As the train was nearing its destination, Feng Qingxue attentively prepared herself and her son. The conductor had announced that few passengers remained, signifying that very few people traveled to this location, hence there wouldn’t be a rush getting off the train.
With the conductor’s help, Feng Qingxue, with a quilt wrapped bundle on her back and Xibao strapped to her chest, disembarked from the train.
The conductor then asked local railroad workers to help Feng Qingxue carry her luggage and escort her and her son out of the station.
Once she left the train station, Feng Qingxue encountered only a handful of other passengers.
Therefore, she immediately spotted Lu Jiang, who had been craning his neck to scan the exit, and hastily waved at him, shouting "Ajiang, Ajiang!"
Lu Jiang, transfixed on the station exit, recognized his wife from the first glimpse despite her face being half-covered by a scarf, darted towards her, taking off her quilt bundle to hand over to Sang Hong, who was their driver. He simultaneously thanked the railway worker helping with the luggage, while untying Xibao and taking him into his arms.
Xibao was listless, resembling a wilted eggplant - not a purple eggplant, but a plump, white one.
A shiny, plump white eggplant.
He squinted his eyes at Lu Jiang, first startled, then stared unwaveringly, suddenly shouting, "Daddy! Mommy, Mommy, Daddy! Daddy!"
As he was speaking, he turned to Feng Qingxue as though expecting praise.
"Yes, that’s Daddy. You recognized Daddy, right? Xibao is so smart and wonderful!" Thankfully, Xibao had not shown any adverse symptoms, perhaps because Feng Qingxue had already taken the Rhodiola oral liquid and was acclimating well to the plateau region. However, Xibao seemed rather quiet not as lively as usual given his young age.
Throughout the journey, she was most concerned about her son’s health upon reaching their destination.
Hearing Xibao’s words, Lu Jiang laughed heartily, hoisting him up, "My good son, say ’Daddy’ again!"
In his thirties but radiating youthful joy like a naive lad.
"Daddy!" Xibao’s call was even louder, though he soon wilted again, slumping in his father’s arms, appearing drained.
"Qingxue, can you take a look at Xibao? Is he having trouble adapting to this environment?" A worried Lu Jiang hurriedly leaned his son towards Feng Qingxue. "Take a look at him."
After taking a closer look at her son, Feng Qingxue reassured, "He’s ok. After all, this is a high-altitude area, and Xibao just needs some time to adjust. But Xibao is in good health and should bounce back after a couple of days of rest. Don’t worry, Ajiang. Xibao has always been strong, hardly ever gets sick, and tends to be healthier than most."
Sang Hong, seeing the opportunity, chimed in, "Yes, Battalion Commander, we should get your wife and child on the vehicle soon, and let them rest back at the base."
As he finished, he gave Feng Qingxue a salute, and once he had received a polite response, he smiled and said, "We’re so glad you’re here at last. Without your presence, we soldiers would have been worn out from all the training. You see, ever since you mentioned coming, the Battalion Commander has been so excited, and with nowhere to direct his energy, we ended up becoming his outlet. But now that you and Xibao have arrived safe and sound, perhaps he will go a bit easier on us. Besides, he needs to spend more quality time with you and Xibao!"