Chapter 159: Meeting My Father

At about two o'clock in the morning, Lin Qingyan was awakened by the sound of a door being pulled.

She sat up and saw that the exhausted Lu Cheng had returned.

"Did I wake you?" Lu Cheng said while taking off his clothes: "With the year‑end approaching, there are especially many passengers, and even the Bunk Car is not enough."

Lin Qingyan took his clothes for him: "Then I'll give it up. It's almost dawn, we can just find some place to make do for one night, no need to occupy a whole room."

A Bunk Car has two iron bunk beds, one upper and one lower, making four sleeping spots.

Lu Cheng sat on the opposite bed and took off his shoes: "It's fine, there are still a few, enough for the on‑board duty staff to sleep."

"What about Da Kui and the others?"

"They're in another compartment; there are two Train Staff, and they have to squeeze two people into one bed."

Lin Qingyan looked at how small the bed was; even one person sleeping is difficult, and two people would have to lie sideways and squeeze.

"How about letting two more of them come over? There's an empty bed here, and it would be less uncomfortable than squeezing together."

"I called out earlier, but they didn't want to come. They think that since you're here, it might be inconvenient and affect you."

Lu Cheng took off his shoes and socks, then lay down on the bed: "It's fine, you don't have to worry about them; we're all used to it."

Seeing that Lu Cheng had only taken off his shirt and not his pants, Lin Qingyan said, "Hey, don't sleep like that, you'll catch a cold. Let me fetch some water for you to soak your feet."

Lu Cheng, eyes closed, waved his hand: "No need, this is how it is when on duty on the train; if I can get more sleep, I'll take it."

Seeing that Lu Cheng was indeed very tired, Lin Qingyan went over and properly covered him with the blanket.

After Lu Cheng soon fell asleep, she still fetched a basin of hot water and used a towel to wipe his feet.

Just as she was about to get up and leave, Lu Cheng turned over; she crouched there for a moment, unable to resist reaching out and gently tracing his now mature face.

At nine o'clock that night the next day, they finally arrived at Xiang City and needed to transfer to a coach there.

At that hour there was certainly no coach left, so Lu Cheng took her to stay at the Railway Bureau Guesthouse.

Along the line, Lu Cheng basically knew everyone at the Railway Bureau, and he found a Section Chief named Han, introducing Lin Qingyan to him.

"Section Chief Han, this person is a Comrade from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, here on business and needs to stay one night at our Guesthouse."

Section Chief Han was familiar with Lu Cheng; he had even asked Lu Cheng to bring things over from the Capital City.

"No problem, Group Leader Lu, I'll arrange it later."

Lin Qingyan tugged at him from beside, and Lu Cheng signaled that she didn't need to speak.

"Section Chief Han, there's one more thing I need to trouble you with: tomorrow morning she needs to take a coach to Gui Cheng, and I hope you can dispatch a vehicle to take her to the station."

Lu Cheng said this while slipping two packs of Marlboro cigarettes into Section Chief Han's pocket.

"Group Leader Lu, you're too courteous; it's a trivial matter, I'll handle it for you right away."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Section Chief Han, on the way to the Guesthouse Lin Qingyan still felt that this was inappropriate.

"Lu Cheng, you don't need to see me off; that would be too much trouble and could affect you."

"It's fine, don't worry. You're unfamiliar here; if someone takes you to the station, I'll be at ease as well."

Lin Qingyan could only nod; along the way, Lu Cheng had arranged everything for her, leaving her with no worries at all.

Without much delay, they arrived at the Guesthouse entrance, a dim yellow streetlamp illuminating the two of them.

"You go in first and rest early; I still have to return to the train for duty."

Seeing that Lin Qingyan didn't respond, she was just tugging at the hem of her clothes.

Lu Cheng said thoughtfully, "Tomorrow you'll finally see your parents; are you nervous?"

Lin Qingyan lightly nodded, "Yes, I'm afraid something else might happen to my parents."

Lu Cheng ruffled her head and comforted, "Don't worry. Since we were able to get the exact address, it means Uncle and Aunt are safe. When you get there, give them my regards."

"I understand. You go back first, take care to rest, and don't overexert yourself."

There's no time for more chat; the train's stop won't be long.

Watching Lu Cheng jog away, Lin Qingyan stood under the streetlamp, her gaze following him.

Regarding seeing her father, Lin Qingyan now feels both hopeful and uneasy.

Mainly because her parents don't know that she married Lu Cheng.

Perhaps her father wouldn't say much, but she's afraid of her mother…

Lin Qingyan shook her head slightly and returned to the Guesthouse.

The next morning she rose early, and under the escort of a Railway Bureau Comrade, she caught the earliest coach.

That Comrade also instructed her that it would be best to sit by a window.

At first Lin Qingyan didn't understand, but after two hours, when the coach left the flat road and entered the mountain road, she realized why a window seat was preferable.

The mountain road was especially treacherous, riddled with potholes and mud pits, making her vomit several times.

At four in the afternoon they arrived at the place mentioned in the Introduction Letter, though it wasn't the exact location yet.

Her father's location was a small mountain village that could only be reached on foot.

Fortunately, they encountered an Ox Cart on the road, and when she inquired about the village, the ox‑driving elder said he was heading to Da Tai Mountain.

Lin Qingyan boarded the Ox Cart, her feet already swollen.

She massaged her ankle while asking, "Sir, may I inquire about a person?"

The elder, seated at the front, replied, "Ah, go ahead. As long as they're from Da Tai Mountain, I know them."

Lin Qingyan's face lit up: "Do you know someone named Lin Zhenfeng?"

"Whoa!" The elder grabbed the big black ox, turned around and examined her closely: "You mean Teacher Lin?"

"Teacher?" Lin Qingyan looked puzzled.

"Yes, he came here a few years ago and taught in the mountains."

The timeline matches, so it must be correct.

"Then do you know exactly where Teacher Lin lives?"

Uncle didn't answer right away, but instead asked warily: "Little girl, what do you want from Teacher Lin?"

"Oh, Uncle, I am his daughter."

Uncle was obviously surprised for a moment: "Oh, so you're his daughter, that matches, Teacher Lin indeed said he has a very pretty daughter—only now do I see how beautiful she is."

Lin Qingyan showed a smile: "Thank you, Uncle, for the praise."

Uncle immediately drove the Ox Cart forward, noticeably faster than before: "Hold on tight, miss, I'll take you there right away."

I had thought it would be quick, but after walking another two-plus hours, Uncle finally pointed to a nearby cave.

Though called a cave, it was actually a protruding mountain ledge, more like an outward-extending shelter.

"Teacher Lin lives up there; I still have to wait to go home and deliver things, so hurry up."

Lin Qingyan took down the things on the Ox Cart: "Thank you, Uncle."

After a day of jolting, Lin Qingyan was exhausted to the limit, but the thought of seeing her father soon filled her with strength again.

Following a little mountain path that had been stepped on countless times, Lin Qingyan trudged upward with difficulty.

At this moment it was evening, and the sky grew dark.

After climbing the slope, the view suddenly opened up; below the mountain ledge there was an open space.

In the sheltered spot stood seven or eight desks, and in front of them was a small blackboard made of wood.

When Lin Qingyan looked toward another open area, a middle-aged man was stooping to pick up firewood.

Though the sky was about to darken, suddenly a sliver of sunset peeked out from the western clouds.

Lin Zhenfeng unconsciously turned his body, facing the sunset's light.

He thought today's sunset was truly beautiful.

But no matter how beautiful, it was time to start cooking.

Lin Zhenfeng gathered the firewood, preparing to walk to the makeshift Small Kitchen.

"Dad." Lin Qingyan stood on the slope and called out softly.

His father seemed to have aged considerably all at once, his skin dark, his frame frail, his coarse hemp clothing patched over and over, and he no longer walked with the vigor he once had.

Lin Zhenfeng didn't hear the shout, continuing toward the kitchen, yet for some reason he felt today's sunset was extraordinarily beautiful.

He lingered, glancing back once more before reluctantly turning away.

Gazing at the father she had longed for day and night, now right before her eyes, Lin Qingyan's throat choked up and two streams of tears fell.

She summoned all her strength and shouted at his back: "Dad…"

Upon hearing that familiar shout, the firewood in Lin Zhenfeng's arms scattered with a clatter.