Standing behind Gu Zhiyun, Shen Jingyan roughly heard the whole story.

She's not one to meddle in other people's business; she wouldn't bother with this if it happened to someone else.

But Gu Zhiyun was different; he had saved her twice.

Gu Zhiyun was cold and indifferent to her, but that was his attitude; she couldn't expect everyone to be kind to her.

He's in trouble now, and I'm only helping him out of gratitude for saving his life.

The noodle shop owner, who had been frowning, immediately beamed with joy when Shen Jingyan handed him a few small bills.

"Young man, you're in luck."

He looked at Shen Jingyan, then at Gu Zhiyun, and thought the two of them looked really good together.

And so his smile took on a deeper meaning.

The moment the boss touched the money, an arm blocked his and Shen Jingyan's hands.

Gu Zhiyun's face was even redder than before. He habitually pursed his lips and said coldly, "No need."

His eyes were on the boss, but Shen Jingyan knew that those two words were meant for her.

His rejection was swift and indifferent, as if Shen Jingyan were a complete stranger.

Shen Jingyan slightly pursed her lips, took back the six cents, and only paid for her own portion.

Since the other party doesn't accept her kindness, she doesn't need to try so hard to win their favor.

But just as she took two steps outside, the system popped up a task notification sound.

"Dear Master, you can earn 500 points by helping Gu Zhiqing resolve his debt crisis!"

Shen Jingyan said indignantly, "Why didn't you say so just now?"

"Master, the mission was assigned by the higher-level system. I just received the news myself. Sorry."

Gu Zhiyun has already rejected her, and she has already taken the money back. Now she has to go back and pay for him. Isn't that a slap in the face?

"Master, think about your grand ambitions. You are only 997,000 points away from unlocking the mysterious area."

Chen Jingyan: Thank you for reminding me.

She was going all out for 500 points!

Since Gu Zhiyun refused to accept her kindness, she had no choice but to take a hard line!

She walked back to the counter and, with lightning speed, stuffed six cents into the shopkeeper's hand.

The boss was arguing incessantly with Gu Zhiyun when he was startled by Shen Jingyan's actions.

By the time he realized what was happening, the girl had already dragged the tall young man out of the noodle shop.

Gu Zhiyun was completely bewildered when Shen Jingyan dragged him out of the noodle shop.

He was secretly amazed, looking at the thin and slender girl, wondering what she ate to have such strength.

Having already paid the noodle shop owner, Gu Zhiyun felt too embarrassed to go back and argue further.

"I'll return the money to you when we get back," he said to Shen Jingyan indifferently.

Shen Jingyan didn't say anything, just nodded, and left with her basket on her back.

Gu Zhiyun returned to the driver's seat of the truck.

Yang Zinuo had already gone back in another truck, so he was left alone.

The previous truck returned to Dalin Village at four o'clock in the afternoon, and most of the villagers caught a ride back home. Gu Zhiyun was the only driver on this truck.

Gu Zhiyun glanced at his watch; it was past five o'clock, and the sun had completely set.

Not far along the road back to Dalin Village, Gu Zhiyun saw Shen Jingyan carrying a basket and walking alone on the road.

As dusk fell and the cold wind howled, Chen Jingyan's figure appeared even more frail.

Gu Zhiyun's eyes seemed to follow Shen Jingyan uncontrollably.

He was filled with inner conflict; he didn't want to have too much contact with Shen Jingyan, but he also didn't want to watch the little girl walk back to Dalin Village.

It was getting dark, and the road was difficult to walk at night.

The road is flanked by vast snowfields or primeval forests, where wild animals often roam and injure people.

Gu Zhiyun hesitated for a while before finally stepping on the brakes and honking the horn.

Upon hearing the flute music, Shen Jingyan looked up at Gu Zhiyun.

Gu Zhiyun rolled down the car window.

"Get in the car," he said briefly.

The scene was exactly the same as when I arrived in town that morning.

Chen Jingyan's legs felt heavy after a busy day in town with almost no rest.

Although she could manage to walk back, she didn't hold back when there was a more convenient way to get there.

She placed the basket in the truck bed and was about to climb up by holding onto the railing when Gu Zhiyun said, "It's cold in the back, you sit in the passenger seat."

Shen Jingyan was stunned for a moment.

A gust of cold wind blew by, and she shivered and hunched her neck.

The cab has a roof and a windshield, so it's definitely warmer than sitting in the open cargo compartment.

Thinking of this, Shen Jingyan climbed into the passenger seat without hesitation.

The little girl brought a blast of cool air into the driver's seat as she climbed in.

Gu Zhiyun looked at the little girl's face, which was red from the cold, and handed her the water bottle beside him.

The kettle contained hot water he had just filled at the noodle shop, which he could use to warm his hands.

"Thank you." Shen Jingyan smiled sweetly and placed her frozen hands on the kettle.

Gu Zhiyun didn't react much; his expression remained indifferent.

He focused intently on driving, and the two remained silent the entire way.

The kettle filled with hot water felt warm to the touch, and Chen Jingyan's hand regained feeling in no time.

She thought to herself, Gu Zhiyun may seem aloof, but he is actually quite thoughtful.

Even though he was wrongly accused of molesting the original owner by Chen Feng, he still performed CPR on her without hesitation. How bad could he be?

Shen Jingyan unconsciously thought of the feeling of his lips touching hers.

It was soft, warm, and carried a cool, refreshing scent unique to young men.

Her heart was pounding erratically, and she stole glances at Gu Zhiyun out of the corner of her eye.

Under the cover of night, his profile was deep and handsome, like a fine sculpture by a master craftsman, every line of which was perfect.

Shen Jingyan couldn't help but sigh, "The Creator is really biased. How could he have made Gu Zhiyun so good-looking?"

She heard that Gu Zhiyun's parents were both engaged in scientific research, and that he himself was an outstanding student with excellent character and academic performance.

If he hadn't missed out on a good era, he wouldn't be stuck in a small mountain village forest farm as an educated youth; he would definitely be studying at university.

However, with the arrival of 1977, the college entrance examination was quickly reinstated, and the educated youth were finally able to make it through.

Shen Jingyan was lost in thought, completely unaware that her gaze towards Gu Zhiyun was somewhat fixed.

Gu Zhiyun also sensed that two pairs of eyes in the passenger seat were following him closely, and they seemed to be burning with affection.

His face seemed to get hot after being stared at for a while.

The atmosphere in the driver's cab suddenly became subtle.

"Get off at the village intersection later."

Gu Zhiyun broke the silence rather awkwardly.

"Oh," Shen Jingyan replied, taking out a dime from her pocket and placing it in the empty can next to the windshield.

That box is used to collect fares.

"No need, this trip is on me."

Gu Zhiyun quickly took out the one cent and threw it to Shen Jingyan.