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"I have faith in you no matter what, I only believe in you."
"You won't be disappointed."
It only took a little over two hours to get to the city, much faster than usual.
"Brother Zhang, let's clean up first before moving things."
"Okay, I've put all the grain from yesterday in the jar, and I've also collected the dried vegetables and hung them on the roof beam. I've also done a general cleaning of the house. Now, take another look and see if there's anything that's not clean?"
Zhang Hongmei walked around the house and the kitchen and found that it was quite clean.
"No need to clean anymore, it's already very clean. Let's unload the truck. I've brought all the necessary items over, except for the potatoes and sweet potatoes. I'll bring them back on the 16th, I'm afraid they'll freeze if I leave them here."
"Then we don't need to come on the ninth day?"
"Yes, I'll ride my bicycle over on the 16th. Just bring your own small belongings."
Zhang Hongmei put away her clothes and bedding, and then loaded her old bedding onto the car.
"Go back to Liujiatun to wash; it's too inconvenient to get water here."
"Okay, I'll wash it for you when we get back."
"No need for you. Needlework is not allowed during the first month of the lunar year. I'll wash it myself when it gets warmer."
"I really didn't know there was such a custom."
"Haha, I also think it's because women work hard all year and give themselves a break in the first month of the lunar calendar."
"Let's go now that everything's packed up. I had Xiaoshun fill the water tank yesterday. From now on, you'll have to carry the water yourself. The carpenter will bring the cart and buckets over after you move in."
"Alright, let's go."
"Go to the driver's seat, and I'll show you where the accelerator, brake, and clutch are."
Zhang Hongmei sat down, gripped the steering wheel, and felt it. Luckily, she had long legs; otherwise, it would have been difficult to reach the clutch.
Zhang Shouyi got into the passenger seat. "First, look at the gears. There are four forward gears and one reverse gear. Start the engine, press the clutch with your right foot, shift into first gear, slowly release the clutch with your right foot, and lightly press the accelerator with your left foot. That's it. Hold the steering wheel and watch the road ahead."
Zhang Hongmei has been driving for over ten years, so this was a new car, and she quickly became familiar with it.
The speed increased, and Zhang Shouyi watched the girl driving skillfully, thinking to himself that he wouldn't believe she hadn't driven before. Seeing her practiced movements, he realized he hadn't been as calm as her, even on his first time driving.
"How about it?"
"No problem. It's quite simple."
"Hehe, you don't need me to teach you how to shift gears, not bad, you have a good understanding."
Zhang Hongmei didn't know how to respond; this was a difficult question to answer.
"Hongmei, you can drive the car home now. It's my honor to be your driver."
"Thank you for your trust, Brother Zhang."
"I believe you."
"Heh." Is it an honor or a misfortune to have a politician believe you?
"Hongmei, shall I get you a car?"
"No need. With my status, would I be allowed to drive? Don't get me into trouble. I don't want to attract that kind of attention. Besides, what would I do with a car? Drive to school? These days, riding a bicycle to school is cool enough. I'd rather stay put!"
“It won’t work here now, but I’ll get you one when we get to the capital. Just say you’ll be my driver.”
"No, I want to study hard and be a humble person."
"Hehe. It's not like I'm asking you to drive around and show off. You can pick me up if you need anything. Or my dad."
"No, I'd rather not. I'm not going to take Xiao Shun's job."
"We'll talk about that later. I just wanted to give it to you."
"I wouldn't accept it even if it were offered to me. I really just want to live an ordinary and peaceful life."
Zhang Shouyi fell silent; he truly couldn't give her this in the future.
"Hehe, I'm going for a drive with my buddies tomorrow."
"Take me with you?"
"There's no room left with you." The implied meaning is: What's the point of bringing you along?
"I also want to take my great-grandmother to the city to see Third Uncle, but I don't know if she gets carsick or if she can make it."
"Why don't you just go back and ask?"
"Okay, let's drive straight to her house."
"I'll listen to you."
"Brother Zhang, I'm a little scared because you listen to me so obediently."
"What are you afraid of? Are you afraid I have ill intentions?"
"I don't know, you should just go back to being the person you used to be."
What was I like before?
"It's just alienation!"
Zhang Shouyi was speechless. Who opens their heart and soul the moment they meet?
When the car arrived at the old lady's house, Zhang Hongmei made a neat left turn and stopped the car.
As soon as I got out of the car, I ran into the yard. "Grandma, I can drive now! Hurry up, I'll take you for a drive."
"This young lady has no sense of propriety at all." The old lady walked out of the house and glared at Zhang Hongmei.
"Hurry up, I'll take you for a drive, then we'll pick up Sister Er Ya, Shi Tou, and San Ya."
"Cars don't need gas, do they?" The old lady looked at Zhang Hongmei helplessly.
Zhang Hongmei had really forgotten about this, and turned her head to look at Zhang Shouyi pitifully.
Zhang Shouyi had never seen Zhang Hongmei with such an expression before, and his bones immediately went limp. "It's alright, there's gas in the car, enough for you to play with. I'll have Xiaoshun go to the county to fill it up tomorrow."
Can the city add more?
"sure."
"Great-Grandma, I'll take you to the city tomorrow. My third uncle didn't come back for the New Year. Do you want to go see him?"
"No, I'm annoyed just thinking about him. Come on, just take me for a stroll around the countryside."
"Alright, are my uncle, aunt, and great-uncle going?"
"Of course I'm going. Let's go together, Jingze's mom. As for your uncle and the others, don't worry about them."
"Alright, get in the car. By the way, Brother Zhang, you can go home now. I see the gas gauge shows half a tank left."
Zhang Shouyi: This is like discarding a donkey after it has served its purpose; no, it's like starting something and then abandoning it!
But there was nothing she could do. After helping to open the door, Zhang Hongmei handed the rolled-up quilt to Zhang Shouyi, saying, "Take this back with you!"
Once the three women were seated, Zhang Hongmei stepped on the gas and sped off.
When they arrived at Liu Maocai's house, they called Er Ya, Shi Tou, and the other two. Li Cuihua refused to sit in the car, saying, "I get carsick. Who would sit in this rubbish?"
Finally, we squeezed onto the bus. Off we went.
The country roads were full of potholes, but Zhang Hongmei knew she was carrying the elderly, women, and children, so she drove very slowly. Stone's eyes were glaring, and it cried out in alarm.
The old lady sat in the passenger seat and said, "Hmm, you drive well."
Zhang Hongmei said smugly, "That's right."
"Look at you, so capable. You'll just go back once you get to the village. You'll still have to take Dashan and the others around, won't you?"
"Yeah, let's go show off with them."
Liu Changhe's wife exclaimed, "Hongmei is really amazing. I used to only see young men driving, I never thought our Hongmei could do it too."
Er Ya looked at Zhang Hongmei with even more admiration, "Hongmei, you're really something! Did you learn something today? How come you learn everything so quickly? You're amazing!"
Shi Tou San Ya was even more excited, "Sister Hong Mei, how are you so amazing? Can you teach me from now on?"
"I'll teach you when you're at least as tall as me."
"It's a deal!"
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