During the first academic year after the college entrance exams, the educated youths packed their belongings and prepared to leave.
Though they smiled, there was also a sense of reluctance in their hearts.
“Song Wei, let’s keep in touch. We’ll write to you once we get to school.”
Song Wei nodded: “Okay.”
The two little ones in her arms also raised their small hands and waved.
“Bye-bye, uncles! Bye-bye, aunties~”
Liu Linlin and the other girls hugged the twins, their eyes reddening as they whimpered, “I’m going to miss you so much. Song Wei, remember to send photos of the brothers to me later.”
They wanted to leave this place, but after living here for so many years, there were inevitably people and things they would miss.
So, even as they resolutely set out on their journey away, they cried.
In life, we encounter many passersby—some leave a deeper impression than others.
There are familial bonds, friendships, romances, but even more are strangers who flicker briefly through our lives.
The educated youths left, and those from the brigade who had been admitted to schools also departed.
The day of farewell was exceptionally lively, but afterward, it seemed as if a sudden quiet had descended.
However, with the twins by her side, Song Wei didn’t feel lonely—it was just that she had one less place to go for chats and conversations.
During the spring ploughing season, Lin Zhen and Jiang Wenwu returned, covered in dust and exhaustion.
They had visibly lost weight, but the man standing at the gate had an especially bright gleam in his eyes.
Song Wei, who was teaching the two little ones to eat on their own, seemed to sense something and turned to look toward the main gate.
“I’m back.”
“Dad!”
The two children put down their bowls and chopsticks and rushed over.
Lin Zhen picked up the twins and walked toward Song Wei, embracing her as well.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Song Wei touched his face: “You’ve worked hard too.”
They smiled at each other.
After Lin Zhen returned, the atmosphere at home became even more joyful.
However, the children’s happiness didn’t last long—they were soon miserably dragged out of bed by their father every morning for training.
Joining them in training was their uncle, Lin Ping’an.
One adult and two children ran, practiced horse stances, and drilled military-style boxing.
Xiaonan quite enjoyed it, but Xiaobei would rather read books or listen to the radio.
“Why doesn’t Mom train with us?”
Lin Zhen: “Because I can’t beat your mom.”
“Wow!”
The two children’s eyes instantly sparkled: “Is Mom that amazing?”
Song Wei said confidently: “Of course, I’m very strong.”
Xiaonan raised his small arm: “Mom, I’m strong too!”
Xiaonan had been strong since childhood, and he was so confident in himself that he wanted to challenge Song Wei to an arm-wrestling match.
In the end, Song Wei pinned him down with just one finger.
Little Xiaonan was deeply discouraged: “Dad, double my training! I’m going to be stronger than Mom someday!”
Song Wei looked at him with sympathy—that was definitely not going to happen.
Because the children were still young and needed care, and the twins were very attached to Song Wei, she hadn’t been able to go into the mountains for a long time.
If she went, the two little ones would inevitably want to follow.
That was why Lin Zhen had started training them.
Even at their young age, there were training methods suited for them.
Life at home carried on in an orderly manner, and Lin Zhen still had to work at the transport station.
He enjoyed long-distance trips not only because the pay was better but also because it gave him opportunities to trade goods on the side.
The truck provided him with great convenience.
He even brought Jiang Wenwu along with him.
That year, after just two long-distance trips, Jiang Wenwu not only managed to buy the “Four Big Items” needed for marriage but also saved up a considerable amount.
During the agricultural off-season, Jiang Wenwu got engaged to his girlfriend, and two months later, they married.
The fact that Jiang Wenwu had purchased the Four Big Items greatly impressed the bride’s family. Even though he was from the countryside, her parents were very satisfied with him.
Moreover, Jiang Wenwu’s job was prestigious enough to make her family hold their heads high.
Thus, the couple enjoyed a happy married life.
Song Wei also got along well with Jiang Wenwu’s wife, Ruan Ling.
At the end of the year, Song Wei received a letter from her uncle.
Her uncle had been politically rehabilitated and returned to his original job, with his property and house restored to him.
When Song Wei received the news, she was overjoyed.
“Lin Zhen, let’s go visit Uncle!”
Lin Zhen nodded: “Alright, I’ll ask for leave from the transport station.”
Thanks to his job, Lin Zhen had been trading goods between the north and south, and now their family savings had surpassed the 50,000 yuan mark.
Fifty thousand—in an era where even having 10,000 yuan in savings would make the news—was truly a fortune.
However, the family understood the importance of not flaunting their wealth. Aside from the couple, even Lin Ping’an didn’t know about their savings.
They were mainly worried that Lin Ping’an, being young, might accidentally let it slip, which would bring endless trouble to the family.
Winter had already arrived in the north. Lin Zhen obtained a letter of introduction from the brigade leader, and the family packed their belongings in a rush before heading to the train station.
It was the twins’ first time on a train, and they were curious about everything.
They had bought three sleeper berths, all next to each other.
Once inside the compartment, the brothers’ endless stream of adorable “whys” gave Song Wei a headache.
“I’d also like to know how such a big train can move on its own, but your mom doesn’t know. So, it’s up to you two to find out.”
The two children looked puzzled.
“Study hard, and when you learn why the train moves on your own, come and tell me, okay?”
Xiaonan covered his mouth: “Mom, I won’t ask anymore!”
Xiaobei nodded seriously: “Mom, don’t worry, I’ll study hard and let you know once I find out.”
Song Wei smiled: “Then I’ll be counting on you.”
Xiaonan: I can’t be counted on—I don’t want to study!
An elderly man in the neighboring berth watched Song Wei’s interaction with the twins with great interest.
It was the first time he had seen a child being taught in this way.
The twins were good-looking, plump and fair-skinned, with exceptionally lively eyes. Many people in the compartment had noticed them.
As soon as the train started moving, someone struck up a conversation with them.
“Are these two brothers? They look about the same age.”
Song Wei: “Yes, they’re twins.”
“Twins! They’re so adorable. One looks like your husband, and the other has some resemblance to you. You’re truly blessed.”
While it was important to be cautious of strangers on trains, it wasn’t necessary to be suspicious of everyone.
People were naturally friendly during this time, especially the northern aunties, who could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere.
Song Wei, who loved gossip, quickly blended in with the aunties in the compartment, eagerly devouring all the juicy stories they shared.
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