"Why did you think of going to the provincial capital?"
Qiao Changhai calmed down for a while and finally thought of the important thing.
"I didn't say I was going to the provincial capital before, and I haven't got my letter of introduction yet, so how did you buy the ticket?"
Qiao Baozhu looked at Qiao Changhai and smiled, "With your son-in-law here, what's wrong with buying a few tickets?"
Qiao Changhai opened his mouth and rubbed his pants awkwardly, "The main thing is that I don't know what to do in the provincial capital? I can't react."
"Your uncle said that we can't stay at home all the time since we finally have a holiday. While he has not reported to the new unit and has time to spend with his family, let's go out and get some fresh air.
Mom and Dad, you haven’t been to the provincial capital, right? Our family of four will go there together and walk around to relax. ”
"How long does it take to get to the provincial capital? I heard that the train is at nine in the evening. What should we prepare? Oh, ask your mother to steam some buns so that we can eat them on the way."
Chen Xiao pointed at the luggage on the ground: "I bought bread and fried dough twists to keep as a cushion on the road. In fact, there is no need to prepare too much food. We are taking the evening train and will arrive at the station at 5:30 tomorrow morning."
As he spoke, Shen Xiao handed the train ticket to Qiao Changhai. Qiao Changhai held the ticket and saw that the departure time was 21:50 and the arrival station was Sankeshu Railway Station.
"Oh, 21:50, isn't that midnight? That's fine, we'll all have a full meal tonight, and take a nap on the way, so we'll arrive at the station just in time."
"Hiss... Is this a sleeper? Or a soft sleeper? Oh my god, why is this ticket so expensive?"
"It's okay. Our family can afford it."
Shen Xiao disagreed, but Qiao Changhai didn't believe it. Sleeper tickets were difficult to buy, and only cadres were eligible to sit there.
"It's hard to buy tickets before the Chinese New Year. Today is the second day of the Chinese New Year, and those who went home to visit their families have already left. This train is heading to Harar, and there are fewer people on the northbound train. Tickets are easy to buy!"
After Shen Xiao explained, Qiao Changhai felt relieved.
Knowing that Shen Xiao would definitely not accept his ticket money, he asked Qiao Baozhu to help pack his things for going out, and he gave Shen Xiao the salary that the old couple had saved.
"After the New Year, you will be changing to a new unit. New colleagues will mean new relationships. Having more money in your pocket will make things easier. Dad is not very knowledgeable and can't help you with your career. You can use this little money you have saved."
Shen Xiao was too embarrassed to ask for money from his father-in-law, so he quickly declined, "Dad, I don't need the money. You can take it back, we both have a lot of savings."
Qiao Changhai snorted coldly: "You two earned your own money. This money is a gift from your mother and me. Don't think I don't know that you gave all your family assets to Baozhu, and you don't have any spare money."
"As your father-in-law, I am very happy and relieved that you can do this. But as your father, I still feel a little uncomfortable. You are a man, you can't be without any money."
Shen Xiao didn't react for a moment, and blurted out: "Dad, Baozhu and I are inseparable. The money is with her, and I trust her. If I really need money, she will not refuse to give it to me."
“It’s not a question of whether or not to give, but whether or not to give in time.”
Qiao Changhai frowned and said sternly, "After the New Year, you will be transferred to a new camp, and Baozhu will stay in the city. If something really happens, she won't be able to send the money in time. You'd better keep it with you, just in case."
Shen Xiao pondered for a moment, then carefully pushed the money over again.
He understood the implication of Qiao Changhai's words.
Over the years, any soldier under Shen Xiao's command whose family was poor would be subsidized privately as long as he knew about it.
Especially on comrades with whom he had a deep relationship, such as Wei Yanda and Jiang Sen, Shen Xiao spent a lot of money.
Qiao Changhai was reminding or warning, anyway, he just wanted to know whether Shen Xiao would be so clueless in the future.
Shen Xiao immediately expressed his opinion. He said that he used to be a bachelor, and if one person was well fed, the whole family would not be hungry. When he saw his comrades in arms having difficulties in life, he would help them as much as he could.
Now he has a family and a wife, and will have children to raise in the future. As long as it involves financial issues, he will discuss them with Qiao Baozhu.
Qiao Changhai breathed a sigh of relief. Since Shen Xiao had expressed his opinion, he would no longer embarrass him.
"Dad, what are you talking about?"
Qiao Baozhu walked into the room carrying a brand new wool sweater and looked at the two of them suspiciously. She always felt that something was wrong with the atmosphere in the room.
"Nothing, I wanted to give the ticket money to Shen Xiao, but this kid refused to take it no matter what."
Qiao Changhai explained with a smile. Qiao Baozhu did not doubt him and said angrily, "Dad, you are really great. I manage the money in our family. If you want to give money, it should be given to me."
Qiao Changhai smiled but said nothing, pointing at Qiao Baozhu's hand: "How did you find this dress?"
"You're still talking about that. I bought this dress for you several months ago, but I haven't seen you wear it. You always said you couldn't wear it while working because you were afraid it would get dirty. It should be okay for you to wear it when you go back to the provincial capital, right?"
Qiao Changhai smiled and nodded: "Okay, this dress is suitable. Let's find a photo studio and take a photo together at the train station."
In the cold winter, who would take photos in front of the train station entrance wearing a woolen sweater?
Qiao Baozhu smiled and joked, and bought Shen Xiao a new set of clothes.
The family of four had a meal of hot dumplings at home, packed up, and arrived at the train station at eight o'clock.
We got on the train before 9:30. The soft sleeper had four berths. Our family of four closed the door and it was quiet and comfortable.
"Mom and Dad, you two sleep on the bottom, Baozhu and I will sleep on the top."
Shen Xiao was dressed in casual clothes, taking care of the two elders very carefully and thoughtfully. When the conductor came to check the tickets, he enviously praised Qiao Changhai: "Uncle, your son is really filial. He helps you go to the toilet and fetch hot water. You are really enjoying yourself."
Qiao Changhai looked proud: "That's right, I am the most filial child."
Qiao Baozhu couldn't stand her dad being so arrogant, so she climbed down from the upper bunk and went to the toilet.
Seeing this, Shen Xiao also stood up, but was stopped by Qiao Baozhu: "You don't have to accompany me, it's only a few meters away, how can you get lost?"
As the train body swayed, Qiao Baozhu staggered twice and walked towards the train bathroom with her clothes on.
After entering the bathroom and closing the car door, Qiao Baozhu saw a figure flash by through the crack of the door.
"Huh?! Why does that person look so much like Wei Dong?"
Qiao Baozhu rubbed her eyes, pushed open the bathroom door, and looked over.
But the man had disappeared long ago, and Qiao Baozhu felt like she was dazzled. If it was Wei Dong, he was heading towards their carriage, so Shen Xiao couldn't have failed to notice it.
Qiao Baozhu felt that she must have seen it wrong and closed the bathroom door again.
After the bathroom door closed, a tall and thin figure came back.
Wei Dong paused at the door for a few seconds and walked towards the opposite carriage...
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