After some time, the sunlight gradually intensified. Li Ling looked up at the sun, stood up, and said to Xiao Ying, "Let's go, it's getting late. I'll take you home."
"Mmm," Xiaoying replied, but just as she was about to stand up, she let out a soft exclamation: "Ouch!"
"What's wrong?" Li Ling asked hurriedly.
Xiaoying stomped her feet lightly, saying with some discomfort, "My feet are numb."
Li Ling chuckled, turned his back, squatted down, patted his back with his right hand, and said with a smile, "Comrade Xiaoying, please mount your horse."
Xiaoying giggled, jumped onto Li Ling's back, swung her arm back as if waving a riding whip, and shouted cheerfully, "Giddy up!"
Li Ling grabbed Xiao Ying's long, shapely legs with both hands and shouted, "Let's take off!"
He carried Xiaoying on his back and ran towards home.
"Giggle giggle~"
The girl's silvery laughter echoed through the woods, carried away by a gentle breeze, drifting far, far away...
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Chapter 20 Fulfilling a Long-cherished Wish (Seeking Recommendations)
Weekends are enjoyable but too short.
It's the start of another new week.
When Li Ling arrived at school on Monday, she asked her homeroom teacher for several days' leave during the lunch break.
When Li Ling returned home from school in the evening, his mother, Zhuang, was packing his things for his trip to Beijing in a military green backpack.
Tomorrow, Li Ling will go to the capital to take the professional exam for the drama academy.
Zhuang's father sat in a reclining chair in the living room, holding a teacup in his hand, his eyes closed, gently humming a military song he had learned in the army, tapping his right foot little by little.
Li Ling greeted Zhuang's father, went back to her room, put down her schoolbag, walked over to Zhuang's mother who was still busy packing, and said, "Mom, I'm only going to Beijing for two or three days. Handan isn't far from Beijing, so I don't need to bring much stuff."
Aunt Zhuang said unhappily, "That won't do. It's your first time going out, so I'll pack you a couple more clothes."
I also brought you some freshly baked pancakes and a few apples. You're unfamiliar with the capital, so don't go hungry if you can't find a restaurant.
When children go out, no matter how far or near, parents always want to bring all the good things from home to ensure they won't get cold or hungry.
While folding clothes, Mrs. Zhuang said, "Oh, right, I put the money I brought for you in the pocket of this garment. You must take good care of your belongings when you're traveling or doing errands, so that thieves don't steal them."
As she spoke, Mrs. Zhuang pointed to the neatly folded clothes in her hand, with the money placed in the inner pocket of one of the garments.
After folding the clothes, Mrs. Zhuang placed them at the bottom of the packed backpack, followed by a few other changes of clothes.
One of the outfits was a brand new one, meant for Li Ling to wear during the exam, so as to leave a good impression on the teachers.
After putting the clothes away, Mrs. Zhuang put the small bag containing pancakes and apples on top of the clothes, along with toothbrushes, towels, and other items, and then zipped up her army green backpack.
Mrs. Zhuang clapped her hands and handed the backpack to Li Ling, saying, "Put the bag on your bedside table and take it with you tomorrow."
If you asked me to have your dad go with you, he could take care of you, but you absolutely refused.
Li Ling hugged Zhuang's mother's arm and said with a smile, "I'm seventeen now, an adult. Let my dad take me to think about what it's like."
Mrs. Zhuang snorted, "You brat, no matter how old you are, in my eyes you're still a little kid."
Li Ling chuckled and obediently replied, "Yes, yes, no matter how old I get, I'll always be a little kid in front of you."
At this moment, Mr. Zhuang also said, "My son is so old now, and he will be taking the college entrance exam soon. It's time for him to get some experience on his own. If I don't go with him, will he get lost?"
Hearing this, Zhuang's mother glared at her husband and snorted, "I love my son, but you, as his father, don't care about him at all."
When his wife glared at him, Zhuang's father immediately backed down and fell silent.
Zhuang's father is also henpecked.
Li Ling quickly interjected to smooth things over: "Alright, you two stop arguing. I'm starving. What did Mom cook today?"
With Li Ling interrupting, Zhuang's mother stopped being angry with Zhuang's father and smiled at Li Ling, saying, "Today, Mom made your favorite spicy oil-splashed strips and hot and sour shredded potatoes."
You've been away in the capital for many days without eating home-cooked meals, so eat more today.
Li Ling smiled and said, "Okay, then I'll eat my fill this time."
The family of three enjoyed a harmonious and happy dinner together.
What is happiness?
Happiness doesn't require experiencing great storms; more often, it's found in the ordinary, everyday life.
...
The next day, Li Ling was to board the train to the capital.
Zhuang's father rode his bicycle to take Li Ling to the train station.
The train station was crowded with people coming and going. Li Ling's train ticket was for a departure at eight o'clock in the morning.
Zhuang's father and Li Ling arrived at the platform together. Li Ling took her things and squeezed onto the train, waving goodbye to Zhuang's father at the train door.
I took out my train ticket, checked the seat, squeezed towards my seat, and sat down in the hard seat.
Li Ling breathed a sigh of relief. It was really not easy to squeeze through, just like in a battle.