Da Ge

Chapter 23
Wei Qian didn’t mention anything to anyone. On the weekend, he rode his worn-out “Erba” bicycle, which rattled everywhere except for the bell, to the entrance of the high school where there was a small bookstore specializing in selling second-hand books. He bought two stacks of textbooks for the first and second year at a low price. Then, he purchased some basic luggage for himself and went to the factory to resign.UgUpHyfoHPkJyRMOOUZmQNWgNDKrho

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At four-thirty in the early hours of Monday, Wei Qian quietly got up while the whole family was still asleep—Madame Song had boiled eggs around three o’clock, then simmered them slowly over a low flame for flavor, taking advantage of the time to rest herself, only getting up to turn off the fire around five o’clock.LrHaWSwIiVfiFebjVFypEHPKWjNEcB

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Wei Qian didn’t intend to disturb his family. He quietly took a hundred and fifty yuan in loose change and left. The rest of the money had already been exchanged for bills, which he gently placed on the table and covered with a teacup.YbNaRhxPmCJgpZizlCITfytICGjGBH

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He left a simple note indicating roughly when he would return, vague in his wording, neither stating where he was going nor what he intended to do.UWRctaOPPjkdzNePXiKZzDjkHEPZiS

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To his surprise, when he finished all this and turned around, Wei Zhiyuan had already woken up at some point.NmdJKKgykkFphcqjpUvMWMXSOEipNX

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The little weasel quietly sat up, staring at him with big eyes.AjZZdmoxTvYgjbyHvEsJYGabrnRUkZ

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Wei Qian quickly covered his mouth when Wei Zhiyuan opened his mouth to speak. The boy looked at him puzzled, and Wei Qian sat on the edge of the bed, pressing him back down and covering him with a thin blanket, whispering, “Don’t make a sound. Grandma just boiled eggs. Let her rest a bit more—be honest, why are you getting up so early?”GbEuUqTmbjTgUGzcFCQGJSIHtKpRjv

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Wei Zhiyuan glanced at his luggage and lowered his voice, “Then what are you going to do?”TIbNWWAHtsJBXpbpzvzZjAtBLHxDvl

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Wei Qian mumbled, “Oh, I’m going out to take care of some things.”IYKwyTADqCRRdziHyKwioZIQMGtkRO

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Wei Zhiyuan persisted in questioning, “What things?”NknolWxzjQrhTnuRABzVBOIRreDGpE

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Wei Qian lowered his eyelids and glanced at him, “You’re quite audacious.”LGbbAbXxsgNyhjRCdUgyTvuZDooZto

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Wei Zhiyuan suddenly rolled over and sat up, wrapping his arms around Wei Qian’s waist, sticking to him like a monkey, “I want to go too!”MLbPlXBvQHDDRDEeCQbuoWYdApINkP

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The little brat had some weight to him and was quite clingy. Wei Qian frowned and lifted him off himself, “Behave yourself. How old are you? What’s all this fuss about?”gIeTcVLOdDXYGtcyLTrtqZQMmpSztO

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Wei Qian was somewhat puzzled. This kid was usually obedient and not troublesome at all, so why was he suddenly causing trouble?zsqkfBQgNmXdDAmJlFNnFOYgIzXkcw

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In truth, Wei Zhiyuan himself didn’t know why. Usually, when his big brother frowned, he immediately stood straight and didn’t dare make a sound. But that day, he felt uneasy inside.ZJNjBWEvaJzjiNAIzaGMmcJNrMoCKQ

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Wei Zhiyuan wasn’t woken up by Wei Qian; he woke up from a nightmare. As soon as he opened his eyes, he forgot what he had dreamt about, but his heart was beating irregularly, as if he was about to step into the void at any moment, never feeling secure.tBAsUsFxHtaSRIkHIkwfYRweQthcoT

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It was an instinctive intuition, telling him that he must go along.amtGXgkjtfWEzkKYDCEbhkZhYMbnAz

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“What do you want to do with me? Fatten me up to eat?” Wei Qian impatiently pushed him away, “Stop causing trouble. Wei Zhiyuan, can’t you behave?”qCyMdWJQSaCarNfMFHvDjoYBdBjTOe

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Wei Zhiyuan, long accustomed to being tamed, sat up straight at the sound of the keeper’s command and nodded.JSSGUvyWETXhCdUnmSKCcFAqPQjlPJ

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“Behave and go to sleep.” Wei Qian lightly patted Wei Zhiyuan’s back.WTYkZOcsXBObBekwyCnxxForyJnyxh

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After saying that, he bent down, picked up his package, and walked out.GFRdWbyVKtXcAujEWiSzJKHzOUmNNg

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After taking a few steps, he stopped and turned back.RDENGsUructADHKGVuYykToxUIlrTP

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Wei Qian knew that his journey ahead was uncertain and fraught with danger. Although he couldn’t quite describe it as a parting sorrow at this moment, there was still a tinge of reluctance in his heart. He softened his voice and coaxed Wei Zhiyuan for a moment, “When you start school, I’ll come back and bring you some delicious treats, okay?”XtfppLclISBItBCTjITUilnRggQyDc

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To his surprise, Wei Zhiyuan remained obstinate. Like an eel, he flipped over and clung to Wei Qian’s thigh, declaring, “Don’t treat me like Little Treasure, that silly girl, trying to fool me. I want to go!”uldcbrPFqwaFZPwOVtfGhPocSoOiwS

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Wei Qian almost wanted to kick him away.azkvljyZJvcTObvJgBQZCcmKIjwbws

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Seeing Wei Qian’s expression, Wei Zhiyuan sensed his patience wearing thin and quickly added, “If you don’t take me, I’ll yell and wake everyone up!”BaRGuEcgJyRKYxwIxgbbPWSIsZAKKp

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He had even learned to threaten and entice, realizing that Wei Qian chose this time to leave to avoid disturbing the two women, the old and the young, and enduring their nagging.IfBjAqvCAsFwBaEGIkmXdeesqeotMG

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Unfortunately, when it came to being stubborn, Wei Zhiyuan had learned from the best, Wei Qian. How could his big brother be so easily manipulated?kItRaFYctTnFJDNgBYvojkBerMNebi

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With a slight bend of his body, Wei Qian easily pried open the child’s hands, sneering and saying each word deliberately, “Yell if you want.”rYjSwlczsyhhVcPFvgIsMOAYIYdXov

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Wei Zhiyuan: “…”bdPilWnJlOGLGlnuCIqFjLhNhwzQrz

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Wei Qian raised an eyebrow, glanced at him, and then threw his luggage before striding away.UowRMEjkqEyrYFNyUtxpAnymXrglBM

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Wei Zhiyuan sat dumbfounded on the bed for a moment, then decisively put on his clothes hastily, rushed to the toilet, spent a minute washing himself clean, didn’t even bother with socks, slipped on his slippers, and dashed out.xHEpxCQzzvktuHTlDvLxxGunVEVwJe

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There were no buses in the early morning, but fortunately, the place where Wei Qian lived was not far from the train station. Wei Qian decided to walk there.iFxwwGfwCdlSpYFgPrSWJyUMlLAExx

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However, just as he stepped out of the alley, he heard a chaotic and disorderly sound of footsteps behind him. Wei Qian turned around and nearly blew his top when he saw Wei Zhiyuan, with a tuft of hair sticking up on his head. He glared fiercely at him, “Why did you follow me? Go back!”yeJltOHxYjNqERYSIJKMsMwQBqjFGV

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Wei Zhiyuan stood frozen in place like a guilty dog caught by its owner, lowering his head and clasping his hands behind his back, staring at his shoe tips, pretending to be a nonexistent entity, trying to cover up his guilt.ZOgwqvDTdsEnUTBfClvWBcDqzzHcVq

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Wei Qian snorted and continued walking ahead.wWoWOJtrMaBiNsgVybExTgibIRSoAl

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…And then the rhythmic footsteps behind him echoed once more.HdAMFlueamcVpNMDVHDytNtvzasbvQ

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Wei Qian turned around, and Wei Zhiyuan innocently halted his steps. When Wei Qian moved forward, the child followed, maintaining a distance of about twenty meters.xgZYloQIcQTmMQCibaYPEkamkgUCvR

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As Wei Qian pretended to turn back to grab him, Wei Zhiyuan, sensing the opportunity, turned and ran.cnHAvnIgLmUwrdhIhdEyCYAGiECWOr

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He ran faster than a rabbit, glancing back to see if his big brother was catching up.BolzqojacCbgjONjfyItlWcommVmJD

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Just as Wei Zhiyuan swiftly turned a corner of a small alley, he looked back and found that his big brother wasn’t pursuing him anymore. Wei Zhiyuan cautiously took a few steps back to the corner and peeked around it—his big brother was nowhere to be seen!kNGBRlYdzSohjszSGhOlgUZluxdxsa

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His big brother must have taken another route while he was running ahead, shaking him off.fYJzSYCNBFcQsfShYTIJeTPlmaPkwI

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Wei Qian had been cautious, never mentioning where he was going, so Wei Zhiyuan had no idea.zisFRczbGWlhaFmCVUdDPkKooLZiwh

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Frowning, the boy pondered the limited clues. Remembering Wei Qian’s words, “I’ll come back when you start school,” it seemed his big brother would be gone for over a month. It must be a faraway place. So, he reasoned, Wei Qian would either go to the train station or the long-distance bus station.FBMBAqhWulrYYLBwrFUbWFZhoUZuvq

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It was still not yet five o’clock, and the sky hadn’t fully brightened. With his extensive experience of wandering, Wei Zhiyuan judged that the first long-distance buses usually started around six in the morning. Therefore, considering where Wei Qian was most likely headed, he decided to try his luck and headed toward the train station.VoHiMFdXgOGPeFgHIOkQeYVCOewAye

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The train station, now modernized and tightly managed, was a development of many years later. At that time, the entrance of the train station was relatively unattended, and train tickets weren’t issued under real names. So, every night, some migrant workers who couldn’t find accommodation for a short period would sleep on the floor of the station to save on lodging fees.aDNeMFYLXHAQKlloMfiPqKVZBpdLpE

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Inside, there were people from all walks of life.VIVrWPdndlQswwQlCqRaYYhhkEktdM

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Wei Zhiyuan mingled with the overnight crowd, finding a small corner to hide in. His eyes were fixed on the direction of the entrance, not daring to blink. Along the way, he summoned the sprinting spirit of sports competitions, running until his chest ached. However, his perseverance finally paid off—he spotted Wei Qian entering the station after squatting for five minutes.tPtvbfPGqDlAClhAVkZGbkJlWBOPba

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The moment he saw his big brother, Wei Zhiyuan wanted to jump up and rush over, but he restrained himself.zVUfKUFUqmPRdicubQTCVBndyjJKfX

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Wei Zhiyuan calculated in his mind. If he were discovered by his big brother now, he would surely be sent back immediately or left behind again. He couldn’t accept failure, so he quietly followed Wei Qian along the dimly lit wall.MnOYyTVdGeWfsqSqMTEbWsgHfTxDAQ

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There was only one train to Guangdong each day, so even at five-thirty in the morning, the waiting hall was packed.SBkImcyrWuvKxqpeVwDNMZAbLgCvHi

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Wei Zhiyuan wasn’t afraid of crowds; the more people there were, the easier it was for him to blend in and get on the train. He had experience in such matters.arAFkrrLunJMsJvPCWwxiguVyLvphI

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He saw his big brother casually find a corner to sit in and take out an old book from his bag, quietly reading in the noisy waiting hall.XPsolqizcYOPthhKZLewdQvUyjajXz

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As Wei Zhiyuan observed him, he searched for the right opportunity—the chance to board the train.LkLLYLAQXzAnBYBJGAnWawTawuIDnH

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Finally, he found a couple carrying large and small bags of luggage. They seemed to have had countless children, almost enough for a football team, disregarding family planning and reproducing like a production line.JjUYBRLiyEVtMDEAXhXKjzRoVPtyGH

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The big and small children were running around everywhere, while the men sat stiffly on the side, nervously checking their tickets repeatedly.xkgCTESNHTAfFAWYDZxcViWHaxiTZm

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During the ticket inspection at the entrance, Wei Zhiyuan stealthily followed the couple and blended in among the pile of children.QJZuDTztQHCfcTJepQClxWaDQAfzBq

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With so many ticket inspectors, the train crew couldn’t count everyone in time. They just glanced at the stack of tickets in the man’s hand, clipped a punch onto them, and let them all through.ERbCrkKPPNiFkibHqxYZVCaYZejKjQ

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Wei Zhiyuan safely made it onto the platform and discreetly left the group of children, following Wei Qian and entering the carriage where Wei Qian was seated.fttdTdikHwTBinucVLUMBZdtyQUKra

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The crowd rushing onto the train blocked the entrance, with no one queuing up, everyone pushing and shoving. The conductors stationed at the door could do nothing but shout, “Stop pushing!” while frantically checking passengers’ tickets.qaSljWLpNCYovUBmOfTTOWxCLAuveD

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In the moment when the conductor lowered his head to check tickets, Wei Zhiyuan, a professional fare dodger, had already slipped into the carriage like an eel. He tiptoed to confirm that his big brother was indeed in this carriage, then contentedly squeezed into a small compartment with a sink, successfully completing his mission.RCSLagDHRuPprrXBQMzrDCNDMTVzwu

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The train was severely overcrowded, with the aisles and even the toilets packed with people. Apart from the ever-capable snack cart selling peanuts, melon seeds, and porridge, not even a fly could pass through. A hard seat carriage for over thirty hours was not something an average person’s physique could endure.MJeCDKmZIjcHgHNsjXkvGQDNNbygXH

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Due to the high number of standing tickets, many people had to squeeze into the toilets. As a result, the two toilets at the end of the carriage were artificially divided into male and female sections—men crowded into one to relieve themselves, while women crammed into the other.QobRQcrgMbggyFYaAoNxXjrWqGmHGs

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Once inside, not only did they have to bear being watched while taking off their pants, but they also had to exert great effort just to get out.MRiSDTCUQDFQMZWtbMOQvYqJeEGDpL

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A long-distance traveler took pity on the lonely little boy and gave him a collapsible stool. Wei Zhiyuan huddled next to the sink, leaned against the dirty wall, sat on the stool, and began to doze off.HPBXzGiwuAVAozbAotMzCdwHANDmOQ

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At first, it was bearable, but as time passed, he began to feel hunger and cold creeping in.lnVBYSBMMVURItwkrUCGnFjTeQIbPF

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Wei Zhiyuan had started to grow rapidly, and recently, he felt especially prone to hunger. From morning till night, he hadn’t had a drop of water, feeling as though he was completely empty inside, hungry to the point of feeling like a sheet of paper. He could only close his eyes and sleep to escape.ajdKhPYJDtGsYRfkMTZVrorJxgcqjH

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He felt like he had only dozed off for a short while when he was rudely awakened.VYqpOZNnEdCQKzXRWavvWNIPBeWqlc

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As Wei Zhiyuan opened his eyes, he jolted awake—seeing his furious big brother.FKbEHuDRJSTljKybLuDVutkupjRCli

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Wei Qian had finally fought his way out of the restroom, traversed through “mountains and rivers,” intending to wash his face at the opposite sink. To his surprise, when he lowered his head, he saw the familiar little rascal, Wei Zhiyuan. Wei Qian was stunned for a good half minute, thinking he must be seeing things.MFNwlNlgRFeIBqeXbpGnRtAdHLcEEx

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After washing his face with cold water to clear his head, Wei Qian bent down and carefully inspected him—sure enough, it was that little troublemaker, Wei Zhiyuan!phBTRsCUCELEkrkauoQhGyuzmjRPwo

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He used a little trick to shake off the kid, thinking the little rascal would find his own way back. However, he hadn’t expected him to be so resourceful, not only finding the train station but also sneaking onto the train!vVGZfsdtAEDnohpyxwfRHbDkTUHxlf

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Wei Qian surveyed the current state of Wei Zhiyuan, with his tired and dark circles under his eyes, thinking to himself that this kid was something else; he might just become a real troublemaker.FwWGaGsvTYAOuibWifJmlwUNpKkJjH

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