Shao Yan broke out into small run. She decided to just go for it. When she got closer to Li Xiqing, she buried herself into his hug, startling him.
His arms reflexively wrapped around her body, while his feet planted firm on the ground, trying to keep both of them steady.
His Yan Yan was back in his embrace. He felt so content.
"h.e.l.lo there," he chuckled softly, and then he rubbed his cheek on top of her hair, "I miss you, too. So much."
Shao Yan peeked from his embrace. Her chin was resting on his chest as she was staring at Li Xiqing, "I"m hungry. I did not eat on the airplane just now, I was sleeping."
Li Xiqing burst out in laughs, he slowly let go off his hold around her. He reached out and grabbed her luggage from her, "Let"s go. Our train will depart in two hours, we can buy some ekiben to eat on the way."
Shao Yan nodded, and reflexively circled her hand around his arm.
"I am so excited. Let"s go!"
He gave her a warm smile. Lightly patted the back of her head, they started to walk hand in hand towards the exit direction to take a taxi to Tokyo Station.
Facing with a lot of options in front of her, Shao Yan was speechless as she could not make up her mind. All the boxes looked so pretty. The packaging of the lunch boxes were so intricate and meticulous; and all the food looked so appetizing.
"Why don"t you go with the tempura and vegetarian box, and I"ll go with the beef and chicken box? And then we can share, alright?" Looking at his confused wife, Li Xiqing decided to make the decision for her.
"Please also give me this tuna rice ball, grilled salmon rice ball, mentaiko rice ball, and egg sandwich. Also two hot green tea. Thank you," Li Xiqing spoke fluently in j.a.panese to order their food.
The service person attended to his request almost immediately. They wrapped everything up into two plastic bags which they handed over to him; and then gave a slight bow.
Shao Yan reflexively returned their bows, and then she took both plastic bags from his hand, as he was already holding onto his own luggage along with hers. And then they started to walk to the train platform.
"How long is the journey?" Shao Yan asked as she was also looked around the station. There were some small shops on the side, selling food, snacks and also souvenirs. As this was Sat.u.r.day morning, not so many people was crowding the area, they could still walk with ease.
"It will be about three hour"s total. After we alight, we still have to take a shuttle bus to the ryokan . We should arrive there around sunset," they walked side by side at a slightly faster pace.
Li Xiqing kept his steps to match hers, and also kept his attention to their surroundings, in case someone would accidentally b.u.mp into her.
"Are you tired? Our train should be here," they were standing on the platform and Li Xiqing was reading the train tickets in his hand. He checked the train name, and car number and made sure that they were at the correct place, "Yes, it should be the one arriving in twelve minutes. This is our car number two. Our seat should be three and four."
Shao Yan nodded her affirmation, "Alright, I"ve remembered. And no, I"m not tired. I have slept during the whole flight coming here," she paused and eyed the bags in her hands, "I"m just hungry and can"t wait to open these beauties now."
She looked up back at him and slowly grinned into a cheeky smile.
After a while, the bullet train gradually came into their view.
People from the previous destination started to alight from the train, and when the crowd started to dissipate, Li Xiqing nudged Shao Yan and together, they boarded the train.
They found their reserved seats right away. And after putting aside their luggage, both of them started to settle down on their seats.
Shao Yan opened their lunch boxes right away. After she opened the lid, she paused for a while; admiring the very attractive look of her food. Every single thing in front of her looked so cute and appetising. There were some pickles, vegetables, tofu, shrimp tempura, rice. There was even a soft, squishy item in soft pink color, which apparently a red bean mochi for dessert.
"Xiqing, I have eaten a lot of j.a.panese food, in USA or even in Shanghai, but nothing look as pretty as this one here in front of me, " she mumbled her words as she was still staring at her box, "I don"t think I have the heart to eat them now."
Li Xiqing laughed at her dispirited figure, he set aside their drinks on the cup holder, and then he split the chopsticks for her, "Let"s eat now, you have been starving since morning."
Along the journey, Shao Yan and Li Xiqing chatted happily while enjoying their meals.
The sceneries outside was of farming area, suburb and mountains; everything was really calming and peaceful.
They would chat, and point to things. Her hand was linked to his as they enjoyed the sceneries outside the window together.
When they arrived at Station K about three hours later, a chartered mini-bus had been waiting for the pa.s.sengers who would be staying in the ryokan.
The drive from station K to the place that they would be staying is about one hour.
Red and brown colors were all they could see along the way. Autumn colors had decorated the whole area, creating a magnificent spread of reddish gold. The air smelled like wet gra.s.s and as the sun was almost set, the weather was cooler.
The bus driver did not turn on the air conditioning of the mini-bus; and instead let some of the windows opened for fresh air. Shao Yan reflexively scooted closer into Li Xiqing. He had his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him; keeping her warm.
"We are almost there," he tilted his head down slightly and looked at her while whispering softly.
The sun ray shone onto half of her face, made her glowed for a moment, taking his breath away.