On an early summer afternoon, sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a dappled light across the Huang family's courtyard. Like a gentle summer breeze, Huang Wenbin's letter gently landed on the table, carrying thoughts and news from afar.
"Wenrong, come and have a look, your brother has written to you again!" Huang's mother poked her head out from the kitchen, holding a freshly cut watermelon in her hand, her face full of smiles.
Huang Wenrong opened the letter and read it carefully, a gentle smile gradually appearing on his face. "My brother said he's doing fine, and his comrades praised the sausages and bacon sent from home."
Hearing this, Huang's mother smiled even more brightly: "That's good, that's good. I was worried that he wouldn't be used to it. I'll send him all the remaining sausages at home, and I'll make him a few bottles of meat sauce." After saying that, she turned around and went back to the kitchen and started to get busy.
Huang Wenrong continued to read the letter, frowning slightly: "My brother said that he has grown a lot taller recently, but he always feels pain in his legs every night when he goes to bed."
Upon hearing this, Xu Mengyao realized that Huang Wenbin was suffering from calcium deficiency due to sudden growth or excessive exercise.
After dinner, she went to the hospital to see a doctor, explained her situation, and bought calcium tablets and vitamins. She also carefully put a note on each bottle of medicine, with instructions and precautions written in beautiful handwriting, reminding Huang Wenbin to take it on time.
"Mom, I went to the hospital this afternoon and got these calcium tablets to relieve my brother's leg pain. You can pack some and send them to him." Xu Mengyao handed the medicine to Huang's mother.
"You are attentive and know a lot. It is a blessing for your brother to have a sister like you."
Huang's mother was busy packing the package to be sent to Huang Wenbin. The house was filled with the aroma of meat sauce, which made people salivate.
"Are all these sausages going to be sent to my eldest brother? I haven't eaten enough yet." Wenxia couldn't help asking as he watched his mother stuffing the sausages into the package without any hesitation.
Huang's mother smiled and tapped her forehead. "Your brother has been working hard in the army and hasn't been able to come back for three years. If he likes these, just send them to him. As for you, a foodie, we can make them at home anytime."
At this time, Huang Nai came over with a few pairs of knitted soles in her hand and put them into the bag. Looking at the bottles and jars in front of her, she couldn't help but shook her head and said with concern:
"You two are so lax, how can we still live? Can Binzi finish all the food he sent?"
Huang's mother didn't say anything, but Xu Mengyao smiled softly:
"Grandma, isn't there an old saying that goes 'a mouth is soft when someone eats you, and a hand is short when someone gives you something? Big brother, your comrades who have eaten our food will probably take better care of you. Besides, big brother will definitely be able to eat the good things sent by other families."
After hearing her words, Grandma Huang's brows, which were originally frowned because she felt sorry for the things, instantly relaxed.
In the next few days, Xu Mengyao and Huang Wenrong concentrated on preparing for admission. Both of them successfully passed the entrance examination of No. 2 Middle School. They were very happy to learn that they could enter Teacher Zhou's class.
After a short rest, they took their friends Guizi and Badan, who had been waiting for them for several days, to the city to set up stalls and make money.
As night falls, the lights of Huanshi Railway Station flicker in the dim light, guiding travelers both home and on their journeys. Xu Mengyao and her companions have quietly moved their stall to the station's exit, their small lanterns swaying gently in the breeze, a heartwarming signal to welcome their loved ones back home.
Passersby would stop at their stall out of curiosity. While everyone was busy, the train station broadcast sounded, announcing that the train to Haishi was about to arrive.
Xu Mengyao unconsciously glanced toward the exit, pausing her work. Passengers filed out, and she stared wide-eyed, searching the crowd carefully.
At this moment, Chen Chen's figure came into view. The lights at the exit stretched his profile. Although his face was tired from the journey, his eyes were shining with excitement and joy that was difficult to conceal.
Xu Mengyao stood not far away, the corners of her mouth raised unconsciously, and she shouted loudly: "Chen Chen! Here!"
Chen Chen turned around when he heard the voice. When his eyes met Xu Mengyao's, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. Then he smiled and said, "Wenjuan! Why are you here?"
Xu Mengyao walked up to him with a smile and said jokingly:
"Didn't you say in your last letter that you bought a ticket for today? The only train from Hai City arrives at night, and I'm worried you won't be able to return to the mining area and become a homeless person. I thought I'd wait for you here, and maybe set up a stall to kill time."
Chen Chen's cheeks flushed slightly, and he still looked young and innocent. He quickly explained:
"Actually, I've already booked a hotel. I plan to stay here tonight and return to the mining area tomorrow. I didn't expect you to come all the way to pick me up. It's really troublesome."
"Of course, we are good friends!" She patted Chen Chen's shoulder and said generously.
Badan and Huang Wenrong also gathered around. Badan stared at the suitcase in Chen Chen's hand with wide eyes and exclaimed:
"Your box is quite high-end, and Haishi has a lot of good things!"
Chen Chen quickly waved his hands: "No, no, this is for storing things. I have too much stuff in my backpack to fit."
The group escorted Chen Chen to the Huanfu Hotel. They couldn't help but admire the lavish decor and attentive service.
After completing the check-in formalities, Chen Chen looked at Xu Mengyao gratefully:
"Thank you so much today. Tomorrow morning, we'll treat you to breakfast. I'll pack my luggage tonight and give you the things I brought from Hai City tomorrow."
Xu Mengyao readily agreed and turned around to go home with her friends.
Badan couldn't contain his curiosity along the way: "Is Chen Chen's dad very rich? That hotel, wow, I dream of staying there for a night."
Huang Wenrong also said, "Chen Chen has indeed changed, not only in appearance, but also in temperament. It seems that life in Hai City has changed him a lot."
Xu Mengyao agreed softly, "He's changed a lot, but his innocence and sincerity towards his friends haven't changed at all."
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the cracks in the curtains, waking up the sleeping city. Xu Mengyao arrived at the Huanfu Hotel and saw Chen Chen waiting in the lobby.
"You got up so early after such a long car ride yesterday. They are all staying in bed at home. Let's go have breakfast."
At the entrance of the bustling breakfast shop, Chen Chen and Xu Mengyao sat opposite each other at a small table, enjoying a steaming hot Huanshi specialty breakfast with happy smiles on their faces.
"The food in Huanshi is still delicious. I'm not used to the food in Haishi! Wenjuan, the weather is really nice today. Let's go for a walk in the park?" Chen Chen suggested.
Xu Mengyao looked up at the azure sky and agreed, "Okay, it's quite quiet there. I'm really curious about your new life in Hai City."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
