Sister Chen’s husband brought two small stools for them to sit on. As she ate, Sister Chen chatted with Shi Qing, asking about her age, where she studied, and her family background. Wen Shiqing wasn’t the shy type – once the conversation started flowing, she chatted warmly with Sister Chen.
Sister Chen said, “My husband – the one who just brought us the stools – and I used to be quite poor. But all these years, whether we had money or not, he never treated me poorly…”
After finishing her story about her husband, the topic shifted to Xie Yucheng.
“Your brother is a good man. When I was heavily pregnant standing by the roadside back then, everyone else was afraid something might happen or that they’d get scammed, unwilling to give me a ride. Only he was kind enough to help. I heard he doesn’t have a girlfriend yet. Ah, what he needs is someone who truly understands him by his side.”
“People outside might think this job looks glamorous, but actually, men driving trucks have it tough – exposed to wind and dew, working from dawn to dusk, plus having to help load and unload cargo. It’s exhausting. Other truck owners have women accompanying them on their routes, but he’s always alone. Others come home to hot meals, but I often see him staying at that factory area in the east – seems like he hardly ever goes home.”
As she listened, Wen Shiqing’s gaze unconsciously drifted toward Xie Yucheng, who was loading goods in the truck container not far away.
He had already taken off his sweat-soaked t-shirt, revealing his lean, muscular upper body. His honey-toned skin glistened under the sunlight, the clearly defined eight-pack abs showcasing the wild charm of a young man.
He lifted an entire heavy box of parts without even frowning, as if he had endless strength coursing through him.
Needs someone who truly understands him?
Brother is already 23 years old – most people his age are already married.
Why hasn’t he gotten married yet?
Wen Shiqing couldn’t figure it out.
Xie Yucheng straightened up and wiped his sweat with his forearm. His dark gaze suddenly met hers, making Shi Qing’s heart flutter violently as she hurriedly looked away.
Sitting on the small stool hugging a large slice of watermelon, her lips were brilliantly red. When she chewed, she looked like a little hamster – her small mouth closed tight, cheeks moving.
Her skin was so fair it seemed to glow, her exposed arms slender and delicate. Her quiet demeanor always gave people the impression of being fragile and easy to bully.
After the group finished moving the goods, they all went to the well to wash with cool water – washing their faces, arms, and hands before casually walking to the square table to eat watermelon.
Xie Yucheng walked up to Wen Shiqing, water droplets still dripping down his cheeks, a few strands of his black hair damp. His narrow eyes fixed intently on her. “Is it good?”
Wen Shiqing quickly picked up a slice of watermelon and handed it to him. “Brother, have some quickly. This watermelon is really sweet.”
She smiled, revealing a pair of shallow dimples that added a touch of cuteness to her delicate, charming face.
Xie Yucheng casually took the watermelon and took a bite. It was indeed sweet.
A transparent droplet of water on his forehead was about to drip into his eye. As he lowered his head, Wen Shiqing found herself unconsciously gently wiping away that droplet from his forehead with her fingertip.
Under the sunlight, the young girl stood on her tiptoes, their breaths close together.
“Brother, are you tired?”
Xie Yucheng’s heart skipped a subtle beat. He nodded, “Tired. How about you help me move the goods next time?”
She first went “Huh?” then waved her hand saying, “I can’t lift them.”
Wen Shiqing had tried earlier – a single box of goods was impossibly heavy, she couldn’t lift it at all. Sister Chen said they contained iron items like screws and nails – every box was very heavy.
Xie Yucheng held a watermelon in his left hand, took a bite, and the sweet juice overflowed in his mouth. “Then why even bother saying anything?”
“I… I was just concerned about you.” Wen Shiqing lowered her brows and pouted slightly.
After finishing the watermelon, Xie Yucheng went to cover the truck with a tarpaulin, tying all its corners securely with coarse hemp rope. Finally, he tugged at it to make sure it was tightly fastened before feeling at ease.
Sister Chen invited them to have lunch at the factory. After the meal, the two set off with a truck fully loaded with goods.
The truck slowly entered the provincial highway, flanked by tall poplar trees standing like vigilant soldiers, full of vigor and ready for action.
Xie Yucheng spoke very little. Worried about distracting him while driving, Wen Shiqing didn’t initiate conversation. Instead, she propped her chin with one hand and turned to gaze at the scenery outside the window.
After a while, she lost interest in the view and withdrew her gaze, secretly stealing glances at the man beside her with her peripheral vision.
Her eyes drifted like spider silk to his fingers gripping the steering wheel. A silver chain-link watch on his wrist reflected a cold gleam, and the faint veins on his arm hinted at his strength.
Following his arm upward, her gaze landed on his prominent Adam’s apple, sharp jawline, and the straight bridge of his nose that seamlessly connected to his brow bone. His eyelashes were long and straight, his eyes single-lidded, and his thick eyebrows framed his handsome gaze, giving him a casually attractive look.
Wen Shiqing cherished this moment. It had been a long time since she had been this close to him, alone together.
Over the past two years, Xie Yucheng rarely returned home, and even when he did, he never stayed. She often went to Wang Changlin’s place to ask, “Brother Changlin, has my brother come back?” Wang Changlin would say no, and she would return home disappointed.
“Is there a flower on my face?” The man’s sudden question interrupted Wen Shiqing’s thoughts.
She quickly averted her gaze and touched her nose, like a thief caught red-handed. “N-No.”
Xie Yucheng glanced at her and asked, “Did you eat enough earlier?”
“Yes, I did.”
“If you’re tired, take a nap.”
“Okay.”
The truck drove westward for two or three hours, leaving the city behind and entering the wilderness. Nearby, there was a clear riverbank and lush green farmland, while in the distance, rolling green mountains stretched as far as the eye could see.
Perhaps because she had eaten two extra slices of juicy watermelon at noon, Wen Shiqing now felt the urge to pee.
She turned to Xie Yucheng and asked, “Brother, can you pull over for a moment?”
Xie Yucheng glanced at her and noticed the slightly embarrassed expression on her face. He stepped on the brake, and the truck slowly came to a stop by the roadside.
Both of them got out of the truck. The roadside was overgrown with shrubs taller than a person. Worried about snakes, insects, and pests, Wen Shiqing stood hesitantly, afraid to venture in.
“What’s wrong? Didn’t you need to use the restroom?” Xie Yucheng asked.
“I do, but… Brother, could there be snakes in the grass?” She stared at him pleadingly, her face clearly spelling out “I’m scared.”
Xie Yucheng clicked his tongue and pointed to the surroundings. “It’s entirely possible. Look at this place—wild, overgrown shrubs taller than a person. It’s the perfect spot for snakes and bugs to hide.”
“Then… let’s go. I’ll hold it in.” Wen Shiqing’s face turned pale with fear.
Xie Yucheng turned his head away and chuckled silently before looking back at her and scolding, “Coward.”
He then strode into the shrubbery, found a relatively open and hidden clearing, and trampled the grass flat. After making sure there were no unwanted critters, he came out and said to her, “Go ahead. No snakes.”
Only then did Shi Qing feel at ease, carefully stepping into the grass.
Xie Yucheng leaned against the car hood and lit a cigarette. The chirping of birds and insects clamored in his ears. When he lowered his gaze, he noticed a line of ants carrying objects back to their nest. In a rare moment of kindness, he lifted his foot to make way for them.
A moment later, Shi Qing emerged from the grass with a slightly flushed face. “Brother, let’s go.”
The man stubbed out his cigarette butt, and the two got into the car.