Don't Be Afraid, Grandpa'll Stand Up for You

"Ladies and gentlemen, the train's next stop is Bijie Station. Please gather your belongings in advance and watch your step."

"Oh, we're at Bijie already." Li Qing rubbed his eyes and stood up. "Come on, let's get off."

"Hm?" Zhou Shang stared blankly, then asked, "Why are we getting off here?"

"I don't know. Fourth Xiao said we should get off at this stop."

"Why didn't I know about that?"

Li Qing rolled his eyes at Zhou Shang. "Obviously, I've been carrying these two jars the whole way. You've been strutting along in front. How was he supposed to tell you? Stop wasting time and hurry up. The train's about to leave."

As they talked, the two grabbed their backpacks and swayed their way off the train.

After getting off, Zhou Shang took a deep breath of the damp air. His eyes swept eagerly across the area, trying to find some familiar trace amid the bustle of the Bijie platform.

The peeling paint on the walls was gone, as was the sight of vendors hawking roasted potatoes beside the wooden benches.

Now there were gleaming stainless-steel railings, paved concrete, and train information scrolling across electronic displays.

"Come on, what are you standing around for?" Li Qing urged from the side.

Zhou Shang nodded and followed Li Qing toward the station exit.

As they walked, Zhou Shang suddenly stopped and glanced toward an unremarkable, crooked tree at the edge of the station.

"What's wrong?" Li Qing asked, puzzled, turning around.

But Zhou Shang said nothing. Instead, he hurried toward the crooked tree.

"Hey, you!"

Li Qing was taken aback. Pursing his lips, he could only follow.

Under the tree, Zhou Shang looked it over and searched around it. Then he looked up, and a smile spread across his face.

"Hey, take