The Song family got busy early in the morning. They had packed everything well in advance, but as it was time to leave, they kept wondering if they hadn't prepared everything, or if they should have brought this too...
"Oh dear, Xin'er, did you pack the two children's light long-sleeved shirts in their luggage? It will be hot there in a month when they come back."
"Xin'er, Xin'er, I think you should bring this thick quilt. It's warm during the day but cold at night. Don't get cold in the exam room."
"My dearest, my dearest,..."
Song Anxin was almost dizzy from her mother's nagging, but she could understand her mother's feelings because she was also busy packing things up for Lin Fenghe.
"Granny Wei, go and see if Granny Tao has packed the food for the road. Also, remember to pack the noodles I fried for Fenghe and Anbang in there, they'll need them for the exam."
She prepared instant noodles for Lin Fenghe and Song Anbang. The provincial and prefectural examinations would be held in the examination hall for three consecutive days, and they would eat, drink, and relieve themselves all inside. She asked Song Anbang what he had been eating inside, and he said he had just been eating some dry biscuits. She thought that this was not an exam, but a test of who could endure more. If someone got a stomachache inside, they wouldn't be able to take the exam.
So she made instant noodles for them, but this time she was in a hurry and only prepared "instant noodles" and a little salt, without any other ingredients.
"Oh dear, sister-in-law, Aunt Song, we're not ready yet. Weren't we all packed up yesterday morning?"
Sister-in-law Lin rushed in and said.
Song Mei stuffed two boxes of tea into Li Liandao's hands and said, "Alright, alright, Auntie, actually everything is almost ready. It's just that Mother and Grandma are so worried about Fenghe and Uncle Anbang that they wish they could move everything they can from the house."
Song Mei joked.
Song Anxin felt a little embarrassed; she had the heart of a mother!
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the two families finally set off in a grand procession. When they arrived at the official road leading to Liuzhou, there were already many students and their families seeing them off. Some were driving horse-drawn carriages, some were driving donkey carts, and some were walking.
Even if the horse-drawn carriage travels at a fast pace, it would probably take three and a half hours to reach Liuzhou. Song Anxin truly admired the students who walked there.
They soon spotted Song Anbang and Lin Fenghe's carriage parked by the roadside; it was a new carriage their family had acquired for this occasion. The Sun family also came to see them off.
"Don't worry, you've arrived. It's been a long time since I've seen you, Sister-in-law Song."
Master Sun and Madam Li greeted them and then smiled and nodded to Brother Lin, Sister-in-law Lin, and Feng Nian behind them.
"Hello, Sister Anxin, hello, Aunt Song, hello everyone." Sun Lixi greeted everyone gently and generously.
"Oh my, Teacher Bang'er, it's been so long since I've seen Li Xi's mother and Li Xi."
“Li Xi has really become more and more beautiful. Come and let your aunt take a good look at her.”
"Grandma Song said warmly."
Having not seen Song Anbang and Lin Fenghe for several days, both of them looked much more haggard, undoubtedly from studying hard day and night. Song Anxin felt nothing but heartache for her son; what was there to feel sorry for her brother?
No, no, no, just kidding, just kidding, but I still feel sorry for you.
Song Anxin said, "Anbang, Fenghe, you've worked hard studying, but you should always prioritize your health. Remember to rest well these next few days and conserve your energy so you can perform well in the exam."
The two nodded, and Song Anbang said, "Don't worry, sister, we understand."
Song Anxin hugged Lin Fenghe and patted Song Anbang on the shoulder. Both of them looked much thinner than before. Song Anxin felt a lump in her throat and almost burst into tears.
As she held Lin Fenghe in her arms, she whispered in his ear, "Fenghe, take good care of yourself, or your mother will worry about you and miss you at home."
Lin Fenghe felt at ease smelling the faint fragrance on his mother. He said in a gentle voice, "Mother, I will miss you too."
Lin Fengnian had a bountiful harvest... Upon seeing this, the three brothers went up and hugged Lin Fenghe. Lin Fengnian's eyes were red. As the eldest brother, he had raised his younger brothers. His third brother was quiet and obedient, and he was the one who made him worry the most. Now that his brother was going to such a far place for such a long time, he, as the eldest brother, was really worried.
"Fenghe, it doesn't matter whether you pass the exam or not. Just make sure you eat and sleep well while you're away. Your older brother is waiting for you at home, you know?"
Lin Fenghe nodded emphatically: "Big brother, don't worry, I will."
Despite having delivered it many times, Old Mrs. Song was still very worried each time. She stood in front of Song Anbang and said:
"Anbang, as your uncle, you must take good care of Fenghe while you are away. Be careful on the road. We have prepared everything for you. Please take good care of yourselves."
For the first time, Song Anbang gently hugged his mother and said:
"Mother, I will definitely not let you down this time."
Grandma Song burst into tears and secretly wiped them away in her son's arms.
Brother Lin and his wife's family also prepared some things for the two of them.
Brother Lin made a set of tools for storing writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for each of them. Lin Daxi sewed two pairs of red socks for them, wishing them good fortune. Da Cao and Xiao Cao each gave a blessing...
Looking at the two emaciated people, Sister-in-law Lin said with heartache, "Oh dear, you two have lost all the flesh on your faces. Your aunt has put some thick pancakes with meat and eggs in here for you. Remember to eat them on your journey."
Lin Dongzi said from the side, "Mother, I want to eat this kind of pancake too."
Lin Fengyao said with drooling, "The meat and egg pancake last time was delicious. This extra meat and thicker pancake must be so delicious."
"Um... although I didn't get to taste it, it must taste amazing. I saw my mom put in a ton of meat and fried eggs," Lin Erxi said.
Sister-in-law Lin was immediately pulled out of her emotional state by what the three of them said.
"Hey, you three, are you reincarnated starving ghosts? I was in too much of a rush this morning, can't I make it for you when I get back?"
The three of them immediately burst into laughter, their mouths practically splitting open. "Hehehe..."
A group of people were left speechless, both amused and exasperated by them.
At this moment, Master Sun spoke up: "Didn't Peng Tongsheng say he would go to Liuzhou with you? Why haven't we seen him?"
Song Anbang replied, "Yes, it's probably because his family was busy seeing him off that he was delayed. It's still early, so we can wait for him a little longer."
Three days prior, Master Peng had returned to his home in the county from Linjia Village. The temporary school in the Linjia Village ancestral hall had officially closed. On the day Master Peng left, many villagers and children came to see him off. Families with children attending school contributed some travel expenses for him, with Song Anxin's family naturally taking the lion's share. Everyone hoped he would achieve good results in the exam, and Master Peng was moved to tears, weeping uncontrollably.
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