Last September, Wilawan secured admission to pursue a master's degree at the School of Foreign Languages at Northwest University in Xi'an. Her younger twin sisters also decided to study in China and were admitted to Huaqiao University in Xiamen, Fujian province.

"My twin sisters spent Spring Festival with us this year and last year. They saw snow for the first time. We were all very excited and happy. Playing in the snow was so interesting," Wilawan says.

Despite her husband's busy schedule — evidenced by the 30 trips and 24,500 km he drove during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush — Wilawan says she understands.

"He's not only working hard for the development of the China-Europe freight trains but also striving for the future of our family," she says.

Contact the writer at xufan@chinadaily.com.cn