Gu Qingjiu sat on the bus as she admired the surrounding scenery.
On her way back, Gu Qingjiu could see the people residing in the mountains; the red lanterns hung high up, exuding a festive atmosphere.
Because it hadn’t been too long since New Years’, Gu Qingjiu could still make it for the Spring Lantern Festival.
They had spent the New Year in the army.
Because they couldn’t return home, the army had arranged a celebration for the new year for the new recruits and regulars.
But perhaps because they weren’t at home, Gu Qingjiu felt that the festive feeling in the army was lackluster.
Following the advancement in technology, some traditions for celebrations were no longer as religiously followed.
Even during New Year, the streets slowly became more vibrant.
For city people, they would rather spend the New Year at home.
Though it was with the exception of the various activities at night, which made the city bustle slightly more.
Gu Qingjiu was actually a little against celebrating the New Year.
Because she remembered back in the Yu family that whenever they celebrated New Year, Yu family members would gather and chatter happily. But she, on the other hand, would always be relegated to being locked in her room.
She couldn’t describe how neglect felt in that situation, but the only thing she recalled was that their various actions chilled her down to the bone.
Looking at the scenery outside, Gu Qingjiu easily sunk into her memories. Yu Bao’er who started feeling drowsy after boarding the bus had her head drooping, falling onto Gu Qingjiu’s shoulders from time to time.
Gu Qingjiu supported her chin with her palm as she looked at the passing scenery. The beautiful scenery of the riverside was reflected in her eyes.
After a three hours’ journey, the bus finally arrived at the city’s interchange.
When they were about to alight, Gu Qingjiu woke Yu Bao’er up.
“Bao’er, wake up. We’re almost there..”
For Yu Bao’er to stay asleep for the entire three hours, you got to give it to her.
Because she had been too excited about leaving, she didn’t sleep much the night before, resulting in her lack of energy on the bus.
Gu Qingjiu originally wanted to chat a little with Yu Bao’er, but she guessed that it was fine.
“Ah… Ah?”
Yu Bao’er woke up groggily as she looked around with blurred eyes. As if she was still in her dreams, she mumbled, “We’re here? It’s so fast…”
She mumbled on before retrieving her cell phone from her pocket to check the time.
The bus stopped steadily at the interchange’s allocated parking. Gu Qingjiu and Yu Bao’er carried their respective bags as they alighted with the crowd.
The bus driver was also an army personnel. Seeing these new recruits who looked like they finally returned to human society, he reminded, “It’s one week. By then, those who plan to return to the army, remember to be on time.”
Even if they were not in the camp, the new recruits all replied, ‘affirmative’ with respect. This orderly manner did not spark any curiosity from the people around them, though.
It has been like this every year. There would be many new recruits walking by around.
Like this endless crowd.
Yu Bao’er’s house was at the city center of Dayi City, so she and Gu Qingjiu had to take separate buses.
Seeing that she would separate from Gu Qingjiu, Yu Bao’er couldn’t bear it.
“Xiao Jiu’er, remember to contact me as often as you like if you want to chat.”
She was a person of boisterous personality, but when she looked at Gu Qingjiu, despite knowing that they both resided in the same city, Yu Bao’er’s eyes started to water.
Probably the atmosphere was too solemn, Gu Qingjiu joked, “It’s not like we won’t see each other anymore. You don’t have to be this sad. We can arrange to go out and play together tomorrow.”