Rebirth in 1980: The Farm Wife Makes a Comeback
Chapter 305: Returning Home

Chapter 305: Chapter 305: Returning Home

"Brother Jian, it’s time to eat," she set the chopsticks properly, and without even turning her head, she knew it was Jian Zhiqing who had come back. After being neighbors for almost more than a year, she could clearly recognize his footsteps. Besides, Conghua, the one with exceptionally sharp ears in the house, didn’t shout either.

Jian Zhiqing put his things inside the house, came out to wash his hands first, then walked over. Seeing the small dishes and porridge on the table, his appetite was aroused. However, seeing Qin Xiangnuan dressed in very modest clothing, he was quite satisfied.

The girl, after all, had finally passed that phase he was worried about; he feared that too much repression could give rise to illness. The young lady just thought too much, he didn’t know what was really on her mind. How could such a young age be fraught with so many worries?

The two ate their meal in silence, the dish was lightly seasoned, but it brought out a hint of spiciness. However, this extra bit of spice made their taste buds come alive, prompting them to eat an extra mouthful or two of food.

Conghua moved its ears; it flipped to show its white belly, then stretched its limbs, clearly indicating that it was full and digesting its meal.

"Are you ready?" Jian Zhiqing knocked on Qin Xiangnuan’s door.

"I’m ready," Qin Xiangnuan opened the door and came out, changed into a simple and convenient outfit. She carried a small bag on her back containing essential items. It would only be about a day on the train, but once there, it would be much more convenient staying in Shenjia Village.

They have everything there, and even if something is missing, one can just go buy it. The village store is well-stocked, and the items there are inexpensive. Really, there’s no need to bring too much stuff.

"Let’s go," Jian Zhiqing reached out to take the bag from Qin Xiangnuan’s back, carrying it as if it weighed nothing; after all, he was a strong man.

He took out two train tickets, good for around three in the afternoon. When they arrived there, it would be around that time as well. Going back to Shenjia Village wouldn’t take much time. In reality, the journey was mostly spent on the road. If it were by plane in the future, it would only take a few hours from here to Shenjia Village; but right now, planes aren’t common and are also pricey, so it’s better to honestly take the train. Although the journey is longer and the sleeper berth might be a bit uncomfortable, it’s not unbearable.

Since it wasn’t a holiday period, the train wasn’t crowded, though all the sleeper berths were filled.

Jian Zhiqing put the bags and such on the luggage rack, thankful for his height. Otherwise, if Qin Xiangnuan had to do it, she would probably need to stand on a stool to reach the overhead shelf and exert a lot of effort to lift her luggage onto it.

Qin Xiangnuan had made a backpack for herself, which she placed on the train’s sleeper berth. She took out the items inside, which were some homemade dishes that could be easily stored. Soon, she could buy some rice on the train and have a meal, which, compared to instant noodles, would be much tastier.

From time to time, the smell of instant noodles drifted through the train. Qin Xiangnuan didn’t particularly like the smell, but it seemed that seeing others eat made her feel quite hungry too.

"I’ll go get some rice," Jian Zhiqing stood up and walked towards the dining car.

Before long, he was back, holding two bowls of hot rice. People were generally agreeable, and on some trains, they even served rice. Qin Xiangnuan took out the dishes she had packed in her meal box.

It was fortunate it was summer; even if the dishes were cold, it didn’t really matter.

Cucumber salad, stir-fried shredded potatoes, stir-fried Liangcai (a kind of Chinese spinach), and sautéed shredded bamboo shoots—several dishes were packed in bags. To eat, one only needed to place the bag on the table and open it up.

Fortunately, they were freshly made and tasted quite good.

They ate rice and these dishes, making those eating instant noodles covetous enough to wish they could just grab a pair of chopsticks and dive in. But, alas, such good fortune wasn’t theirs.

Both finished their portions of rice and nearly all of the dishes. Even if they couldn’t finish them, the remaining food had to be thrown away; as for tomorrow, just eat something casually. After getting off the train and returning home, there would be plenty of food to choose from, and Granny Lu’s cooking was especially delicious. Qin Xiangnuan hadn’t tasted Granny Lu’s cooking in a long time, so naturally, she wanted to save her appetite for it.

Of course, sleeping on the train didn’t afford a very good night’s rest, and it was rather bumpy. Qin Xiangnuan slept in the lower berth, with Jian Zhiqing just opposite her—they had conveniently bought two lower berths facing each other, which was much better than the upper or middle berths.

In the morning, Jian Zhiqing went to get some rice dishes from the train’s staff. He was an early riser, unlike Qin Xiangnuan who scarcely slept the night before. So even by the wee hours of the morning, she had only drifted into a groggy sleep.

"Nuannuan..." Jian Zhiqing gently touched Qin Xiangnuan’s forehead.

"Wake up, eat something and then sleep."

"Mmm..." Qin Xiangnuan sat up and rubbed her eyes. For a moment, she didn’t even realize where she was until quite a while later when she became fully awake. The train kept moving forward steadily, not very fast, periodically making the sound of wheels grinding against the tracks.

Jian Zhiqing placed the bowls on the table but didn’t get up; instead, he sat on Qin Xiangnuan’s berth and started to eat. Qin Xiangnuan picked up the chopsticks and saw some congee that wasn’t very well made. Though it lacked flavor, she still ate it.

"Don’t be picky," Jian Zhiqing pinched Qin Xiangnuan’s cheek, amused by her woeful expression.

This is just calling for food, not like you’re eating medicine. Is there a need to look so pained?

Qin Xiangnuan took another mouthful of rice, and it was painful to eat.

Jian Zhiqing shook his head slightly, holding back. Just wait until we get off the train, then there will be delicious food.

Qin Xiangnuan knew this, but she still found the meal hard to swallow.

She managed to stuff the bowl of rice into her stomach, not feeling too hungry anymore, but also not comfortable. She lay down on the berth, closed her eyes, and didn’t want to talk.

Jian Zhiqing did not leave; he continued to sit there, in case she turned over and fell off.

Indeed, in her drowsy state, Qin Xiangnuan did turn over once, and had Jian Zhiqing not been there to block her, she might have truly tumbled down. Qin Xiangnuan opened her eyes slightly and saw Jian Zhiqing sitting by her side, pulled the blanket over, and continued to sleep, feeling less worried. Perhaps it was because he was there that she let down all her defenses.

By the time she woke up again, the train was almost at its destination.

"Do you want some food?" Seeing her awake, Jian Zhiqing handed her some sunflower seeds to eat.