As the electric tricycle continued moving forward, clusters of single-story houses gradually appeared along the way.
"We're almost at the village now. Once we reach it, my ho won't be far," Hu Yuying said with a soft laugh.
Riding the electric tricycle like this reminded her of the tis she and Long Aotian had gone out to sell clothes together.
Back then, it was just like this.
Long Aotian would always reassure her—"We're almost there," "Just a little further," "Once we arrive, we’ll treat ourselves to a feast..."
As the tricycle entered the town, the sheer number of people surprised even Long Aotian.
"Packed like sardines" might be a slight exaggeration, but not by much.
It wasn’t just the tricycle struggling to move—even an electric scooter would have had a hard ti navigating the crowd.
While Hu Yuying stopped the vehicle, Long Aotian decided to park it to the side.
Taking her hand, he led her into the bustling crowd.
"Let’s buy so things first. We can’t show up empty-handed when eting your grandparents," he said.
Hu Yuying nodded gently. After all, this was a visit to her family. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t want Long Aotian to spend so much.
By the end, Hu Yuying tugged at Long Aotian’s hand anxiously. "That’s enough, really. We don’t need any more."
The back of the tricycle was already piled high with gifts—snacks, cigarettes, alcohol, and more. She held onto Long Aotian, stopping him from buying anything else.
Long Aotian chuckled and lightly tapped her nose. "These are all for your grandparents. Your family is my family—how could I be stingy when it cos to them?"
"But this is already more than enough, Long Aotian. Look, the whole tricycle is full. Any more and we won’t have space!" She sighed, eyeing the overflowing cargo.
The sheer amount of gifts showed how much he valued her and her family. But even if her grandparents—and herself included—tried, they’d never finish all of it.
Her grandparents had lived frugally all their lives. Once she returned to the city, most of these things would probably go to waste.
"Just one last thing," Long Aotian said.
Before Hu Yuying could protest, he jogged off. "This one’s for you!"
Amused but helpless, Hu Yuying stayed behind to keep an eye on their purchases—leaving them unattended in such a crowded place was risky.
Long Aotian didn’t take long. Soon, he returned.
"Here, this is for my little girl," he said, holding out a lollipop.
Back in high school, whenever he wanted to cheer her up, he’d give her a lollipop.
It had been so long—he wasn’t even sure if she still liked them.
Seeing the lollipop in his hand, Hu Yuying seed to recall those high school days as well.
Her smile was radiant, her eyes sparkling with joy.
As she reached for the lollipop, a whole string of them spilled out from Long Aotian’s sleeve, connected to the one in his other hand.
Her eyes widened in delight. "There are so many!"
"Let’s go," Long Aotian said, gently tugging the other end of the lollipop chain.
Not wanting them to snap, Hu Yuying naturally stepped closer to him.
After their shopping spree, the crowd in the town had thinned slightly—enough for the tricycle to move at a slow pace.
Village after village passed by. After about eight kiloters, Hu Yuying stopped the tricycle and turned to Long Aotian.
"We’re here. Do you want to drive the rest of the way?"
"Sure, I’ll take over," he said.
They switched places.
"Aren’t you going to ask why?" Hu Yuying teased.
"No need. If you say so, I’ll do it."
At his answer, Hu Yuying leaned gently against his shoulder.
"Villages aren’t like cities. People here love gossip—they talk about everything they see," she explained.
"Today, with you here, we won’t avoid being noticed. But my Long Aotian is the best. Even if people talk, I want them to say you’re a good man."
This wasn’t just empty reassurance. She had seen and heard the way the village aunties gossiped, and she didn’t want that for him.
The way she carefully shielded him from judgnt touched Long Aotian deeply.
Following Hu Yuying’s quiet directions, Long Aotian steered the tricycle slowly into the village.
Villagers, especially during this season, loved gathering around fires, chatting and snacking on sunflower seeds.
The mont they spotted Hu Yuying returning with an unfamiliar young man, the questions started imdiately.
"Ah-Ying, who’s this?" one of the aunties asked with a knowing grin.
Hu Yuying glanced at Long Aotian, her expression saying, See? Told you so.
Long Aotian subtly gave her a thumbs-up.
Without her warning, by afternoon, the whole village would’ve been buzzing:
"That Hu Yuying girl ca back on a tricycle with so guy in tow."
"He looks tall and strong, but he made her drive? What kind of man is that?"
"Probably all show, no substance..."
And so on.
Hu Yuying laughed lightly before answering, "This is my boyfriend."
At that, the aunties and sisters-in-law imdiately turned their attention to Long Aotian—and the mountain of gifts in the tricycle.
Feeling their gazes, Long Aotian straightened up, smiling politely. Following Hu Yuying’s lead, he greeted them warmly.
"We’ll head ho first," Hu Yuying said, nudging Long Aotian with a finger.
Understanding, Long Aotian added, "It’s my first visit. I should go et her grandparents."
With that, he revved the engine, and the tricycle rolled past the curious onlookers.
Once they were out of earshot, Hu Yuying giggled. "See? I wasn’t wrong, was I?"
"Did I do alright?"
"You were perfect."
Before leaving, Hu Yuying had already told her grandparents that soone who had always helped her was coming to visit.
She hadn’t spelled it out, but at their age, they understood perfectly.
The front gate was left open, and her grandmother had even tidied up the house in anticipation.
When the tricycle pulled in, both grandparents stepped out to greet them.
Long Aotian parked the vehicle, then respectfully bowed and addressed them.
His good looks and polite deanor imdiately won them over, and they eagerly invited him inside.
Then they noticed the tricycle loaded with gifts.
In the countryside, young visitors usually brought just a couple of boxes—maybe milk or biscuits.
But a whole tricycle’s worth? That was rare—practically unheard of in the village.
......
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