Chapter 2915

Relatives are relatives, and interests are interests. When relatives gather, it is out of affection; when interests gather, it is a transaction.

Yan Tieniu did not want his family and the Cheng family to become bound by mere interest. Since fate had made them relatives, he hoped this bond would last a long time.

"Oh." Yan Xiwan nodded, understanding now. Indeed, getting along with people was not simple.

Fortunately, Yan Xiwan was observant. She kept the daily behaviors of the elders in mind.

The trip to the capital by Yan Xiwan and Yan Zhishan was not announced publicly. They departed in early August, and Yan Tieniu saw them onto the train.

"Take good care of your sister on the road, understand?" Yan Tieniu instructed his son seriously from the side.

Yan Zhishan nodded solemnly. "Father, rest assured. I will definitely take good care of my sister."

Although there were few people in the soft sleeper, Yan Tieniu still entrusted the train conductor.

Coincidentally, the conductor was a friend of Cheng Junnan, who was currently responsible for this train.

The conductor smiled. "Rest assured. I will take care of the siblings. Junnan has contacted me. He will pick them up when they arrive in the capital."

Yan Tieniu was naturally not worried about this. He trusted the conductor’s character.

Seeing that it was time, Yan Tieniu gave the siblings a few more reminders and then left the carriage.

Yan Zhishan and Yan Xiwan waved at Yan Tieniu through the window as the train carried them away.

"Sister, what shall we eat for lunch?" Yan Zhishan checked his watch. It was past eleven, time for lunch.

"I have steamed buns Mother made for us this morning, along with diced beef and mushrooms. Brother, please go get a thermos of hot water. We can eat with that," Yan Xiwan said.

The train journey would take seven days and nights. They needed to finish the food they brought first before going to the dining car.

Yan Zhishan hummed in agreement. He took the thermos out and soon returned with a pot of water.

Yan Xiwan had already prepared two clean enamel cups. Seeing Yan Zhishan return, she poured the water, took out the beef and mushroom dish, divided the buns with Yan Zhishan, and they began to eat.

"There are really few people on the train at this time," Yan Zhishan said, making conversation.

It was August, the hottest time of year. Plus, one needed an introduction letter to travel. So, those taking the train usually had urgent business, unlike tourists in later times.

Few people traveled for leisure now. Even in hard seat cars, it wasn’t too crowded in this weather. Sometimes, if lucky, one could occupy several seats in the hard seat area, let alone the soft sleeper.

So, although their carriage had four berths, only the two siblings were there.

During the day, with windows open, the outside air was still scorching. But the wind coming through the train windows kept the carriage cool. Sitting by the window was quite refreshing.

At night, Yan Xiwan chose the upper bunk, while Yan Zhishan slept on the lower bunk.

Just as they were sleeping comfortably, a commotion erupted outside.

The alert siblings sat up.

"What’s happening outside?" Yan Xiwan asked aloud while her spiritual sense swept out slightly.

She saw that soldiers had appeared in the carriage, seemingly searching for something.

Yan Xiwan was puzzled. One of the soldiers arrived at their compartment and knocked on the door.

Yan Zhishan got up to open it. The soldier saluted the siblings. "Sorry to disturb you, young comrades. We received a report that there is danger on this train. We need to inspect. Could you please cooperate?"

Yan Xiwan and Yan Zhishan exchanged a glance. They were friendly toward soldiers, so they stepped aside and let the soldier in. "Please search."

"Excuse me," the soldier said. He entered, and soon two others came to check the other compartments.

After checking, the soldier came out. "Nothing suspicious found. Sorry to disturb your rest."

"It’s okay. It’s for our safety," Yan Zhishan smiled.

After they left, Yan Zhishan and Yan Xiwan entered the compartment.

Yan Xiwan scanned the area. Nothing was missing, but something new had appeared.

It was a small film strip. Yan Xiwan directly threw it into her Ruyi Space. Since the soldier had left it here, there must be a reason. But she decided not to investigate for now. If the soldier came back for it, she would return it. Otherwise, she would give it to Cheng Junnan later.

Having made up her mind, Yan Xiwan noticed that the soldiers did not return in the following days. Instead, several people in black clothes occasionally wandered by.

Yan Xiwan even tested them. She invited Yan Zhishan to the dining car for a meal. Upon returning, she found their luggage had been rummaged through. Clearly, these people were looking for something.

What they were looking for was obvious: the item left by the soldiers.

Yan Xiwan was very puzzled. If it belonged to the soldiers, why hadn’t they taken it? They were numerous. If it didn’t belong to the soldiers, who had left it here? And for what purpose?

Unable to figure it out, she stopped thinking about it. She decided to let Cheng Junnan worry about it when they reached the capital.

Yan Xiwan did not tell Yan Zhishan about this. The item was very safe in her space. Telling her would only cause her to worry.

After days and nights of travel, the train finally arrived at its destination: Capital Station.

Yan Zhishan and Yan Xiwan got off the train. Seeing so many bags, Yan Xiwan had to find someone first. Sure enough, she saw familiar faces.

"Godfather, Brother Guang." Cheng Junnan and his son, Cheng Jianguang, had come to pick them up.

"Good girl." Cheng Junnan and his son were startled by the amount of luggage. "Why so much stuff?"

"Father asked us to bring it. These are local specialties, some for you and some for Master," Yan Xiwan explained. "And these two bags are our rations."

"Your father is being silly," Cheng Junnan said dissatisfiedly. "Do you think I would let you siblings go hungry? Why bring rations?"

Yan Xiwan laughed. "Close relatives keep clear accounts. In good times, we wouldn’t need to be so careful. But now, times are hard. Every household fights for food. Bringing our own rations stops others from talking."

"You are so good at talking. You are becoming less cute as you grow up," Cheng Junnan scolded with a smile.

Cheng Jianguang added, "Really not cute. With your small appetite, do you think you can eat us poor?"

"It has nothing to do with eating us poor. I just want to prevent gossip," Yan Xiwan said seriously. "Besides, if it were just me, it would be fine. I am the daughter of Godfather and Godmother, and the sister of Brother Guang and Brother Rong. But Brother Yan is with me. He hasn’t acknowledged a godparent. So, if people gossip, it would be bad."

"You overthink things. Let’s go home." Cheng Junnan actually understood Yan Tieniu’s thinking.

It was precisely this clarity that made Cheng Junnan appreciate Yan Tieniu even more.

"You two brothers carry the heavy bags. Good girl, you take the smallest bag. We will handle the rest. My car is over there," Cheng Junnan said.

"Dad, just drive the car over here," Cheng Jianguang said, thinking his father was being silly for planning to carry things.

Cheng Junnan realized his mistake. "Right. I’ll go drive the car. Guang, you stay here with Yangtian and Good girl."

Cheng Jianguang nodded immediately. "Okay, Dad. Go drive. I will watch over Yangtian and my sister."

Cheng Jianguang was the same age as Yan Zhishan, both born in June. Jianguang was born on the first day, and Zhishan on the third.

Jianguang was two days older, so their relationship was good, almost like brothers.

Cheng Junnan quickly drove the car over. They loaded the luggage and then got in.

Yan Xiwan and Yan Zhishan sat in the back, while Cheng Junnan and his son sat in the front.

"Your Godmother has prepared your rooms. You siblings each have one, adjacent to each other. If you need anything, tell your Godmother," Cheng Junnan said as he drove.

Cheng Jianguang continued, "Since Mom knew you were coming, she has been excited for days. She sings all the time, and even the food has become fresher."

"Brother Guang, stop it. Did you abuse her normally? Look at you, acting so aggrieved. You’re afraid Godmother will hear and be sad," Yan Xiwan retorted.

Cheng Jianguang made a shushing gesture. "I’m only saying this here. Don’t tell anyone."

Yan Xiwan laughed. "Brother Guang, it hasn’t been long since we met. How did you catch Brother Rong’s style?"

Mentioning Cheng Jianrong, Yan Xiwan asked curiously, "By the way, why didn’t I see Brother Rong?"

Given how much Cheng Jianrong loved Yan Xiwan, and since he was on summer vacation, he should have come.

"He was caught by Uncle for special training. That boy has good physical fitness. Uncle planned to train him during the summer vacation, so I didn’t tell him you came," Cheng Jianguang said with a grin.

"You did that on purpose," Yan Xiwan said, catching his intent.

Cheng Jianguang was not shy about being seen through. "Can I blame him for not contacting me? If he had contacted me, I would have told him."

"So, you boys scheme against each other. It’s not good. Our Good girl is the best," Cheng Junnan’s preference for females intensified.