"Bro, the soup you stewed is really delicious."
Pei Yining, completely satisfied, rubbed her warm belly. A bowl of steaming chicken soup, along with the soft and tasty egg cakes, filled her stomach to the brim.
Xu Nianhua’s hand, which was closing the thermal container, paused for a moment. Pei Yining’s words suddenly made her think of what Pei Yicheng had said that morning.
"If you like it, I’ll make it for you in the future. I’m pretty good at stewing soup."
Xu Nianhua recalled the way Pei Yicheng looked at that time, which gave her an illusion as if he couldn’t wait to stew soup for her for the rest of her life.
In the afternoon, Xu Nianhua sat hugging a book. In the past, she relied on figuring things out by herself, but now, with a teacher’s systematic instruction, many things that Xu Nianhua didn’t quite understand before became much clearer, and she learned much more smoothly.
In her previous life, the methods she had figured out on her own were not bad, but now she felt that she could go even further.
No matter the time, Xu Nian’an and Pei Yicheng always left one person in the train carriage to guard Xu Nianhua and Pei Yining. Amidst the clattering sound of the train, Xu Nianhua slept until dawn. Thinking about seeing her family soon, she couldn’t sleep as soon as it was light out.
South City train station.
Xu Nianji and Ling Dong, who had returned to South City ahead of time, were waiting outside the train station early on.
"Why isn’t the train here yet?" Xu Nianji, craning his neck and looking out, didn’t blink as he searched through the crowd every time a new group of people disembarked, hoping to see two familiar faces.
"The train arrives at seven, and it’s only six-thirty now." Ling Dong ate a large bun, alternating bites of bun with sips of soy milk, dispelling the chill and filling his stomach.
"Oh, so there’s still half an hour."
Xu Nianji went to sit beside Ling Dong and also began eating buns. He inquired, "Are Nian’an and Nianhua doing okay in Ningbei?"
Ling Dong took a big bite of his bun and paused. He thought about that time when Xu Nianhua was hit by a car and nearly lost her life. That certainly wasn’t good, was it?
"Nian’an is smart, and with Grandpa Du’s teaching, he’s learning medicine. With that foundation, he should catch on quicker than most. I’m not worried," Xu Nianji said proudly, speaking of his siblings as if it was his personal achievement, happier than if he had made money himself. He continued, "But I’m worried about Nianhua. It’s not that I don’t trust her to study, it’s just that my little sister is so pretty, there must be a lot of people after her."
"My little sister has been sensible, understanding, and obedient since she was young; she excels in her studies and never causes worry like other girls do."
Xu Nianji praised her without reservation.
Ling Dong nodded in agreement, saying, "Xu little sister is indeed very sensible and impressive."
As Ling Dong and Xu Nianji chatted, the time approached seven o’clock and Xu Nianji could no longer sit still. He stood at the exit, constantly vigilant so he wouldn’t miss them.
People flowed in and out of the exit gate. When Xu Nianji saw the familiar figures, he immediately waved and shouted, "Little sister, over here, I’m here!"
Xu Nianji, tall and waving his hand high above the crowd, stood out prominently.
Xu Nianhua looked in the direction of the voice and sure enough, saw her elder brother’s beaming face.
Xu Nianhua and Pei Yining, hand in hand, made their way through the crowd to the outside. She asked excitedly, "Big brother, did you come to deliver goods just in time?"
"Yes, I delivered the goods yesterday. I heard from Ling Dong that you were coming back today, so I thought I’d go home with you." Xu Nianji took over the food Xu Nianhua was carrying and asked with concern, "How was everything in Ningbei?"