Lin Xinyao was sent away without any preparation—she didn’t even have a chance to struggle before being shoved into a Liberation-brand “Da Dongfeng” truck belonging to the transport team.
Secretary Wang had put considerable effort into arranging the Lin family’s departure. Now, Lin Xinyao’s presence was like a ticking time bomb. Whether it was to help the Lin family or to prevent this bomb from exploding, Secretary Wang had to get her out of the way.
Mrs. Liang knew that sending Lin Xinyao away couldn’t involve Director Liang, and Mrs. Wang had the same idea. When Mrs. Liang approached her, the two quickly agreed and devised a plan to remove Lin Xinyao.
The reason the Lin family approached Secretary Wang was that he had a distant relative, Jiang Ping, who usually led the transport team. Behind the scenes, Jiang Ping had numerous connections with the Guangfu Delta. His convoys frequently transported goods from there, which were then distributed on the local black market.
Relying on these connections, Mrs. Liang and Mrs. Wang arranged for Jiang Ping to send Lin Xinyao to the Guangfu Delta and personally negotiated with the smugglers there to ensure she could cross the sea safely.
The transport team rarely stopped overnight. The entire journey was mostly in the truck, eating dry rations bought in passing towns, drinking cold water, or sometimes river water. At night, swaying in the truck while trying to sleep made one dizzy and disoriented.
Lin Xinyao had never endured such hardship in her life! In just two days, she looked like a withered flower. By now, her resentment had overcome fear—she began making demands and causing a fuss.
“I don’t want steamed buns! I want noodles and meat soup! I’ve been eating these hard buns for two days already—don’t think I’ll keep eating them!”
She threw away the bun someone had baked for her, climbed onto the Da Dongfeng in a huff.
“Leader Jiang, this woman is driving us crazy! We haven’t rested for two days; this can’t go on!”
Jiang Ping’s face was dark. Even his iron constitution couldn’t withstand the lack of rest. But Lin Xinyao’s special status meant he couldn’t beat or scold her—so frustrating.
“Hang on, just one more day until we reach Guangfu. Once there, we’ll let her sit for a few days while we take a break. Trust me.”
Jiang Ping endured his irritation with Lin Xinyao while trying to calm his team. He couldn’t even finish the half-eaten bun in his hand.
“Leader, can we stop overnight? You didn’t rest at all during the day; we really shouldn’t drive at night.”
“No stopping. Otherwise, our cargo schedule gets delayed, and we don’t know this area well. We can’t stay overnight.”
The truck moved on, and Lin Xinyao began her relentless protests. Her stomach ached from hunger, and her tired eyes burned.
“You’re abusing me! My uncle and Uncle Wang asked you to escort me, and you dare abuse me! I’ll call them—I’ll tell them how you’re treating me! Ahhh! I’m hungry! I’m tired! I want meat and soup!”
But this time, no one attempted to appease her. The passengers preferred to grit their teeth and endure rather than speak another word.
After shouting herself hoarse, Lin Xinyao realized she was drenched in sweat. Two days of summer travel without a shower left her body smelling sour and foul.
Before she could continue her tantrum, Jiang Ping warned her.
“Miss Lin, you’d better keep your mouth shut on this stretch. If your shouting attracts bandits, don’t blame me for failing to protect you. The mountains here are poor and fierce, and women are scarce.
“Women here have to serve several husbands. If you don’t want to be kidnapped, just behave and stay out of sight.”
Every time Jiang Ping traveled this route, he was extremely cautious. Usually, he could stay calm, but today, escorting Lin Xinyao made him uneasy.
He also instructed his men to prepare the toll payment—one bag of twenty jin of cornmeal per vehicle.
“小 Zhong, smear some dirt on Lin Xinyao’s face and make her crouch down. Cover her with that coat. Later, hand me the cornmeal.”
Seeing Lin Xinyao’s face was too conspicuous, he slowed down and gave additional instructions. Lin Xinyao was unhappy—already sweaty and uncomfortable, now she had to deliberately soil herself. She felt frustrated and disgusted.
“No! Don’t touch me! I won’t smear my face! I’ll cooperate by hiding myself!”
Seeing Jiang Ping’s increasingly stern expression, she quickly agreed. Once she crouched, Xiao Zhong covered her with his body and the coat.
Only then did Jiang Ping relax and focus on driving. In the distance, a line of barricades appeared, with several people crouching by the roadside.
“Well, old acquaintances. Stop the car, stop the car.”
Seeing the license plate, the blockers recognized Jiang Ping and raised their sticks, signaling him to halt.
“Brother, here’s this trip’s toll—twenty jin of cornmeal.”
Jiang Ping handed over the bag Xiao Zhong carried. The man checked the weight, nodded, and moved the barricade.
“Brother, the toll has gone up. Twenty jin of cornmeal isn’t enough.”
Demanding more after taking the food irritated Xiao Zhong.
“How much more do you want? Don’t you know how scarce grain is now?”
“Xiao Zhong!” Jiang Ping warned him and then continued negotiating.
“Brother, grain is hard to come by. Our convoy runs all over, and we’re short at home too. How about this—besides grain, do you need daily goods? We can trade other items instead.”
Perhaps the negotiation took too long. Lin Xinyao, crouched and uncomfortable under the coat, kept shifting restlessly.
Having lived in luxury before, her tolerance was low after reincarnation.
“Brother, don’t lie—who’s hiding there? Come out!”
For these road blockers, a full vehicle wasn’t a problem, but hiding someone required caution.
As they shouted, some stepped back while two others moved closer to watch Jiang Ping’s team.
Damn it! Jiang Ping cursed inwardly. Lin Xinyao was all trouble, leaving him helpless.
“Brother, it’s a misunderstanding. This is Xiao Zhong’s wife. She fell asleep, and he covered her with a coat so she wouldn’t catch cold.”
“Yes, yes! She’s timid—no harm meant. Big brother, my wife is scared.”
Under the blockers’ fierce glare, Jiang Ping reluctantly pulled out a small stack of grain coupons and cash.
“Here’s a small token from me. You see…”
“Lift the coat so we can see. Really hiding a little wife?”