Chapter 3: Doing Everything in My Power to Protect Them

He rarely took leave, but this time he could ostensibly take two months off. If he could take advantage of this holiday to find a partner, that would be great.

Shen Jiaojiao and Jiang Yue were too nervous to respond, both staring at Wen Xi. Wen Xi felt a bit frustrated; she seemed to be the youngest among the three, so why was everyone counting on her?

The others were soldiers who protected the country; it was precisely because they were carrying the burden at the front that everyone could enjoy a stable life. Wen Xi felt both admiration and gratitude toward them, so she replied politely, "We are going to the Dongfang Commune in Kaiming County. As for which production team we will be assigned to, we aren't sure."

Hearing this, Jin Changfeng couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. "We are also going to Dongfang Commune. Then let's go together. I see your luggage is quite large and heavy; the two of us didn't bring much, so we can help you carry your luggage in a bit."

As he spoke, he used his toe to nudge Zhao Jianguo's toe. Zhao Jianguo nodded repeatedly, "Yes, we don't have much luggage."

Since when did Jin Changfeng become such a busybody?

Whether dealing with male or female comrades, he usually maintained a cold face, as if everyone owed him hundreds of yuan. Now, he was being incredibly attentive to three female comrades, even offering to carry their luggage; one couldn't help but wonder which one he actually had his eye on.

Thinking of this, Zhao Jianguo turned his head to look at Jin Changfeng. Seeing his gaze fall upon Wen Xi, there was nothing left to wonder. So this was the type Jin Changfeng liked. She was indeed very beautiful.

Zhao Jianguo couldn't help but chuckle inwardly; he hadn't expected Jin Changfeng to like this kind of girl.

"Hello, my name is Zhao Jianguo. May I know your names?" Zhao Jianguo had no interest in Wen Xi, so he didn't fear that his directness would reveal anything.

"Hello, Comrade Zhao. My name is Shen Jiaojiao, I'm from Yanjing, and I'm going to Kaiming County's Dongfang Commune as a sent-down youth." Zhao Jianguo's attitude was very easygoing, and he looked quite gentle, so Shen Jiaojiao felt less nervous. After speaking, she tucked her arm into Wen Xi's and said with a smile, "This is my classmate and also my friend, Wen Xi."

"I'm Jiang Yue, from Tianjin. I am also going to Kaiming County's Dongfang Commune as a sent-down youth."

Song Lan and Zhou Bai, who were separated from Jiang Yue by only one aisle, heard the introductions being made and stood up to introduce themselves as well. They were met with a burst of enthusiastic applause, which instantly made them feel proud.

After everyone had introduced themselves, the atmosphere became much more relaxed. Afterward, Zhao Jianguo began sharing things that could be shared, making the atmosphere on the train very high-spirited, and everyone began to engage in lively conversation.

Listening to the various chatter of the crowd around her, Wen Xi turned her head to look at the scenery outside the window. As she watched, she closed her eyes amidst the sound of everyone's conversation.

The next morning, just after six o'clock, the train announcer began broadcasting news that the train was about to arrive at Kaiming County, telling everyone to prepare their belongings in advance and get ready to disembark.

Wen Xi opened her eyes groggily and rubbed them to wake herself up. She then stood up and reached for the canvas bags placed on the luggage rack.

However, a pair of hands reached over her head, taking down both the front and back canvas bags from the rack and placing them on the empty space between the two rows of seats.

Wen Xi turned around, saw it was Jin Changfeng, and thanked him with a smile, "Comrade Jin, thank you."

"You're welcome." Jin Changfeng gave a faint smile. Wen Xi was stunned for a moment; she hadn't expected someone who looked so cold and hard to actually smile.

Then, Wen Xi crouched down and dragged out the two army-green canvas bags that had been stuffed under the seats. She had brought four large pieces of luggage and one small piece by herself.

If not for her two younger brothers seeing her off at the train station, she wouldn't have been able to bring so many things onto the train at all.

Seeing Wen Xi drag out two more canvas bags accompanied by clattering sounds, the corner of Jin Changfeng's mouth twitched involuntarily. Could she have brought her entire set of pots and pans with her?

How did such a thin, frail girl manage to carry so much stuff onto the train?

Fortunately, he had run into her.

The train swayed and came to a halt at the station. Everyone was crowding to get off, carrying large and small bags of luggage. Wen Xi and her companions waited until there were few people left in the carriage before getting off.

Of Wen Xi's four large canvas bags, Jin Changfeng carried three, and Zhao Jianguo carried one. Zhao Jianguo also carried a canvas bag for Shen Jiaojiao, while Song Lan and Zhou Bai helped with Jiang Yue's luggage bag.

The three girls carried the smallest luggage bags and followed behind.

In this era, there were only green-skinned trains. This batch of sent-down youth had sat on the train for four whole days, and their bones felt as if they were about to fall apart. As they stepped off the train, their legs were trembling as if they had been climbing mountains for a long time.

Winter in Huizhou Province wasn't too cold, around a few degrees below zero, but as they stepped off the train, they still shivered from the cold wind.

Shen Jiaojiao tightened Wen Xi's clothes for her, "Xiao Xi, your body hasn't fully recovered yet, so you must be careful."

"Dongfang Commune! Sent-down youth for Dongfang Commune, come this way!" By the wall opposite the railway station, a young man dressed formally was waving a sign in his hand and shouting loudly.

Everyone hurried toward the man. Jin Changfeng put down his luggage, stretched his wrists, and asked, "Comrade, the two of us are also going to Dongfang Commune. Can we go together?"

Seeing that they were two great soldier comrades, the person in charge nodded, "You can, but you'll have to wait a little while."

"Waiting a bit is fine," Jin Changfeng smiled.

Everyone placed their luggage on the ground and sat down heavily on their bags. They were truly exhausted; after sitting on the train for so long and carrying such heavy luggage, even boys found it difficult to bear.

After waiting for a while and seeing that no one else was walking toward them, they knew there were no more sent-down youth. The young man said, "Hello, fellow sent-down youth comrades. I am Fang Chengxin, the person in charge of the Youth Office. Next, please follow me to the Youth Office to confirm your assignment locations."

Thus, everyone picked up their luggage and followed behind Fang Chengxin.

Shen Jiaojiao held Wen Xi's arm and said with a worried expression, "We still have to confirm assignment locations? Does that mean we'll be separated? Xiao Xi, I don't want to be separated from you. We've known each other for so many years; in an unfamiliar place, being together allows us to look out for one another. If we are separated, I'll be scared."

Wen Xi patted Shen Jiaojiao's hand and said, "Don't worry."

In her past life, they hadn't been separated; they had been assigned to the same production team. Naturally, this time would be no different.

In her past life, there were so many people living together at the youth hostel, but their three were the closest, supporting and caring for each other. Wen Xi was a person who knew how to be grateful; they had all helped her in her past life, so in this life, she would naturally do her utmost to protect them.

(End of Chapter)