Chapter 22 Grandma Fang
"Next stop: Outer Ring Star. Passengers who wish to disembark, please prepare, check your belongings, and exit through the doors in order. Please be careful."
"The entire train crew wishes you a smooth interstellar journey. Star Track Train looks forward to meeting you again." A clear and gentle mechanical female voice came from the train broadcast, echoing throughout the entire carriage.
Shi Chu put on her backpack and followed the crowd towards the station exit. The dark red tassels on her black backpack swung with her movements.
Finally, it was Friday after school. The beautiful weekend was beckoning to her, so she went to buy some food first.
She was happily planning a happy weekend in her mind.
As she walked out of the station, a breeze suddenly blew by, ruffling the hair on her forehead.
Shi Chu looked at everything in front of her and couldn't help but sigh at the powerful technology in this world.
The entire platform is roughly the size of a small town, stretching as far as the eye can see. The dome, constructed from a transparent, high-strength material, creates the illusion of being directly beneath a vast starry sky.
The brilliant galaxy flows above the head, and the stars twinkle, like a dream.
From time to time, the Star Track Train roared in from afar and then sped away, bringing up waves of energy ripples.
Various signs are neatly arranged around. They are composed of three-dimensional light and shadow suspended in the air, constantly flashing light and jumping data, displaying train information and various important notices.
She followed the signs to find her next interstellar train. After two transfers, she arrived directly at the station near the snack shop and then walked towards her destination.
The snack shop was not very close to her home, and she discovered it by chance while wandering around the planet.
The boss is a kind and amiable beta grandma named Fang. She is a nice person and often gives her some homemade snacks.
This old lady seems to live alone. Her family members are not here. She runs the small shop by herself, as if it is her whole world.
Because the store is located in a remote area, few people come here on weekdays.
The reason why she comes here every week is not only because she likes the snacks here, but a deeper reason is that Grandma Fang looks very similar to her grandmother who passed away in her previous life.
They were the only relatives she cared about.
In that cold world, it was her grandmother who raised her, but she died of poor health before she could enjoy a few days of her own happiness.
Every time she came to the shop, she seemed to see the appearance of her grandmother in her previous life. The familiar and intimate feeling surged into her heart like a tide. She greedily enjoyed the warmth and moments of tranquility that were rare in this strange world.
The Outer Ring Star is the most common of the 108 satellites of the main star Celia. More than 90% of the people living here are Beta.
Many old urban areas still remain on this planet, forgotten corners that exude an air of decay and age. The security situation here is also quite poor, with some areas lacking even the most basic surveillance facilities.
Shi Chu walked slowly through the streets and alleys of the old city. The dilapidated buildings were crooked and the walls were covered with mottled marks, like the marks left by the ruthless beating of time.
In the deserted streets, only two or three pedestrians were wandering aimlessly.
Passing through the long and narrow alleys and walking out of the slightly dim area, a small shop emitting warm yellow light suddenly appeared in front of her. The somewhat old decorations at the door of the shop told the story of time.
The shop has no sign, and there are a few unknown tall green plants placed casually at the door, standing there like silent guardians.
She pushed open the half-open wooden door and stepped into the shop.
The store is simply and warmly decorated, with all kinds of strange little items and some simply packaged snacks on the shelves.
Behind the counter sits a white-haired grandmother. Time has left deep marks on her, but has also given her a unique charm.
She saw her fingers nimbly moving between the silk threads, weaving something.
"Grandma Fang." She called softly.
The old woman looked up, her eyes full of love, and replied with a smile: "Hey, Xiao Shi, you're here."
Grandma Fang put down what she was knitting, stretched out her hand, and gently beckoned Shi Chu over.
Shi Chu walked to the counter and looked at the unfinished knitting curiously. The shape looked familiar, and she couldn't help but ask, "Grandma Fang, what are you knitting?"
"I made this for my two little grandkids," Grandma Fang said with a laugh. "I learned it from an old book not long ago. It's called something like a double-sided four-leaf clover."
"I heard that a long time ago, people regarded four-leaf clover as a symbol of luck and happiness." She sighed and said with some melancholy, "Alas, I am old now and can't help them much, so I can only do this kind of thing."
"Don't say that. The thought is what matters most."
The the two exchanged pleasantries for a while and talked about some interesting things that happened in their daily lives. The shop was suddenly filled with laughter.
It was getting late, so Shi Chu bought the things, paid for them, and was about to leave.
"Hey, Xiao Shi." Grandma Fang called her over and took something out from behind the counter and put it in her hand. "This is a gift from Grandma Fang. You are not allowed to despise it."
Shi Chu looked at the hand-woven item in her hand and was stunned for a moment.
The red and black four-leaf clover lay quietly in her hand. It felt cold to the touch, and she didn't know what material it was made of. It seemed as if there was flowing light on it, and it was extremely exquisite.
A warm current surged in her heart, her eyes moistened slightly, and she said softly: "Grandma Fang, how could I dislike it? It's too precious."
She carefully put the lucky clover into her schoolbag.
She turned around and waved to Grandma Fang: "Grandma Fang, I'm leaving. I'll come to see you next week."
Grandma Fang smiled and nodded, her eyes full of kindness and gentleness.
Shi Chu's figure gradually disappeared at the corner of the street. Grandma Fang looked in the direction she left, her heart filled with emotion and relief.
The child was kind-hearted and good-hearted. She was worried that something might happen to her living alone, so she came to visit her every week to chat with her and keep her company.
Occasionally, when she looked at Shi Chu, there would be a hint of subtle sadness and longing in her eyes. She was missing someone, probably her deceased relative.
Alas, she is also a poor child.
She sighed and slowly looked away.