Chapter 241
Luna White and Ethan White packed their luggage with practiced efficiency. Andrew Smith had already arranged everything with his contacts at the train station—their large trunks were sent via freight, and even their platform tickets were taken care of.
"Luna, over here!" Andrew called, leading a bespectacled railway worker toward them. "This is my childhood friend, Ding Ke. He works at the railway bureau."
Ding Ke's eyes lit up as he enthusiastically shook Luna's hand. "Mrs. Smith! Andrew's never introduced us to any woman before—you're the first!"
Luna flushed at the unexpected warmth. "Nice to meet you. I might have to trouble you often in the future."
"Don't mention it!" Ding Ke grinned, but before he could say more, Andrew smoothly pulled Luna's hand back.
"That's enough. We should board now," Andrew said calmly.
Ding Ke winked at him and lowered his voice. "You sly dog, Andrew! Keeping this a secret, huh? Just wait—I'm calling the guys right now!" With a wave at Luna, he dashed off.
The train slowly pulled away from the station. Andrew stood on the platform, his intense gaze fixed on Luna through the window. Suddenly, she leaned out and whispered in his ear, "I'll miss you."
His eyes darkened, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. In the end, he only gave her hand a firm squeeze.
"Call me when you arrive," he said.
As the train grew smaller in the distance, Luna watched his tall figure shrink to a mere dot. A smile tugged at her lips without her realizing it.
"Tsk, tsk. Those eyes could melt steel," Ethan teased beside her.
"Ethan!" Luna shot him a glare, her cheeks burning.
By dusk, the train finally reached its destination. On the platform, a young man holding a sign with "Luna White" stamped his feet against the cold.
"Mrs. Smith!" The boy—Xiao Wu—jogged over as soon as he spotted them. "I'm one of Instructor Andrew's students. He sent me to pick you up!"
Luna's heart warmed. She couldn't imagine how long he'd been waiting in this freezing weather.
The Jeep's trunk barely fit all five large suitcases. Xiao Wu chattered nonstop during the drive, singing Andrew's praises as if he were a legend.
"Our instructor is—"
Luna couldn't help but laugh, her heart swelling with sweetness.
Under the ink-black sky, they finally arrived at Six Paths Village. Luna's sister, Luna Whitaker, had already heard the commotion and rushed out in her padded coat.
"You're finally back!" She pulled Luna into a tight hug. "Hungry? I'll make noodles!"
Xiao Wu helped unload the luggage but declined to stay. Luna quickly pressed two packs of cigarettes into his hands. "If you're not going home for the holidays, come eat with us!"
"Really?" His eyes sparkled. "I'll remember that! Everyone in the unit raves about your braised pork!"
After seeing him off, Luna Whitaker had already prepared steaming bowls of noodles. Cradling her bowl, Luna felt an unexpected warmth in the rising steam—this winter, somehow, felt especially cozy.