Chapter 82: The Journey Begins

The morning sun rose through the foggy mist of January, its rays struggling to pierce the cold veil of winter. The city's train station buzzed with motion—whistles, footsteps, and quiet farewells blended into a tapestry of emotion usually bustling with business travelers and merchants, now hosted a quieter group gathered at Platform 3—one built not just of blood but of love.

Jia Lan stood wrapped in a pale wool coat that hugged her figure gracefully, her breath forming soft clouds in the chilled air. Her suitcase sat beside her, and her two leather satchels were strapped tight and labeled neatly. Her hair was tied in a smooth braid, tucked under a hand-knitted hat from Grandmother Jia. The ivory wool gloves on her hands were a gift from Xu Li. Everything she wore today held meaning—and every corner of her body seemed to be clothed in warmth born of love.

The entire Jia family had come to see her off.

Her grandparents stood side by side, Grandfather Jia wearing his dark blue winter coat holding tightly onto his walking cane while Grandmother Jia kept dabbing at her eyes with the corner of her scarf.

"You must take care of yourself, Lan'er," Grandmother Jia whispered as she fixed Jia Lan's collar one last time. "Eat well, don't catch cold."adjusting Jia Lan's scarf like she had when Jia Lan was five. "Don't stay up late studying, remember to write us."

Jia Lan's heart ached. "I will, Grandma. I promise."

"Send letters when you reach," Grandfather Jia added with a slightly roughened voice. "I've kept your address in my chest drawer. We'll be waiting."Grandfather Jia, though visibly holding back emotion, patted her shoulder. "You've grown into a fine girl. Make us proud in the capital."

"I'll try my best, Grandpa."

Jia Wei and Jia Zhe were hovering around the train porter, helping load Jia Lan's luggage into the sleeper compartment,one sturdy suitcase, two satchels carefully tied and labeled, and a cloth-covered food basket packed tightly with love and snacks. They laughed and joked like usual, trying their best to lighten the mood.Their shoulders were stiff, trying to act like this was just another day—but their red-rimmed eyes

"Hey, little brat," Jia Wei said with a playful grin, "Don't go falling for some smooth-talking capital boy, you hear? If you do, send him home for us to inspect."

"Exactly," Jia Zhe added, elbowing her. "We need a full background check."

"If you get too famous in the capital, don't forget us, your poor older brothers," Jia Zhe said dramatically, wiping an imaginary tear with the edge of his jacket sleeve.

Jia Wei chimed in, "Yeah! And don't you dare come back with some capital hotshot without letting us inspect him first!"

Jia Lan laughed tearfully, slapping their arms lightly, "You two can joke even now?"

Their wives, Yao Jing and Xu Li, were both trying to hold in their emotions as well. Yao Jing had prepared several small bags of dried fruits and snacks for Jia Lan and placed them carefully in her satchel without saying much.

Xu Li, holding baby Naun in her arms, kept whispering to her, "Your auntie is going far for her future… let's smile for her…"

But baby Naun wasn't having it.

As if she could sense the change in atmosphere, she began sobbing loudly, her tiny hands stretched out toward Jia Lan. "Aah…Ahh…Aaiiieee!"

Jia Lan bent down, tears already forming in her eyes as she took the baby's little hand and kissed her forehead.

"My little Naun, you must eat well, grow strong, and smile every day. I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone," she whispered softly.

But baby Naun clung tightly to her neck and refused to let go.

Mother Jia stepped in to gently lift the baby away, her eyes glassy with tears. "Come now, little one. Auntie has to catch her train…"

Father Jia was the most composed of them all, yet there was a subtle tremor in his movements as he stand.

As the final whistle blew, Jia Zhe called over one of the female train attendants in a navy uniform.

"Comrade," he said respectfully, "this is our little sister's first time traveling so far with our parents. Please help keep an eye on them. They might not ask for help, but we'd feel better knowing someone's around."

He discreetly slipped a few milk candies—the kind wrapped in wax paper—into her hand with a warm smile.

The attendant chuckled and tucked the candies into her pocket. "I'll look out for them. Don't worry. Your little sister looks like someone going far in life."

"Thank you," Jia Wei replied with a nod.

The candies went straight into her pocket.

Jia Lan and her parents settled into their three-person sleeper berth. Warm blankets were folded neatly on the top bunks, and the car smelled faintly of coal and disinfectant. Her suitcase was tucked securely under the lower bed, and her satchels stowed neatly in the upper compartment.

The whistle blew. The conductor called out, "All aboard!"

Meanwhile, baby Naun had started wailing in Xu Li's arms, as if she understood her favorite aunt was leaving.

"Ahhh! Aiaaiii! Aaah!"

Jia Lan turned and knelt before her. "My Naun-naun," she whispered, pressing her forehead to the baby's warm little head, "don't cry, okay? Auntie will write to you too. I'll come back with presents!"

Baby Naun refused to let go, gripping Jia Lan's braid and hiccupping through her cries. Xu Li gently detached the baby's hand and hugged her close.

"You go now," she told Jia Lan softly. "We'll take good care of her."

Mother Jia had her arm looped with Jia Lan's while Father Jia calmly helped her board the train with practiced grace. Once inside, they settled into their three-person sleeper berth, blankets neatly folded and windows lightly fogged from the chill.

From their window, the platform began to move.

Jia Lan leaned toward the window just as the train began its slow crawl forward.

Outside, her entire family was waving. Her grandparents stood in the front, Grandmother Jia wiping away tears openly while Grandfather Jia stubbornly held onto his hat, his throat bobbing. Jia Wei and Jia Zhe were still shouting last-minute reminders, tears betraying the corners of their eyes. Xu Li held a loudly crying baby Naun wailed with outstretched arms toward the window, and Yao Jing waved a white handkerchief furiously.

Jia Lan couldn't hold it anymore.

She pressed her face against the cold window, tears flowing freely as she waved back.

"I'll make you all proud," she whispered. "Just wait for me."

As the train left the platform, the sounds faded. But the image of her family, frozen in a moment of love and farewell, stayed imprinted in her heart.

She turned toward her mother and father. Mother Jia was dabbing her own tears, while Father Jia silently placed a hand on Jia Lan's head.Inside the warm carriage, Mother Jia handed Jia Lan a warm thermos of red date tea while Father Jia patted her hand.

"We're here with you," he said with a small smile. "The capital isn't so far, not when we're together."

Jia Lan nodded, hugging the thermos close to her chest.

The rhythm of the train sang beneath them, steady and comforting.

Outside the window, the city fell behind—but Jia Lan's heart carried every face, every laugh, and every tear with her.

"No matter how far the road, we'll walk it with you," he said softly. "

Jia Lan nodded.

The rhythm of the train picked up, the wheels singing a song of change, of new beginnings. The capital awaited.

And in that quiet sleeper cabin, filled with warmth, tears, and hope—Jia Lan stepped forward into the next chapter of her life.