When Captain Zhao saw that his youngest son had thought everything through, he didn’t persuade them to leave the children at the team’s facilities.
However, Mrs. Zhao, standing nearby, felt a pang of heartache, as she had always favored her youngest son.
"When you go to study, what will Da Bao and Xiao Bao do?"
Will they be locked at home every day?
"Mom, there are kindergartens in the city, and Da Bao is already of school age. He can join a class midway. We won’t be in lectures all day when we’re at university, there are only a few classes a day. Afterward, we can go home."
"But it will still be inconvenient for you to study while taking Da Bao and Xiao Bao with you."
"If Mom is worried, you can come with us to the Capital City."
Going to the Capital City is an option, but not now.
"Collect some dried vegetables; I’ve heard that in the Capital City during winter, every meal is just cabbage and radishes."
Team Leader Zhao had met Educated Youths from the Capital City and knew somewhat about it.
"Alright, I’ll get ready."
Eggplants, dried beans, and dried mushrooms were all packed in abundance.
"Dad, when it’s time to divide the food supplies, just move our family’s portion back to your place."
What could Team Leader Zhao say?
He wrote them a letter of introduction.
"When you’re away from home, take good care of your wife and kids."
Team Leader Zhao couldn’t stop this son from wanting to fly away. He was already a husband, already a father.
"Dad, don’t worry, I’ll take good care of them,"
Mrs. Zhao packed a large bag of dried goods.
"Are there chestnuts in the mountains? Did you pick some today?"
"I did, mom. Come over tomorrow and help sort them out. The grains and flour can’t be kept too long, and there are other things..."
Mrs. Zhao watched her youngest son’s departing figure without speaking for a long time.
"The kids have grown up, and they are going to study. We are their roots; eventually, they will return."
But she still couldn’t bear it.
When Zhao Tianlei returned, Xiaoxiao had already bathed and even washed and hung up the clothes.
"I didn’t know which clothes to pack for you, so you sort them out later."
Zhao Tianlei was somewhat sentimental.
It was time to leave.
And he genuinely felt reluctant.
Zhao Tianlei nodded, "Yes, a little..."
"Today I went to town and bought some food. We’re leaving in a hurry, worried that it might be hard to get sleeper tickets. Once we are on the train, we’ll ask the conductor for a ticket supplement."
"We have no other choice now." When he received the enrollment notice, he did not know when his wife would receive hers, so he had not bought train tickets.
"Let’s get some sleep."
This morning, they did not go over to the team canteen.
They made food at home.
Zhao Tianlei also boiled twenty marinated eggs.
Having just finished their meal and packed up simply, they were ready to leave with their belongings when Team Leader Zhao arrived driving the bullock cart.
"Grandpa, grandpa..."
"Come here, come here..."
Zhao Tianlei was carrying a handbag, Xiaoxiao was wearing a backpack, and also carrying a large bag filled with food.
After getting on, Team Leader Zhao drove the bullock cart forward.
When their bullock cart appeared on the road, many community members looked over.
"Are Educated Youth Yun and Laosan going to university?"
"Why are Da Bao and Xiao Bao also going with them?"
"Don’t tell me they are taking Da Bao and Xiao Bao to study as well?"
"Third Brother, Third Brother..."