Chapter 432

A son who travels a thousand miles worries his mother.

It's another trip to that remote Northeastern place.

The next day.

Before dawn, the Yan family sprang into action, opening their luggage, carefully checking for any missing items, confirming nothing was left behind, and packing everything into woven bags.

As for daily necessities such as washbasins, teapots, toothpaste, and toothbrushes—items needed on the trip—those who could packed them in tote bags, and those who couldn't used woven bags.

Shazhu had nothing to do with it originally, but he realized that his own meddling had caused Yan Jiekuang to be sent to the countryside, and he worried that Yan Jiekuang was holding a grudge.

He was thinking of seeing Yan Jiekuang off.

He pushed the door open and left his home.

He saw the sky begin to lighten.

He took a big breath of fresh air and, following the sound, walked into the Yan family's house.

He glanced at Yan Fugui, then waved and called Yan Jiekuang out.

"Yan Jiekuang, I know you're angry and resent me for meddling in your family's affairs. As an outsider, I really have no right or need to get involved in those matters. But you're a man, you're the older brother—how can you let your sister go alone to such a dangerous place? When she comes back with several children, will you be able to live with yourself? We're all men; if you have something to say, speak up. If you can't let it go, you can hit me now—I'll take it."

"Shashu"

Yan Jiekuang's attitude.

It was beyond Shazhu's expectations.

Because of his tone.

It carried a hint of relaxation.

"My parents are waiting for me here—how could I bear to abandon them? Xiao Hong and Hongxia feel the same way; they said that if I don't go to the countryside, they'll go with me, after all, they're also members of the Yan family, and the Yan family's affairs are theirs as well."

Xiao Hong also said they would wait for me to come back.

The matter concerning Xiao Hong and Hongxia.

Shazhu also knew.

One was a child from the Left Side Courtyard.

One was a girl from the Right Side Courtyard.

Xiao Hong and Hongxia were originally neighbors, but after family difficulties they were sent to the Team Captain to work as helpers; they also often helped the Yan family with rough chores. Yan Jiekuang frequently chatted with them, finding them simple, kind, and sensible, and he formed a very good impression of them.

Just figure these things out, stop talking nonsense, and when you get there, work hard.

Shashu, with your guidance, I will surely work hard.

Watching Yan Jiekuang's worries being eased.

Yan Fugui and his wife's faces showed a hint of joy, but as soon as they thought of Yan Jiekuang going to the countryside, that joy was instantly replaced by worry.

Still, they felt reluctant.

Third Aunt grabbed Yan Jiekuang's hand, her eyes red, she wiped away a tear, and, worried, she repeatedly reminded him.

Yan Fugui, as the head of the household, was clearly in great anguish inside, but put on a calm facade, and said to Third Aunt: 'Old lady, you already nagged me all night last night, and now you're saying it again—don't waste time, send them to the street, lest we be late and cause trouble.'

My son, I'm worried—can't I?

Mom, I'm fine; I've arrived and will write you a letter.

As Yan Jiekuang spoke, he walked into the courtyard.

It was also quite a coincidence.

At the round gate where the middle and front courtyards meet, the Jia family appeared; Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu escorted the listless Bangeng out.

As an ungrateful person.

Although Bangeng didn't want to go to the countryside, he had no choice because no one else in the family could go in his place; Jia Zhangshi reluctantly let him go, saying that Er Sha Zi wasn't a Jia family member and couldn't replace Bangeng, so Bangeng had to go himself. Thinking about going to that remote Northeastern place made him feel uneasy, but he had no alternative.

Xiao Dang also wanted to go to the countryside, after all, Bangeng and Xiao Dang are both Jia family members; he thought that if Bangeng couldn't go, he could go to help.

But Xiao Dang was too young.

That idea came to nothing.

However, according to well-informed sources, Jia Zhangshi made it clear: she said that once Xiao Dang is old enough next year, she'll let him also go to the Northeast to help Bangeng with laundry and cooking.

Xiao Dang fumed, rolling his eyes.

"……" No.

The street.

The people going to the countryside stood in several rows; Director Wang stood before them and spoke loudly, saying things like building the motherland, urging the folks of Red Star Street to go out and work solidly, striving to bring glory to Red Star Street, etc. A primary school student came over and pinned a big red flower on each person's chest.

Firecrackers went off.

Drums and gongs began to beat.

Amid the deafening noise, those wearing the big red flowers were loaded onto trucks one by one, then taken by truck to the train station to board the train.

Upon arriving at the train station, they finally realized what a crowd means.

Looking out as far as the eye can see.

Heads packed tightly everywhere; everywhere were parents seeing them off and energetic youths.

It's rare to see someone like Bangeng, who looks so unwilling.

The surrounding comrades, distracted by the commotion, unnaturally paid extra attention to Bangeng.

Until Bangeng boarded the train, the on-duty staff remained uneasy; they specifically called over the comrade responsible for escorting Bangeng and his group to the Northeast, had him personally squeeze into the carriage, and, in Bangeng's presence, emphasized the need to keep a close watch on Bangeng.

Bangeng wanted to get angry.

But he didn't dare.

All those around him who were also going to the countryside were bursting with excitement; even Liu Guangfu was thrilled at finally escaping Liu Haizhong's grasp.

Only Bangeng wore a look of 'I don't want to go down there to suffer.'

Before, there had been an incident where, halfway through the train ride, a youth going to the countryside took advantage of a station stop to sneak off the train, then walked along the tracks begging his way back home.

Those people.

They are all expressions like Bangeng's.

Was the focus of attention.

That is also understandable.

……

Siheyuan.

Ten-year-old Weiguo.

No idea what they're thinking.

Unexpectedly, they began to envy going to the countryside.

Perhaps it was because they saw the Jia family across the way boil a few eggs for Bangeng; the craving worm acted up, and they told Shazhu, "I also want to go to the countryside when I grow up."

Yu Li, unaware of what happened next.

The whole person instantly became melancholy.

Shazhu knew she was feeling sorry for Weiguo, offered a few words of comfort, then picked up his small satchel and walked toward the steel mill.

While walking.

While pondering the matter in his mind.

Five years.

In another five years, everything will be over.

Thinking of that, he felt excited.

Shazhu involuntarily stretched, let out a sigh full of various emotions, and faintly heard talk of Xu Daming—Xu Daming had caught someone, etc.