C21 Driving a Car

Lin Yun'er's heart raced as she ran out in a flurry. How had she ended up in his arms so suddenly? She was supposed to feel repulsed by him, yet she didn't find his scent as offensive as she thought. She even managed to fall asleep close to him. She must have been exhausted, Yun'er reassured herself.

Breakfast on the farm was a modest affair, consisting of nothing more than salted vegetables soaked in rice. Having barely eaten the day before, Lin Yun'er managed to swallow a few spoonfuls of the bland gruel, prompted by her elder sister's warm encouragement. She found herself longing for the fruit salad sandwiches, chilled yogurt, and ham and egg tarts prepared by her nanny.

Watching Zhou Pu devour his meal, slurping down a large bowl of rice as if it were the finest feast, Yun'er couldn't help but feel a twinge of disdain. He seemed to have no finer aspirations, content to find the flavor of a gourmet meal in simple porridge.

Finally, after breakfast, it was time to leave the place that offered so little. A two-wheeled handcart was brought out by a middle-aged man, loaded with an assortment of bamboo chairs and stools he had crafted to sell in town. Lin Yun'er's head throbbed at the sight. So, the 'ride' her elder sister had mentioned was this ancient relic. She wondered if such carts were only found in museums now. She had imagined at least a tractor, or failing that, a motorcycle at her sister's place, but instead, she was faced with a human-powered cart.

Her sister had thoughtfully reserved a spot for Yun'er on the cart, complete with a bamboo chair cushioned by a blanket for added comfort. Recognizing the kindness behind the gesture, Yun'er reluctantly took her seat.

Throughout the journey, Yun'er kept her head down, dreading the thought of being seen in such an embarrassing mode of transport. Thankfully, the secluded mountain path was deserted.

Initially, the man pulled the cart while Zhou Pu trailed behind. After about thirty minutes, the man began to show signs of fatigue, his breaths growing heavy.

"Go help with the cart. Can't you see he's struggling?" Yun'er urged, her impatience evident as she scolded Zhou Pu for his apparent lack of initiative.

The man, simple and unable to speak, gestured that he was alright and didn't need assistance. But no sooner had he turned around than he slipped and fell, causing the cart to jolt and nearly eject Yun'er. Quick to react, Zhou Pu, who had been following closely, grabbed the rear of the cart, steadying it just in time.

The man had twisted his ankle but stubbornly wanted to keep pulling the cart, limping along until Zhou Pu and the others finally convinced him to stop. Now there were two injured parties, and the man watched Zhou Pu pull both of them along with a hint of embarrassment.

Yun'er was initially concerned that Zhou Pu wouldn't be able to handle the cart, or that he'd give out after a few steps. To her surprise, he seemed to have a hidden reserve of strength, moving along at a brisk pace. Maybe he was just naturally cut out for this kind of work.

After nearly an hour of walking with the man's guidance, they reached a small town. To Yun'er, it seemed more like a tiny mountain village. She discovered there was no direct bus to Ylauginia; they would need to take a local bus to the city first and then catch a coach. Internally, Yun'er grumbled about the inconvenience of such a place, devoid of even a single taxi.

She wanted to make a phone call, but her belongings had been stolen, leaving her without a penny. She asked Zhou Pu to buy a phone, but his hesitation made it clear he couldn't afford it. Frustration boiled inside her. How had she ended up married to such a poor man? It was the sad tale of a poor couple, she thought bitterly. How could they possibly have a decent life relying on him?

They had intended to take the man to the hospital, but he insisted it wasn't necessary, even quickening his pace to prove he was alright. Unable to persuade him otherwise, they watched him go as the bus arrived, parting ways with their big brother.

As Zhou Pu watched the man pull away, he reflected on the genuine nature of the mountain folk, promising himself to pay a visit in the future. He murmured softly, "Yan Huishan, we should come and see big brother and the others when we have time."

"Hmph, no sincerity, just stinginess," Yun'er muttered under her breath, staring down at the gray rabbit cotton slippers on her feet, seething with silent frustration. She thought disdainfully that only someone as destitute as Zhou Pu would buy such tacky, outdated market fare. If she hadn't been broke and missing a shoe, she would never have resorted to wearing such bargain-bin rejects. Too proud to ask for something better, she silently cursed her situation.

"Not everything can be solved with money," Zhou Pu remarked, puzzled by Yun'er's sudden discontent. The bus was relatively empty, and there was a vacant seat next to her. "Take a seat. We have a long way to go, and it'll get crowded soon. You might not get a chance later."

"Mind your own business. What's wrong with standing?" Yun'er eyed the worn plastic seats with disdain, wondering how many people had sat there before. She found them so repulsive that she refused to even look at them, let alone sit. She'd rather endure standing than touch those unsanitary surfaces.

"Then at least hold onto the strap or the handrail. The bus..." Zhou Pu, noticing a few curious glances from nearby women, lowered his voice to offer a gentle reminder.

"Stop nagging, will you?" she snapped.

Suddenly, the bus jerked to a halt. Before Yun'er could finish her sentence, she was thrown off balance. Zhou Pu instinctively opened his arms and caught her, and they ended up in a firm embrace.

Flustered, she stood up and saw his half-smiling face, which only fueled her irritation. With nowhere to direct her frustration—after all, she had lunged into his arms—she could only kick him. But her fluffy cotton shoes lacked any real force, so she settled for giving him a fierce glare.

As the bus trundled on, more passengers boarded, and the space became increasingly cramped. Some even lit cigarettes, filling the air with acrid smoke. Yun'er, already fuming, couldn't contain her anger any longer. "This is a public space. Don't you know smoking isn't allowed? Have you no sense of public decency?"

The smoking young man, sporting an out-of-place yellow long hairdo, was about to retort when he realized he was facing a stunningly attractive woman with a cool demeanor. His anger dissipated, replaced by a sleazy grin as he leaned in provocatively, blowing smoke in her direction and trying to cop a feel under the guise of the crowded conditions.

Zhou Pu felt a surge of anger at the sight of Yun'er being harassed but held back, considering the possibility that the offender might be a local tough. Opting to avoid trouble, he discreetly tugged at her clothing, signaling her to be patient. He was about to offer her his seat when a resounding slap struck his face, leaving him dazed and the bus suddenly quiet.

Yun'er was seething with rage. She had always known Zhou Pu to be timid, but she hadn't realized just how deep his cowardice ran. Her own husband stood by while she was harassed, too afraid to defend her, even suggesting she let it go. She felt cursed to have married such a spineless man; her grandfather must have been blind to have approved of him. The slap she delivered to Zhou Pu's face provided a small release for her pent-up frustration.

"Please... take a seat," Zhou Pu finally managed to say after a moment, remembering that he had intended to offer her his spot.

With a disdainful "Hmph," Yun'er couldn't even bear to look at him. She pushed him aside with a huff and took his seat. Zhou Pu moved to stand protectively beside her, shielding her from any further annoyance. Internally, he was confused and felt wronged. It wasn't he who had made the offending remark, so why was he the one getting hit? It was utterly nonsensical. You're not supposed to hit someone in the face, yet this young woman had no regard for such conventions. How had he ended up with such a fierce partner? He wondered how he could possibly continue living this way.

"Dude, you're just going to take that?" the edgy onlooker was still reeling from the sound of the slap, initially thinking he was the one struck. His eyes bulged when he realized it was this seemingly meek man who had been slapped, who not only took the hit but also relinquished his seat. "That's way too submissive," he thought. But now, his bravado had been effectively curtailed by Yun'er's fiery spirit; she might be hot, but she was also dangerously feisty.

"I..." Zhou Pu was at a loss for words, especially in front of this thuggish character. He gave him a quick glance and then dismissed him.

"Are you even a man? A girl bullies you, and you don't utter a word. I can't watch this," the edgy guy goaded, feigning moral outrage, clearly eager for more drama. "If you're too scared, I'll step in and set her straight."

"Yeah, what kind of man are you? I slapped you, and you didn't fight back. Come on, hit me," Lin Yun'er taunted, her words dripping with challenge. Zhou Pu, wanting to avoid further conflict, was taken aback by her provocation. He began to wonder if they were both ganging up on him.

"Man up, don't be a wimp. Go on, fight back. Hit her," the edgy guy egged on, pushing Zhou Pu and rooting for a confrontation.

The buzz in the train carriage grew as more and more passengers turned their attention to the unfolding drama. While many remained silent, their interest was palpable, and they began to murmur among themselves.

With a resounding slap, silence fell over the carriage once more. Zhou Pu cradled his reddening cheek, wondering why it was always him. Was he that easy to pick on? First the left cheek, now the right—it seemed he was getting an equal share of the 'rain and dew.'

"Hit me, you coward!" Lin Yun'er couldn't understand her own fury. Maybe if Zhou Pu had actually struck her, she wouldn't have been so incensed. But the man was just too spineless, lacking any semblance of backbone.

His timidity only fueled her rage, and just as she was about to unleash another tirade, her mouth was suddenly sealed shut. Their lips crashed together fiercely, and the carriage fell silent once again, with even the driver craning his neck to sneak a peek, surprised by the sudden turn of events.

Yun'er, coming to her senses, struggled for a while before finally pushing him away. Her face was flushed as red as a cherry, and she was gasping for breath. The odd looks from those around her stripped away her assertiveness, leaving her feeling nothing but embarrassment and shame. She covered her face and shrank into her seat, too mortified to meet anyone's gaze.

Zhou Pu had been pushed to his breaking point. Even a clay figure has its limits, and after receiving two unprovoked slaps, his patience had worn thin. Unable to retaliate physically, he impulsively planted a kiss on her slightly parted, reddened lips.

The kiss, soft and moist, had an unintended calming effect. She finally fell silent. The carriage erupted with a mix of gasps and whistles, the atmosphere turning lively once again.

The non-mainstream guy looked on with envy. Had Zhou Pu not firmly held his ground, he would have loved to swoop in for a kiss himself. That formidable senior sister turned out to be nothing but a paper tiger. He regretted not making his move sooner, but now it was too late for regrets.