The night before Jiang Cheng returned home, she went to the foreign trade office to call Shen Que.

Upon hearing Jiang Cheng’s return, Shen Que’s eyes sparkled, and her lips uncontrollably curved upward.

"Shen Que, I’m telling you, don’t you dare pick me up!"

Jiang Cheng pretended to be fierce: "If you come to pick me up, I’ll head straight to Yangcheng and skip returning home for a rest."

Shen Que, unable to control his smile, was filled with warmth and affection in his voice, obediently saying, "Alright—"

"I promise I won’t!"

"Really, I guarantee it!"

"But wear more clothes, it’s getting cooler at home."

Jiang Cheng agreed with an "uh-huh," not continuing the conversation much, and hung up the phone.

After hanging up, Jiang Cheng left the foreign trade office, where Director Lu and Director Lian were waiting outside for her.

The three walked slowly down a dimly lit street, reflecting on the busy days and their achievements.

*

The next morning at nine, Director Yuan personally drove over.

He helped load the luggage onto the car and personally gave them a batch of toys, saying they were for their children or relatives at home.

The three thanked him, without being overly courteous.

Director Yuan drove them to the train station.

"How are you going to carry all this stuff?"

Director Yuan worriedly asked: "Do you want me to help you put it on the train?"

Jiang Cheng quickly waved her hand, "No need, we have someone."

"Who do you have?"

Just after Director Yuan asked, he saw two men in train station uniforms pushing carts over.

With more luggage than before, including a large sack and boxes, the two staff members lifted them onto the cart.

One of them smiled at Jiang Cheng, saying, "Mr. Jiang, I’ll put it on our side, just remember to take it when you get off."

"Thank you, Brother Wang."

Jiang Cheng thanked him, and the man called Brother Wang smiled even wider and pushed the cart away.

Director Yuan was both surprised and amazed: with connections like these, he was rendered completely useless!

Nonetheless, everyone bid their final farewells.

After the goodbyes, Jiang Cheng and her two companions took a deep breath and, with determination, squeezed into the crowd and boarded the train!

After much effort, the three of them successfully found their compartment.

This time it was smooth sailing, and their seats were not occupied.

Not only were the seats free, but there was even an extra seat available.

After settling the small luggage, the three lay down to rest.

The train gradually started moving.

Soon after they started, the conductor came over to speak to Jiang Cheng and mentioned the sleeper tickets for this compartment hadn’t been sold.

Jiang Cheng took a large bag of White Rabbit candy and went out with the conductor, eventually returning empty-handed.

During the journey, Jiang Cheng quietly stayed put and didn’t go wandering.

She peacefully embraced a book, read while lying on the bed, and came down to eat when hungry, before climbing back up to rest after being full.

Embracing the lifestyle of a laid-back traveler.

Director Lu and Director Lian were more than happy to indulge her.

Fruit was sliced, tangerines peeled, and water cooled.

Overall, the journey back was peaceful and delightful.

After a day, a night, and another day, the three disembarked around two in the morning.

Jiang Cheng borrowed a cart, and the three of them pushed their luggage out of the train station together.

"Mr. Jiang!"

A familiar voice.

Jiang Cheng followed the sound and saw a flashlight’s beam—it was Gao Zhonghua.

Not seeing Shen Que’s silhouette, Jiang Cheng was quite satisfied.

Gao Zhonghua ran over, handing over a military coat.

"Mr. Shen asked me to bring this for you, it’s cold!"

Jiang Cheng took the coat and put it on, feeling considerably warmer.

Gao Zhonghua took over the cart, leading the three to his truck.

Gao Zhonghua single-handedly took over the task of loading luggage.

To him, the heavy luggage seemed as light as a toy.

Once everything was loaded, Gao Zhonghua drove, first sending off Director Lu, then Director Lian.

After dropping off the two, the truck finally headed to the Shen family’s big courtyard.

"Mr. Shen’s been restless since yesterday, like he’s on pins and needles. If he weren’t stuck in that wheelchair, he’d have worn a hole in the ground!"

"Today, he’s been constantly checking the time. If he hadn’t a bit of conscience left, he’d have kicked me out by six or seven o’clock!"

Seated next to him, Jiang Cheng could picture Shen Que’s silly antics.

"How’s his leg?"

"Good! Really good! Master Ma’s visited several times, saying it’s recovering well. In a little over a month, he won’t need the wheelchair anymore."

On this topic, Gao Zhonghua was immensely pleased.

"That’s good."

With little conversation, they arrived at the big courtyard.

Before Jiang Cheng could get off, she saw Grandma Shen, Shen Yue, and Shen Xing pushing Shen Que out.

She quickly opened the car door and jumped out.

"It’s so cold! What are you doing out here!"

Jiang Cheng ran over to them.

"Sister, I missed you so much!"

Shen Yue was the first to rush over, wrapping her arms around Jiang Cheng’s waist.

In the night, Shen Que’s envious gaze remained hidden.

Grandma Shen also shuffled over, scrutinizing Jiang Cheng, firmly declaring, "You’ve lost weight!"

Jiang Cheng found it amusing yet slightly distressing.

She hadn’t lost weight at all!

Besides, with her bundled up like a ball, how had Grandma Shen managed to see her as slimmer?

Grandma Shen held Jiang Cheng’s hand, Shen Xing pushed Shen Que forward, cheerfully calling her "sister."

"Hey!"

Responding, Jiang Cheng gave Shen Que a distinctive glance.

Shen Que gave Jiang Cheng her signature smile, a warm voice echoing in the night.

"You’re back."

"Warm your hands."

Shen Que handed her a warm infusion bottle, not too hot nor too cold, just like the warmth Shen Que brought her.

Jiang Cheng warmly smiled, taking it.

"Alright, everyone, let’s get inside quickly!"

"Brother Gao, come in for some hot water."

Jiang Cheng turned towards Gao Zhonghua.

Gao Zhonghua immediately waved his hands, saying, "No thanks, I’ll get some sleep."

"I’ll bring your things in!"

After two trips, Gao Zhonghua unloaded all of Jiang Cheng’s luggage inside.

Jiang Cheng and the others followed inside; it was unusually cold outside.

Gao Zhonghua left soon after, agreeing with Shen Que on a time to pick him up the next morning.

Jiang Cheng went out briefly to see Gao Zhonghua off before turning back.

Upon entering the house, Jiang Cheng remarked with a delighted smile, "Home is still the best!"

"Isn’t it?"

Grandma Shen replied with a smile.

"Sit down and rest, I’ll make some noodles for you. Eating a hot bowl will make you sleep soundly tonight!"

Grandma Shen prepared noodles, Shen Xing tended the fire.

Shen Que poured water for Jiang Cheng, while Shen Yue stayed close by her side.

It was peculiar.

Once Jiang Cheng returned, it was as if they all found their center to orbit around.

Upon coming back, Jiang Cheng was completely relaxed, sitting carefreely across from Shen Que.

Shen Que’s gaze was constantly on Jiang Cheng, peeling peanuts with his hands.

"Here."

Shen Que handed them over, and Jiang Cheng took them.

The tips of her fingers mischievously grazed across his palm, their eyes met, the same curve uplifting their lips.

Shen Que’s heart was bursting with joy, a mental parade celebrating Jiang Cheng’s return.

Just by watching Shen Que’s silly expression, Jiang Cheng knew his thoughts were very "busy."

"Noodles are ready!"

Grandma Shen approached with noodles, while Shen Xing followed with some pickled vegetables.

All the imagery and words conveyed one thing: It’s great to be home!