Just then, Shen Mo, who had been studying in the room all along, suddenly came downstairs, carrying a large backpack.
Without a word, he walked to the door and began putting on his coat.
“? Where are you going?” Shen Jiaru casually asked.
“I’ll walk you there.” He didn’t lift his head, crouching down to tie his shoelaces.
“???” His son actually wanted to walk him there?
Shen Jiaru raised his eyebrows in surprise. The relationship between father and son had always been lukewarm, their understanding being that they should each take care of their own affairs.
Shen Mo actually went to the trouble of getting dressed and putting on shoes just to accompany him to the train station?
With pursed lips, Shen Jiaru suddenly felt a softness in his heart.
After all, they were blood relatives. Even if they seemed indifferent on ordinary days, they still cared about each other.
It had been many years since he had traveled for work. In Jinsong City, although their relationship wasn’t the typical close father and son type, they had been each other’s companions for many years, depending on each other, and had grown accustomed to feeling at ease only when seeing each other daily.
At the door, he patted his son’s back. As a father who was not good at expressing his feelings, this was his way of showing how moved he was by his son’s thoughtful gesture.
Throughout the ride, Shen Jiaru was somewhat emotional.
Being in that unfamiliar atmosphere of father-son affection felt both strange and touching.
Until they stopped the car and got out. Zhao Xiaolei handled the luggage, while Shen Mo didn’t even turn his head, didn’t take a second glance at his own father, and headed straight for Hua Jie and her father, who had arrived at the station earlier…
Shen Jiaru suddenly furrowed his brows.
Then, he saw Shen Mo hand over the large backpack he had been carrying since they left to Hua Jie, and he spoke familiarly with Hua Jie’s father. It was then he confirmed his suspicion.
The damn kid wasn’t there to see off his old man, he obviously hitched a ride to see his desk-mate, Hua Jie!
…
It was a bit cold on the afternoon of the 5th, and Hua Jie was hugging herself while hopping in place to keep warm.
Shen Mo walked over and spoke briefly with Hua Jie’s father before tugging at her.
Shen Jiaru and Zhao Xiaolei came over to greet Hua Jie’s father, and the three men talked while watching the two youngsters run off to the side to whisper. Nobody said anything.
Seeing Hua Jie’s face red with cold, Shen Mo reached out, lifted the hood of her down jacket, and covered her head before saying:
“I bought you some snacks, eat them when you’re on the train and have nothing else to do.”
“Inside, there’s a pack of Wahaha AD calcium milk and other drinks. If you can’t finish them all, share with Lu Yunfei and the others, as you’re not allowed to bring them on the train.”
“That’s so nice!” Hua Jie tightened her down jacket hood, only her big eyes visible above her scarf, her voice sounding muffled as she exclaimed in appreciation.
“There’s also a cellphone inside the bag pocket with my number saved on it. Contact me directly if you need anything.”
“I’ve already topped up the phone credit for you, just use it, but don’t tell anyone.”
“It’s not a gift; you’ll give it back when you return.”
“…” Hua Jie looked up at him, feeling like she owed him so much she’d have to dedicate herself to him; her eyes wide as she stamped her feet to keep warm and emotionally said:
“My benefactor!”
“No need to be too touched; after all, we have the kind of relationship where you’ve called me ‘Dad’ before.” He stretched out his hand and patted her head, which looked especially large with the hood.
“So you’re saying you have fatherly love for me?” she tilted her head and stared at him, starting to laugh despite herself.
“Worried sick.” He feigned an extremely displeased expression.
While the two of them were chatting, Qian Chong’s mother also arrived with him.
Upon seeing Teacher Shen, Qian’s mother thanked him profusely, then while waiting for Fang Shaojun and Lu Yunfei, she chatted about whether Qian Chong had encountered any problems with his painting recently.
In front of the train station was a large square, with a beautiful sculpture in the center surrounded by snow that hadn’t been cleared away.
Seven or eight children were having a snowball fight near the snow pile, their laughter and screams filling the air.
Hua Jie was jumping in place when suddenly a snowball hit her leg.
Turning her head, she saw the children frantically throwing snowballs at each other near the snow pile, sending snow flying everywhere, all in high spirits.
Feeling good, she scooped up a handful of snow from the ground and threw it back at the child who had hit her.
The snowball smacked onto the kid’s butt with a ‘plop’, and the little boy laughed heartily as if being hit was the most joyful thing.
Laughing, he turned his head and called his friends, and together they picked up snowballs to collectively pelt Hua Jie.
The young girl, not to be outdone, ran over and started throwing snowballs at anyone she saw, offending a whole group of kids.
The children, usually playing with peers their own age, were thrilled to have an older kid join in. Their screams and laughter grew louder, and they tumbled and scrambled around in the chaos.
Surrounded and bombarded with snowballs from all sides by the children, Hua Jie didn’t hold back either, earnestly forming her own snowballs to return fire. Each time she hit someone’s buttocks, laughter erupted—her hearty laughter serving as a show of might to all the kids.
Shen Mo tilted his head, his shoulders slumped in a mix of helplessness and impatience.
Such childishness!
As if she hadn’t grown up at all!
Had she never played a snowball fight in her eight lifetimes? Why did she have to play now? And why so wholeheartedly, so joyously?!
With so many onlookers, wasn’t she embarrassed?
Before long, the girl’s stamina began to falter, but the elementary school kids, akin to perpetual motion machines, were brimming with endless energy. Their snowball onslaught showed no signs of fatigue.
Shen Mo frowned, concerned that Hua Jie was clearly no match for these little kids!
His little potato couldn’t be losing…
After a few seconds of brooding, he suddenly strode towards the large pile of snow under the sculpture.
The children, who were engrossed in the thrill of the snowball fight, became slightly frightened upon seeing the tall and imposing Shen Mo approach. Their actions, previously aggressive, now hesitated.
Suddenly, the striding tower of a young man sprinted, and upon reaching Hua Jie’s side, he swiftly bent down, scooped up a handful of snow, and smashed it with a squish onto the buttocks of a child who had been particularly aggressive towards Hua Jie.
“Ah!” The child was momentarily stunned, then realizing it was part of the game, let out an indignant cry and quickly rallied his friends for a counterattack.
Shen Mo, utterly unconcerned with martial fairness, scooped snow with incredible speed. His large hands formed bigger snowballs. In the heat of battle, when he couldn’t form snowballs fast enough, he even resorted to kicking up snow, showering the kids with it and covering them in a messy splatter.
The kids yelped in protest, their eyes glaring at Shen Mo as if to roar—
Big brother, you’re all grown up, and it’s just a snowball fight, no need to take it so seriously!!!
Bullying the kids was too much fun.
Seeing Shen Mo join in boosted Hua Jie’s spirits, and her fighting spirit surged back.
Qian Chong, standing aside listening to his mom chat with the teachers, thought: “…”
Just seeing Hua Jie so carefree and joyous was quite a surprise to him.
And really, weren’t their laughs a bit too loud?
It made his hands itch.
But how could he, in front of so many people, run over and start a snowball fight with elementary school students? Was he crazy?
His eyebrows raised, he glared at Shen Mo and Hua Jie, his eyes filled with disdain and… jealousy.
Fang Shaojun, who had just arrived, slung the backpack her mother handed her over her shoulders and walked towards Shen Jiaru’s direction, though her eyes stayed fixed on Shen Mo.
She scrutinized her repeatedly, staring intently, until she finally confirmed that the tall figure, blending in with the children in the swirling snow, was indeed Shen Mo.
“!!!” She was somewhat shocked.
Suddenly, she realized that she didn’t really know Shen Mo at all!
She had never imagined him laughing and playing so spiritedly.
Shen Jiaru, who had been chatting with Qian’s mother, could no longer concentrate on the conversation. His gaze kept drifting to the group of children near the front square sculpture.
His eyes followed his son, suddenly feeling emotional.
That indescribable feeling seemed a mix of bitterness, perhaps loneliness, regret, or the ravages of time.
He pursed his lips, finally stopping his conversation, just watching silently in that direction.
The group all turned their gaze that way.
Hua Zhaoyuan didn’t know what Shen Jiaru and the others were thinking, but with so many people watching his daughter have a snowball fight, he felt somewhat embarrassed.
When their family went up the mountain, they could play however they wanted. But now, with so many onlookers, right in front of the station where people were constantly coming and going…
It was rather awkward.
His daughter, when sensible, was truly sensible, but she could also really be a wild child when she kicked up a fuss.
Why couldn’t she be more stable, just look at her classmate Fang Shaojun, so straight and graceful, just like a proper young lady, so ladylike.
After standing for another few seconds, Lu Yunfei finally arrived.
Shen Jiaru clapped his hands, indicating that everyone had gathered.
Hua’s father immediately walked towards the snow pile by the sculpture, bent down to form a snowball, and fiercely smacked it on his daughter’s buttocks:
“Alright, alright, let’s line up to enter the station.”
Hua Jie then reluctantly stopped, leaning on Shen Mo’s arm, stumbling as she dodged an oncoming snowball from a child who couldn’t stop in time, laughing all the while, her cheeks flushed red, visibly out of breath.
Hua’s father dusted off the remaining snow on his hands, also feeling a bit eager to try.
He thought to himself that when his daughter returned from the capital, he definitely needed to give the family a holiday to go up the mountain and tread in the snow.
Ah, the snowball he had formed to hit his daughter was too small, hitting her hadn’t felt satisfying at all. His gaze shifted, and suddenly he spotted a large chunk of snow in a child’s hands, immediately eyeing it with interest.
Although he inwardly grumbled about his daughter not being ladylike, in truth, Hua’s father wanted to join the snowball fight more than anyone.
If Hua’s mother were there, she would definitely have teased, “Stop complaining about the girl acting like a tomboy; she’s just like her dad!”
As Shen Mo walked, he jumped a few times. Although he was tall, his jumps were surprisingly light, exuding a lazy yet effortless charm.
Snowflakes shook off him with each bounce, and he adjusted his hair.
Turning his head and seeing Hua Jie covered in snow, he thought about how her down jacket would surely get wet once they boarded the train and it warmed up. Without thinking much, he started patting the snow off her back and arms.
Hua Jie also patted herself and turned to protest, “Be gentler.”
The young man ignored her, intending to pat the snow off her pants next. His hand was raised, but his gaze inadvertently fell on her behind.
Then, the raised hand silently withdrew. He straightened up silently, placed his hands on his hips, and took a couple of steps to the side, acting nonchalant as he looked ahead and walked towards Shen Jiaru and others heading to the ticket checkpoint.
He had been too involved, acting almost like Hua Jie’s real father, joining in the snowball fight, and brushing off her snow, like a nanny.
Too embarrassing.
He pursed his lips tightly, his face suddenly becoming stern and indifferent.
In this era, ticket checkpoints were outside, under small pavilions that sheltered the staff from wind and rain, with a long fence marking the entrance pathway.
As everyone approached, they coincided with many train staff entering through a separate internal staff entrance.
Hua’s father saw someone he knew and waved while walking over.
After a brief exchange, he turned back to Shen Jiaru and others lined up for entry and said:
“Come this way.”
Hua Jie immediately understood. In the small towns of the north during this era, things weren’t so strictly by-the-book. Her father, being a railway employee, knew many people and had run several trains, so it was easy for him to take a small shortcut and let them enter through the internal passage ahead of everyone else.
She quickly called out for Teacher Shen and others to follow her.
No need to queue; they could go straight in.
A middle-aged woman who looked like a train conductor stood at the entrance of the internal passage, guarding the door. She checked Shen Jiaru and the others’ train tickets and then nodded in approval.
Hua’s father smiled at the female conductor and said:
“My daughter, her mentor, and her classmates are on this train, please take good care of them.”
Previously, this female conductor’s father had traveled on the train that Hua’s father operated. At that time, he had helped the conductor’s father by fetching water and running errands, so now he didn’t hesitate to ask for a favor.
The female conductor smiled back, “Don’t worry.”
Hua’s father was already popular and had recently made some money and managed some affairs, so his confidence had grown, and his demeanor had improved significantly.
The parents of Fang Shaojun and the others even thought Hua’s father was a leader in the Ministry of Railways, so prestigious and dignified, and they looked at him with much respect.
Hua’s father himself didn’t notice the changed way the parents of his daughter’s classmates looked at him. He focused on making sure his daughter followed the teacher out without causing trouble, while handing her the big bags and the suitcase, his eyes and heart full of concern and reluctance.
Hua Jie took the items and turned to see Shen Mo standing by. She kicked the tip of his shoe and smiled:
“See you later.”
“Uh-huh,” Shen Mo responded, wanting to touch her hand like Hua’s father had, but he suppressed the urge.
He took a step back and said softly, “Go on in.”
Hua Jie was the last to enter the station, carrying the big bag, pulling the suitcase.
Qian Chong glanced back at her, adjusted his own bag, and then took her heavy bag without waiting for her to speak, and turned to walk on.
The female conductor made sure everyone boarding had entered, then locked the door and said goodbye to Hua’s father before leaving.
Shen Jiaru turned to the parents and said:
“Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of the kids.” He then walked towards the front car.
The parents finally left with reluctance.
Hua’s father glanced at Shen Mo, who immediately said:
“I’ll go with you to the shop.”
“Let’s go.” Hua’s father’s lips curved into a smile, he patted the young man’s back, and they walked to the main road to get a big car.
Turning back, there were still many children playing around the snow pile near the square sculpture.
Hua’s father and Shen Mo looked over there, neither speaking, their gazes seeming to hold the same thought.
Their eyes lingered as if they could still hear Hua Jie’s laughter, as if they could still feel that carefree joy in the air.