After his exams, Li Baolong went to his cousin's house. The two elders were in good health and greeted Li Baolong with warm smiles. That evening, the family enjoyed a sumptuous dinner together. During the meal, his cousin Chunhua told Li Baolong that Yuanyuan, who worked at the shop, had resigned. It turned out that the family had introduced her to a very eligible bachelor; his family owned a factory, and the two planned to get married during the Spring Festival. Yuanyuan still missed Li Baolong and hoped he could visit her in Mianyang sometime, where they would start a new life together. His cousin's words were like a key, unlocking the floodgates of Li Baolong's memory. The image of that chubby, fair-skinned girl appeared before his eyes, especially the unforgettable night they spent together in the video arcade. Li Baolong couldn't help but sigh inwardly, perhaps all these girls were just fleeting figures in his life.
The next morning, Li Baolong returned to his lame uncle's house in the countryside. He greeted the old man respectfully and spent the next few days by his side, enjoying the tranquility and simplicity of rural life. Later, he went to the bamboo grove and pond, where he sat in meditation for two hours, trying to gain some enlightenment and open his mind in this serene setting, but ultimately to no avail. By then, he was cold and hungry, so he had no choice but to return to his uncle's house.
Two days later, Li Baolong returned to Jianzhou City. Wang Yumei, the school beauty, contacted him, hoping that after his university acceptance letter arrived, the two of them could travel together to Xinjiang to search for news of her father. Li Baolong also longed to embark on this trip to Xinjiang, a place that held many childhood memories for him. Moreover, he would be able to inform his father's superiors about his university acceptance and receive a university stipend, which was undoubtedly a huge attraction for the financially strapped Li Baolong.
Li Baolong's college entrance examination results were recently released, with a score of 598. This score was better than he had predicted; however, it was still slightly below the admission score for his dream university, Sichuan University. After careful consideration, he accepted his homeroom teacher's advice, who told him that if he wanted to find a job after graduation, he should go to Western Jiaotong University. Ultimately, Li Baolong chose Western Jiaotong University, located in Chengdu, which offers good employment prospects, and his score just met the university's admission requirements. Meanwhile, Wang Yumei, the most beautiful girl in his class, successfully entered Sichuan University. With the release of his exam results and the confirmation of his university, a huge weight was finally lifted from Li Baolong's shoulders. He has recently begun preparations for his trip to Xinjiang.
Chengdu Railway Station was bustling with people. Three days later, on this evening, the afterglow of the setting sun shone on the station's glass curtain wall, refracting colorful light. Li Baolong and Wang Yumei, two young classmates, were about to embark on their extraordinary journey here.
Li Baolong strode steadily into the train station hall, which was filled with a unique mix of smells: the odors of travelers' luggage, the aromas of various foods, and a faint whiff of engine oil. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, quickly searched the crowd for Wang Yumei. After circling around, he finally spotted the familiar girl.
Wang Yumei stood not far away, like a beam of light. Her high ponytail, each strand shimmering with youthful radiance, swayed with her slightest movement, exuding a capable and efficient air. A well-fitting tracksuit perfectly showcased her vitality, the delicate lines of the garment outlining her beautiful figure—a beauty that blended health and energy. Her pristine white sneakers, each step brimming with youthful energy, made her appear vibrant, youthful, and sunny, attracting the attention of many around her.
Li Baolong, like a soldier preparing for battle, exuded a rugged aura in his camouflage uniform. His canvas backpack appeared empty, but in reality, he had cleverly stored his truly important belongings in a small, private compartment known only to himself.
Wang Yumei's eyes lit up the moment she saw Li Baolong, a joy that came from the bottom of her heart. A bright smile spread across her face as she walked briskly towards him. Reaching him, she pulled a train ticket from her pocket and handed it to him, her eyes full of sincerity: "Here's your ticket. My uncle bought these hard sleeper tickets especially for us, so we can be more comfortable and suffer less on the journey."
Gratitude welled in Li Baolong's eyes as he quickly thanked her, instinctively reaching for his money. Wang Yumei, as if anticipating his move, immediately stopped him, shaking her head and saying, "My uncle said this train ticket to Xinjiang is a gift for you. Your companionship in finding my father is so important to me; this ticket is just a small token of my gratitude." Li Baolong replied sincerely, "How can I accept this? We've been classmates for three years. It's only right that I accompany you to find your father at a time like this. I promised you before, and it's only right that I do this." Wang Yumei waved her hand generously, saying firmly, "Don't be so polite. We'll encounter countless troubles along the way, and we'll all need your help. Besides, this ticket is a token of my uncle's affection; please accept it." Hearing her words, Li Baolong hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn't refuse.
The two exchanged a smile, filled with anticipation for the unknown journey, and walked side by side toward the train bound for Xinjiang. Their figures gradually disappeared into the crowd, yet they seemed to carry a steadfast strength, advancing toward their goal.
The train slowly started moving. Li Baolong and Wang Yumei sat in the hard sleeper carriage, surrounded by the noise of people and the roar of the train.
Wang Yumei gazed out the window at the receding Chengdu Station, her eyes filled with worry for the unknown journey ahead, yet also with a resolute determination to find her father. Li Baolong sensed her thoughts and gently comforted her, "Don't worry, I'm here." Wang Yumei nodded slightly, forcing a smile.
As night deepened, the passengers in the carriage gradually fell asleep. Li Baolong lay on his bunk, unable to sleep. He pondered the difficulties they might encounter on this journey and secretly resolved to protect Wang Yumei. Wang Yumei was also awake. She gently turned over and said to Li Baolong, "Do you think we can find my father smoothly?" Li Baolong looked into her eyes and replied, "We definitely can. We have clues, and we have the determination."
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the train windows onto their faces. After a quick wash, they sat on small chairs in the aisle eating instant noodles. Just then, a child running around in the carriage accidentally bumped into Wang Yumei, nearly spilling her noodles. Li Baolong quickly helped Wang Yumei up and checked if she was hurt. The child's parents rushed over and apologized repeatedly, but the children smiled and said it was alright.
As the train continued westward, the scenery became increasingly desolate. They encountered an elderly man who had lived in Xinjiang for many years. After hearing their story, the old man described the vastness and complex terrain of Xinjiang and shared some of his experience in finding people. Li Baolong earnestly consulted the old man on several issues, while Wang Yumei looked at him with deep gratitude.
Another day passed, and the train drew ever closer to its destination. They had already entered Xinjiang. Their experiences on the train deepened their friendship and filled them with determination for the search that lay ahead.
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