank you for your kind words!"
"You're too kind!"
"What's the big deal? A child prodigy may not amount to much as an adult."
"That's right, girls who are precocious don't have the same drive as boys."
"You're just jealous of someone's intelligence."
…
Xia Minmin ignored these voices, indifferent to the fact that the truth would prove everything.
Seeing that Xia Minmin was unaffected, Xia Jianguo breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that she might be affected.
"Boxed lunches! Boxed lunches for sale!"
The sound of vendors hawking boxed lunches came from outside the train. There were even vendors selling boxed lunches, fruits, melon seeds, peanuts, and other snacks on the platform.
"Mom, buy some boxed lunches." Xia Minmin patted Li Chunmei.
"Wait, wait, don't rush, the train hasn't come to a complete stop yet!"
The train slowly came to a stop, and Xia Minmin couldn't wait to push the window up, but she didn't have enough strength.
"Dad, help me push the window up."
Seeing someone open the window, the owner of the boxed lunches stepped forward and asked, "Boss, how many boxed lunches do you want? I have braised pork boxed lunches, spare rib boxed lunches, and braised chicken thighs, which kids love."
Xia Jianguo asked, "What are you eating?"
"Braised pork belly".
"Braised pork belly".
"Spare ribs," Xia Minmin said loudly.
"Boss, how much for three servings of braised pork and one serving of spare ribs?"
After the shop owner announced the amount, Xia Jianguo handed the money to him. The shop owner then gave Xia Jianguo the change and the boxed lunch.
…
"Boss, I'll have a serving of braised pork too."
"Boss, two servings of pork ribs."
During the short 20-minute stop at the station, many passengers in the carriage had lunch.
Li Chunmei said, "The boxed lunches sold at this station are really good. The braised pork is made with pork belly, which is something many restaurants don't use."
"Mom, my ribs are delicious too, why don't you try them?" Xia Minmin enthusiastically promoted her rib lunchbox.
The portion of the dish was generous, and when eaten with Grandma Xia's pickled vegetables, it was both refreshing and appetizing. Even Xia Minmin ate half of it.
After eating and drinking her fill, Xia Minmin started her afternoon nap.
"Next stop, final destination: Shenzhen!"
Xia Minmin woke up instantly, "Have we arrived yet?"
"We're not there yet, the next stop is Shenzhen!" Li Chunmei tidied Xia Minmin's messy hair as she slept.
"Mom, I'm hot." The temperature difference between Shenzhen and my hometown is huge.
"Jianguo, let's change our clothes before we arrive at the station. There's a lot to do after we get there."
Everyone took turns changing their clothes and stuffing them into their luggage bags.
The passengers in the carriage couldn't wait any longer and started packing their luggage and lining up. Xia Minmin's family, however, was in no hurry. They didn't have much stuff and could pack it after the train stopped. Besides, it wasn't safe to bring a child with them.
The corridor was already packed with people waiting in line for the doors to open, and there were definitely a lot of people inside trying to sneak in.
Finally hearing the announcement that the train had arrived, Xia Jianguo got up and packed his belongings into his luggage bag. He had almost finished using up the things he brought on the train.
This is Xia Minmin's first time in Shenzhen in both her lives; a new starting point, a new beginning.
After the train came to a complete stop, the passengers squeezed out one by one.
"Don't push, my shoe got stepped on."
"My glasses."
"My luggage."
"Everyone, please don't push, be careful! Those of you behind, please wait in your seats."
"Be careful, don't fall!"
After two-thirds of the people in the carriage had left, Xia Minmin and her family also stood up and prepared to leave.
The family was also confused. Although they knew some general things, they were still afraid because they hadn't experienced it firsthand.
After getting off the train, Xia Jianguo and his family followed the crowd out of the train station and through the ticket gate. Standing at the exit, they looked at the tall buildings outside and the stylish men and women on the street, feeling so out of place and a moment of fear.
"Anyone who wants to work in a factory, come with me! Monthly salary 700 yuan, room and board included." A number of people stood behind the man holding the recruitment sign.
Behind each recruitment agency holding up a sign for jobs stood many young people who were working for the first time, their faces beaming with joy and satisfaction with the future and high wages.
Last time, Xia Minmin's cousin told Xia Jianguo and the others that most of these so-called intermediaries were shady and that they shouldn't follow them.
Xia Jianguo planned to go to a newsstand near the train station to buy a map of Shenzhen, as the train station is located in the most prosperous area of Shenzhen.
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