Chapter 4

The road was too crowded, and Zhang Xuan and his mother squeezed from the hospital to the Shimen station at the edge of the small town. The two of them almost suffocated and were drenched in sweat.

After much effort, they found an empty spot on the street, hurriedly put down their luggage, took a few breaths, and waited for the farm tractor to pick up passengers.

In the past, Ruan Xiuqin would have been reluctant to take a vehicle back to the village, as it cost one yuan per person. But looking at her delicate and tender son, she compromised this time.

After waiting for nearly ten minutes, they didn't see the farm tractor, but a small tricycle arrived instead.

The tricycle stopped in front of them, and the driver, wearing a dog hat, seemed to recognize Ruan Xiuqin. He shouted loudly, "Ruan Xiuqin, your son is back. Are you going to Shangcun?"

Ruan Xiuqin leaned forward and asked, "How much?"

The dog hat driver glanced at the large pile of goods on the ground and said, "Four yuan, including the cargo and passengers."

Ruan Xiuqin pulled back and fell silent. She thought, "The daily wage is only 12 yuan, and this is one-third of it. Why not just rob us?"

The dog hat driver, not giving up, shouted again, "Ruan Xiuqin, don't dawdle. It's windy and snowy. Don't let your college student son get cold. Get in the car quickly, let's go."

Hearing someone praise her son, Ruan Xiuqin responded, "The road is slippery in the snow. Is your tricycle safe?"

The dog hat driver patted his chest and said, "Don't worry. It's just a bit of snow. I've made several trips today. Get in quickly."

Ruan Xiuqin looked at the road to Shangcun. The snow had just started and wasn't thick yet. She said, "Two and a half yuan, and I'll get in."

The dog hat driver's eyes widened instantly, "Ruan Xiuqin, why are you so stingy? It's a ten-mile trip. This money won't even cover my fuel costs. Do you want my family to starve?"

Ruan Xiuqin didn't move, her eyes wandering elsewhere.

The dog hat driver was furious and waved his hand, "Three and a half yuan, get in."

Ruan Xiuqin's thin lips parted, "Three yuan."

The dog hat driver was about to speak again when a Honda motorcycle arrived, interrupting him.

The motorcycle was driven by Ouyang Yong, the only one in Shangcun. He charged 10 yuan each time he picked up passengers. Despite the high price, his business was still good. People from nearby villages liked to call him for urgent matters.

Ouyang Yong, wearing a leather jacket, greeted Ruan Xiuqin warmly, "Auntie, Auntie," and then winked at Zhang Xuan, laughing as he picked up the luggage and loaded it onto the motorcycle.

Seeing this, the dog hat driver became anxious, "Ruan Xiuqin, three yuan, get in!"

Ruan Xiuqin refused, "Forget it, another day."

The dog hat driver was furious, stomped on the gas, and the tricycle sped away with a roar.

In the past two years, Ouyang Yong had been pursuing Zhang Ping, and this wasn't the first time he had acted familiarly.

At first, Ruan Xiuqin and Zhang Xuan felt embarrassed and were reluctant to ride in his cheap vehicle. But now, after riding many times, they were numb to it.

While helping tie the luggage, Ruan Xiuqin asked kindly, "How's your business today?"

Ouyang Yong replied, "I've already made four trips."

Ruan Xiuqin was taken aback and hesitated, "With so many people returning from working outside recently, this is your best time for business. Why don't you go do business first and ignore us?"

Ouyang Yong looked up and smiled, "It won't affect my business. I'll take you home first."

Due to the large amount of luggage, one trip wasn't enough, so the motorcycle took Ruan Xiuqin first.

The weather was too cold, and waiting was the most torturous. Zhang Xuan stomped his feet, blew into his hands, and couldn't help but be drawn to the waves of people returning home.

He listened to their boasts, their stories of how much money they had earned, and their tales of the bustling world outside, and the girls and women they had met...

Although he knew most of them had a hard time and struggled outside, seeing their current confidence made Zhang Xuan smile and listen quietly.

Somehow, in this second life, Zhang Xuan had the patience to listen to these people, who were like birds returning to their nests and fish swimming back to their streams, and felt that life was truly not easy.

After waiting for about 20 minutes, Ouyang Yong returned. This time, there was less luggage, so they got on quickly.

As the motorcycle started, Ouyang Yong asked, "Why did you get discharged today? Weren't you supposed to stay a few more days?"

The wind was strong, and Zhang Xuan had to speak loudly, "Thank you for your concern. I'm better now."

After driving for a while, a group of yellow cattle crossed the road, and Ouyang Yong stopped on the side. He asked again, "Did Yang Ende take your sister to the hospital yesterday?"

Hehe... Hearing this question, Zhang Xuan felt this way.

Zhang Xuan said, "I think so, I didn't pay much attention."

The cattle passed, and the motorcycle restarted. Ouyang Yong was silent for a moment, then gathered his courage and asked, "Zhang Xuan, how about me being your brother-in-law?"

Zhang Xuan looked at his back and pretended not to hear, "What did you say? The wind is too strong, I didn't hear."

Ouyang Yong, in his helmet, shouted, "How about me being your brother-in-law?"

Zhang Xuan teased him, "Which brother-in-law? The first one or the second one?"

Ouyang Yong laughed and stopped the motorcycle in an empty place, took off his helmet, and said to Zhang Xuan, "I like your older sister. Of course, I want to be your brother-in-law. Can you help me? Can you say a good word for me to your mother and sister?"

Hearing such a straightforward request, Zhang Xuan stared at his eyes and asked seriously, "What do you like about my sister?"

This was a deep question, but Ouyang Yong didn't understand its implications and bluntly said, "I like how she looks. Everyone says she looks like your mother and is the prettiest girl in our village."

Damn, Zhang Xuan thought, he knew it would be like this, but he was impressed that Ouyang Yong could say it so openly.

This was an era where holding hands would make one blush. How could you be so shameless?

Zhang Xuan replied, "Have you heard the saying, 'Beauty fades, and heroes grow old'? I'm not satisfied with your answer!"

Faced with this literary challenge, Ouyang Yong was embarrassed, but his thick skin allowed him to recover quickly. He said, "We all think your sister is obedient and sensible. She will be a good wife in the future."

"..."

Hearing this, Zhang Xuan felt a bit nostalgic. If he pushed it back twenty years, even a primary school student would be better at sweet-talking than this fool. It was really too much!

Seeing Zhang Xuan not speaking, Ouyang Yong thought he disagreed and became anxious. He immediately said, "I will treat your sister well. Please help me."

He added, "I will treat your whole family well."

So anxious?

Sigh, never mind, Zhang Xuan asked, "Do you really like my older sister?"

Ouyang Yong nodded vigorously, "Yes, I really like her. I've been pursuing her for two years."

Zhang Xuan said, "You've been pursuing her for two years and still haven't succeeded. Your mousse and leather shoes are wasted. It's shameful!"

Ouyang Yong blushed and asked, "Then how should I pursue her?"

Zhang Xuan pointed to his nose, "Ask me? I'm so much younger than you. How can you ask me?"

Ouyang Yong, not feeling ashamed, said, "You're so smart. In half a year, you'll be a college student. Asking a college student doesn't seem shameful."

Zhang Xuan laughed, "Even college students don't necessarily know how to date."

Ouyang Yong shamelessly said, "Don't they say knowledge changes fate? In my eyes, college students can change fate and do anything."

"Me!..."

Zhang Xuan looked at this sometimes clever, sometimes foolish guy, unsure if he was really foolish or just pretending. In the end, he said, "If you really like her, have your family come to propose."

Hearing this, the optimistic Ouyang Yong instantly lost his spirit, "We have asked. We've asked matchmakers several times in the past six months. In October, my father went to your house to plead, but you weren't home, and your mother didn't agree."

Zhang Xuan asked, "Isn't your mother close to my mother? Hasn't she mentioned it?"

Ouyang Yong said, "Of course, my mother has been talking to your mother about this for several years, wanting your older sister to be my wife."

At this point, Ouyang Yong leaned in and asked again, "We all know your mother loves you the most. Your words will be effective. Please help me. Your brother-in-law won't let you down."

"You have no skills, but a thick face," Zhang Xuan mocked. Thinking about the progress with Yang Ende, he couldn't help but give a hint, "Have you learned the phrase 'words can be powerful'?"

Ouyang Yong subconsciously replied, "Yes, it's in the middle school textbook."

Zhang Xuan asked, "Do you understand its meaning?"

Ouyang Yong was a bit confused, "Isn't it just the literal meaning?"

Zhang Xuan continued, "Yes, the literal meaning, but do you know how to apply it in real life?"

Time seemed to pause. Ouyang Yong paused for a moment, then his eyes lit up, "Ha, I get it. I know what to do."

Zhang Xuan rolled his eyes and reminded him, "Be careful and keep it a secret."

Ouyang Yong started the motorcycle, "I know, your brother-in-law isn't that stupid."

Zhang Xuan: "..."

PS: New book, please give recommendations, favorites, and reviews.