Ji Yanjun got on the truck, closed the door, and glanced at Gangzi.

Gangzi shouted, "Yanjun, it might keep snowing. Drive carefully. Call me if anything happens. Don't push yourself so hard. Stay at the guesthouse tonight. Don't try to save money by sleeping in the car to check the goods. Drive carefully!"

“Okay, I understand,” Ji Yanjun said.

Gangzi smiled and waved at him.

Ji Yanjun started the car and drove out of the Fengqing Transportation Company's compound. He went to the Fengqing Shoe Factory in Shuiwan Village to pick up the shoes. Now Yao Shiling also knew that Ji Yanjun was driving for Wen Liang.

Wen Peng said, "My second brother said that Ji Yanjun helped us, and the transportation company really needed Ji Yanjun, so they kept him."

Yao Shiling didn't say anything more.

When Ji Yanjun saw Yao Shiling, he came up to greet her: "Auntie."

Yao Shiling didn't show any displeasure, but instead said, "Thank you for your hard work."

"It's not hard work," Ji Yanjun said.

Yao Shiling stopped speaking to Ji Yanjun.

Ji Yanjun went to the shoe factory to help load goods. The people of Shuiwan Village didn't like him much. After he was busy for a while, no one offered him a seat or poured him a glass of water.

Finally, Yao Shiling poured him some water.

Ji Yanjun was taken aback, then took it: "Thank you, Auntie."

Yao Shiling waited for him to finish drinking, then took the cup and said, "It's snowing, the roads are slippery, be careful on the road."

"Okay." Ji Yanjun felt a warmth in his heart, but it was accompanied by an irreparable sense of guilt. After Wen Qing passed away in his previous life, Yao Shiling never spoke a word to him again.

"Auntie, I'm leaving now. Please take care of yourself and don't overwork yourself," Ji Yanjun said.

"Okay, I understand," Yao Shiling said indifferently.

Ji Yanjun was already very grateful for Yao Shiling's attitude. After loading the shoes, Ji Yanjun drove back to the county town. At Fengqing Garment Factory, he loaded a certain number of clothes onto the car, said goodbye to Master Yan and Master Wang, and stopped when the car passed the four-way intersection. He looked at the spot where Wen Qing often stood, then started the car and headed towards the neighboring city.

Although it was snowing, there were almost no vehicles on the road, so Ji Yanjun drove extremely fast this time. What would have taken a whole day to reach the neighboring city was completed in half a day.

"Yanjun, you're really fast!" the shop owner said in surprise. "I thought you were supposed to arrive tomorrow morning, but we're currently out of stock, and many customers are eager to get their clothes today."

Ji Yanjun laughed: "I knew you needed it, so I sent it early."

"Feng Qing is becoming more and more professional."

Please continue to support me in the future.

"That's a must." The shopkeeper took out a pack of golden cigarettes from his pocket, then pulled one out, held it up with both hands and handed it to him, saying, "Yanjun, here, have a smoke to perk yourself up. I used to be very worried about getting goods, wondering if there would be any problems on the way. But since you and Fengqing came along, I no longer worry about that."

"Thank you." Ji Yanjun smiled, took the cigarette, put it in his mouth, walked to the truck bed, lowered the sides of the truck bed, and started unloading goods without saying a word.

The shop owner quickly stepped forward: "Yanjun, no, no, no, we can carry it ourselves." The shop owner had long heard of Ji Yanjun's reputation. Anyone who needed to buy and deliver goods for their business knew Ji Yanjun. He had made his way in the underworld, so he respected Ji Yanjun very much. He had heard that Ji Yanjun had taken a job at his brother-in-law's company. He was a loyal and righteous man who did this for his wife.

"It's nothing." Ji Yanjun picked up a bag of clothes and went into the store.

The shop owner was busy having people help move the goods, urging them to hurry up. He was even helping Ji Yanjun carry the load, but Ji Yanjun didn't need his help at all.

In no time, all the clothes and shoes in the car were unloaded.

"Let's check the clothes again, see if anything is missing." Ji Yanjun lit a cigarette and said while smoking, "I need to be able to report back."

"No need to order, there's always enough. Do you think I don't trust you, Ji Yanjun?" the shop owner said with a smile.

“Let’s make another point. Public matters are public, and private matters are private. Public matters are about fairness, while private matters are easier to discuss,” Ji Yanjun said.

"Okay." The shop owner then counted the items again: "Not one more, not one less, just right. As for the quality and style of these clothes, Fengqing's is still the best. Others try their best to imitate them, but none of them can compare to Fengqing's. Does Fengqing's growing brand recognition mean it's good? I will definitely cooperate with Fengqing for the long term."

Ji Yanjun laughed and said without any modesty, "That's right." Then he took out a form from the car.

The shop owner took the money, signed it without even looking at it, and then immediately counted out all the money and gave it to Ji Yanjun. Ji Yanjun put out his cigarette, took the money, counted it three times to make sure there were no counterfeit bills, and after confirming that there was enough, he put the money away and said, "Boss, I'll take it now."

"Take it, take it. It's business, after all."

"Thanks, I wish you booming business."

"May everything prosper!" the shop owner said with a smile. "Come deliver again next time, I trust you to do it." Ji Yanjun was punctual and reliable in his deliveries. He had worked with many people, but only Ji Yanjun earned his thumbs up.

Ji Yanjun laughed: "Next time it definitely won't be me delivering it."

"Why? Are you getting a promotion?" the shop owner asked.

Ji Yanjun smiled but remained silent.

The shop owner quickly said, "Congratulations!"

Ji Yanjun smiled happily: "Thank you."

The shop owner genuinely believed that Ji Yanjun had been promoted.

"Boss, may your wealth flow in, I'm off." After saying this, Ji Yanjun locked the back of the truck, got into the driver's seat, and waved to the shop owner.

The shop owner waved with a smile. Ji Yanjun had given him so many gifts, but this was the first time he had seen Ji Yanjun so happy. It seemed that he had really been promoted. Excellent people deserve to be promoted, which was a good thing. The shop owner smiled as he watched Ji Yanjun's car disappear into a black dot. At this moment, large snowflakes began to fall again.

At this moment, Ji Yanjun slowed down the car, looked at the snowflakes falling all around and smiled, as Wen Qing's words echoed in his ears again.

"Yanjun, although I was born on the hottest day of the year, I especially love snow. It's so white and beautiful. Even though I'm very afraid of the cold, I still love snow." When she finished speaking, she happily snuggled into his arms, stuffing her little hands into his coat pockets and trying to get them into his palms, letting his big hand hold hers. Her little face and nose were red from the cold as she said, "Yanjun, I'm freezing!"

"You're so afraid of the cold, yet you like snow?" he asked.

Wen Qing's smile was like the warm winter sun, gentle, warm, and beautiful: "I like it, I really like it. However, if you're not here when it snows, I don't like it as much."

"Why?" he asked at the time.

Wen Qing said, "Because you're not here, I feel like the whole world has become especially cold."

At this moment, Ji Yanjun looked at the snowflakes drifting onto the car window and said softly, "Because you're not here, I feel like the whole world has become especially cold." Then he smiled bitterly and sped up towards Wangcheng County.

As evening approached, we finally arrived at Wangcheng County, and soon after, we reached Fengqing Transportation Company.

Gangzi has already gone home from get off work to be with his wife.

Just then, the accountant was locking the door, and Ji Yanjun quickly called out, "Sister Cheng, wait a minute."

When Sister Cheng looked up and saw Ji Yanjun, she was startled: "You're back from delivering goods?"

Ji Yanjun: "Hmm."

Sister Cheng said in surprise, "So fast? Weren't you supposed to be back tomorrow afternoon?"

"I was driving a little fast." Ji Yanjun said, handing over the receipt and money: "This is for you to put in your account."

"Oh, okay." Sister Cheng hurriedly opened the door, intending to stay a little longer to collect the money and receipts and register them.

"You're back way too early!" Sister Cheng said as she opened the ledger.

Ji Yanjun laughed: "I won't be coming tomorrow."

"Yes, I'm tired after a long day. I'll rest at home tomorrow." Sister Cheng said with a smile, "On a day like this, nothing beats eating a bowl of noodles at home and sitting in bed."

Ji Yanjun did not respond.

Sister Cheng had always thought Ji Yanjun was a good young man—handsome, capable, and reliable—so she had always wanted to introduce him to someone. Taking this opportunity, she inquired, "Yanjun, you've reached the age to settle down."

Ji Yanjun: "Hmm."

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Sister Cheng said with a smile. "If not, Sister Cheng will introduce you to someone. Sister Cheng knows quite a few beautiful and capable girls."

Ji Yanjun smiled and said, "Thank you, Sister Cheng, but I have a boyfriend."

"You have one?" Sister Cheng clearly heard that he didn't, so she wondered if he was lying to her. She asked, "When did you get a boyfriend? Where is he from?"

Ji Yanjun smiled: "It's always been there, from Shuiwan Village." This smile was different from his previous official smiles; this time, his eyes were overflowing with happiness.

"Isn't she exceptionally beautiful? You can't help but get happy when you mention her."

“It’s really beautiful,” Ji Yanjun said.

Sister Cheng looked a little disappointed because she wanted to introduce her relative to Ji Yanjun. After all, Ji Yanjun was so handsome, tall, and capable. But thinking about it, it made sense. It was normal for someone as outstanding as Ji Yanjun to have a girlfriend for so long. It was also normal for people not to know that he had a girlfriend because he didn't like to talk. So Sister Cheng stopped worrying about it, quickly collected the money, wrote it down, filled out the receipt, had Ji Yanjun sign it, and that was it.

"Yanjun, shall we go together?" Sister Cheng said as she locked the door.

"No, Sister Cheng, you go first. I'll grab something and check the car before I leave," Ji Yanjun said.

"Okay." Sister Cheng said, "By the way, it's snowing outside, don't forget to bring your umbrella. The snow is really heavy, and tomorrow morning, everyone will be dressed in red and white, which will definitely look especially beautiful."

Ji Yanjun nodded: "Mm."

After Sister Cheng left, Ji Yanjun took a military green bag from the car, closed the car door, handed the key to the gatekeeper, and then, holding a black umbrella in one hand and carrying the military green bag in the other, walked out of Fengqing Transportation Company. He went home, but did not go inside.

Listen to the short, drawn-out conversations of Liang Wenhua, Ji Yousheng, and others in the courtyard.

“Su Hongmei fell and broke her leg when it snowed this morning, and she is currently hospitalized!” Liang Wenhua said.

"Oh dear, what bad luck," Ji Yousheng chimed in.

“She deserves it; who told her to owe us six thousand yuan and not pay it back?” Liang Wenhua said.

"It's your own fault for not writing an IOU back then."

Why didn't you remind me then?

Liang Wenhua and Ji Yousheng started arguing. After their argument, Liang Wenhua turned to ask, "What are we having for dinner tonight?"

"It will be all right."

"..."

After listening for a while, Ji Yanjun left, holding his umbrella.

Because of the snow, there were few people on the road in Wangcheng County. As it gradually got dark, there were still quite a few vendors selling fried dough sticks and twisted dough sticks, and occasionally a few people would come out to buy them.

The sparse voices made the county town seem unusually quiet.

Ji Yanjun walked slowly, and when he reached the dirt road, it was covered with a thick layer of white snow, which crunched underfoot.

"Yanjun, you can sing when you hear snow, creak creak..." He heard Wen Qing's voice again.

Before this, every time Wen Qing's voice echoed in his mind, he would feel pain; now, he felt relieved.

He continued walking forward, holding up his umbrella.

When they reached Shuiwan Village, the snow fell even heavier, and every household lit up with dim yellow light bulbs. Ji Yanjun walked towards Shuiwan Village, and various sounds from the village drifted over.

"Erhuzi! You just ate a meal and you're already eating glutinous rice? You must be a reincarnated starving ghost! Go read your book and do your homework!" Aunt Wang shouted.

"I'll eat some more."

Ji Yanjun continued walking forward.

"Honey, let's make the shoes tomorrow. Go to sleep now."

Sister Zhou replied, "Sleep? What sleep? The shoe factory is now on piecework. Last month, Da Dao's mom earned two yuan more than me. I have to catch up this month!"

"..."

Listening to these sounds, Ji Yanjun finally arrived at the outside of Wen Qing's courtyard. The courtyard wall was not high, and Ji Yanjun stood on a high point, where he could see the courtyard clearly.

There are many houses in the courtyard, but only the main room, the west room, and the kitchen have dim light bulbs on.

Wen Liang sat at the large table, seemingly reading a book or looking at information related to Fengqing Group.

Wen Peng sat on a small stool, his face cupped in his hands, watching a 14-inch black and white television.

At this moment, the kitchen light went out, and Yao Shiling came out of the kitchen, entered the main room, and said, "The snow is really heavy."

Wen Liang nodded and said, "It looks like it will be next night."

"Hmm." Yao Shiling looked at Wen Peng and said, "Wen Peng, stop watching TV and go read a book."

"I'll watch for another five minutes."

"no."

"Four minutes," Wen Peng bargained.

"Close it."

"Three minutes."

"..."

Wen Liang looked up and said, "Pengpeng, stop watching and turn off the TV."

"Hmm." Wen Peng obediently stood up, stepped onto the television, sat down at the large table, and asked, "Second Brother, what are you watching?"

“My sister’s sketches,” Wen Liang said. Before Wen Qing was admitted to the First People’s Hospital of Nanzhou, she felt that she might die. She was afraid that it would be difficult to buy clothes for Feng Qing, and that Wen Liang would not be able to support Feng Qing. So, whenever she was not in pain, she would force herself to pick up a pen and draw clothes on the sketches.

In the early stages, Wen Qing's drafts were very neat, with the dimensions clearly marked. Later, perhaps due to his health, the lines became a bit shaky, and the handwriting became somewhat messy. Wen Qing drew many drafts, enough for Wen Liang to use for five years.

Wen Liang was deeply moved as he turned to the last page and saw several pages stained with blood, some even showing signs of being wiped away but not completely clean. He wept with heartache. He knew how haggard his sister had been in her final days; he had always believed she would survive the surgery, but…

He never told Yao Shiling about the bloodstains on the drawing; she would be very upset if she found out.

However, he told Yao Shiling that the first page of the drawing read "Presented to Wen Liang" and the last page read "Filial piety and unity," meaning to be filial to Yao Shiling and to unite and help each other with Wen Peng.

"Is this your older sister's? Let me see." Wen Peng leaned closer to take a look.

Yao Shiling also watched.

Wen Liang, holding up a piece of clothing, said, "Mom, Pengpeng, look, isn't this dress that my sister drew beautiful? It makes you look slimmer when you wear it."

"Yes." Yao Shiling nodded, and said with great pride, "Wen Qing sold her first painting for six hundred yuan before she became famous. That's amazing."

Yao Shiling smiled when talking about how amazing Wen Qing was.

Wen Liang and Wen Peng listened attentively.

Ji Yanjun stood outside the courtyard, looking at Yao Shiling, Wen Liang, and Wen Peng. No matter how much Feng Qing grew up, he believed that the three of them would not change their original intentions.

They are doing very well now.

Yao Shiling occasionally went to Fengqing Shoe Factory to help out, and the men, women, and children in the village took good care of her, not only because she was Wenqing's mother, but also because she was indeed kind-hearted.

Wen Liang has a strong learning ability and can fully absorb new knowledge. Under Wen Qing's influence, the management of Fengqing Group is quite stable, and it is not particularly difficult for it to develop further.

Wenpeng is still very lively. He doesn't like studying, but he does very well in school. He likes to play and still frantically catches up on his homework before summer and winter vacations. Fortunately, he listens to Wenliang and is a good kid.

Ji Yanjun took one last look at the three of them, then, holding his umbrella and carrying his military green bag, left and walked towards Wen Qing's grave in the Shuiwan Village mass grave.

This is the first time he has visited Wen Qing's grave since Wen Qing passed away.

The snow was still falling, and the thick snow crunched underfoot. The world was illuminated by the thick white snow. Ji Yanjun smiled and slowly walked towards Wen Qing's tombstone.

He walked up to the tombstone and stopped. A thick layer of snow covered the tombstone. He reached out and wiped away all the snow beside the tombstone, then held the black umbrella over the tombstone, squatted down, touched the two characters "Wen Qing" on the tombstone, and asked softly, "Qingqing, are you cold?"

The tombstone, of course, did not respond to him.

He bent down and kissed the tombstone, smiling as he said, "Don't be afraid, I'm here to keep you company." He sat down opposite the tombstone, picked up his military green bag, unzipped it, and took out a number of things from it.

Embroidered slippers, checkered bed sheets, pillows, lipstick, combs, hair ties, and strands of hair...

He lowered his head, wrapped the hair tie and strands of hair around his fingers, looked at the tombstone, and said, "Qingqing, do you miss me?"

The snow is still falling.

"I miss you so much." Ji Yanjun put the slippers, sheets, pillow, and lipstick back into the military green bag, zipped it up, and said, "Before, I often dreamed about you, dreamed about you laughing, dreamed about you crying, dreamed about you getting angry... It turns out that these were not dreams, but reality."

Ji Yanjun touched the character "Qing" and asked, "You've been gone for so long, and I'm only coming to see you today. Are you angry with me? Will you take it out on me? You've waited for me for so long." Ji Yanjun choked up as he spoke.

A gust of wind blew, and snowflakes drifted into the umbrella and onto the tombstone. Ji Yanjun immediately sat down by the umbrella, shielding the snowflakes with his body, and then said, "Qingqing, I haven't dreamed of you in so long. Have you left? Have you gone to a very, very far place?"

"Qingqing, I don't think I've ever praised you before. Actually, you're really great, great in every way. You must want me to praise your looks, right?" Ji Yanjun smiled: "Qingqing, I've never told you before, but you are the most beautiful person I've ever seen, the most beautiful person."

As Ji Yanjun spoke, tears streamed down his face, and he slowly rested his head against the tombstone: "Qingqing, without you, the world seems so empty."

"Qingqing, if there is a next life, let's be husband and wife, a couple who grow old together and never separate for a single day, okay? Qingqing, please say yes."

"Qingqing, I love you so much."

"Qingqing, I miss you."

"Qingqing..."

The snow continued to fall, and the wind kept blowing. The mass grave in Shuiwan Village was covered in a white expanse. After an unknown amount of time, Ji Yanjun was covered in a thick layer of snowflakes and gradually closed his eyes. Just then, he seemed to hear someone calling him.

"Yanjun, Yanjun."

He opened his eyes and saw that the world was pure white. He stood up abruptly and immediately replied, "Qingqing, Qingqing, is that you?"

"Yanjun".

Ji Yanjun looked in the direction of the sound and saw an elderly man with white hair, dressed neatly, standing not far away.

"Yanjun," the old man called out.

“Qingqing…” Ji Yanjun recognized her: “Qingqing.”

Wen Qing remained unmoved.

Ji Yanjun rushed forward, his eyes red: "Qingqing..."

Wen Qing's eyes also reddened: "Yan Jun, you are still young, I am old and ugly." Wen Qing turned away dejectedly, and Ji Yan Jun reached out and grabbed her hand. Her hand was no longer as smooth as before, but was covered with wrinkles.

"Qingqing, don't go." Ji Yanjun held her hands in both of his, as if they were precious treasures, and gently kissed them: "Qingqing, you are not old, you are not ugly, you will always be beautiful."

Wen Qing looked at him, her voice tinged with weariness, and asked, "Really?"

"Really." Ji Yanjun nodded hurriedly, tears falling one by one onto her hand.

Wen Qing asked worriedly, "Do you still like me?"

"I like it, I like it, I'll always like it."

Wen Qing smiled and asked, "Would you like to come with me?"

"Yes, I'm willing."

"No matter where you go?"

"No matter where you go."

"But I am an old woman."

"I will become an old man someday too."

"Don't think I'm ugly."

"I won't."

Ji Yanjun held Wen Qing's aged hand with his left hand and put his arm around her shoulder with his right hand, slowly following her as they walked through a vast expanse of white, then another vast expanse of white, until they finally disappeared into the whiteness.

Wen Qing's voice rang out again: "Yan Jun, you must keep pulling me along."

"Qingqing, I will always hold your hand and walk with you."

"..."

The heavy snow was still falling, and the howling wind was still blowing, blowing away the black umbrella that had been propped up on the tombstone. The mass graves in Shuiwan Village were now completely covered in white.