Chapter 185 - 177: Going to Beijing
He Xuewen bought sleeper tickets, four tickets for four people, they boarded the train at 3:50 in the afternoon, requiring a stay of one and a half nights and one daytime on the train, arriving in Beijing at midnight.
The trains now are still those green carriages, the engine burns coal, speed is only about forty to fifty kilometers per hour, the carriages are also quite dilapidated, coupled with it being summer now, it’s crowded, dirty, messy, smelly, and hot. That’s Tian Sisi’s feeling about the current trains.
Their sleeper carriage is slightly better, usually inhabited by unit cadres or military officers, who are of better quality. The carriage looks more spacious and tidy, making Tian Sisi feel a lot more comfortable. She was truly terrified by the condition of the carriage when she first boarded.
The sleeper room now has exactly four beds, perfect for their group. He Xuewen put the luggage on the rack, tidied up the berths, took the tea jar and kettle to get water. He travels by train frequently and knows the ropes—with hot water provided now, none would be available by night.
He Xuewen took a full jar and kettle back, set them on the tea table to cool, and took out the tea eggs specifically cooked by Tian Manxing as well as scallion pancake. Tian Manxing was very thoughtful, cooking thirty eggs, baking over thirty pancakes, and also made soy sauce pickles for them.
The pancakes and tea eggs were still warm. Tian Xinhua and He Chengsi, both hungry, started eating the tea eggs. After two eggs, still not satisfied, each grabbed a pancake with pickles, devouring eagerly.
Tian Sisi wasn’t hungry initially, but seeing these two devour, she couldn’t help but tear half a pancake. The size of Tian Manxing’s pancakes was as big as a small basin; one pancake could fill one up to the throat, half was enough for her especially since her appetite had improved. Previously, she wouldn’t have been able to eat even a quarter of it.
The fragrance of the egg pancakes filled the entire passage, drawing continuous glances from other passengers toward them. Tian Xinhua and He Chengsi had their fill after six eggs and five pancakes, with He Chengsi eating the most—four eggs and three pancakes; truly a big eater.
He Xuewen was initially thinking about dining in the dining car, but seeing the three kids had their fill, he ate some pancakes and eggs, taking advantage of the warmth. This was all Tian Manxing’s thoughtful gesture.
The train slowly began its journey, moving towards the distance, "clang clang", listening to this long-lost sound, Tian Sisi felt an intimate affection. In her childhood, she had taken a green train when Zhong Juying first made a considerable amount of money and was in a great mood, so she and her friends took their children on a trip, riding this kind of slow coal-burning train.