Wheat Seedlings - Chapter 11

There was only one train a day to Shanghai, and even on ordinary days, the platform was packed with people.

The carriage was noisy and chaotic, even livelier than a marketplace.

Mai Miao was dazzled by the sight. In the past, such a crowd would have scared him off immediately.

He tightened his grip on Chen Li's hand—it was broad and thick, as if it could envelop his entire being. Now, with his big brother by his side, Mai Miao had grown much braver. He was no longer afraid of anyone bullying him.

The aisle was narrow, and they struggled through several carriages. Mai Miao had begun to think they'd never reach their destination when Chen Li's voice sounded above him: "Found it. Here."

It was a small compartment with two bunk beds.

The hard bed was so narrow that it barely fit Mai Miao alone. For someone as tall and sturdy as Chen Li, even curling up his legs wouldn't make it much more comfortable.

This was already considered decent—there were compartments crammed with six beds where you couldn't even sit properly.

Mai Miao plopped onto the bed, curiously patting it before hopping off again and pressing his face against the window.

"Don't run around," Chen Li said, stuffing their travel bag under the bed and checking the money and important items in his pocket. The crowd here was dense and unpredictable, and he hardly dared to take his eyes off Mai Miao. "Mai Miao."

Only then did Mai Miao run back.

Just before the train was about to depart, a couple squeezed into the compartment.

The two were laden with bags and bundles, and the woman was holding a little girl in her arms.

The man approached with an apologetic smile. "My wife is expecting. Could we trouble you for the lower bunk?"

Chen Li pulled Mai Miao over to sit on his own bed.

He unwrapped an oil-paper package—something he had hurriedly bought before boarding.

Inside were a few pieces of freshly baked flatbread, still warm.

Mai Miao took a big bite from Chen Li's hand, his face lighting up with a blissful smile as he chewed.

Turning his head, he saw the little girl with braids sitting in her mother's lap on the opposite bunk. She was sucking her fingers, her dark, bright eyes fixed on them.

Chen Li handed over a piece of bread. "Here, big sister, give this to the child."

The woman thanked him repeatedly as she accepted it.

Mai Miao's gaze drifted to the woman's swollen belly, staring in quiet fascination. Suddenly, the train whistle blew, and he hurriedly squeezed back to the window.

Many people stood in the aisle, waving to their loved ones on the platform.

Mai Miao grinned and enthusiastically waved back at the crowd outside.

The fan whirred overhead, and the carriage buzzed with chatter.

The journey from the county town to Shanghai would take a full day and night, so they had to find ways to pass the time. Some people gathered to chat, spitting out sunflower seed shells. Young couples leaned against each other, laughing and whispering. Exhausted travelers stood awkwardly in the cramped aisles. The long train carriages were a microcosm of life's myriad scenes.

Somehow, Mai Miao and the little girl ended up playing together, squatting in the aisle to watch others play cards.

By evening, Chen Li went to the dining car to buy boxed meals.

The aluminum lunchboxes here even had meat dishes, though they were expensive—one meal cost nearly half the price of a standing ticket. Most people brought their own food. Since it was just a day's journey, they could make do without spending the extra money.

The Chen family wasn't rolling in wealth, but whenever possible, Chen Li did his best to give Mai Miao the best, afraid he couldn't love him enough.

When night fell, Chen Li drew the curtains.

Mai Miao lay on the hard bed while he slept on the floor.

After the lights went out, Mai Miao tossed and turned like a pancake on a griddle, making faint creaking noises. Chen Li rolled over and found Mai Miao still staring at him.

Ever since Chen Li returned to the village, except for the rare times he was away, the two brothers had slept curled up together every night. Mai Miao stretched out his hand, letting it dangle over the edge of the bed.

In the darkness, Chen Li took his hand and rubbed it gently in his palm.

The chaotic hum of voices gradually faded.

In the middle of the night, Mai Miao drowsily climbed down.

The moment his foot touched the ground, Chen Li startled awake.

His hand moved faster than his mind, gripping Mai Miao's ankle in an instant.

"I..." Mai Miao was still half-asleep, "need to pee."

Mai Miao knew the way—Chen Li had only taken him once, and after that, he'd gone alone.

He wasn't that helpless.

People sprawled across the aisle, sleeping in haphazard positions.

Mai Miao tiptoed carefully, nearly tripping more than once.

Groping in the dark, it took him a while to find the right place.

After finishing, Mai Miao retraced his steps, feeling his way forward.

Suddenly, his movements stilled.

He turned his head slightly, glancing back at the dimly lit corridor behind him.

Passengers were buried under blankets, snoring intermittently, while the steady rumble of the train on the tracks filled the air.

Faintly, he caught a whiff of something foul—a mingled, unsettling odor.

Mai Miao swallowed silently, an inexplicable unease making him clutch his clothes tighter.

Just then, a familiar presence enveloped him, hands settling on his shoulders and turning him around.

Mai Miao lifted his head and saw Chen Li.

"Done?"

Chen Li had woken up after Mai Miao left.

When Mai Miao didn't return after a while, he got up to look for him.

"Mm." Mai Miao nodded.

That faint, lingering stench had been completely overpowered by the scent of gunpowder, leaving no trace behind.

Chen Li made Mai Miao walk ahead, shielding him entirely with his own body.

He glanced back in the direction they'd come from, his gaze heavy, as if trying to bore a hole through the darkness. After a long moment, he finally turned and led Mai Miao back.

Chen Li lay back down on the floor, but Mai Miao refused to climb onto the bed, stubbornly squeezing into his arms instead.

Chen Li pulled the blanket over them both.

Mai Miao lifted his head from Chen Li's chest, shifting closer to nuzzle against his neck, inhaling deeply.

Chen Li was in no state to be teased—he swatted Mai Miao's backside and growled in a low voice, "Sleep."

Mai Miao, satisfied after getting his fill of Chen Li's scent, nestled comfortably against him, giggling softly like a cat that had stolen cream. The man's palm lingered on the soft curves, fingers subtly brushing against the seam...

But in the end, his hand settled firmly on Mai Miao's waist.

At dawn, the long blare of a whistle signaled the train's approach to the station.

Passengers gathered their belongings, ready to disembark.

Once they arrived, the two brothers followed the crowd out of the station.

Mai Miao had thought the crowds in the provincial capital were overwhelming, but here, the sea of people was even denser. The streets were packed not just with rickshaws but also cars coming and going in an endless stream.

Chen Li took Mai Miao to board a bus. Eagerly, Mai Miao claimed the window seat, peering out curiously the entire ride.

Shanghai was a large coastal city. Over the years, as policies gradually opened up, the attire of passersby had become increasingly modern.

This place—compared not just to the village but even to the provincial capital—felt like an entirely different world.

Mai Miao found everything before his eyes utterly fascinating. Every now and then, he tugged at Chen Li's sleeve, pointing excitedly at the sights outside. Chen Li would follow his gaze, though his eyes mostly lingered on Mai Miao's face, both brothers' expressions brimming with warmth and amusement.

When they arrived at their stop, Chen Li took Mai Miao's hand and led him off the bus. After a short walk, they reached their lodging for the night.

While Chen Li handled the check-in at the front desk, Mai Miao stared wide-eyed at the brightly lit lobby. Though brimming with curiosity, he remained perfectly well-behaved, afraid of accidentally breaking something.

Key in hand, Chen Li led Mai Miao upstairs, checking the room numbers until they reached the one at the end of the hall.

The moment Mai Miao stepped inside, he gasped in awe.

The room had an enormous bed—clean, bright, and spacious. Beside it was a separate bathroom, complete with a bathtub and even a flush toilet.

Mai Miao threw himself onto the bed, stretching out and running his hands over the surface. He had never slept on anything so soft before.

Chen Li, on the other hand, was nothing like the villagers who had never seen the world. He seemed entirely unfazed by the city's novelties, his demeanor almost as if he had returned to a place where he had once lived for a long time.

Mai Miao jumped up and dashed into the bathroom, twisting the faucet—only to yelp in surprise when water sprayed down from the showerhead above.

After resting for a while, Chen Li called Mai Miao over, and both changed into fresh clothes.

They crossed the street to a restaurant opposite the hotel. It was peak dining hours, and the place was packed.

Chen Li slurped his noodles, then glanced up to see Mai Miao meticulously counting the slices of meat in his bowl. Without a word, Chen Li picked up all the meat from his own bowl and dropped it into Mai Miao's. "Just eat," he said.

Mai Miao pouted. It wasn't that he wanted the meat—he was just worried about the cost.

Despite his carefree demeanor, Mai Miao understood the value of money and how hard it was to earn. He didn't know much about budgeting, but he did know that back in the village, a hearty bowl of noodles with meat cost less than a yuan, while here in the city, the same bowl cost one yuan and fifty cents.

Once they finished their meal, Chen Li took Mai Miao on another bus ride.

This time, they barely had a chance to settle into their seats before Chen Li announced, "We're here."

They stepped off the bus, and under the blazing sun, Mai Miao looked up at the bus stop sign, where bold red characters read: National Defense Forces Second Hospital.

The hospital wasn't particularly crowded—in fact, it was far less busy than the provincial hospital.

This was Mai Miao's first time in a hospital. Before this, he had only ever visited the commune clinic with his parents, and even that place held no pleasant memories for him.

Chen Li's expression grew noticeably more solemn as they entered.

The moment Mai Miao started glancing around, a hand turned his face forward. "Don't look around," Chen Li warned.

Mai Miao immediately stopped fidgeting.

He noticed that the arm draped over his shoulder held him tightly. When he stole a glance at Chen Li's expression, he didn't dare make a sound.

They had only been sitting on the bench outside the examination room for a short while when a doctor in a white coat approached.

From a distance, the man exclaimed in surprise, “Regimental Commander Chen!"

Chen Li stood and greeted him in return. "Ah, Old Tang!"

Dr. Tang led the Chen brothers into his office, chatting warmly along the way.

"Since I was transferred back from Tancheng, it's been—what—three years since we last met, Commander?"

Chen Li shook his head. "No need for formalities. We're comrades now."

"Yes, yes, comrade." Dr. Tang's tone was filled with emotion. "Last month, I ran into Captain Zhang from the Northern Division. He said you didn't want to stay in the capital's compound and returned to your hometown after discharge. Honestly, everyone felt it was a pity for you."

He pulled over two chairs, and Chen Li quickly reached out to take them, saying he could manage on his own.

Once they were all seated, Chen Li couldn't stop thinking about the purpose of his visit.

He glanced at the person beside him and introduced, "Old Tang, this is Mai Miao." He tightened his grip on Mai Miao's hand. "He's my partner."

Dr. Tang froze, looking directly at Mai Miao.

Though he had been an army doctor before, he wasn't one of Chen Li's kind. Yet, Chen Li had lived with Mai Miao for over a month, even sharing a bed every night, and hadn't noticed anything amiss. Ordinary people would be even less likely to tell.

"I haven't reported it to the organization yet. Right now, I'm the only one who knows about him." Chen Li laid out the facts upfront to save others from speculating.

The doctor was silent for a long moment, struggling to fully process the situation. Unconsciously lowering his voice, he said cautiously, "In that case, let's not rush. We'll start by drawing blood and running some tests."

They had long recognized that differences in physical structure might simply be natural defects. Especially over a decade ago, all newborns nationwide were mandated to undergo blood tests. It wasn't until both domestic and international situations stabilized that the policy was relaxed.

That said, Dr. Tang understood clearly that if Chen Li had traveled all this way to bring someone to a military hospital, he must have confirmed the truth through intimate contact.

Dr. Tang immediately ordered several tests, including an ultrasound and X-rays, leaving no room for oversight.

Chen Li took Mai Miao to the examination room—a private space clearly reserved for special cases. The medical staff conducting the checkup were all female comrades, but Chen Li still stayed close by his side.

Besides, only Chen Li could calm Mai Miao down.

When Mai Miao emerged from the examination room, his eyes were red like a rabbit's, filled with reluctance as if he'd been thoroughly deceived and was now deeply aggrieved.

Chen Li checked his elbow. He didn't know if it was just Mai Miao or if all of their kind were like this—unable to endure even the slightest strain. Two vials of blood had been drawn, leaving a patch of bruising on his pale, translucent skin that looked rather alarming.

Dr. Tang said, "The results will be ready tomorrow. If confirmed, we absolutely cannot conceal this. I hope you understand."

"I know," Chen Li replied, already mentally prepared—otherwise, he wouldn't have brought Mai Miao here. "Let's not think about anything else for now. I'm just worried about his health. If anything happens, it'll be too late for regrets."

The doctor nodded. "Comrade Chen, that's the right mindset." He sighed. "From the data we have, they're practically your opposites—fine in their youth but prone to developing disabilities in adulthood if not carefully cared for."

"Especially during critical moments like pregnancy and childbirth. In recent years, there have been a few cases where people hid the truth, only to arrive here with both mother and child lost."

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