Sis Chen’s husband brought over two small stools for the two of them to sit on. As they ate, Sis Chen chatted with Shiqing, asking how old she was, where she studied, what her family was like, and so on. Wen Shiqing wasn’t the shy type. Once she got started, she quickly became engaged in the conversation.
Sis Chen said, “My husband and I—yes, the one who just brought us the stools—we used to be really poor. But all these years, whether we had money or not, he never treated me badly…”
After talking about herself and her husband, the conversation somehow turned to Xie Yucheng.
“Your brother is a good man. Back then, when I was heavily pregnant and standing by the roadside, everyone else was afraid something might happen or that I might cause them trouble, so they refused to give me a ride. He was the only one kind enough to stop. I heard he doesn’t have a girlfriend yet. Ah, he really needs someone who understands him by his side.
“From the outside, this job looks pretty impressive, but it’s actually very hard on a man. He’s always out on the road, eating and sleeping wherever he can, traveling day and night, and he even has to help load and unload the cargo. It’s exhausting. The other truck owners all have women traveling with them. He’s always alone. Other men go home to a hot meal, but I often see him staying over at that factory in the east. He doesn’t seem to go home much either.”
As she listened, Wen Shiqing’s gaze unconsciously drifted toward Xie Yucheng, who was standing in the truck bed loading the cargo.
By now, he had taken off his sweat-soaked shirt, revealing his strong, muscular upper body. His sun-kissed skin glowed under the sunlight, and his well-defined eight-pack abs highlighted the wild, masculine charm of a young man.
He lifted an entire box of heavy parts without even frowning, as though he had an endless supply of strength.
Someone who understands him?
Her brother was already twenty-three. At his age, most men were already married.
Why hadn’t he married yet?
Wen Shiqing couldn’t figure it out.
Xie Yucheng straightened up and wiped the sweat from his face with his forearm. His dark eyes suddenly met hers.
Shiqing’s heart jolted violently, and she hurriedly looked away.
She sat on the little stool holding a large slice of watermelon. Her lips were red and glossy, and as she chewed, her tiny mouth stayed tightly closed while her cheeks moved like a little hamster.
Her skin was so fair it seemed to glow. Her exposed arms were slender and delicate, and her quiet, gentle appearance always gave people the impression that she was fragile and easy to bully.
After everyone finished loading the cargo, they went over to the well to rinse themselves off with cool water, washing their faces, arms, and hands before casually returning to the table for watermelon.
Xie Yucheng walked over to Wen Shiqing. Water droplets were still dripping from his cheeks, and several strands of his black hair were damp.
His narrow eyes stared straight at her.
“Is it good?”
Wen Shiqing quickly picked up a slice of watermelon and handed it to him.
“Here, Ge. Eat some. This watermelon is really sweet.”
She smiled, revealing two faint dimples, making her already delicate face look even more adorable.
Xie Yucheng casually took the watermelon and bit into it.
It really was sweet.
A clear drop of water on his forehead was about to slide onto his eyelid. When he lowered his head, Wen Shiqing, almost without thinking, reached up and gently wiped the droplet away with her fingertip.
Under the sunlight, the girl stood on tiptoe, their breaths close enough to mingle.
“Ge, are you tired?”
Something in Xie Yucheng’s heart gave a strange little jump.
He nodded.
“Tired. How about you help me load the cargo next time?”
She first stared at him blankly.
“Huh?”
Then she immediately waved her hands.
“I can’t lift it.”
Wen Shiqing had tried earlier. One box was ridiculously heavy, and she couldn’t lift it at all. Sis Chen had said they were filled with things like screws and nails, all made of iron, so each box was extremely heavy.
Xie Yucheng held the watermelon in his left hand and took another bite, the sweet juice spreading through his mouth.
“Then why the hell are you talking nonsense?”
“I… I was just checking on you.”
Wen Shiqing lowered her brows and pouted.
After eating the watermelon, Xie Yucheng went to cover the cargo with a tarp. He tied all four corners securely with thick hemp rope, then tugged on it several times to make sure everything was firmly fastened before finally relaxing.
Sis Chen invited them to stay for lunch at the factory.
After eating, the two set off with the truck fully loaded with cargo.
The vehicle slowly entered the provincial highway. Tall poplar trees stood on both sides like rows of soldiers, each one upright and imposing, as though standing guard.
Xie Yucheng was a man of few words.
Wen Shiqing was afraid of disturbing him while he drove, so she didn’t initiate a conversation. She simply rested her chin on one hand and looked out the window.
After watching the scenery for a while, she grew bored and quietly turned her attention back to the man beside her.
Her gaze drifted like a spider’s thread toward the fingers wrapped around the steering wheel.
The silver metal watch on his wrist reflected a cold gleam. The veins on his arm were faintly visible, emphasizing the strength beneath his skin.
Following the line of his arm upward, she saw his prominent Adam’s apple, sharp jawline, and straight nose bridge that rose seamlessly toward his brow.
His eyelashes were long and straight. His eyes were single-lidded, framed by thick brows that pressed slightly downward, giving him a naturally handsome, carefree air.
Wen Shiqing treasured every moment of this journey.
It had been a long time since she had been this close to him, alone with him like this.
Over the past two years, Xie Yucheng had rarely come home. Even when he did, he usually didn’t stay.
She would often run over to Wang Changlin’s place and ask,
“Changlin-ge, is my brother back?”
Wang Changlin would tell her no.
And she would return home disappointed.
“Do I have a flower growing on my face?”
The man’s sudden voice snapped Wen Shiqing out of her thoughts.
She quickly pulled her gaze away and rubbed her nose, looking like a thief caught red-handed.
“N-no.”
Xie Yucheng glanced at her.
“Did you eat your fill just now?”
“Yes.”
“If you’re sleepy, take a nap.”
“Okay.”
The truck continued west for two or three hours, gradually moving farther away from the city and into the countryside.
Nearby were clear riverbanks and lush green farmland. In the distance, endless mountains stretched across the horizon.
Perhaps because she had eaten two extra slices of juicy watermelon at noon, Wen Shiqing suddenly needed to use the bathroom.
She turned toward Xie Yucheng.
“Ge, can you stop somewhere for a moment?”
Xie Yucheng glanced at her.
Seeing the slight embarrassment on her little face, he stepped on the brake and slowly pulled over to the side of the road.
They both got out.
The roadside was covered in bushes taller than a person.
Wen Shiqing was worried there might be snakes, insects, or rodents hiding inside, so she stood there hesitantly, unwilling to go in.
“What? Didn’t you say you needed to use the bathroom?” Xie Yucheng asked.
“I do, but… Ge, what if there are snakes in the grass?”
She looked at him helplessly, her entire face practically screaming I’m a coward.
Xie Yucheng clicked his tongue and looked around.
“There really could be. Look at this place. It’s wild countryside, and the bushes are taller than you. Places like this are exactly where snakes, insects, and rodents like to hide.”
“Then… let’s go. I don’t need to anymore.”
Wen Shiqing’s face turned pale.
Xie Yucheng turned his head and silently laughed before looking back at her.
“Coward.”
He then strode into the bushes.
After finding a relatively open yet secluded patch, he stomped down the grass, making sure there weren’t any strange little creatures hiding inside.
Only then did he come back out.
“Go ahead. There aren’t any snakes.”
Only then did Shiqing relax and cautiously make her way into the bushes.
Xie Yucheng leaned against the front of the truck and lit a cigarette.
The chirping of birds and insects filled his ears.
When he lowered his gaze, he noticed a line of ants carrying things toward their nest near his feet.
For once, he showed some mercy and deliberately lifted his foot to let them pass.
A moment later, Shiqing emerged from the bushes with slightly flushed cheeks.
“Ge, let’s go.”
The man stubbed out his cigarette.
The two climbed back into the truck.