So, Meng Yunhanâs suitcases were packed to the brim.
Yun Hai tied Meng Yunhanâs suitcase to the back of his bike. After saying goodbye to their parents, the two of them headed for the town.
They spoke little along the way.
But Yun Hai also knew that all three children at home liked this sister-in-law, Meng Yunhan.
Once they reached the town, Yun Hai left his bicycle with someone he knew, and they boarded a bus to the county city.
Along the way, Meng Yunhan sat by the window, gazing at the passing scenery, a strong smell of diesel pervaded inside the bus; it was unpleasant to her nose.
She glanced to her side; her âBig brotherâ was already asleep, eyes closed.
She imagined if the person next to her was Ahao, she would probably have already fallen asleep leaning on his shoulder.
The bus swayed along the journey, leaving Meng Yunhan feeling a little dizzy.
Upon reaching the county, Yun Hai, carrying the suitcase, prepared to go to the train station. The county, which hadnât undergone any expansion and wasnât very big, could be taken in with a single glance.
âSister Yunhan, letâs go buy train tickets first?â Yun Hai wondered if they could get sleeper tickets. If they werenât available, they would need to buy hard-seat tickets instead.
âAlright, Big Brother.â
They went to the train station and bought tickets for a bus scheduled to leave at three oâclock in the afternoon. Seeing that it was already late, Meng Yunhan proposed they should eat first, then suggested Big Brother go back first. She intended to visit the scrap station because seeing all these good things going to waste was insufferable to her. Despite coming to the county a few times, she just couldnât bear seeing it.
They went to the innâs restaurant and ordered two dishes.
Yun Hai was familiar with this place as he visited the county several times every year.
âSister Yunhan, after our meal, I will send a telegram to Ahao, and he will come to pick you up.â He knew the address, yet as the eldest brother who had been in the army for over a decade, he hadnât visited even once.
âThank you, Big Brother.â Meng Yunhan also knew she had to rely on Yun Hai at present, especially considering there was more than a year left before the college entrance examination.
Meng Yunhan had originally wanted to pay, but Yun Hai refused. This amount of money was not a problem for him, as the eldest brother.
âBig Brother, after you send the telegram, you should go back first. My train is at three oâclock. By the time you reach the village, it will be dark.â Meng Yunhan reasoned.
Yun Hai thought for a moment, still a bit worried. âSister Yunhan, will you be alright on your own?â
The journey from the county back to the town took two hours, and the bus didnât go there every day, there were only a few services.
âBig Brother, Iâll be fine on my own, there are only a few bus services anyway.â
Yun Hai of course understood that, but if he didnât see Yunhan off personally, how would he explain to their parents when they asked about it?
âButâ¦.â
âBig Brother, Iâve come to the county several times; nothing will happen.â Meng Yunhan reassured earnestly.
Yun Hai of course knew this. When she first came to Qingzhao Village alone, and later when villagers went to the county, Yunhan had also accompanied them to select some textbooks to bring back.
After seeing off Yun Hai, Meng Yunhan checked the time and glanced around, she threw her suitcase into a vacant space and headed for the scrap station.
Thankfully, she was wearing a sky-blue shirt that wouldnât easily get dirty at the scrap station.
The woman designated to collect the scrap was still there, fanning herself with a straw fan likely due to the hot weather.
Upon seeing Meng Yunhan, her eyes lit up as each of the girlâs visits promised money.
âYoung girl, are you here to choose textbooks again?â
âYes, Elder Sister.â Meng Yunhan stretched out her hand and slipped money into the womanâs hand amidst their friendly banter.
The womanâs face lit up with an even brighter smile.
âYoung girl, find what you need!â
Meng Yunhan immediately went in to select items.