Originally, the second day of the Lunar New Year was the day Zeng Huilan was supposed to visit her parents' home, but the weather turned bad and it started snowing in the early morning. It continued to snow throughout the day, so the trip had to be postponed.
With snow making it impossible to go anywhere, Su Xingran stayed home the whole time. The weather didn't return to normal until the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, at which point Su Xingran couldn't even go to her grandmother's house. Huang Tai'an said he would return to Beijing on the fifth day; he had bought the tickets, but Su Xingran didn't know what time the tickets were for.
Not long after lunch, Huang Tai'an arrived at the house. Su Guomin opened the door and saw Huang Tai'an. "Tai'an, Happy New Year! Are you here to see Xingran? She's inside. Please come in first."
Huang Tai'an followed Su Guomin into the house, where Su Xingran was sitting with Zeng Huilan doing needlework. Seeing Huang Tai'an, Su Xingran knew it was about their trip to Beijing the next day.
Huang Tai'an said to Su Guomin and his wife, "Guomin and Huilan, Happy New Year! I'm here today to tell Xingran that I've bought her train ticket for tomorrow morning. I'll have someone pick her up tomorrow morning and we'll meet at my place, and then we'll go to the train station from there."
"I'm going back with my transfer order. I have a lot of things to do today, so I can't stay here any longer. Xingran, pack your things and remember to bring what you need."
Huang Tai'an came and went quickly, seemingly very busy. The three people inside remained silent, knowing beforehand that farewell would come. But when it did, they still felt sadness and reluctance.
Su Xingran sighed softly, "Father, Mother, I'll come back to see you whenever I have time. You can come to see me whenever you have time."
Zeng Huilan forced a smile and said, "Ranran, we know. Just focus on your studies and don't worry about home. Pack your things and make sure you don't forget anything."
Su Guomin didn't speak; he silently went outside to clear the snow. Su Xingran watched his figure, hesitant to speak, but ultimately remained silent.
That night, Su Xingran slept with Zeng Huilan. Zeng Huilan was worried that Su Xingran would be too tired from the train journey the next day, so she made Su Xingran go to bed early. Su Xingran's own sleep schedule was quite regular, and she went to sleep at her usual time unless something special happened.
On the morning of the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, the Su family's kitchen was bustling with activity early in the morning. Zeng Huilan made dumplings and steamed buns. The dumplings were for Su Xingran to eat for breakfast, and the steamed buns were for Su Xingran to take on the train.
Su Xingran got up, tidied herself up, and had breakfast with her parents. Zeng Huilan had just finished packing the steamed buns and eggs when there was a knock at the door. Hearing the knock, Su Guomin went to open the door, where a uniformed police officer stood.
When the police officer saw Su Guomin open the door, he said, "Hello, Comrade Su, I was sent by Director Huang Tai'an to pick up Comrade Su Xingran."
Su Guomin politely said to the police officer, "Thank you, officer. Have you had breakfast yet? Why don't you come in and have some breakfast?"
The police officer shook his head and said, "Comrade Su, thank you, but I've already had breakfast. I won't go in; I'll just wait outside for Comrade Su Xingran to come out."
Hearing the commotion outside from inside the house, Su Xingran said, "Mother, I'll go to my room to get my luggage and come right out. Please call the comrade from Tai'an who's here to pick me up, and pack some steamed buns for him!"
Zeng Huilan quickly went to the kitchen to get a bag and filled it with five or six steamed buns. She went back into the main room to help carry them. The couple were taking the things to Beijing for Su Xingran, and they walked to the front gate.
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