The Liberation 141 truck was parked in the factory area where Wang Changlin worked, and Xie Yucheng rode his motorcycle into the compound.
In the factory courtyard, Wang Changlin sat sunbathing with his leg in a cast, wearing a flashy red dacron shirt. Beside him, a Sanyo tape recorder played Tsai Chin’s “The Look in Your Eyes,” the melody drifting lazily through the air.
Seeing them approach, Wang Changlin quickly turned off the recorder, his gossipy eyes darting back and forth between the two.
Shi Qing exclaimed in surprise, “Brother Changlin, what happened to your leg?”
“Nothing serious, just took a fall.”
At that moment, a striking figure emerged from the house. The girl wore a high-collared long dress and red thick-heeled leather shoes, resembling a blazing rose.
“Qin Mei, what are you doing here?” Wen Shiqing’s astonished expression was barely contained.
“Out of humanitarian concern, I came to check on the disabled.” Qin Mei’s clear voice rang out as she handed a cup of tea to Wang Changlin.
Since meeting at the dance hall last time, Wang Changlin had frequently visited her, and the two had gradually become familiar through their interactions.
Though Wang Changlin could be somewhat slick, his looks were undeniable—well-defined features, tall stature, and a witty personality that at least didn’t annoy Qin Mei like other men did.
When Qin Mei had been sick with a fever recently, Wang Changlin had been attentive, bringing her porridge and medicine.
Now that she heard he had injured his leg, Qin Mei felt that even as ordinary friends, she should visit him.
Taking a sip of tea, Wang Changlin chuckled and asked Shi Qing, “What brings you two siblings here?”
“I’m going on a truck run with my brother.” The girl’s eyes curved into smiles, her delight nearly overflowing.
Wang Changlin drew out a long “Oh~” and glanced meaningfully at Xie Yucheng. “Take good care of your little sister.”
Xie Yucheng shot him a sharp look before shoving his hands in his pockets and heading into Wang Changlin’s dorm to get the truck keys.
Shi Qing watched Xie Yucheng’s retreating figure and whispered to Wang Changlin, “Brother Changlin, I want to ask you something.”
“What is it?”
“My brother—does he have a girlfriend?”
Wang Changlin grinned mischievously, shifting his stiff cast-covered leg. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know.”
“He’s not dating anyone! He’s been preserving his purity like a saint.”
“Ah?” The girl was stunned, her mouth hanging open as she struggled to process this.
“Let’s go!” Xie Yucheng emerged from the building, tossing the keys in his hand.
“Oh, okay. Brother Changlin, Qin Mei, I’ll be off then.” Shi Qing waved goodbye and hurried after him.
Wang Changlin lit a cigarette, quietly watching their departing figures.
The Liberation 141 truck stood tall and imposing. Wen Shiqing had to grip the handrail beside the door to pull herself up. Their luggage had already been tossed into the sleeper berth at the back by Xie Yucheng.
Xie Yucheng inserted the key, started the engine, and with a rumbling roar, the truck turned around and headed out toward the road beyond the factory grounds.
The factory area returned to tranquility. Qin Mei pulled over a small stool and sat down nearby, curiosity getting the better of her. “Earlier, you said Shi Qing’s brother is preserving his purity? For whom?”
Changlin smirked, a roguish glint in his eyes. “Come closer, and I’ll tell you.”
Qin Mei shot him a sidelong glance, her delicate brows furrowing slightly, but she still shifted her stool closer to him.
Her fair complexion glowed softly in the sunlight, her slender swan-like neck graceful and smooth. Below her collarbone, a hint of lace from her underwear peeked out.
Wang Changlin’s gaze heated up, his Adam’s apple bobbing almost imperceptibly. As she leaned in, he quickly planted a kiss on her cheek.
“Wang Changlin, you shameless rogue!” Qin Mei’s cheeks flushed crimson as she flailed her arms and legs, striking him haphazardly.
The man dodged, leaning backward, “Damn, damn, my leg—you hit my leg…The first job for the new truck came through a familiar referral.
Once, when Xie Yucheng was driving back from a delivery, he picked up a pregnant woman who had difficulty moving along the way. Coincidentally, she was also from Ji City. Her husband ran a small factory producing minor components like screws and nails.
Not long ago, the factory received a large order requiring a shipment of spare parts to a military factory in a border city. The pregnant woman recommended Xie Yucheng for the job, offering a generous transportation fee.
The journey spanned over two thousand kilometers. Including rest stops, the round trip would take at least ten days.
Wen Shiqing sat in the passenger seat, eagerly observing everything outside the window, though her peripheral gaze frequently drifted to the man’s robust upper body.
His nose bridge was strikingly high in profile, his jawline taut. Beneath his black T-shirt were well-defined muscles, his honey-toned arms and the prominent veins on his hands gripping the steering wheel exuding raw strength. He radiated an indescribable masculine aura.
Xie Yucheng remained silent throughout the drive. He first headed to the factory to load the goods. As they approached, he said to Wen Shiqing, “Grab the cigarettes from my bag in the back.”
Wen Shiqing leaned between the seats to retrieve them.
“They’re in the outermost pocket.”
“Got them.” She handed them over.
Xie Yucheng casually stuffed them into his pocket. Two minutes later, the truck parked in an open area of the small factory. He pulled open the door, about to jump out, when he suddenly remembered the passenger and turned to her, “I’m going down to load the cargo.”
“Okay.”
The man hopped out. A middle-aged man emerged from the warehouse to shake his hand. The man offered him a cigarette first, and they chatted briefly on the spot.
Xie Yucheng then opened the truck’s rear compartment. Several workers carried boxes of goods to load while he stood inside arranging them.
Soon, a heavily pregnant woman also came out of the warehouse, smiling as she wiped the middle-aged man’s sweat with a handkerchief. He hurriedly guided her to stand in the shade.
Wen Shiqing couldn’t quite hear their conversation but noticed the deep affection exchanged in their glances.
The pregnant woman spotted the fair-skinned, pretty girl in Xie Yucheng’s truck and asked cheerfully, “Yucheng, are you bringing your wife along for the drive?”
Her voice carried loudly through the open window. Wen Shiqing inside the cab immediately blushed to the tips of her ears.
Xie Yucheng replied casually, “Sister Chen, that’s my little sister.”
“Oh~” Sister Chen smiled meaningfully, then went inside and brought out a large watermelon, placing it on a small square table outside.
She waved to Wen Shiqing in the truck, “Girl, come down and have some watermelon. Your brother and the others will be a while yet. It’s stifling in the truck—come down and relax.”
Wen Shiqing tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and stepped out to approach her. Sister Chen cut open the large, round watermelon and handed her a slice. “Eat up.”
Nearby, the workers were still moving goods, and Xie Yucheng was busy. Wen Shiqing felt awkward eating alone and said, “Let’s wait and eat together later.”
“Ah, don’t worry, we’ll eat first. There’s plenty for them.” Sister Chen laughed, taking a big bite of her slice to encourage her.
The pink-fleshed melon was sweet, refreshing, and juicy. Wen Shiqing savored it in her mouth, the sweetness spreading to her heart.