Zhao Tielin watched the Xie family hire outsiders to build houses, his face dark with gloom as he puffed on his water pipe, plotting some mischief.
Xie Sui was busy with market expansion and didn't have time to deal with him. With the secret recipe for ice cream in hand, Zhao Tielin couldn't stir up any trouble.
Xie Min had her strengths: bold, spirited, and quick to make friends. In two days, she had a good grasp of the factory. Xie Sui and Lin Wanwan had promised the children they would return in three days. Xie Sui had promised each child a toy car as a gift, and the two children waved goodbye to their parents without crying.
On the bus to the city, Xie Sui found a window seat for Lin Wanwan and sat by the aisle. As more people got on, the bus became as crowded as a can of sardines, making the window seat the most comfortable.
Lin Wanwan looked out the window, feeling a bit dazed. So many years had passed, and this was the first time she had left the county town, not to go home, but to the city.
"Wanwan, do you get carsick?"
In his past life, he knew very little about Lin Wanwan; he didn't even know what she liked to eat. He had never truly cared about her. The rest of his life was spent in regret, and the more he thought about it, the more bitter he felt. He had wronged the woman beside him so much.
"I'm okay. The air by the window is good, so I won't get carsick. I can manage."
"That's good. It'll be three or four hours. If you get sleepy, lean on me and take a nap. I'll wake you when we arrive."
Seeing him smiling cheerfully, Lin Wanwan also put aside her worries and smiled, "I know. You don't need to take care of me like you do the kids. You've never been this good to me before."
"In the past, I was foolish, wasn't I? Your bowl of meat soup scared me sober. I'll treat you even better now. You have to believe me."
Lin Wanwan's eyes flickered, "You know everything, don't you? Aren't you afraid of me?"
She meant if he was afraid she would poison him again. Xie Sui shrugged, "No, I'm not. I know I was wrong. As long as I change, we'll have a lifetime of good days. I'll make you unable to bear to leave me."
Lin Wanwan rolled her eyes at him, "You're quite confident."
"Of course. Tell me, in our village now, who is more handsome, makes more money, and cherishes his wife and children more than I do?"
Xie Sui even wanted to flick his hair and strike the most dashing pose, but a stout aunt carrying a bag of fertilizer brushed past, messing up his hair. All handsomeness was gone.
"Yes, you're good, you're the best."
Xie Sui was not entirely satisfied, feeling his wife's praise was a bit perfunctory. He needed to try harder.
The bus finally started. With the swaying motion, Xie Sui also felt a bit sleepy. It was a habit from both lives; he always wanted to sleep when he was on a vehicle.
Lin Wanwan watched him fall asleep on her shoulder, finding it amusing yet helpless. She adjusted her position to make him more comfortable.
Xie Sui was sleeping soundly when he was suddenly jolted violently, his head nearly hitting the seat in front. Fortunately, Lin Wanwan pulled him, and he angrily cursed, "How did you drive?"
"The tire burst. Hold on, I'll change it."
The passengers grumbled but couldn't do anything but wait. Suddenly, a group of people emerged from the roadside and started arguing with the driver, demanding a toll.
Xie Sui peered out the window. In this era of rebuilding, transportation was inconvenient, which bred many road bandits. Traveling by car was quite dangerous.
The driver, who often drove this route, was reluctant to pay repeatedly. The bus had a spare tire, but these people insisted he pay fifty yuan for tire repair. They wouldn't let them go without it.
Ultimately, out of their sheer numbers, the driver paid for the tire repair. The passengers had to get off the bus. Xie Sui and Lin Wanwan happened to get off to stretch their legs.
Lin Wanwan's expression changed, and she whispered to him, "I need to use the restroom."
"What? Oh, I forgot about that. Let me see if there's a toilet nearby."
There were no toilets to be found. Many people went to the woods further away to relieve themselves. Xie Sui was at a loss, "How about I accompany you? I'll use my clothes to shield you. We can't help it when we're out."
"Alright."
Lin Wanwan really couldn't hold it any longer, so she found a secluded spot. Xie Sui carefully observed and confirmed it was safe. He took off his outer coat, using it to create a private space for her, and then walked a distance away.
Lin Wanwan, blushing, finished relieving herself. As she stood up, she suddenly saw a toad on a stone in front of her staring at her. She let out a startled cry. Xie Sui immediately rushed over, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just a toad. It startled me."
Xie Sui's gaze fell on her fair stomach. Lin Wanwan fumbled to tidy herself up, "Let's go back."
"Okay, wait for me for a moment. I need to pee too."
Men were less particular; finding a tree pit would suffice.
When they returned, the tire had just been repaired, and a few people were installing it onto the wheel. The driver was smoking, looking like he was in a lawsuit. When would this end!
Xie Sui struck up a conversation with him, "Does this happen every time?"
"Of course! What can I do? Why isn't anyone managing these people? I only earn a meager salary on this trip, and they extort it all."
The driver didn't bother complaining; the higher-ups didn't care. He was just a driver, how could he stand up to them?
"Brother, are you new to this route?"
"How did you know?"
The driver looked to be in his early to mid-twenties, about Xie Sui's age, but he looked older and had a somewhat anxious appearance.
"Experienced drivers usually have a small arrangement. These aren't passing sheep to be fleeced. See that guy in the gray jacket? He's probably the boss."
A man in his fifties, squatting not far away, had a mouth full of yellowed teeth and looked rather honest, not like a villain.
The driver didn't quite believe it, "Really?"
"Of course. Those people just now handed all the money they collected to him. Come on, I'll go with you to sound him out."
Xie Sui was inherently restless and loved to get involved in any excitement. If there wasn't any, he'd try to strike up a conversation with someone.
The old man smiled when he saw them approaching, "Young man, something you need?"
"Uncle, have a smoke." Sudan Novel Network
Xie Sui offered him his own cigarette and lit it. The eyes of the older and younger man met, neither speaking first, both smiling meaningfully.
The driver was a bit confused. They should be talking business.
"Uncle, we're all sensible people. Just tell us the arrangement directly."
"The young man is smart. Ten yuan per trip."
Xie Sui glanced at the driver, who nodded profusely, "Okay."
It was much better than having to pay money now and waste so much time.
"In the future, when you come here, add some water and oil. We rely on this road, and our village lives off it. You should take care of us too. If you need anything, the villagers will help you."
The driver understood, "Alright, I'll try to get my oil from here in the future, but the quality must be guaranteed."
"Absolutely. It's all good oil from the county gas station, definitely no water added."
The old man grinned, appearing harmless, but his heart was full of black intentions.