Chapter Sixty-Nine
When Luo Chunyan arrived at Ji Wanmei's courtyard, she saw that the gate was open and called out, "Meimei, Meimei, are you ready?"
It was just past eight o'clock, and Ji Wanmei was doing a final check in the house to make sure that her ID and personal belongings were all there.
Upon hearing Luo Chunyan's call, Ji Wanmei quickly grabbed her small suitcase and went out, replying, "Hey, I'm coming!"
Luo Chunyan went into Ji Wanmei's courtyard to wait for her. Less than two minutes later, she saw Ji Wanmei come out wearing a blue and white striped sailor shirt, a pair of slim-fitting flared jeans, black low-heeled leather shoes, and carrying an exquisite leather suitcase.
She tied her hair into a high ponytail, with a bright yellow silk scarf tied to the hair tie. The ends of her hair flowed and swayed as she walked, making her look quite beautiful.
If you didn't know better, you'd think she was a modern woman who came back from some big city; she doesn't seem like someone from a small place like Pingquan County.
Luo Chunyan's eyes lit up, but she was a little worried and said, "Meimei, won't you be too conspicuous dressed like this to take the train?"
"I heard from my dad that the train is a mixed bag, with all sorts of people, it's really chaotic."
Ji Wanmei picked up a black hooded jacket and said, "It's okay, I brought a jacket. I'll put it on when I get on the train, and with the hood up, no one will be able to see what I look like. Besides, my dad's factory worker is traveling with me, and we bought tickets for seats together, so nothing will happen."
"Okay, let's hurry up and set off. It's already past eight o'clock, and I'm worried about being late." Luo Chunyan had never traveled far before and didn't know what the procedures were for taking the train. She was worried that she wouldn't have enough time.
Ji Wanmei smiled, turned around, locked the door, put the key away, and pulled her small suitcase, saying, "Let's go, we'll wait for the car outside the compound."
Luo Chunyan thought that when Ji Wanmei said she was waiting for a vehicle, she meant one of those three-wheeled vehicles that ran in the county town.
Unexpectedly, after arriving outside the compound, Ji Wanmei said, "That official is going to Zhejiang on official business this time. There will be a car to take him to the train station, and he can pick us up along the way."
Ji Wanmei's small leather suitcase was the kind with wheels; you could pull out the handle and drag it along the ground.
Luo Chunyan looked on with envy and thought to herself that when she had money in the future, she would buy herself a fashionable little leather suitcase like that.
The two waited at the gate of the compound for a few minutes before a Santana drove up.
The Santana was the factory's official car, and it was usually only given to leaders to drive when they went out to discuss business.
Luo Chunyan had never ridden in a Santana before, but this time she actually got to ride in one because of Ji Wanmei.
Unexpectedly, after getting into the car, I saw Director Ji sitting in the front passenger seat.
Ji Wanmei was not surprised; she knew her father was worried about her and would personally come to the train station to see her off.
He had said this morning that he would go to the factory first and then see her off with Officer Li.
After Luo Chunyan got into the car, she saw Ji Xingguo and quickly greeted him, "Uncle Ji, you're here too. Are you going to take Meimei to school?"
When facing a younger generation like his daughter, Ji Xingguo was still very kind and approachable. He turned around and smiled, "Yes, Meimei has never been on a long trip before, so I was really worried. This time, it's all thanks to Chunyan for coming along."
"When you two get there, you must take care of each other and be careful in everything you do. Be wary of any strangers with ill intentions. Especially be careful not to eat anything given to you by strange men."
"If you get lost, find the police or local officials immediately. Also, remember not to display your wealth to avoid attracting the attention of criminals."
"As for accommodation, I'll have Officer Li arrange it. Make sure you stay in a proper guesthouse, not one of those shady places; they're not safe, understand?"
Ji Wanmei had heard her father repeat these words countless times, and she was so tired of hearing them that she said helplessly, "Okay, okay, Dad, I know. I'm not a child anymore."
However, Luo Chunyan, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but feel envious.
Even someone of Director Ji's status and position, who was willing to remain single at a young age for the sake of his daughter, and whose family was so wealthy, did not insist on finding another wife to have a son to inherit the family business.
When my daughter went on her first long trip, I not only took care of everything, personally sending a car to take her, but also patiently gave her all sorts of instructions like a mother hen.
Those words of advice might have sounded tedious to Ji Wanmei, but Luo Chunyan felt they were the most touching expressions of family affection in the world.
At this moment, Luo Chunyan finally understood what she had always envied most about Ji Wanmei.
She envied her for having a loving and selfless father.
Luo Chunyan couldn't help but say, "Uncle Ji, you are so good to Meimei."
Ji Xingguo chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "My daughter's grown up and has her own ideas. I can't persuade her otherwise, so what can I do?"
Li, the clerk next to him who was driving, chimed in, "Everyone in our factory knows that Director Ji dotes on his daughter."
The train station isn't far from the town center; it only takes about ten minutes to drive there.
After getting off the train, Officer Li helped the two girls carry their luggage down, and the group entered the train station. Ji Xingguo also saw them off at the entrance.
At that time, train station platforms were still open to relatives seeing off passengers, and the security checks were not as strict as they would be twenty or thirty years later, where non-passengers were not allowed to enter.
Ji Xingguo escorted them all the way to the station, watched them go through the ticket check-in process, and then saw them all the way to the platform.
Inside the platform, people came and went, carrying large and small bags of luggage, hurrying along. Countless relatives saw off their loved ones who were about to embark on their journeys, some embracing each other with reluctance, some crying and telling their stories, and some waving goodbye.
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