Just as I finished checking the time, the outer door was opened.
Qian Wenqing entered the door carrying large and small bags, wiping the sweat from his brow.
It must have been tough on him in this freezing weather, sweating so much.
"Brother Xu, when did you get back?" He slumped onto the bed opposite him, exhausted from walking all day.
I spent the whole day shopping and walking, carrying all sorts of things in my hands; it was incredibly tiring.
Xu Xiangyang got up and poured him a glass of water, saying, "I just got back too. Let's rest for a bit and then go out for dinner together."
It's almost time for dinner, especially since the two of them have been walking all day.
Xu Xiangyang had almost digested what he ate at noon. Big men eat a lot, so they digest quickly.
Qian Wenqing nodded, took the water and took a sip. "Okay, let me rest for a bit."
Qian Wenqing paid for dinner that night. Although he had a subsidy, it wasn't enough for two people to eat four dishes.
This time, I deliberately ordered good dishes and two bottles of beer.
Xu Xiangyang was very satisfied with the meal. Although the two of them were getting what they needed, they couldn't just forget about eating and drinking, could they?
Qian Wenqing treated us this time, so why not treat us back next time?
The next morning, Xu Xiangyang warmed up the car first, and then the two of them put their things in the car.
This time we're here to pick up goods; the stuff on the truck is the most important thing.
After getting in the car, Xu Xiangyang watched Qian Wenqing inspect the cargo in the back and then said, "We should be able to get back by midnight. Let's take turns driving and take the main road this time."
The main road is a longer route, but a few more minutes won't make a difference. The items in the car aren't cheap; what if someone tries to take advantage of it?
He had never heard of robbery, but he couldn't let his guard down.
Qian Wenqing was puzzled. "Why take the main road? Wouldn't it be the same if we took the side road? We took the side road when we came here too."
Xu Xiangyang expressed his concerns, and Qian Wenqing immediately laughed.
"Don't worry, Brother Xu. We've come this far so many times. If something like that really happens, we won't be able to take the shortcuts anymore."
He didn't say something else: while the things here were good, they weren't enough to make people take risks, especially since they were driving.
If you see a suspicious person, why not just drive away? How can anyone run past a car on foot?
I have indeed encountered this before, but that was during the three-year special period. Now, while we can't say everyone is well-fed, we won't go hungry either.
Therefore, Qian Wenqing believed that no one would dare to rob the country's property.
Seeing that he said that, Xu Xiangyang did not insist. After tidying up, he drove back along the route he had come from.
On the way, Xu Xiangyang let Qian Wenqing drive first, but it got more and more tiring and required more driving skills, so he let someone else drive at the beginning.
Qian Wenqing was naturally very happy. Who wouldn't be happy to practice? And he estimated that it wouldn't be long before he would be able to drive independently.
Xu Xiangyang sat swaying in the passenger seat, smoking and looking out at the desolate mountains and wilderness.
There were no highways or paved roads at that time, so the ride was bumpy and uneven.
However, on roads like this, you're bound to miss your train if it rains.
The soil hasn't thawed yet, so driving isn't too difficult.
At this moment, Xu Xiangyang saw a woman slumped on the ground by the roadside, her clothes torn open.
He frowned, then threw away his cigarette butt.
Qian Wenqing saw it too, immediately stopped the car, and got out.
Xu Xiangyang glanced around, then carefully examined the woman in front of him.
He felt something was off.
Qian Wenqing walked over to the woman and asked, "Comrade, what's wrong?"
Is there even a question of what happened? It's obvious at a glance that they were robbed or raped.
Xu Xiangyang remained silent, still sitting in the passenger seat without getting out of the car.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Qian Wenqing walked over.
Suddenly, six or seven men sprang out from behind the snow piled up beside the woods.
"Don't move!"
The leader shouted and ordered his men to subdue Qian Wenqing.
"You! Who are you! What are you doing!" Qian Wenqing panicked; he had never seen anything like this before.
"What are you doing?" The leader sneered, then slowly walked up to him and said in a harsh voice, "What business is it of yours what we do? Hurry up and open the carriage!"
Robbery?!
Qian Wenqing felt a chill run down his spine; this was exactly what he had been told!
Before we set off, they said we wouldn't encounter any robberies, but how come we ran into one as soon as we left the city?
There's no village or shop in sight here; I doubt anyone would come even if I shouted myself hoarse.
I should have taken the main road; at least there would have been vehicles passing by from time to time.
It's too late for Qian Wenqing to think about it now. You can't buy hindsight with money!
The woman who had fallen to the ground had already gotten up and was dressed, standing next to the men.
It seems they're in cahoots, setting a trap here!
Qian Wenqing really wanted to slap himself. Why did he have to get off the bus like that? He could have asked from the bus!
No, he'll never stop in this situation again!
"Brother, we can give you the things, just don't hurt him." Xu Xiangyang got out of the car with a calm expression on his face.
It's not that he's trying to pretend, but at this point, you can't run away even if you want to. Besides, even if you kneel down and beg, they probably won't let you go.
If they're willing to do this kind of work, then don't expect them to have any conscience.
As for why Xu Xiangyang didn't abandon Qian Wenqing and run away, what would happen to his work if he had run away?
These people clearly just want things; why not just give them the things?
Although these are all state property, no matter how valuable they are, they are not as important as two lives, right?
They didn't intend to kill us, but if we provoke them, who can control how hard they hit us?
The leader was initially startled when he saw there were still people in the car, but he laughed when he heard Xu Xiangyang's words.
"You're the smartest kid, hurry up and open the car door!" He had no intention of letting Qian Wenqing go; it would be easier to subdue him if someone was on his hands.
Xu Xiangyang shook his head and said, "The key is with him. You can ask him to open the door."
The car doors were locked, and there was indeed only one key, which was with Qian Wenqing.
In fact, Qian Wenqing had already decided to abandon the goods and save his life before Xu Xiangyang even mentioned taking the keys.
But upon hearing this, I felt somewhat uncomfortable.
After all, they've worked so long and their stuff is so valuable; they'll get scolded by their boss when they get back.
Although there's nothing that can be done about it, who knows if they'll get fired from their jobs?
"Hurry up! Go open the door!" The leader shoved Qian Wenqing, almost knocking him over.
Xu Xiangyang stood quietly to the side, trying to minimize his presence.
But he's a living, breathing person; even if he were shrunk, people would still notice him.
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