The two n were stunned, realizing too late that the young woman had already passed them and was reaching for the quilt on the wagon.
"What are you doing?"
"Stop!"
The two shouted simultaneously, their voices barely fading as they rushed towards Ling Chengyan.
Click!
The passenger door made a sound as Ma Dajun opened it, ready to get out, but Zhou Guoqing pulled him back.
"Wait!"
Despite his words, Zhou Guoqing grabbed a long wrench, opened the door just a crack, slid down against the car seat without making a sound.
Ma Dajun was montarily stunned, realizing Zhou Guoqing had long been prepared for a team strategy with Ling Chengyan, rather than the cowardice they previously assud.
The two n were one step too slow, allowing Ling Chengyan to successfully uncover the quilt and see the person on the wagon.
There was indeed soone lying there, but not a pregnant woman; he wasn’t a woman at all but a young man, small in build yet agile. As the quilt was lifted, he suddenly sprang up, with a gleam flashing in his hand—a butcher’s knife ca thrusting full force.
Coldness flashed in Ling Chengyan’s eyes; without dodging or flinching, she directly reached out, counter-grasping at a strange and dangerous angle. She gripped the man’s knife-wielding hand with just a bit of force and a crack was heard, followed by a loud scream. The assailant fell from the wagon and rolled down the mountainside into the ravine.
The remaining two were petrified, stopping suddenly a few steps before Ling Chengyan.
This man was their last resort, a secret weapon that had successfully ambushed enemies multiple tis with one strike—only this ti they were the ones laid low.
Just one confrontation and their secret weapon was utterly dismantled. The ravine below was steep; who knows if he survived the fall?
They exchanged a quick glance, seemingly gathering their courage anew, lunging together at Ling Chengyan... Yet before they could move, Zhou Guoqing quietly attacked, knocking them unconscious with a wrench and pushing them with the wagon to the roadside. Zhou Guoqing, Ling Chengyan, and Ma Dajun got back into the car.
This ti, Ma Dajun didn’t enter the driver’s seat but followed Ling Chengyan to the back.
He hesitantly wanted to ask sothing, but Ling Chengyan didn’t give him the chance, wrapping up tightly and sleeping as soon as the car started.
A few hours later, Ling Chengyan opened her eyes, her fatigue and weariness gone, revitalized.
Ma Dajun, dozing against the truck bed, snapped awake at the sound, seeing Ling Chengyan sit up amid the morning twilight.
Ling Chengyan took her water bottle, drank a sip, moistening her throat, then drank a couple more until she felt comfortable, before turning to Ma Dajun: "What do you want to ask? Go ahead."
Ma Dajun hesitated briefly, unable to contain his curiosity, then asked: "Those three people before..."
Seeing him pause, seemingly unsure how to phrase it, Ling Chengyan straightforwardly helped him: "You want to ask why we didn’t apprehend them and send them to the police?"
Ma Dajun nodded repeatedly, the big man’s simple-mindedness making him look like a nodding figurine.
"We have a mission and must reach the destination quickly. That’s one reason," Ling Chengyan raised one finger, then continued leisurely, "We’re outsiders just passing through. Who knows what backing those three might have? We might even be turned against if we take them to the authorities!"
Such incidents aren’t unheard of. Ling Chengyan hadn’t spent a month idly in the Automobile Company. Although Zhou Guoqing is terse, other veterans shared many tales from the road. Excluding hearsay and tall tales, incidents like this occurred in their own experiences more than once.
Fortunately, their uniforms and team protections are reliable; otherwise, they might end up being the wronged party, as ordinary people would be unable to defend themselves.
Ma Dajun was visibly shocked, stunned.
Ling Chengyan ignored him, tapped the rear glass and gestured for Zhou Guoqing to stop, indicating she would drive.
They drove straight to a historic town in Northern Land, the sky barely lightening.
The trio found a breakfast shop, borrowed water to wash their faces and rinse mouths, then bought breakfast.
Continuing their journey, passing through towns and villages, they occasionally encountered local markets.
Ling Chengyan watched bustling stalls and crowds, recalling Da Xiong in the county town and the people of Nanli Team. If the market opened, they could engage in small businesses beyond farming for greater profit.
Seeing her interest in the market, Zhou Guoqing unexpectedly remarked, "Many counties are rehosting markets around here. Ours should be soon too."
Ling Chengyan glanced at him, grinning: "What will you do after retiring, Master? Have you thought about it?"
Zhou Guoqing’s expression darkened, falling silent.
Ling Chengyan wasn’t embarrassed, continuing on her own, "Master, you’re skilled at driving and even better at repairs. Driving is easier to learn; car repair is rare... Have you considered opening a repair shop?"
Zhou Guoqing nearly rolled his eyes to the sky: "Those are state-owned factories; you think they can be opened up at whim?"
Finished, he crossed his arms and closed his eyes tightly, clearly indicating he wouldn’t engage further.
Ling Chengyan pursed her lips, focusing on driving without further comnt.
Throughout the trip, Ling Chengyan and Zhou Guoqing took turns driving and resting, aside from als, they rarely halted, pushing hard until, five days later, they arrived at their destination: Lujiang City.
They found the relevant departnt with their introduction letters, only to learn that loading would occur the next day, granting them a day for rest.
They booked a room at a guesthouse, where Ling Chengyan relished a proper wash, changing into clean clothes, finally feeling revitalized from her pickled state.
Just in ti for noon, the trio ventured out rather than dining at the guesthouse, walking down quaint mossy stone-paved streets, in stark contrast to Northern Land, exploring local customs and tasting regional delicacies.
In her past life, Ling Chengyan hadn’t visited south of the river, so watching streets with flora, attire, local dialogues, even architecture filled her with curiosity.
She indulged in observing, displaying lively curiosity fitting her age. Even Zhou Guoqing couldn’t help softening his gaze seeing her like this.
Wandering through several streets, they found bamboo wares everywhere: elders playing chess sat on bamboo chairs, wielding bamboo fans, wearing bamboo hats... Even children played with bamboo dragonflies.
Turning the street corner, a small restaurant sign made of bamboo reads: For the People Rice Noodles.
Ma Dajun craned his neck, exclaiming, "Noodles!"
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