Chapter 101: Through Tracks and Time

By the time the train had entered its steady rhythm, the early morning bustle had given way to a lull. Outside, the wintry countryside rolled past in muted hues—frozen fields glistening under soft sunbeams, clusters of bare trees standing like silent sentinels. Inside the train carriage, warmth and movement intertwined in a cocoon of shared travel.

The soft chugging of the train and the rhythmic clatter of wheels against the tracks created a soothing background hum as the morning slipped into afternoon. Jia Lan sat comfortably on the lower berth for a while, her back leaning against the cool wall of the train. Aunt Li had packed her a hearty lunch in a cloth-wrapped metal tiffin box, and the aroma of homey spices teased her senses even before she opened it.Jia Lan sat comfortably on the lower berth, her back leaning slightly against the wall, legs curled to the side in a relaxed posture. Her warm beige overcoat was neatly folded and set aside, revealing a soft woolen turtleneck in dusky rose and a pair of corduroy trousers tucked into ankle boots. Her cheeks still held the fresh blush of cold from earlier, and a soft contentment lingered in her expression.

"Xiao Jia, is this lunch from your home?" the woman in the lower berth opposite hers asked kindly, adjusting the little girl on her lap.

"Yes, Aunt Li made it," Jia Lan replied with a small smile, opening the lunchbox to reveal neatly packed compartments of fried tofu, stir-fried greens with garlic, pickled radish, and fragrant egg-fried rice. A little orange was tucked on the side for dessert.

The man beside the woman chuckled lightly. "Smells better than the food we packed. Traveling with a toddler, everything becomes a rush."

Jia Lan smiled politely, nodding in understanding.

The little girl, who had been quietly observing, peeked up at Jia Lan's tiffin with sparkling eyes. Jia Lan smiled and take a piece of soft tofu she had received from today's system check-in. "Would she like one?" she asked softly, holding it out.

"Oh no, no need. She already had sweets earlier," the mother gently refused.

But the little girl's gaze remained glued to the chocolate. Jia Lan chuckled and insisted gently, "It's just one piece. Handmade. She might like it."

The parents exchanged glances and gave in. "Alright, just this once," the mother said with a resigned smile.

The little girl took it with both hands and whispered shyly, "Thank you, jiejie…"

Jia Lan's heart warmed. She tapped the girl's little nose affectionately before turning her attention to the tall man seated on the upper berth across from her. He had been watching with a faint smile.

Across from her, the army officer—dressed in a well-fitted military green coat with neat brass buttons and a sharp collar—sat on his berth with an apple in one hand, the other resting lazily on his thigh.

"You're really good with kids," he commented, hopping down gracefully and dusting off his uniform pants. The man was dressed in dark green military attire, with clean lines and a crisp cut that enhanced his tall, upright posture.

"I have niece at home," Jia Lan answered with a soft laugh. "I've had some practice."

"Your aunt really knows how to pack a feast," he said, glancing at Jia Lan's lunchbox, which was now almost empty. "I can smell pickled radish from here."

Jia Lan chuckled lightly, holding the empty container. "She wouldn't let me leave without stuffing my bag like a walking pantry. There were three kinds of buns, braised tofu, and yes, her famous radish pickle."

"She must really dote on you."

"She does," Jia Lan smiled, a soft fondness rising in her tone. "She's practically family now."

"I'm Zhao Ming," he offered, holding out a hand. "Based in City A. You?"

"Jia Lan," she replied, shaking his hand briefly. "I'm from City A, but studying in the capital right now."

The young couple across from them was still dozing, their toddler curled up between them, a little pink hat covering her ears. The train hummed, rocking the sleeping child gently like a lullaby.

Zhao Ming settled into the seat next to her, his tone casual and friendly. "Capital's a good place to study. Must be lonely though, living away from home?"

"Not really," Jia Lan replied, glancing at the passing landscape through the window. "I have good people around me. A kind auntie who cooks, roommates, professors… it's manageable."

"I'm from City A, but I grew up in a military family. Father was strict," Zhao Ming said, smiling at the memory. "My mother always worried we'd turn too serious. I guess I got lucky."

She laughed lightly. "You don't seem serious at all."

"I try," he replied. "We get one break for Chinese New Year, so I'm making the most of the train ride. No loud engines, no reports, just strangers who might be new friends."

Jia Lan tilted her head slightly, amused. "You're quite good at conversation, Officer Zhao."

He raised a brow. "Call me Zhao Ming. Makes me feel less like I'm at work."

Zhou Rui studied her face for a moment, sensing the deeper meaning behind his words . Instead, he gestured to the window. "Pretty scenery today. Frosty trees make everything look like it's out of a fairy tale."

Jia Lan smiled. "Winter is quiet. I like it that way."

They chatted for a while, the conversation easy and light. Zhao Ming asked about her studies, her hometown, and favorite food, and in turn shared stories about being stationed in the north, growing up with three older sisters, and how the army trains you to wake up before the birds.

After finishing her lunch, Jia Lan packed the tiffin neatly and sighed. "I might need a nap. The motion of the train is making me sleepy."

"Go ahead," he said, standing. "The couple and their daughter already dozed off. Must be the magic of rocking trains."

Jia Lan stifled another yawn and stood up gracefully, reaching for the ladder to climb into her upper berth. "Good conversation, Officer Zhou."

Zhou Rui saluted playfully. "Pleasure, Miss Jia."

She chuckled softly before disappearing behind the curtain of her berth, adjusting her soft blanket and pulling it up to her chin. The gentle rocking of the train and the muffled sounds of travelers lulled her into sleep.

Curling up under the soft woolen blanket, Jia Lan closed her eyes as the afternoon sunlight slipped through the grimy train window in golden streaks. Somewhere in the background, the train conductor called out a station name, and the brakes squeaked in protest. But Jia Lan drifted off easily, her dreams filled with familiar voices from home and the scent of Aunt Li's warm kitchen.

By evening, the sky outside had turned a muted purple. Streetlamps flashed by like passing fireflies. Jia Lan woke slowly, stretching and peeking down from her berth.

By the time evening crept in, Jia Lan stirred awake to find the train glowing under golden ceiling lights. She peeked out, hair slightly tousled from sleep, and stretched lightly before hopping down from her berth. The couple and their child were still asleep, their little girl curled tightly under her mother's coat.

She climbed down and unwrapped a small rice dumpling Aunt Li had packed for her evening snack, eating quietly while seated by the window.

Zhou Rui, now seated across with a rice ball in hand, noticed her stirring.

"You're awake. Hungry?"

"Just a little," she replied, opening the thermos cap and blowing on the steam. "I have something light."

Zhao Ming spotted her awake and leaned down from his upper bunk. "I was thinking of grabbing something when the vendor comes by. Want me to get you anything?"

She shook her head with a gentle smile. "Thank you, but I'm not very hungry right now. Aunt Li packed more than enough."

He nodded. "You're lucky to have someone like her."

"I know," she said softly, her fingers curling around the warm food in her hand. Her gaze drifted back to the window, where the stars had begun to peek through the veil of winter dusk.

Outside, families waited at stations with red scarves and woolen coats. The warmth of the train contrasted with the cold world outside. And for the first time in a long time, Jia Lan felt like she was exactly where she needed to be.

The announcement rang out, muffled yet familiar: "Next stop in five minutes…"

The train journey continued, wrapped in the warmth of soft conversations and the lull of motion. Jia Lan tucked the rest of her food back into her bag and gazed outside. The world was moving, people returning to their roots, their homes. And for the first time in a long while, she wasn't just going back somewhere.

She was going home.