"Pfft, hahaha... brandishing a feather as a command arrow—you really think you're something, don't you?" Wang Hao laughed with unrestrained mockery.
The train station platform in the morning mist was enveloped in a chorus of farewells, the stirring melody of "The East is Red" rising and falling amidst the roar of the steam locomotives.
Jiang Rou, clutching two bedrolls bundled in coarse blue and white fabric, picked her way through the crowd, her feet sinking into the puddles on the brick ground. A clean, snow-white faux collar peeked out from the neckline of her faded indigo work jacket, standing out sharply against the gray morning gloom.
Feng Yu’s mocking laugh suddenly stuck in her throat. She stared in disbelief at the figure walking toward her against the light. The formerly thin, timid Jiang Rou, who couldn’t even muster a word, seemed to have been reborn. The unhealed scrapes on her pale cheeks didn't make her look disheveled; instead, they made her eyes and brows appear as clear and cold as fresh snow. She wasn't just defending herself; she knew how to bite back.
Most jarring of all were the two thick quilts. An aluminum lunch box tucked into the binding rope leaked a few oil spots, staining the blue fabric with a patch of golden grease.
"Jiang Rou!" Feng Yu’s red scarf was whipped up by the cold wind like a flickering flame. "Don't tell me you stole these quilts from home?" She raised her voice intentionally, drawing the sidelong glances of the surrounding educated youth.
Just as Sun Xiaoxiao was about to speak, Feng Yu wrapped her red scarf tighter and added in a sour tone, "Bringing so much luggage? Thinking you’re fleeing a disaster?" Her brand-new enamel mug, emblazoned with "Women Hold Up Half the Sky," clattered against her satchel. "Beidahuang has no room for delicate flowers."
The ropes rasped against the bricks with a dry sound. Jiang Rou tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, the bruise on her wrist flashing in the morning light. "Comrade Feng, these two bedrolls were exchanged by Auntie Yang after she worked seven night shifts at the supply and marketing cooperative."
"It gets freezing over in Beidahuang. It’s only reasonable for me to bring two extra quilts, isn't it?" Jiang Rou then looked at the luggage behind Feng Yu and her musty-smelling quilt.
The corners of Feng Yu’s mouth drooped. She was right—she was jealous. Jealous that Jiang Rou, a stray child who got no love from her father or mother, had managed to bring better luggage than her.
Qu Qiaoliang’s pen nib hovered over the roster, a drop of ink bleeding into the final stroke of the character "Rou."
Jiang Rou looked up and met Feng Yu’s gaze directly. "If you’re feeling cold, Comrade Feng, I could lend you half a cotton ration coupon."
Suppressed laughter rippled through the crowd. Feng Yu dug her fingernails into her palms, her chipped enamel mug banging against the buttons of her satchel with a loud clatter. She quickly changed her expression. "Little Rou, aren't we best friends? I'm just concerned about you!"
Just then, a voice came from behind: "Little Rou! Little Rou!"
It was Yang Xiaofang, who had returned. "Sister Xiaofang, why are you back?"
"Best friends? Don't gild your own lily," Yang Xiaofang retorted. She held up two brand-new aluminum lunch boxes and said, "After I saw you off, I ran into Auntie Yang on the way back."
"This is chicken soup my aunt prepared for you. You just got out of the hospital and your body is still weak, so drink this to build up your strength. The other one is red-braised pork—take it for the road."
Jiang Rou took the still-warm boxes from Yang Xiaofang. Their aluminum surfaces reflected Feng Yu’s increasingly darkened face, while the surrounding educated youth cast envious looks her way.
In this era, chicken soup was a rare luxury. The scent of it wafted through the air, and despite the verbal jabs, Feng Yu was gnashing her teeth, though she kept a smile plastered on her face. Even after being rebuffed time and again, she wanted to maintain a "good person" persona in front of Qu Qiaoliang.
Under Yang Xiaofang’s urging, Jiang Rou finished the soup. "Thank you for me when you get back to Auntie Yang."
Yang Xiaofang nodded with a smile. "You got it. Be careful on the road, Little Rou. Remember to write to us when you reach Beidahuang."
Jiang Rou nodded heavily. "I know. Thank you, Sister Xiaofang."
"Sister Xiaofang, you should head back quickly. Be careful not to let anyone catch you slacking off right after clocking in."
"Right!" Yang Xiaofang agreed, then turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Feng Yu stood by, a stiff smile on her face, though she felt as wretched as if a cat were clawing at her heart. All eyes were on Jiang Rou. She had intended to use this opportunity to belittle Jiang Rou, but instead, she had landed herself in an embarrassing situation. Seeing the envy the other youth felt toward Jiang Rou only intensified her jealousy.
Qu Qiaoliang observed it all quietly. He knew Feng Yu’s petty intentions, but he didn't want to interfere. After all, everyone had their own personality and way of handling things.
Suddenly, the station broadcast crackled to life, drowning out the sound of Feng Yu stamping her feet: "Attention all educated youth, the special train to Beidahuang is about to depart..."
Qu Qiaoliang closed the roster and said, "Since everyone is here, Feng Yu, please distribute the tickets."
Yang County was in the south, a long way from Beidahuang. The green-skinned train ride would take at least 60 hours, so to make ticket purchasing easier and ensure everyone arrived at the countryside at the same time, the tickets had been bought in bulk.
Feng Yu took the tickets from her bag and handed them out.
Jiang Rou looked at her seat ticket and asked aloud, "Team Leader Qu, is everyone on a seat ticket?"
Wang Hao spoke up immediately, "Not me! I have a hard sleeper ticket."
*What is wrong with this Wang Hao today? Why does he keep undermining me?*
On the surface, Feng Yu offered a regretful explanation: "Sorry! There weren't any more sleepers when I bought them, so I could only get seats. How about this, I'll swap with you!"
Seeing this, Jiang Rou snatched the sleeper ticket directly from Feng Yu’s hand and shoved her seat ticket into Feng Yu’s hand in return.
"Sure, thank you so much!"
"Hey, you—" Feng Yu hadn't even reacted before the ticket was gone. She had only been trying to be polite; how could she have taken it seriously? But she couldn't find a reason to make a scene now.
And if she didn't make a scene, she would be the one stuck in the seat.
At that time, the hard-seat cars were overcrowded, packed with both passengers and cargo. Chickens, ducks, geese, and livestock were common sights, and the aisles were piled high with luggage, leaving no room to step. It was dirty, smelly, and pickpockets were rampant.
Sitting for 60 hours would be enough to cost her half her life.
Feng Yu looked at Qu Qiaoliang, hoping for his help.
Jiang Rou, having secured the ticket, headed straight toward the carriage with her luggage, ignoring everyone else's reaction.
The others ignored Feng Yu as well. Helpless, and refusing to settle for the seat carriage, Feng Yu had to pay out of her own pocket to upgrade her ticket. It broke her heart, and she secretly recorded this grudge against Jiang Rou, waiting for a chance to take revenge.
As the train slowly pulled out, Feng Yu clutched her newly purchased sleeper ticket, glaring viciously toward the direction of Jiang Rou's bunk.
Everyone else, having bought their tickets together, sat in the same area—except for Feng Yu with her upgraded ticket.
"Comrade, could we swap seats? I'm with them, but when I bought my ticket, this area was sold out, so I got a different one," Feng Yu asked, shamelessly pestering someone else to swap.
The person didn't want to change, but couldn't withstand Feng Yu’s constant pestering. Reluctantly, and with a look of annoyance, they finally agreed.