Toon Chapter 33

Chapter 33: An Extra Story III – The Young Couple Goes to the City (Part 1)

This year, Zhou Lingchun earned another large sum of money. Even the surrounding villages began planting the herbs, and the economy of Pingshui Village started to develop.

In the autumn, there was a major order requiring Zhou Lingchun to deliver all the dried medicinal herbs to Xianghua City. Fortunately, Zhou Lingchun had purchased a small truck a few months prior.

In this era, for someone in this village to actually buy a truck—ho, that was truly remarkable.

Liansheng walked around the village with a proud, swaggering air, like a little peacock displaying its feathers. Though he himself wasn’t particularly capable, his man was the most capable!

However, although Zhou Lingchun had bought the truck, Liansheng had only actually ridden in it a few times.

The mountain roads were bumpy. Liansheng would sit in the passenger seat, first complaining that the jolting made him dizzy, then saying the space was stuffy. When the window was opened, he’d complain the strong wind gave him a headache. After riding for only a short while, he would miserably lean his head against the window and fall asleep, his head knocking loudly against the glass whenever they hit an uneven patch of road.

Zhou Lingchun felt distressed and stopped letting him tag along on trips.

But this time, Zhou Lingchun would be gone for a whole week, unlike the previous trips where he returned the same day. Naturally, Liansheng couldn’t bear to be separated from Zhou Lingchun and insisted on going with him.

“Let me go, please,” Liansheng pleaded, leaning against Zhou Lingchun that night, his hand unconsciously kneading the muscle on the man’s arm. “You’ll be gone for a whole week. How am I supposed to live? When you’re not beside me, I can’t even sleep well at night.”

Zhou Lingchun was somewhat swayed. “But the road isn’t safe either. What if we get into an accident…”

Liansheng immediately pinched Zhou Lingchun’s ear. “Oh, you! People choke to death while eating, too. Should you just stop letting me eat then?” After saying that, Liansheng softened his tone, pressing the sole of his foot against Zhou Lingchun’s calf under the blanket. “I’ve never been to Xianghua City before. Why is the city’s name so strange? Does it mean the city is full of flowers? And I heard they sell lots of delicious food there. I want to try some…”

“…”

“Please, let me go… I’m actually not that uncomfortable in the car. You know I always like to make a fuss.”

“Then… alright.”

Having received permission, Liansheng happily planted a wet kiss on the man’s face.

Early the next morning, after entrusting Granny to Aunt Sun’s care, the couple set off.

The truck bed was stacked high with bags of dried medicinal herbs. Most of it came from the land Zhou Lingchun had contracted, and a portion belonged to other villagers who had asked Zhou Lingchun to sell it for them.

Liansheng and Zhou Lingchun sat in the front. The window was open, and Liansheng wore a hat to block the wind, his eyes wide as he curiously stared at the scenery outside. The world outside was truly changing faster every year.

The last time Liansheng had been to such a large city was with his aunt, but back then, his heart was preoccupied with someone who wasn’t there, and everything he saw through the window seemed dull and uninteresting. This time, he was with Zhou Lingchun. Even though he had seen some things before, he still gasped in surprise.

Slowly, he grew tired and drifted off to sleep, wrapped in the blanket Zhou Lingchun had prepared beforehand.

They stopped the truck temporarily at noon, and Zhou Lingchun woke Liansheng up so they could eat at a restaurant together.

Liansheng was a little carsick and initially had trouble eating. Looking at the price list, he tugged at Zhou Lingchun, wanting to leave. “The price of one dish here could buy two portions back home and then some! Forget it, let’s go eat something else outside.”

Although they were much wealthier now, Liansheng saw how hard his man worked. He was fine with spending small amounts, but he wouldn’t let them be ripped off.

Zhou Lingchun stopped him and ordered a few dishes based on Liansheng’s preferences. After ordering, he held Liansheng’s hand and said, “I’ll take you to even bigger restaurants in the future.”

Liansheng was overjoyed, his eyes crinkling into a smile. “Following you, I’ve truly started living the good life.”

It was just a playful remark, but Liansheng didn’t know that, in the dead of night, the man sleeping beside him had long since secretly vowed to ensure he lived a good life.

Liansheng hadn’t had an appetite, but once the dishes arrived—full of color, aroma, and flavor—he started feeling hungry. Soon after, his stomach was so full he could barely climb back into the truck. Just before the truck started, he clutched his stomach and said, “You know what, there’s a reason why expensive food is expensive. This was too delicious.”

He was naturally thin, so when he ate a lot, his stomach became noticeable, slightly protruding like someone who had just started showing. Zhou Lingchun glanced at his belly twice, only saying, “If it was good, we’ll come again next time.”

It wasn’t until the sun was setting that the two arrived in Xianghua City. Zhou Lingchun booked a hotel room, settled Liansheng in, and then went out to discuss the order. Before leaving, he instructed Liansheng not to wander off and assured him that dinner would be delivered to the room.

Liansheng was engrossed in the hotel television and nodded perfunctorily from his spot leaning against the headboard.

Zhou Lingchun’s business meeting lasted five or six hours. Manager Wang greatly admired Zhou Lingchun and promised to purchase all his medicinal herbs from him every year going forward. Then, he invited Zhou Lingchun to go for a massage together.

Zhou Lingchun couldn’t politely refuse and had to go. Manager Wang was surrounded by beautiful women and told Zhou Lingchun to pick one he liked. Zhou Lingchun waved his hand and said, “I have someone at home. They keep a strict watch.”

Manager Wang burst into laughter, saying Zhou Lingchun was still a tender sprout, and didn’t press the issue. The young women around them also covered their mouths and giggled softly.

When everything concluded, it was past eleven o’clock at night. Zhou Lingchun rushed back. When he opened the door, the room light was still on, the luggage was neatly put away, and the TV was off. By all accounts, Liansheng should have been lying in bed asleep.

But he was nowhere to be seen.

——————–

Just thinking about what Liansheng went to do makes me laugh. You’ll never guess.