The man before her was at least 188 centimeters tall—he looked even taller, really. His stature stood out strikingly in any crowd. Yin Li barely reached his chest and felt an unmistakable sense of pressure.
He wore a white Dacron short-sleeved shirt, the shoulder seams pulled taut. His chest was broad and solid, his arm muscles well-defined, yet his waist and back were lean. His skin was a light wheat color, slightly rough. His face was thin with a sharp jawline—thick, dark, long eyebrows, single eyelids, slightly deep-set eyes. His gaze was bright yet bottomless, like the depths of a dark pool, giving him a fierce, intimidating look that made people afraid to meet his eyes for long.
His nose was high and straight, his lips neither thin nor full but set in a firm line. His hair was coarse and thick. Everything about him suggested he was not someone easy to get close to.
“Hmm?” The man leaned in a little closer.
Suddenly, his palm felt a small, damp sensation—a tiny bite, like the nip of a kitten’s small teeth.
He paused, his gaze sharpening instantly, but then his hand was smacked away. “Li Hanting, what are you doing? You scared me!”
Yin Li knew this man well. They had known each other for some time. He drove a large truck and often brought her delicious food and fun little things.
The truth was, everyone was quite frugal back then. Even after her father married Aunt Li, he still carefully budgeted every meal—not wanting to spend too much of Aunt Li’s money while also trying to save as much as possible for Yin Li. She felt guilty about it, and over time, she stopped indulging in big meals and treats.
But Li Hanting didn’t care about any of that. He would take her out for good food now and then and bring her novel things from out of town.
Eating his food and accepting his gifts made her soft-hearted and obligated. Their relationship was fairly good.
They had agreed to go eat at the public canteen together—apparently, there was a new cook, and they’d planned to try it out. But then Yin Li had suddenly come down with a fever.
Li Hanting’s dark eyes looked at her. The sensation of her small teeth biting his palm lingered for a long time. It didn’t hurt, but it started to make him hot.
His voice came out a little hoarse. “Three days. You didn’t come find me.”
“You’re really something—you don’t even care about me. Just listen to my voice. I had a fever a few days ago.” Yin Li’s throat still hadn’t recovered, but she pouted, her moist eyes full of accusation.
She didn’t realize it herself, but when she spoke to him, her tone unconsciously turned coquettish. Even with her rough voice, it was like little hooks tugging at him.
Li Hanting had noticed it the moment she opened her mouth. He lowered his gaze and asked slowly, “Are you feeling better?”
“Much better. Hey, I have some chewing gum. Aunt Li gave it to me. Want some?” Others said he looked fierce, that he was an orphan from out of town and hard to get along with. But Yin Li had never once seen him lose his temper. It just went to show—you can’t judge a book by its cover.
Li Hanting looked down at her. Her eyelashes were long, especially at the outer corners, where they curled slightly. Her lower lashes were long too, casting a shadow like she was wearing makeup. From certain angles, they gave her a hint of seductiveness.
He took the chewing gum and tucked it into his pocket, then stepped back just slightly. “I’ve got something for you too. A gift. You’ll need it for school.”
She was completely unguarded. She had no idea how many things he could do to her in such a small, confined space.
Their voices were very low, adding a hint of intimacy to the air. She remained utterly oblivious.
Li Hanting pulled a small box from his pocket and handed it over.
Yin Li opened it. Her eyes lit up—but then she quickly closed the lid and pushed it back. “I can’t take this from you. It’s too expensive.”
It was a Wing Sung fountain pen, costing nearly twenty yuan. To put that in perspective, Li Hanting only made about sixty yuan a month driving his truck. And he was hoping to buy a new one, which meant he was short on cash. She couldn’t accept this. If it had been a cheaper Hero pen—a few yuan—she wouldn’t have refused.
Li Hanting frowned. “What’s this about expensive or not? You need a good pen for university. If I see an even better one later, I’ll get you that too.”
“I don’t want it,” Yin Li said firmly. She ducked down, trying to slip out from under his arm.
But Li Hanting easily caught her and tucked the pen back into her hand. “If you won’t take it, I’ll just have to throw it away.”
“That would be such a waste! How can you do that?” Yin Li grew anxious. How could anyone throw away a perfectly good fountain pen?
“It’s useless to me,” he said.
“Then give it to someone else. I still don’t want it.”
“I have no one else to give it to,” he replied.
Yin Li’s heart softened immediately. He had no family or close friends here. He barely had anyone to talk to. Aside from her, who else could he give it to?
“Hmph. You’re just trying to bully me into accepting it. I’m not going to be friends with you anymore.”
“I’m not bullying you. Didn’t we agree to go eat?” Li Hanting’s voice softened, carrying a hint of amusement. Her words scratched an itch deep in his chest.
He watched the pouty, flustered girl stop in her tracks, clearly reluctant but also tempted by the thought of food. “I need to study this morning. I already told my dad we’ll go at noon.”
“Fine,” Li Hanting said. He never refused her.
Yin Li was diligent about her reading. She didn’t consider herself particularly smart, so she figured she’d just have to put in more effort. Before university started, she resolved to look at men less and read more!
Li Hanting picked up a book and sat across from her, reading.
She was so afraid to accept his things—clearly, she wasn’t that close to him. Probably thinking about how to shake him off later.
But since she’d taken something from him, he wasn’t going to let her go that easily.
Then again, maybe she was just worried about spending his money. What Yin Li didn’t know was that back then, truck drivers like Li Hanting—seasoned veterans—could make eighty or ninety yuan a month. That wasn’t counting meal allowances and travel subsidies. There were other ways to earn on the road too. “Wheels turn, gold rolls in,” as they said. His income was nothing to scoff at.
Still, being worried about felt good.
She sat there, soft and fair-skinned. She deserved good food, good things.
Li Hanting made up his mind: he’d earn more money. So much that she wouldn’t be able to worry about spending it all.
He was long-limbed and had an unfriendly look about him. When she wasn’t watching, his expression turned dark and intimidating. Others who saw it didn’t dare say a word and sat far away.
Finally, Yin Li finished her notes. She’d come back tomorrow to continue—there was still a little time before university started.
She went to let Yin Jianguo know, and then the two of them walked out of the library.
Li Hanting carried her floral cloth bag for her. It looked very old. He’d bought her a canvas crossbody bag once, but he knew this one was handmade by her late mother, and she treasured it, so he never brought it up again.
The canteen was a bit of a walk. Li Hanting often made food and brought it to her, but this time, since he’d finally caught her, he hadn’t prepared anything.
There weren’t many people on the street. In the distance, workers from the factory were starting their lunch breaks one by one. Occasionally, a bicycle bell rang out as it passed by.
They chatted casually as they walked. Just as the canteen came into sight, a car horn beeped behind them.
Yin Li turned to look. A semi-new white Shanghai-brand sedan was parked by the roadside, its window rolled down. The young man in the driver’s seat leaned out slightly.
“Li Li?”
Oh no. She’d completely forgotten about this.
The surprise on Yin Li’s face was genuine. She didn’t move her feet. “Brother? When did you get back? Why didn’t you tell Mom?”