RYEY -Chapter 369 Departure

The train to the capital was scheduled to leave earlier than the train to Gansu Province. Just before boarding, Xiao Nuan clung desperately to Cheng Qiao’s legs, refusing to let go. She knew her mother was going far, far away, and it would be very difficult to see her again.

Hearing Xiao Nuan call out “Mom” again and again, Cheng Qiao’s heart ached. But she knew she couldn’t give in. The conditions in Gansu were harsh—how could such a tender little girl possibly cope?

“Xiao Nuan, listen to Mommy. Just wait until the snowy season, and Mommy will come back to be with you. Then I’ll buy you beautiful clothes and pretty hair accessories.”

“Mommy, is it New Year’s?”

“You’re so smart, Xiao Nuan. By New Year, you’ll be a year older.”

“Mommy, don’t wait until New Year.”

“Why not?”

“Bad people might come and steal from us during New Year.”

“That won’t happen. When you and your brothers set off firecrackers, you must stay close to the adults. Last time we were careless, but it won’t happen again.”

“Mommy, I’m not afraid of hardship. Take me with you.”

“I want to take you too, but I have school and you have kindergarten. There isn’t a kindergarten there yet—what would you do?”

“Grandpa and Second Brother are there.”

“Grandpa has to work, and Second Brother has school. I can’t leave you alone at home.”

Xiao Nuan’s face turned sour, and tears streamed down her cheeks, soaking half of a handkerchief. Xiao Chengli held her hand and promised to write her a letter every month.

Xiao Nuan’s eyes lit up. She raised the demand: she wanted a letter every week. Chengli hesitated—he had schoolwork and chores, and he was planning to help Grandpa cook. Time would be tight.

“Then let’s make it every two weeks. A week is too short. Brother doesn’t have that much to say, and it would be tiring for him to reply every week. Plus, Grandpa would have to send the letters—stamps are expensive.”

“Then one letter per month.”

Hearing it would trouble others and cost money for stamps, Xiao Nuan immediately changed her mind. Though she had some money, it had all been earned by her parents, so she couldn’t waste it.

“All right, we’re leaving now. You must listen to Grandpa Ye, don’t go with strangers, remember the home address and phone number, and don’t go out alone.”

Wiping her tears, Xiao Nuan nodded. Li Ming shook his head disdainfully, but the redness in his eyes betrayed him. He was accompanying his father to see off his siblings—after all, they would be separated as they grew up.

“Li Ming, although our surnames are different, we’re full siblings. You’re the naughtiest—help Grandma at the grocery store and don’t misbehave, got it?”

“Second Brother, don’t worry. I’ll help Grandma. She’s getting old and shouldn’t overwork. I’ll study hard and never go with strangers.”

Li Ming repeated Chengli’s words quickly. This Second Brother was like Tang Seng from a comic book—so long-winded that his ears had calluses from listening.

“You little rascal, if you have too much energy, help the aunts in the store move goods, and help Uncle Shouhou with deliveries.”

Li Ming’s eyes lit up—this he was willing to do! He hugged Chengli tightly, then walked over to Cheng Qiao. Though he didn’t cling like Xiao Nuan, he also didn’t want to leave his mother.

“Mingming, let Mommy hug you.”

“Mommy…”

The tears he had been holding back finally fell. Li Ming rushed forward, hugging the crouching Cheng Qiao. Luckily, Cheng Qiao’s stance was solid, or she would have been knocked over.

Cheng Qiao’s gaze then shifted to Ye Jing. Ye Jing finally walked over. Cheng Qiao’s arms held two sons and a daughter, her heart aching like being cut by knives.

Ye Jing held Cheng Qiao without shedding a tear. He was still young, but once he learned Grandpa’s skills, he would take revenge on those who had torn their family apart.

How did he know? He had overheard conversations between Grandpa and Great Grandpa, though he didn’t yet know who had caused the family’s separation.

Zhao Hui patted Cheng Qiao on the shoulder. His roots were in the capital. He would look after the twins’ safety, studies, and daily life, leaving Qin Yue less to worry about.

With Zhao Hui’s promise, Cheng Qiao felt much more at ease—not that she didn’t trust Ye Jun, but he was older and a man, so caring for the children might not be as smooth.

“Cheng Qiao, remember Ye Ling is also in the capital. I heard that by the end of this year, Ye Chengying might make a move. If that happens, no one would dare touch the children.”

Cheng Qiao nodded, hugging the three children tightly, kissing each of them twice. Li Huan worriedly wanted to hug Cheng Qiao too, but in public, she could only board the train with the children.

“Qiao, take care. Call me when you get there. We must stay in touch.”

Cheng Qiao nodded tearfully. The train whistle sounded, wheels rolling. The children’s heads peeked out the window, waving their hands. Cheng Qiao ran alongside, shouting instructions:

“Be good, listen to Grandpa, listen to Uncle, listen to Aunt Ye Ling, understand?”

“Got it. Mommy, you must also behave and eat well…”

Xiao Nuan’s voice was swallowed by the wind. Cheng Qiao watched the train disappear with tears streaming, until it was out of sight before turning around.

“Mom, let’s get ready too—the train will be here soon.”

Cheng Qiao nodded, but at the corner of her eye, she saw two familiar figures rushing over. Looking closely, it was Mother Li and Lele.

“Mom, Lele, why did you come?”

“Second sister-in-law, sorry I couldn’t stop her.”

Li Huan and Cheng Qiao worried that Mother Li would be upset and insisted she not come to see the children off. But she insisted, wanting to see her grandchildren—how could she not come?

“Mom, the twins are already on the train.”

“What about Mingming?”

“He didn’t want to leave his siblings, so he went with his father and will return after sending them off.”

“Ah, we’re a little late, but luckily Xiao Chengli hasn’t left. Let Grandma hold him.”

“Grandma, even if I’m not with you, make sure you balance work and rest, don’t overwork. Let Li Ming do the heavy work—he’s strong.”

Mother Li held Xiao Chengli tightly, unwilling to let go. He was her eldest grandson, the one she cherished most. She didn’t know if she would see him again.

“Grandma, don’t worry. I’ll come back every summer and New Year. Then we’ll see each other. Whether in the capital or Xiangyang Village, I’ll be the first to bring you gifts.”

“Really? You won’t lie to Grandma?”

“Grandma, Mommy said that kids who lie aren’t good. I’m a good kid.”

“Yes, yes, my eldest grandson is indeed a good kid.”

Grandmother and grandson clung tightly, neither willing to leave, even as the train arrived—they still couldn’t bear to part.