Cai Meina looked at the group of rowdy children and subtly frowned, "Ni Zi, are you hungry?"
Gong Ruini was really tired of the current food, but what else could she do if she didn't eat? She couldn't have an empty stomach, "Okay."
Cai Meina noticed her daughter's lackluster condition and knew she didn't like eating buns, but on the road, what else was there except buns? She just hoped there would be something delicious waiting for them at their destination.
Gong Tao looked at his daughter's slender body and sighed as well. Honestly, he hadn't expected to bring his daughter from south to north, and he was grateful her body had held up. However, he was still uneasy about the days ahead.
Although Gong Ruini didn't understand why the dad of this body looked so worried, he was truly good to her as his daughter, always letting her eat the best food first.
"Dad, how much longer till we get off the train?" Gong Ruini asked softly after stuffing the bun into her stomach. The train was just too noisy.
"A few more hours," Gong Tao had noted down the stations this train journey passed through. He marked off each station they passed, so his memory was clear.
Thud, as Gong Ruini lamented the train's slow speed, she heard a moderate noise from beneath the seat.
Having come all this way, Gong Ruini was very familiar with this sound. It was a marker of her endearingly dumb brother Gong Ruwen waking up. This noise occurred several times a day.
Upon hearing this sound, Gong Tao bent down and deftly fished his son out from under the seat, "Want a bun?"
As for his son's head-rubbing action, Gong Tao ignored it. This was a sturdy boy who couldn't be spoiled too much.
"Bro, it doesn't hurt, let Ni Zi blow on it for you," Gong Ruini said something that even made herself feel a bit sick. But what could she do? She was just a kid.
Especially since her brother doted on her a lot, Gong Ruini always felt she should treat her brother better.
"Okay, if my sister blows on it, it won't hurt," Gong Ruwen plopped down next to his sister. Gong Tao helplessly got up to fetch hot water from the end of the carriage.
Before leaving, he reminded his son, "Don't tire your sister out." Gong Tao was very concerned about his little daughter's health, worried that if he didn't pay attention, she might get too tired.
Gong Ruwen stuck his tongue out at the departing Gong Tao, "Dad doesn't trust me, Mom, I'm fine. I'll take good care of my sister," he turned to complain to Cai Meina.
Cai Meina patted her son's head to comfort him, "Your sister just woke up not long ago, don't disturb her."
"I know, I know," Gong Ruwen happily assured that he definitely wouldn't tire his sister out, "Mom, you can take a nap. I'll watch over my sister and the luggage."
Although Gong Ruwen sometimes acted a bit irresponsibly, he understood the importance of the luggage for the family.
"Let your dad sleep," when they got off the train, it reportedly would take a long walk to reach their destination. They didn't know if anyone would come to meet them. If no one did, they would have to carry all the luggage and walk slowly with the children. So, as the main workforce, Gong Tao needed enough rest.
Cai Meina glanced at Gong Ruini who was playing happily with her son. She didn't know if her daughter could handle the long journey, or if their proof would suffice to find some lodging.
If all else failed, the least they could do was get to town, where they might stay the night.
"Mom, I'll persevere," Gong Ruini's biggest grievance about coming to this revolutionary era was not being unable to get online or become a child, but rather the frustration of why her health was so poor.
After all, without good health, nothing else, whether for adults or children, matters.
Gong Ruwen earnestly promised he would take good care of his sister and not be a burden.
Looking at her sensible daughter and son, Cai Meina was overwhelmed with emotions, "Mm, you're both good kids."
If she had been more careful back then, Ni Zi wouldn't have ended up with poor health. If she had been more patient then, perhaps this trip to the Northeast would convince the in-laws to look after Ni Zi.
Unlikely though. No matter how good she behaved, the in-laws wouldn't like Ni Zi. Not only because she's a girl, but because they don't like Gong Tao as a son.
Gong Ruini couldn't help but notice Cai Meina's odd mood, but she could only ignore it. It wasn't out of heartlessness, but because she really didn't know how to comfort her. Her health, as well as her relationship with the grandparents, was the knot in her heart.
Gong Ruwen was overjoyed just playing with Gong Ruini. No matter how sensible he might be, he was still a child. Especially being a boy, he wouldn't notice such details.
Gong Tao carried a thick quilt over his back and heavy luggage in his hands, both of them were full, and Cai Meina almost the same.
Gong Ruini looked around. Not only her parents but also Gong Ruwen had his small blanket and clothes carried, with remaining food in his hands. Only she was empty-handed, making her stand out, looking awkward in every way, "Mom, let me carry my clothes."
"No, I can take it," Gong Ruwen dodged Gong Ruini's hand. Come on, how could his delicate sister carry so much? "I'm a little man; I'll take care of my sister."
"When I grow up, I'll definitely take care of Mom," Gong Ruwen wanted to clench his fists to show determination, but unfortunately, with so much stuff in his hands, he couldn't make the gesture.
Seeing Gong Ruwen's awkward movements, Gong Ruini laughed happily, and Cai Meina followed her daughter laughing as well, not holding back.
"Darn it," Gong Ruwen angrily put his hand down, "Hold onto my clothes, there will be a lot of people getting off."
Poor child, why did it feel like she could easily get lost? But this feeling was really nice. In her past life, even with a large family, as a girl, Gong Ruini was never expected by elders, yet no matter how independent one is, one hopes for care.
"Anyway, I'm just a child now, being looked after is normal," once Gong Ruini figured this out, she smiled and followed behind Gong Ruwen toward the carriage door.
She couldn't let her brother be saddened, needed to nurture him to be a doting brother from an early age, so once in the Northeast, with an idea, she could live comfortably.
Gong Ruini didn't want to live a life of hunger. To ensure she could eat enough, she'd have to make small maneuvers. But with her short stature, making moves wasn't an option, so she'd have to rely on Gong Ruwen to take action.