An Ning's group was seven people when they left, and nine people when they returned.
At the train station, the nine of them split into three groups.
Yin Xuemei was heading north with Feng Xiaoyu and her daughter. Hua Cheng went with them—apparently, the head of his family had permitted him to return home.
An Ning first saw Yin Xuemei's group of four onto the train, waving them off.
"See you in Beijing."
"See you in Beijing."
The train lurched into motion, carrying Yin Xuemei toward her future.
After seeing Yin Xuemei's group off, the next to leave was Jiang Xia.
An Ning turned, walked over to the adjacent platform, and stood beside Jiang Xia.
"Why the sudden departure?"
"A man's got to earn a living."
An Ning looked down and kicked at a piece of gravel on the ground. "I thought you said you had money—more than you could ever spend."
