A Jiefang-brand heavy-duty truck.
Sister-in-law Song and Jiang Hong were experienced, using both hands and feet, they quickly climbed into the truck bed.
Though it was Lin Chuxia’s first time riding such a big truck, she was not the squeamish type and imitated them, using both hands and feet to climb up.
When she reached the top of the truck, Sister-in-law Song pulled her up, and she stood in the truck bed with ease.
The others also climbed up, and Jiang Hong had already claimed a spot, at the very front of the truck bed near the driver’s cabin, where it was less bumpy and less dusty.
Seeing that everyone was aboard, the driver, Xiao Liu, called out, “Ladies, we’re ready to take off,” and climbed into the driver’s seat.
Just as the truck was about to start, two people, one big and one small, came running from afar, “Wait for us, wait…”
Sister-in-law Song saw who was coming and commented indifferently, “Feng Dajun’s family really knows how to make an entrance, never failing to be late.”
And they always arrived just when the truck was about to leave.
She then turned to Jiang Hong, “You stay here later, don’t give up your seat to them again.”
After saying that, she instructed Lin Chuxia with concern, “You too.”
Lin Chuxia looked puzzledly at the truck bed. The truck was big and there was still room; even if Sister-in-law Feng and her family were late, there was still space for them to sit. She did not quite understand the meaning behind Sister-in-law Song’s words but nodded anyway.
Sister-in-law Feng came with her daughter, who looked to be about seven or eight years old, unable to climb onto the truck by herself.
Sister-in-law Feng lifted Feng Jingjing onto the edge of the truck bed, letting her climb while pushing her from below. Halfway through, seemingly unable to push her all the way up, Sister-in-law Feng turned to Lin Chuxia.
“Mrs. Qin, please give me a hand here; this damn girl insists on following me out.”
With her speaking up, the others in the truck bed looked over.
Sister-in-law Song discreetly made a gesture to Lin Chuxia, who knew she meant well, but it would have looked bad if she refused to help when asked.
When Sister-in-law Feng called out “Mrs. Qin,” she mostly represented Qin Yang here.
Lin Chuxia got up and pulled on Feng Jingjing’s arm, hoisting the girl up.
Once she was steady, Lin Chuxia sat back down.
Meanwhile, Sister-in-law Feng below still had her arms raised, seemingly waiting for Lin Chuxia to help her up after Feng Jingjing.
Seeing Lin Chuxia ignore her, Sister-in-law Feng gave an embarrassed smile and climbed onto the truck, holding onto the edge.
With everyone aboard, the driver started the engine again, and the truck moved forward, swaying.
Sister-in-law Feng, holding Feng Jingjing, swayed with the truck for a moment and looked around before finally sitting down in the spot in front of Lin Chuxia.
“Mrs. Qin, really appreciate your help just now. Without you, we would’ve missed the truck. They also say city folks are high-quality and warm-hearted.”
Lin Chuxia smiled but did not pick up on the conversation.
Sister-in-law Feng turned her head and said to Jiang Hong, “I think all you folks from your department are so kind-hearted. Just look at our worthless girl—acting like a delicate princess even with a servant’s fate. She gets carsick when the ride gets bumpy and insists on sitting near the front. Last time, we were so grateful you gave up your seat for her. This time, though, none of you should give up your seat for her. I really want to see how she manages to get sick.”
Jiang Hong, still young, probably meeting this kind of person for the first time in her life, stiffened and looked toward Sister-in-law Song.
Sister-in-law Song spoke indifferently, “Now listen, Feng Dajun’s wife, you shouldn’t talk like that. The child doesn’t want to get carsick either—who can control their own body? If you ask me, unless it’s something important, don’t make the child suffer. Wouldn’t it be much better to stay quietly at home?”
Jiang Hong hasn’t been here long, and Lin Chuxia was just visiting relatives. Perhaps they didn’t know, but who in these parts hasn’t learned about Feng Dajun’s wife? Nearly every time the unit goes to the city for purchases, she has to hitch a ride into town.
It’s obviously inconvenient for her to ride with a child, but she always arrives just in time to catch the ride, then fusses about this and that, and in the end, she strolls around the city and buys nothing.
Initially, everyone took care of her since she was inconvenienced by the child, but over time, they all could see that Sister-in-law Feng was doing it on purpose.
Sure enough, hearing what Sister-in-law Song had said, Sister-in-law Feng’s smile faltered for an instant. She looked around at the others and then let out a loud interjection…
“It’s not that I’m deliberately making her suffer. I really do have some business in the city, and besides, being able to ride the truck with everyone is a blessing we’ve cultivated. How could there be any discomfort? If you’re still uncomfortable in the truck, then it’s just your fate to suffer.”
Sister-in-law Song thought this woman was beyond redemption and simply stopped talking to her.
Sister-in-law Feng, acting as if nothing happened, started chatting with other women.
After a swaying journey, they finally reached the city. Sister-in-law Song and Jiang Hong were planning to go to the City Department Store to buy some things, while Lin Chuxia intended to head straight to Jia Yuanliang’s Bun Shop.
Back in Ancheng County, Jia Yuanliang had left his address with Lin Chuxia. His Bun Shop was situated in his own wing-room.
After saying goodbye to Sister-in-law Song and the others, Lin Chuxia went directly to find the address.
Sister-in-law Feng pulled Feng Jingjing closer and looked at Lin Chuxia’s retreating figure, asking the others curiously, “Isn’t Mrs. Qin coming with us? She’s new here and not sticking with us—where could she be going alone?”
Sister-in-law Song glanced at Feng Jingjing beside her, her small face deathly pale, not showing any sign of liveliness, and reminded, “You have the time to let the child take a good rest, or think properly about what you want to buy. Get it quickly, and stop tormenting the child.”
Sister-in-law Feng followed her gaze to Feng Jingjing, let out a nonchalant exclamation.
“What’s this fuss about? There are so many people who don’t have the luck she does. How many kids her age in our village have never even seen a truck, let alone ridden in one?”
After finishing her words, her eyes rolled, and she returned to the previous conversation, “Mrs. Qin just came here yesterday. Looking at how she was carrying big and small bags yesterday, and coming to the city again today, she’s not going to buy more stuff, is she?”
Really treating things like they’re nothing, giving away so many good things isn’t enough?
Her own man is so naively gullible, not even listening to her warnings.
With so many good things given away, if there are any benefits up top, could others possibly share in them?
Sister-in-law Song couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge her, pulling Jiang Hong off to the Department Store.
But Sister-in-law Feng, seemingly oblivious to the cold shoulder, hurriedly pulled Feng Jingjing and followed them.
Meanwhile, Lin Chuxia arrived at Peace Street and from a distance, saw a shop surrounded by people. The “Yuanliang Steamed Bun Shop” sign was especially eye-catching.
Lin Chuxia couldn’t help but curl up the corners of her mouth into a smile and strode over.
“Liangzi, you’re really capable, aren’t you? Actually opening a shop—I didn’t believe it when I heard it from your third aunt yesterday.”
“Isn’t that the truth? Our family is going to start a private business too. But Liangzi, opening a Bun Shop isn’t as easy as just saying it. With your mom’s cooking skills, do you think you can actually sell those buns?”