Chapter 232: The Snow and Wind Are Coming, and the Heart Longs to Return Home
When Ning Xiyue and Ning Qingyuan arrived at the commune entrance in the county Armed Forces Department’s car, little Gou Dan asleep in her arms, they found the area crowded with people. Everyone was craning their necks toward the road leading to the commune, waiting expectantly. Their car pulled up, but not a single person paid attention to it.
Some even looked annoyed, as if the car was blocking their view.
Ning Xiyue took a closer look—it was all people from their own production team. Standing at the very front were Gou Dan’s family. Uncle Anguo was stretching his neck, desperately looking down the road.
It could be said that when one family was in trouble, the whole team helped. In critical moments, their team’s unity was remarkable.
Ning Xiyue looked down at Gou Dan, who was sleeping soundly in her arms. She couldn’t bring herself to wake him. Even in sleep, his little hand clutched her clothing tightly. After such an exhausting day, he must have been worn out. Better to let him rest.
Once the car stopped, Ning Qingyuan took all the luggage in his hands.
“Xiyue, I’ll handle the bags. You just hold the child. Sit tight, I’ll get out and open the door for you.”
“Alright.”
“Hey, what’s with this car? Why’d it stop here and block our view? How am I supposed to see Xiyue and Gou Dan come back like this? Move it!”
Aunt Yangliu complained impatiently, stepping forward to get a better look, circling around the back of the car to continue watching the road.
The others followed her lead, moving aside to stand behind the vehicle.
The car, which had originally stopped right in front of the crowd, now stood awkwardly alone in front because everyone had moved away, annoyed that it blocked their line of sight.
“Ah, much better now,” someone said.
Inside the car, Ning Xiyue: …
Seriously? No one noticed her sitting right here? Not even one person cared about the stopped car?
Fine then—she’d give them a surprise.
Before her brother could open the door for her, she freed one hand and opened her side at the same time as him, stepping out.
A surprise attack.
While everyone’s attention was still focused on the road ahead, Ning Xiyue suddenly called out from behind, “Hi, Aunties, Uncles, everyone!”
“Xiyue?” Aunt Yangliu reacted first. She turned and saw Ning Xiyue—it was really her! She ran over joyfully and hugged her. “Hahaha! Xiyue, you little rascal! You really scared us. Is Gou Dan alright?”
The other villagers, surprised and delighted, began shouting: “Ah! Xiyue and Gou Dan are back!”
“Long time no see, Aunties.” Ning Xiyue greeted with a smile. “Gou Dan’s fine, just tired. He’s sleeping.”
“Gou Dan, my Gou Dan!” Aunt Huaihua cried as she rushed over and took the boy into her arms.
Gou Dan stirred awake, rubbing his eyes. When he saw his mother in front of him, he wrapped his arms around her neck and burst into tears.
“Mom, I thought I’d never see you again!”
“Don’t cry, don’t cry. Mommy will never let you go again.”
Wiping away his tears, Gou Dan sniffled, “I’m not crying. Sister Xiyue saved me. I promised her I wouldn’t cry—I’m gonna be the coolest kid in the team!”
Ning Xiyue couldn’t help but laugh. This kid only remembered that part.
Zhao Anguo, seeing his son safe, didn’t rush to hug the boy. Instead, he walked up to Ning Xiyue and gave her a deep bow.
“Xiyue, thank you. Thank you for saving my Gou Dan. You’re our family’s benefactor—thank you.”
Ning Xiyue quickly stepped forward to help him up.
“Uncle, please don’t. This is what anyone from our team would do. We’re all one unit—anyone would’ve helped if they saw.”
“No, gratitude must be shown,” Aunt Huaihua insisted, bowing as well after setting Gou Dan down. “You didn’t just save Gou Dan—you saved our whole family. Thank you, Xiyue, for bringing my boy back.”
“Gou Dan, quickly thank your Sister Xiyue.”
“Sister Xiyue, thank you!” Gou Dan bowed deeply, then ran forward and hugged Ning Xiyue’s leg, looking up at her with a bright smile.
“Sister Xiyue, Gou Dan likes you the most!”
“You little rascal,” Ning Xiyue chuckled, tapping his nose lightly.
Aunt Yangliu, watching from the side, felt truly happy for Huaihua’s family. They were so lucky—children taken by traffickers were almost never found. Xiyue really was their team’s lucky star. She’d already helped them so many times.
The sky was getting darker, and snowflakes were beginning to fall again. Aunt Yangliu called out,
“Alright, alright! The child’s home safe, it’s getting late. Let’s head back—too cold to stay out here. Home’s much warmer!”
“Right, let’s go home!”
The commune members who had helped search for Gou Dan began heading back.
Aunt Yangliu looked at Ning Xiyue, who hadn’t moved yet.
“Xiyue, aren’t you coming?”
“You all go ahead, Auntie. I still have something to take care of.” Ning Xiyue pointed toward the car behind her.
Aunt Yangliu glanced at the vehicle, then at Ning Qingyuan standing beside it, and waved goodbye.
“Alright then, be careful on your way. Have your brother bring you back later.”
“Got it, Auntie.”
After watching the villagers climb onto their ox carts and leave, the siblings said a few words of thanks to the Armed Forces comrades who had given them a ride, then hurried off toward their small courtyard.
Before leaving the county, they had stopped by the post office to mail the letters and frostbite ointment.
Now, with no need to make another detour, they went straight to their courtyard to grab their bicycles and pedaled swiftly toward their team.
The wind and snow were on their way—and their hearts longed only for home.
