Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Preparations Before Departure—Yuran Speaks

That was the truth. To make her happy, they’d bought a 1,500 yuan piano without a second thought, so what was fifty yuan? Just pocket change. They’d spent far more than that on things sent to her uncle’s family.

Still, even though she didn’t care about the money, Zhong Luoning was happy that Qinghuan was willing to be upfront about it. At least she didn’t feel like a sucker, raising an ingrate.

Zhong Luoning smiled. “Thank you, Huanhuan. Sorry to trouble you for a little longer! I’m feeling much better now. After the New Year, when we’re back, I plan to find a job to support myself and Yuran. Things will get better.”

“That’s wonderful to hear.” Gu Qinghuan saw the life return to her face, her expression much more animated than before. She felt relieved—clearly, the medicine these days hadn’t been for nothing.

Other than their personal items—clothes, shoes, socks—there was no need to bring much else. Anything they needed, their old home in the Northeast would have.

Actually, everything was already stored in Gu Qinghuan’s space; whatever they needed, it was there.

The only things they really needed to bring were the jars of spicy pickled cabbage and dried radish that Gu Qinghuan had prepared earlier. Those couldn’t be faked, nor could they be hidden in her space and then taken out at Xujiatun. She couldn’t just leave them behind either—who knew what the situation at home would be? They couldn’t risk having nothing to eat.

Fortunately, Gu Lanting, the strong one, was traveling with them, so Qinghuan decided to bring as much as they could carry.

As for the pickled radishes soaking in water, she’d already given those away to a few other families.

Bringing just the spicy cabbage and dried radish wasn’t too heavy.

The three rabbits at home were another headache. They couldn’t take them easily, but they couldn’t let them starve, and putting them in her space was even less realistic.

Gu Qinghuan had originally planned to leave the rabbits at Xiao Fengying’s house for a while, and after the New Year, Zhong Luoning and Lanting could decide what to do with them.

She herself probably wouldn’t be able to come back anytime soon. After all, she was still officially a “sent-down youth,” and she’d already been away from the countryside for so long. It wouldn’t be easy to return to Beijing after the New Year.

But the three kids were all extremely reluctant to part with the rabbits, especially Beibei, who cried as if the sky was falling.

“Mama, I don’t want to leave Baibai. Next year, can we come back to Beijing to see it? Will it forget me?”

The more Beibei spoke, the sadder she got, bursting into loud sobs. She probably understood that they might not return to Beijing, and might never see the little rabbit again.

Dabao’s eyes reddened too. He knew he shouldn’t be selfish—Mama already had a hard time taking care of them. But the rabbit was a gift from Mama; he’d named it and cared for it for so long. It was hard not to feel sad at the thought of never seeing it again.

Still, he forced himself to comfort Beibei: “Beibei, don’t cry. Remember last time on the train, how crowded it was? Mama had to carry the luggage and look after us—it was really hard for her. You can’t make things harder for Mama, or I won’t like you anymore.”

Beibei ignored everything except the last part: “Or I won’t like you anymore.” Losing Baibai and her brother’s affection, she cried even harder.

Yuran was so startled by her wailing that she hid in Zhong Luoning’s arms and started crying too.

The scene was utter chaos.

Gu Qinghuan had a headache, but she also felt a pang of guilt. She’d forgotten that what seemed trivial to adults could be a huge deal to children.

Just like when she was little—forgetting her textbook, not having someone to pick her up on a rainy day, losing her homework—any little thing could feel like the end of the world.

A child’s world is fragile and needs the protection of adults.

Since she’d already given them the rabbits, she decided to see it through to the end.

In the end, Gu Qinghuan made the call: the three rabbits would come with them on the train, back to Xujiatun.

Luckily, they weren’t too big yet, so they could squeeze into one cage. It was winter, so they wouldn’t overheat.

Beibei instantly broke into a smile. “Mama, you’re the best! You’re the best mom in the whole world! I love you the most, the most, the most!” She even kissed Gu Qinghuan on the cheek.

These sweet words were obviously taught by Ming Ruxue, but Gu Qinghuan enjoyed them nonetheless.

Dabao also grinned from ear to ear and kissed her other cheek. “I love Mama the most, most, most too! Thank you, Mama. I’ll carry the rabbits so you don’t have to worry.”

Yuran watched the two and suddenly pulled Zhong Luoning down to kiss her on the cheek too, awkwardly saying, “Most… love Mama.”

All the adults were stunned.

Lanting pointed at her, stammering, “Sis, did I hear that right? Yuran just said a whole sentence!”

Gu Qinghuan’s eyes widened in surprise. “I heard it too. I think… I think that’s right?”

Zhong Luoning burst into tears of joy, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

She’d cried many times these days, always from sadness. This was the first time she cried from happiness.

Her child could speak now. Even if it was just a short sentence, it was a huge breakthrough for her.

She’d endured so much pressure over the years—from her family, and from herself. She’d blamed herself, felt guilty, always thinking she hadn’t done enough and had harmed her child.

She’d even prayed to the gods, wishing to trade her own life for her child’s health and happiness.

Now, her prayers had finally been answered. Yuran could speak.

She hugged her daughter tightly. “Yuran, Mama loves you the most, most, most too.”

Yuran’s lips curled into a smile.

Lanting teased her on purpose. “Little Yuran, call me Uncle and I’ll give you a White Rabbit candy.” (Even though he was technically a cousin, he was as close as a real uncle.)

Yuran opened her mouth: “Jiujiu.” It didn’t sound quite right, but everyone was as happy as if it were New Year’s.

“Yuran, I’m Dabao-gege!”

“Yuran-jiejie, say Beibei’s name!”

…

Her pronunciation wasn’t perfect, but no one corrected her. Instead, they praised and encouraged her. Just speaking at all was wonderful.

As long as she was willing to talk, things would only get better.

The family packed everything up, sorting it into four big bags and two hand-carried ones.

On the train, each person would carry one bag. Lanting would take the two hand-carry bags, and the three women would each hold a child’s hand.

For the things at home, Gu Qinghuan stuffed whatever she could into her space—no point carrying extra weight. She’d have to organize everything once they got back anyway, so she could just take it out then.

She didn’t dare put anything out in the open into her space, though.

By the time they finished packing, it was already past midnight. Gu Qinghuan barely slept before waking up again at six, before dawn, to make breakfast and prepare some food for the journey.

She was just the type to worry—she couldn’t sleep if there was something to do.

Zhong Luoning was a light sleeper and got up early to help. Even though everyone treated her like a patient, she didn’t want to just accept her siblings’ care and play the victim.

The cornmeal dough had been prepared the night before. Zhong Luoning punched it down and put it in the steamer.

That big pot of cornmeal buns was for the road.

Gu Qinghuan fried some egg pancakes, made a pot of corn grits porridge, and set out some dried radish for breakfast.

After breakfast, she wrapped the cooled buns in clean oiled paper and put them in a separate bag for easy access on the train.

She also packed two jars of homemade mushroom meat sauce and dried radish to eat with the buns, plus some pastries.

The adults could always buy something to eat on the way, but the kids’ stomachs were delicate—she worried they’d get sick from unclean food.

They also brought two large tea mugs and a few small cups for water on the road. The big mugs could double as lunch boxes.

Once everything was ready, He Qiang and his three brothers came to help.

They loaded the luggage onto the carts, checked everything one last time, and locked up the two little Western-style houses before heading out.

He Qiang and a few tricycle drivers took them to the train station. Gu Qinghuan tried to pay, but He Qiang refused—he’d already paid the others, and wouldn’t take money himself.

So Gu Qinghuan let him have his way.

He Qiang personally escorted them into the station and even gave them a bag of boiled eggs.

He only left after watching them board the train.

Since they had a whole compartment to themselves, they piled all the luggage in a corner to make space for the kids to play.

It was Yuran’s first time on a train. She curiously pressed her face to the window.

Zhong Luoning patiently explained: this was a train, it ran on tracks, and it would take them to the Northeast.

She, like Gu Qinghuan, had barely slept the night before—too excited. For a mother of an autistic child, any progress was a huge deal.

Dabao and Beibei had already taken the train once, so it wasn’t new to them. They hovered around the rabbit cage, worried something might happen to their pets.

The three rabbits were a bit cramped in one cage, but at least the kids’ wish had been granted.

Seeing how happy the children were, Gu Qinghuan felt like she was fulfilling her own childhood dreams, and her heart was sweet with joy.

Lanting took out a book to read.

Ming Ruxue, meanwhile, was full of curiosity, asking Gu Qinghuan about Xujiatun. When she learned there were wild animals in the mountains, she was thrilled.

Since the whole compartment was filled with their own people, they could talk and laugh freely, enjoying themselves without worrying about disturbing anyone. This trip was bound to be a comfortable one."