Chapter 13: Arrival—Has the Story Fallen Apart?

“We’re here, finally arrived at Nonglin County.”

The sixth carriage of the train was contracted by the sent-down youth assigned to rural areas.

Some had already opened the windows to look outside and, from a distance, spotted a weathered wooden sign bearing the words “Nonglin County.” Immediately, they excitedly shouted out.

Traveling from the capital city to Nonglin County in YC City, Heilongjiang Province, required first taking a train to Harbin, then transferring to YC City. The two transfers together took nearly thirty hours.

Including transfer times, the entire journey from the capital to Nonglin County took more than thirty hours.

“Finally here, if not, I’d be done for.”

“No kidding, after sitting for over thirty hours, I’m numb all over.”

“Comrades, wake up and pack your things, we’ve arrived…”

Mu Wanwan was roused from a drowsy sleep by the noise, irritated, she murmured softly, unwilling to wake, burying her forehead against Fang Yinnian’s shoulder.

Fang Yinnian stiffened all over, somehow recalling the coquettish question she had asked him two days ago.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and gently nudged Mu Wanwan. “Get up, we’ve reached Nonglin County.”

“So tired… it hurts.” Mu Wanwan had been on the train for over thirty hours and felt as if her waist was about to break.

Even her backside was numb.

Her round, soft face was creased and pale, her rosy cheeks paling. Fang Yinnian looked at her with some concern, taking out a military water canteen he had filled with warm water and handed it to her. “Drink some water first to ease yourself.”

It was just past seven in the morning, the sun already high, with a brisk fifteen or sixteen degrees Celsius making it a bit chilly.

Mu Wanwan moved slightly, causing the thin blanket over her shoulders to slip off. She shivered suddenly. “So cold.”

Her eyes, now open, glistened with moisture. She took the canteen and drank directly.

“Slow down, is it too hot?” Fang Yinnian anxiously grabbed her hand.

He had filled the canteen with boiling water hours ago, kept it wrapped in the blanket, but if it hadn’t cooled much, it could still scald her.

“It’s not hot.” Mu Wanwan blinked and, now fully awake, pursed her lips. “I was thirsty.”

“You really…” Fang Yinnian didn’t know what to say to her.

So clumsy and reckless.

“Drink slowly.” He released her hand but continued to nag, tidying the blanket.

The train was cold at night. People who stayed overnight brought thick clothes or blankets to avoid waking from the chill.

Their intimate closeness drew the attention of Dong Huiying, sitting opposite, who exchanged knowing glances with Jiang Guoqiang, signaling him to follow suit.

Dong Huiying and Jiang Guoqiang were actually engaged, both children of soy sauce factory workers. After graduating high school without finding jobs, and with neither family responding to the state’s call to go to the countryside, the two young people, recently engaged, resolutely signed up together.

Jiang Guoqiang had an honest, taciturn face, tall and sturdy with a look that seemed hard to beat.

A shy blush flickered in his eyes as he glanced around secretly. Seeing that the other sent-down youth were busy packing and not paying attention, he pulled an egg from his pocket and slipped it into Dong Huiying’s hand.

Dong Huiying nearly screamed, twisting her body to whisper, “Where did this come from?”

“Ahem, my mother gave it to me before I left.”

“Didn’t you already eat some?”

“I hid one.”

Dong Huiying paused, her sharp brows softening with warmth.

Both the Jiang and Dong families were ordinary, double-income households with many children and elderly to support, barely making ends meet.

For this assignment to the countryside, apart from essential supplies, their parents had only given them a small amount of money and made some meat buns and six boiled eggs before departure.

The eggs were all eaten the previous night, at least apparently.

The shells had been thrown away, but no one expected Jiang Guoqiang had secretly saved one.

It was clear he hadn’t wanted to eat it but kept it for her.

Dong Huiying, who had envied Mu Wanwan for having a handsome and gentle husband caring for her, now realized she wasn’t lacking either.

“Wait, I’ll give you half.” Dong Huiying’s hands moved quickly as she whispered.

“I don’t want it, you eat.”

“No, if I have some, you should have some too.” Blushing, Dong Huiying said this and quickly took a sip of water.

Mu Wanwan, barely stretching after reluctantly getting up, noticed the air had a faint sweetness. She scrunched her nose and sniffed.

Like a little puppy.

After tidying his things, Fang Yinnian saw her like this and wanted to pinch her small nose.

He raised his hand slightly, then hesitated and let it fall to his backpack, rubbing it nervously. “Are you hungry?”

“No, I want to go to the bathroom.” Mu Wanwan felt a little urgent.

Fang Yinnian glanced toward the restroom, crowded with people waiting to disembark. “Wait a bit, okay? After we get off, I’ll take you to a public restroom.”

“Okay.” Mu Wanwan obediently didn’t fuss.

Finally unable to resist, Fang Yinnian tousled the small tuft of hair atop Mu Wanwan’s head.

The train arrived on time at 7:40 a.m., and passengers surged toward the exit.

Fang Yinnian didn’t rush off, fearing an accident amid the crowd. Once most had disembarked, he carried their luggage and led Mu Wanwan down.

Jiang Guoqiang and Dong Huiying followed together, the four stepping out of the carriage without hindrance.

Nonglin County was a remote small county under YC City in Heilongjiang Province, near the Lesser Khingan Mountains. Traffic was sparse in the past, but in recent years, the influx of sent-down youth had stirred population growth and changes to the environment.

The most noticeable changes were in transportation and local landmarks.

Stepping onto the cement platform and crossing the waiting area inside the station, the crowd gradually thickened.

The four followed the flow of people. Along the way, Fang Yinnian took Mu Wanwan to the restroom. Once their needs were met, they exited the station.

Outside, wooden signs had been erected, with people loudly calling out—

“Young sent-down youth headed to Hongguang Commune, gather here!”

“To Lu Jia Farm, this way!”

“Red Star Farm, come quickly…”

Seven or eight wooden signs stood with people shouting to gather groups.

Mu Wanwan and Fang Yinnian were assigned to Red Star Farm, while Dong Huiying and Jiang Guoqiang were headed to Hongguang Commune nearby.

The four parted at the entrance, having spent barely two days and nights together, Dong Huiying already reluctant to say goodbye to Mu Wanwan.

Mu Wanwan was beautiful yet unpretentious, straightforward and innocent without being soft—qualities Dong Huiying greatly admired.

“Wanwan, once you’ve settled in, come find me to play. I’ll make you some pancakes.”

“Sure!” At the mention of food, Mu Wanwan instinctively swallowed.

She was feeling a little hungry.

“You should come visit me too. By the way, Huiying sister, is the place you’re going called Hongguang Commune?”

“Yes, Shuanghe Village under Hongguang Commune.”

“Hongguang Commune, Shuanghe Village?” Mu Wanwan blinked.

Wasn’t that where the original story’s female protagonist lived?

Oh, she remembered.

In the original tale, Fang Yinnian was reported and sent to the female protagonist’s village.

But now, Fang Yinnian was not going there; instead, he was heading to the farm with her… would there still be a romantic development between the original male and female leads?