Time Travel: My Comfortable Life After Going to the Countryside

The morning light shone dimly through the cellophane into the room. He Xiaoqin woke up, turned to her side, and stared intently at Liu Xiangyang's sleeping face beside her.

He had thick eyebrows and a straight nose. When he was asleep, the corners of his mouth relaxed slightly, making him look less sharp than during the day, and he was particularly pleasing to the eye.

Her mind raced through the blushing, heart-pounding scenes of last night, and the more she thought about them, the more her lips curled up in a smile. She quickly buried her face in the blanket.

Glancing at Zuo Qingqing, who was still fast asleep on the other side, He Xiaoqin felt a tickle in her heart, as if a little hook was scratching at her.

She held her breath, moved very slowly and lightly, and quickly pecked Liu Xiangyang on the cheek; the touch was warm.

In that instant, Liu Xiangyang's eyelids twitched, and he opened them. He had just woken up, and his eyes were still a little blurry. When he focused, what came into view was He Xiaoqin's rosy face so close to his, and her big, watery eyes that looked shy, as if she had been caught stealing a kiss.

Almost simultaneously, Liu Xiangyang suddenly woke up, full of energy, and looked at He Xiaoqin and said.

"Xiaoqin," his voice was a little hoarse from just waking up, but with a hint of laughter, "I'm hungry."

"Huh? Hungry?" He Xiaoqin instinctively tried to sit up. "Then, then I'll get up and cook..."

Before she could finish speaking, a strong arm wrapped around her and pulled her back into the warm bed without a word, her back pressed against his burning chest. "No rush," Liu Xiangyang whispered in her ear, his warm breath making her shrink back, "I'll eat two big... things first."

"Oh dear! You..." He Xiaoqin's face instantly turned as red as the sunset, and she shrank back into the quilt in embarrassment. Her symbolic struggle was quickly suppressed.

A series of rustling, indistinct laughter and panting sounds woke Zuo Qingqing from the other side. She mumbled sleepily, "Brother Xiangyang, are you hungry? I have two steamed buns here, have some to eat first."

By the time the three of them actually got up, the sun was already high in the sky. He Xiaoqin and Zuo Qingqing had rosy cheeks and bright eyes. They quickly went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, chatting and laughing in hushed tones from time to time.

Liu Xiangyang stretched and yawned, feeling refreshed, before slowly getting dressed and going out to fetch water to wash up.

The cool well water splashed on his face, completely dispelling the last trace of sleepiness. As he wiped his face, Liu Xiangyang pondered the important matters of the day.

The two sisters, Leqi and Leyao, sent a telegram a few days ago saying they had boarded a train heading north and would probably arrive in Harbin before the Lantern Festival.

He silently calculated the days in his mind. They would most likely arrive tomorrow. It would take most of the day to travel from Dongsheng Village to Bingcheng. He had to set off today and celebrate the Lantern Festival with Chen Jie in advance.

By the time the three of them finished getting ready and stepped out of the room, the sun was already shining brightly. He Xiaoqin and Zuo Qingqing still had the blush of spring on their faces, and their eyes were full of light.

Walking into the neighboring yard, Xue Bingbing and Luo Lan were already washing dishes in the kitchen. Xue Bingbing looked up and saw him, her hands still busy: "You're up? Have you eaten? Qiqi and Yaoyao are arriving tomorrow at noon, right? When are you planning to leave?"

Her tone was natural, and the other women in the room didn't seem surprised.

The telegram that Leqi and Leyao requested was sent directly to the brigade headquarters a few days ago. Liu Xiangyang brought it back that very night, and everyone had already read and memorized the date.

"We've already eaten, we'll be leaving soon." Liu Xiangyang walked into the house and hugged her from behind. "We'll catch the early bus to the county, then transfer to a bus to Bingcheng. We should arrive this afternoon, settle in in advance, and pick them up tomorrow."

"We should go sooner rather than later." Roland stood up from the stove, dusted herself off, and the watch chain on her wrist jingled softly. "I've been to the Ice City train station area years ago; we need to find a reliable guesthouse as soon as possible."

Xue Bingbing quickly cleared away the dishes, exchanged a glance with Liu Xiangyang, and teased Luo Lan, "Lanlan, why don't you go with Xiangyang to Bingcheng to keep an eye on him, lest he get kidnapped?"

The others covered their mouths and laughed. Roland also laughed and said, "I'd like to go, but when Qiqi and Yaoyao come back together, there won't be enough room on the bicycles, and walking will be too tiring."

At this moment, Liu Xiangyang interjected, "I go to Bingcheng every month, and I'll take you there in turns. But it's agreed that I'll only take the good students."

"This can't be done, it's not fair to us," Zuo Qingqing complained, exchanging a glance with Roland.

"Since you've all been slacking off on your studies these past few days, it's decided. There will be an exam once a month, and whoever gets the highest score will take me to Harbin," Liu Xiangyang said.

Seeing Liu Xiangyang's resolute attitude, Roland and Zuo Qingqing could only mutter complaints under their breath. They had indeed been slacking off lately, only reading sporadically.

"I packed your things last night." Xue Bingbing gestured with her chin towards the inner room. "In that package on the kang cabinet, I put some dry food, a bag of peach crisps, and some boiled eggs for your journey. Do you still have any money or tickets?"

Liu Xiangyang gave Xue Bingbing the thousand yuan he had given her last time, because she was afraid that Liu Xiangyang would run out of money.

"Yes, everything is fine," Liu Xiangyang replied, feeling reassured. This was one of Xue Bingbing's strengths; she could arrange everything clearly, big or small, without making anyone feel controlled.

"Once you've picked them up, don't linger in Harbin, come straight back." Xue Bingbing straightened Liu Xiangyang's clothes. "Although you have plenty of money, Harbin is crowded and dangerous, and the two young ladies are tired after just getting off the train. Come back and warm up, and we can talk things over at home."

"I understand." Liu Xiangyang nodded, finished his porridge in a few gulps, and said, "Then I'll be going now."

He got up and went into the inner room, put on his thick military overcoat and Lei Feng hat, looking upright and spirited, like someone straight out of a magazine. He picked up his package and put it on the back of his bicycle.

The women saw him off at the gate. He Xiaoqin helped him securely tie his bag to the back of his bicycle, while Zuo Qingqing stuffed a handful of milk candies into his coat pocket: "These are for Qiqi and Yaoyao, to sweeten their mouths on the way."

Xue Bingbing straightened his already crisp collar one last time, her eyes softening: "Be careful on the road."

"I'm leaving. I'll be back the day after tomorrow." Liu Xiangyang hopped on his Forever 28-inch motorcycle, waved to them, and pushed off with his foot, the wheels quickly rolling over the thin snow on the village road.

After riding to a secluded spot, Liu Xiangyang switched to a motorcycle and sputtered off towards the county town.

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