The convoy of trucks rumbled westward, sunlight dappled through the trees scattering patches of brilliance across the ground. Warm wind poured through the truck window, brushing against their faces with gentle warmth.
Xie Yucheng gripped the steering wheel, gazing at her profile as he asked, “Why choose to suffer like this when you could be living comfortably at home?”
Life on the road meant poor meals, uncomfortable lodgings, and constant inconvenience.
If this were the twelve-year-old Wen Shiqing, she would have shamelessly spoken her heart: I want to be with you, brother.
But this was the eighteen-year-old Wen Shiqing, who simply replied, “I didn’t want to stay home alone.”
Xie Yucheng fell silent. He knew Wen Shiqing loved these journeys – children always held such curiosity about the outside world. Back when he first started working, every time he left home she would cling to his leg, begging him to take her along.
Only when Yang Ying was home would she never allow the girl to follow him.
Xie Yucheng tapped a cigarette from the pack with one hand, clamping it between his lips before lighting it. The flame flared momentarily as he took a deep drag. “Won’t you miss your little boyfriend while we’re out here?” Smoke curled slowly from his lips, carrying the heavy, mellow aroma of tobacco with its roasted fragrance, sliding down his throat with a gritty texture.
“What?” Wen Shiqing was momentarily caught off guard. The whole boyfriend story had been fabricated to deceive Xie Yucheng from the beginning.
The man’s voice was husky and slightly hoarse: “I said, this trip will take over ten days. Won’t you miss your boyfriend?”
“Brother.” Wen Shiqing called out to him.
“Hmm?”
“That was a lie. I’m not dating Zhou Chen.”
Xie Yucheng’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. He flicked ash out the window, his expression relaxing as a faint smile appeared. “Why lie?”
“To deal with my mom.”
The man asked casually, “Why? Isn’t that lad pretty good? And he’s your classmate too.”
“He is good, but… I already like someone else.”
His pupils contracted sharply, his foot nearly slamming on the brake. Fingers trembling slightly, he brought the cigarette back to his lips for another drag.
After a moment he asked, “If you like someone, why not bring him home to meet them? Why put on an act with someone else?”
Wen Shiqing’s gaze drifted to the truck window, where the reflection of the man beside her was cast upon the glass. Her voice was calm yet resigned as she said, “They wouldn’t approve.”
Now Xie Yucheng understood – his sister must have fallen for some poor boy. Given Yang Ying’s snobbish, money-worshipping nature, she would never approve. So the girl had chosen to deceive them by acting with that reasonably qualified classmate of hers.
Xie Yucheng’s heart felt like a dry sponge dropped into a lemon pool, soaking up the acidic liquid until it swelled with sourness.
His brows deeply furrowed, his gaze profound, he slowly exhaled a smoke ring: “How does he treat you? Bring him to meet me when you have time. I’ll help you assess him.”
The girl gently traced the sharp lines of the reflection on the truck window with her eyes, whispering softly: “He treats me… not well at all. He’s harsh, mean. Often says things that hurt me…”
Suddenly, tires screeched violently against the pavement with a piercing “screech—” The truck lurched forward violently, momentum throwing Wen Shiqing toward the dashboard before she swiftly grabbed the handle beside the door.
Suppressing the fury raging in his chest, Xie Yucheng steadied the vehicle before demanding sharply:
“Wen Shiqing, are you some kind of masochist? He treats you poorly and you still stay with him? Are there no other men in this world? Are you really that desperate?”
No wonder he didn’t dare bring her home or tell their parents—turns out she’s dating such a worthless scoundrel.
“Brother.” She stared at him with deer-like eyes, speaking quite pitifully: “But I like him, I like him so much.”
Xie Yucheng felt suffocating anger building in his chest, veins throbbing on his forehead. He pinched out the cigarette butt with his fingers and threw it forcefully out the window.
At home, she never lacked for food or clothing, growing into an elegant beauty—the prettiest girl for miles around. He often wondered what kind of man would ever be worthy of her.
Now look—she’s throwing herself at someone. Saying she likes some poor boy who treats her badly and is rough with her, likes him so much.
What else could this be but throwing herself at him?
“Break up with him as soon as we get back. If your mother finds out about this, neither of you will have it easy.”
She lowered her head. “I understand.”
The vehicle started moving forward again, silence enveloping them.
Amidst the rumbling engine of the large truck and the rhythmic swaying of the vehicle, Wen Shiqing slowly closed her eyes, overwhelmed by intense drowsiness.
Xie Yucheng felt his pockets, really wanting another cigarette, but afraid the smoke would bother her, he gave up, wiping his face dejectedly.
His mind was filled with what Wen Shiqing had just said. He couldn’t help but speculate about the boy she liked—what was he like? Handsome? Where was he from? What did he do? Had they kissed? Held hands? How far had their relationship progressed?
When Wen Shiqing woke up, it was already dusk. She found herself lying on the rear bunk, a light-colored men’s short-sleeved shirt draped over her stomach, emitting the clean scent of laundry soap.
The truck was parked by the roadside in front of a solitary courtyard. Xie Yucheng was nowhere to be seen.
The area was completely deserted, with only this single house in sight.
Rubbing her eyes, she arched her back and crawled barefoot to the front passenger seat, spotting Xie Yucheng through the window emerging from the courtyard alongside an old man with graying beard.
After exchanging a few words, Xie Yucheng strode purposefully toward the truck.
He opened the door and saw Wen Shiqing’s bare pinkish-white feet dangling, resembling the peach-shaped steamed buns his mother used to make during New Year celebrations when he was young.
Wen Shiqing, freshly awake with sleepy eyes, looked down at him from her seat.
“Brother, why did we stop here?”
Xie Yucheng lazily glanced at her, teasing: “To sell you off.”
“See? Mountain gully. Very few passing vehicles. If I sell you here, you won’t even be able to run away.”
He said this last part with complete seriousness.
Wen Shiqing looked around blankly, her mind clearing before her eyes widened, round pupils staring at him in shock.
Her disheveled bangs and dazed expression reminded Xie Yucheng of the silly little chick they kept at home.
Xie Yucheng chuckled softly, casually placing the shoes she’d kicked under the seat beside her feet. “Put your shoes on and come down. We’re staying here tonight.”
Shi Qing finally realized he’d been teasing her—of course her brother would never sell her off.
She slipped her feet in and gave two quick pushes, securing the shoes.
The Jiefang 141 truck wasn’t particularly high, but getting in and out always required some effort. One needed to grip the handle beside the door for stability.
At the moment, Xie Yucheng stood by the door, blocking her landing spot.
She said: “Brother, I want to get down.” Her voice, still fresh from sleep, carried a slightly delicate, husky quality, almost like she was whining.
Xie Yucheng glanced at her, thinking she wanted him to carry her, and instinctively extended both hands—
Shi Qing’s heart thumped wildly several times.
She leaned forward slightly. The man, being tall and sturdy, gently wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her out of the car. Then, with a smooth motion, he closed the car door—every movement natural and fluid.