Chapter 12: Going to the Countryside
Yun Xiulan hugged Ning Xiyue, wiping away her tears. She firmly stuffed the wallet into Ning Xiyue’s hands and said sternly, “Take it. That’s your money — I don’t care what you say. These money coupons are what a mother should give you. Just make sure you keep them safe.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
Ning Xiyue sniffled, a faint smile appearing on her face. She put the wallet away without another word. From now on, she would send more things home and be more filial — these two people were her real parents now.
Once Ning Xiyue had put away the money and ration coupons, Yun Xiulan’s expression softened again, and she started nagging as always:
“Once you’re in the countryside, be very careful about relationships. What if you end up with someone like Zhang Yuan again? If you really plan to date, write to your father and me first, and let your second brother keep an eye on the guy, okay? And don’t trust people so easily. Always keep your guard up — don’t be like before, when you got sold and even helped count the money.”
“Bring back that fiery attitude you had as a kid. Kind people get bullied. If you act like someone who’s not easy to mess with right from the start, others won’t dare to push you around. And don’t care what people say — as long as you live well, that’s all that matters. If things get too difficult, talk to your second brother and let him handle it. Daughter… your safety is the greatest wish of your mother…”
By the time she finished, both mother and daughter were crying uncontrollably, holding each other tightly with tear-streaked faces.
Wiping away her tears, Ning Xiyue spoke in a hoarse voice: “Mom, don’t worry. I’ll be safe. Once I settle down, I’ll write to you. You and Dad must also take care of yourselves. Eat properly — don’t try to save food for me. I won’t starve or be bullied in the countryside. Your daughter is smart.”
“Mm.” Yun Xiulan knew her daughter was clever, but she still couldn’t stop worrying.
“I think that brick you used to hit Zhang Yuan last time was very suitable for you. Make sure to take it with you for self-defense.”
“Got it.” Ning Xiyue laughed. She was probably the only person whose family told her to bring a brick when going to the countryside.
Seeing her husband pacing outside the door, Yun Xiulan stopped talking to give father and daughter some time alone.
“Alright, finish packing up. Mom’s going out now.”
As soon as Yun Xiulan left, Ning Hai came in. He took a small box from his pocket, glanced toward the door, then half-closed it and hurried over to Ning Xiyue, shoving the box into her arms like a thief.
“Daughter, quickly hide this box before your mom sees it. Inside is thirty yuan in secret savings that I managed to stash away. Use it as you need. And there’s also a wristwatch — a Plum Blossom watch I exchanged for at the factory. It’s brand new. It’ll help you keep track of time once you’re in the countryside.”
“Alright, Dad’s leaving now.” Ning Hai handed her the items, said his piece, and hurried out before Ning Xiyue could react. At the door, he poked his head back in and reminded her: “Don’t let your mom know about the money, so I can keep saving more for you.”
“Okay.” Ning Xiyue smiled. “Thank you, Dad. Once your daughter earns some work points in the countryside, I’ll send you some pocket money — and I won’t tell Mom.”
Of course, Ning Hai knew how tough life would be there — being well-fed was already a blessing — but her words still warmed his heart. “Then I’ll look forward to the pocket money from my daughter.”
“Mm.”
Ning Hai left with a smile, and Ning Xiyue vaguely heard Yun Xiulan in the living room curiously asking why he was so happy, only for him to brush it off with a laugh.
Ning Xiyue took out the wristwatch and tried it on. It was small and delicate, fitting her wrist perfectly. It was obvious that her father had carefully chosen it for her — he’d even adjusted the strap beforehand.
At the bottom of the box was a stack of banknotes — the thirty yuan, saved one cent and one dime at a time. Who knew how long it had taken him to save that much? And now, he had given it all to her. A mist of emotion clouded Ning Xiyue’s eyes — she was deeply touched.
If she failed to be filial after this, heaven itself would strike her down.
She took off the watch and placed it, along with other valuables, into her system backpack. She only kept half of the money outside for emergencies.
When she was done packing, she remembered that the college entrance exam would be reinstated in two years. By then, textbooks would be hard to find, so she decided to bring all her high school books with her so she could review them during her spare time.
Thinking this, Ning Xiyue quickly stored all of the original host’s high school textbooks and notes into her system backpack. After a moment of thought, she added the junior high books as well. Only then did she feel at ease enough to lie down and sleep.
At 4:30 the next morning, Yun Xiulan pulled her out of bed to finish getting ready.
The whole family, carrying large bags and bundles, rushed out the door to send Ning Xiyue to the city train station.
The station was crowded with other young educated youths who were also heading to the countryside, all tearfully saying goodbye to their families.
Ning Xiyue was no different — except that it was mostly Yun Xiulan talking, and Ning Xiyue listening.
Yun Xiulan took the small cloth pouch and military canteen hanging from her shoulder and put them on Ning Xiyue.
“There’s dry food in here, and ten boiled eggs. Eat them if you get hungry on the train. The canteen has sugar water in it, and there’s a small bag of sugar in the pouch too. It’s hot in summer — drink plenty of water. But when you add the sugar, do it out of sight.”
“Okay.” Ning Xiyue nodded obediently.
“When you arrive, remember to write home. Also write to your older brother — include your full address so he can mail you things. And remember to thank your brother’s comrade. He’s the one who took you to the hospital when you hurt your head.”
“Got it.”
Ning Hai, who had been watching the train, called out: “Yueyue, the train’s here. Grab your things.”
Once the train stopped, Ning Xiyue gathered all her belongings, a quilt strapped to her back, and stepped aboard.
“Mom, Dad, I’m leaving now. Take care of yourselves. I’ll come home for New Year’s.”
“Alright, stay safe!” Ning Hai waved.
When Yun Xiulan saw her daughter step onto the train, tears immediately welled up and streamed down her cheeks. She leaned into Ning Hai’s shoulder, crying silently.
Ning Xiyue found her seat — by the window — and carefully stowed her luggage before putting on the wristwatch her father had given her.
Seeing her parents still standing outside, she opened the window and waved at them with the hand wearing the watch.
“Mom, Dad, you should go home now. Don’t worry about me. I’ll take good care of myself.”
Her parents moved closer to her window and chatted with her through it until the train slowly started moving.
Watching her parents shrink into the distance, Yun Xiulan broke down crying in Ning Hai’s arms. Ning Hai took off his glasses and wiped away his own tears. Ning Xiyue closed the window, her nose stinging as she rubbed her sore eyes.
A mother always worries when her child travels far.
She had never understood this saying before — she had been an orphan once. But now, she truly understood what it meant. She was no longer a child with no one to love her — now, she had parents who cared deeply for her.
After calming her emotions, Ning Xiyue looked around. Except for a few empty seats in her row, the carriage was full.
Although this wasn’t a special train for the “educated youth,” many of the passengers were just like her. Especially at this stop — a large number of them were headed to the countryside too.
Everyone in her carriage was an educated youth.
Most of them were gloomy and full of anxiety about the future. After so many years of the “Up to the Mountains, Down to the Countryside” campaign, everyone already knew what life there was like. The passionate idealism of the first batches had long since disappeared.
The carriage was quiet. Hardly anyone spoke — a good atmosphere for catching up on sleep.
