The whole extended family came bustling out of the bus station and climbed onto the horse-drawn cart and donkey cart.
"Cover yourselves with the bedding first. We'll go to the canteen to eat," Li Jianguo arranged. "After we eat, we'll head back to the team. The rooms are all ready. Anguo, look after the children. Keep their hats on and their faces covered. I noticed they both have chilblains on their hands. We'll have to treat those when we get back."
"All right," Li Anguo answered, tucking the bedding around Xueping and Xueqin.
Li Anguo, Chen Xingbang, and Li Junshan had all stayed here into winter, so they knew how cold Northern Xinjiang's winters were. It was late February now, and the weather was no longer particularly cold. Judging by their clothes, Li Long thought they could manage.
They arrived at the Big Meat Canteen and tethered the horse-drawn cart and donkey cart. Li Long led the way inside and went to order from the server.
Without asking everyone what they wanted, he ordered stir-fried meat with mixed noodles according to their numbers: one plate and an extra portion of noodles per adult, and one plate between the two children. They could eat first and see.
Since getting off the train, Li Qingxia and the others had only eaten breakfast at the railway station. By the time they arrived here, they were truly hungry.
"I really have missed the noodles here," Li Qingxia said with a smile as he caught the aroma. "The noodles we ate after going back weren't like these. They tasted different too."
"Exactly," Chen Xingbang said, smiling. "Back home, all the noodles come in soup. You can't find any without it. These noodles are chewy and keep you full."
Chen Lirong helped Xueping and Xueqin drink