Reborn with a Space: Building a Fortune Amidst Famine

Chapter 977: Chapter 977: On the Train

The two sisters, feeling uneasy, still escorted Zhao Xiaojing home, where Xiao Ling was already preparing dinner. The remaining children were making paper boxes inside the house.

Zhao Xiaojing truly realized how hardworking the children were. What reason did she have not to pull herself together?

"Second Aunt, shall we stick the pancakes tonight?"

"Sure, I’ll cook." The eldest niece was really capable. This made her feel at ease leaving the two children there.

"Xiao Ling, if Haifeng stays here in the future, it’ll be burdensome for you."

Zhao Xiaoling shook her head, "Second Aunt, it’s okay. He’s my brother, and I’ll take care of him. Moreover, Little Hong will accompany him."

The family sat together for dinner. In the evening, Zhao Xiaojing and her two sons stayed together. Since she would be leaving tomorrow, she still wanted to be close to her sons.

"Mom, don’t tire yourself out. My big sister and I make paper boxes, and we can also work outside. We earn our school fees ourselves."

"Okay, I know, you don’t worry me."

"Mom, if you find someone again in the future, I’m okay with it."

Zhao Xiaojing didn’t expect her son to say that. "Okay, I’ll find someone if I meet someone good."

The next day, early in the morning, the children went to school after breakfast. Today they only cleaned for half a day and distributed books.

Because Zhao Yanli had to work, Zhou Yongbing rode a bike to take Zhao Xiaojing to the train.

After giving some instructions, he watched the train leave before returning home.

Zhao Xiaojing found a seat on the train. As a single woman, she attracted some attention.

She didn’t bring any food, planning to eat in the dining car.

At noon, after having a meal in the dining car, she returned to find someone sitting in her seat.

"Comrade, this is my seat."

The middle-aged man looked at Zhao Xiaojing, "I saw this seat was empty, so I sat down. I’m sorry."

The man moved to sit opposite her as Zhao Xiaojing sat down with her tea jar.

The man started chatting with Zhao Xiaojing now and then.

The two became familiar quickly. Zhao Xiaojing learned that the man’s name was Tang Yiqing. He was thirty-two this year, a worker at an enamel factory, and came here for sales.

Tang Yiqing was quite a conversationalist. By evening, the two were chatting and laughing their way to dinner in the dining car.

Zhao Xiaojing didn’t mention her divorce, but she learned that Tang Yiqing was single, with a thirteen-year-old daughter whose wife had passed away due to illness.

"Mr. Zhao, aren’t you afraid of traveling alone on the train?"

"Not really, I just came to send my children to school. There’s nothing here for me, so I’m returning. The farm should start spring sowing soon."

"Mr. Zhao is really capable."

"Capable for what? I have two kids to raise."

After finishing dinner, they returned. There weren’t many people in the carriage. Zhao Xiaojing could sit three people, but now she was alone, so she lay down wearing her coat for comfort.

Tang Yiqing also lay down similarly, so their eyes met below.

Feeling a little embarrassed, Zhao Xiaojing turned over to sleep.

Tang Yiqing smiled. The next day, the two became even more acquainted. There were fewer passengers heading there at this time.

They just chatted, and Zhao Xiaojing was drawn by Tang Yiqing’s eloquence, often smiling.

"Mr. Tang, are you getting off soon?"

"There’s still one more day and night? I’ll stay and chat with you, Mr. Zhao."

"Thanks, Mr. Tang."

At dinner, Tang Yiqing even fetched food for Zhao Xiaojing as they chatted like old friends.

Zhao Xiaojing also stopped constantly thinking about Xu Hongbing, feeling much better.

When they went to bed, Tang Yiqing invited Zhao Xiaojing to lie on the benches and chat.

"Mr. Zhao, I’ll be getting off tomorrow morning. Chatting with you on this journey made the time pass especially fast."

"I feel the same." Otherwise, I would’ve turned restlessly, thinking about Xu Hongbing alone.

"Visit my place when you have time; I’ll give you my address."

"Thank you, if there’s a chance, I will." Zhao Xiaojing smiled, feeling a bit reluctant.

"I’ll write to you later."

"Letters to our farm arrive very slowly."

"It’s indeed inconvenient. By the way, you still have two months before you can start farming, right? Why not stay with me and explore for a few days? This place is quite similar to yours."

Zhao Xiaojing was tempted. She was much happier in the past two days, probably because she had no friends.

Tang Yiqing was great at talking. They had many common interests. There was nothing urgent at home. The corn-shelling work at the station was finished. She could only stay at home.

So, she could stay a few days more and head back later.

"Will it bother you? It’s too inconvenient, I better not."

Tang Yiqing quickly responded, "What’s inconvenient? No worries; I live close to the train station. Besides, I’m alone now; my child is studying with my parents in the countryside."

"Really no inconvenience?"

"None at all. I can even take a few days off and show you around our city."

"Thank you, Mr. Tang."

"No problem. It’s fate that we can meet and talk like this."

Zhao Xiaojing nodded with a smile.

They continued chatting quietly. Zhao Xiaojing was genuinely excited. She really didn’t have friends. She grew up in a village, only going to the market occasionally. After coming here, it was just her and her siblings.

There was Su Yuanyuan, but she wasn’t close to her.

Additionally, families on the farm were too far apart, making visiting difficult. After marriage, it was just Xu Hongbing. Now that man had a change of heart, leaving her.

She thought she’d live like this forever, never expecting to make friends on a train.

The next day, Tang Yiqing didn’t let Zhao Xiaojing eat on the train, "I’ll treat you to a meal. We’re not eating on the train; I’m really tired of it." He winked as he said this.

With a smile, Zhao Xiaojing nodded. She carried just two bags, as did Tang Yiqing, making it quite convenient for them to disembark.

It was a small city, similar to other places.

"Are you disappointed?"

"I’ve been to very few places; they feel the same."

"Let’s eat first; then I’ll take you to my place. It’s been unoccupied for a long time, so it might be quite cold. I really dislike winter."

The two walked side by side out of the train station. There weren’t many people outside, and she followed Tang Yiqing into a restaurant.

"Xiao Tang, you’re back? Is this your friend?"

A man eating there around the same age as Tang Yiqing greeted them with a smile.