“And after the New Year, when we visit our hometown, we can drive ourselves, and won’t have to endure the slow journey on the green train, where even a quick stop for a toilet break takes a minute.”
“Your dad and I have been discussing it for several days and asked many people.”
“We visited the car dealerships in our Jinsong City yesterday. It’s either a big truck or a sedan.”
“We should buy a multifunctional one for our family, preferably a pickup truck, with four seats. We can use it to go mountain climbing, river rafting, or just for delivery and commuting to school,” Mother Hua said.
“It should meet both daily and work needs,” father Hua added.
“But we haven’t found a suitable one yet,” mother Hua replied, feeling a bit awkward.
“Let’s wait until next year. Maybe we’ll come across something suitable then. Besides, new cars are too expensive. I think buying a used one will suffice,” the father suggested.
Hua Jie thought for a moment. The furniture she designed for her father consisted of small pieces that could be disassembled. For those pieces requiring heavy-duty support, she reinforced them with steel bars or cross-jointed patterns, as well as solid wood blocks.
This not only made them easy to transport but also retained their durability and sturdiness.
Although a small pickup truck had a smaller cargo bed than a regular truck, it would be more than enough for their family. Buying a used one was also an option, but she worried about the lack of standardization and inspection in many transactions in this era, which could lead to quality and refurbishment issues with used cars.
Finally, she reached out and tapped the table, looking at her father, “Dad, let’s go to the neighboring seaside city tomorrow. I heard from classmates that they opened a few car dealerships there at the beginning of the year, specializing in selling, maintaining, repairing, and recycling cars. Let’s not wait until next year.”
“Things should be bought early to be enjoyed early. The New Year is just around the corner, and many shops will close. Waiting until after the New Year means waiting for another half month, and who knows how long it will take.”
“We also need to find an apprentice for you soon. There’s a lot to do, and delaying everything lowers efficiency.”
“Let’s go buy it tomorrow and bring it back directly.”
“Uncle Yao and the others will definitely be busy before the New Year. Let’s use our own car to clear the goods, so we don’t have to rush on someone else’s time and spend extra money on hiring a car. It’s convenient and efficient.”
“And once the car is bought, one thing is settled, which will make us feel more at ease.”
“It’s so much better to have a peaceful New Year without worrying about things.”
After Hua Jie’s persuasion, Hua’s father and mother were silent for a while, then exchanged a glance.
“Okay! Let’s go to bed early tonight and set off early tomorrow!” Hua’s father clapped his hands, and that settled the matter.
…
A night of peaceful sleep.
The next morning, the family of three was fully equipped and ready to go out when the phone suddenly rang.
Shen Mo had customized a study plan for Hua Jie for the entire winter vacation, detailing what time to get up, what time to study, what time to draw, all arranged clearly.
He planned to give her intensive training during the winter vacation, teaching her the courses for the second half of the sophomore year in advance, and then starting a two-and-a-half-year plan for advanced improvement, aiming for college.
Hua’s father agreed very much upon hearing this. It was indeed excellent, but—
Their family was going to the neighboring city to buy a car, and there was no time today for little Hua Jie to study with Teacher Shen Mo. They could only do it another day.
Upon hearing that Hua Jie’s entire family was venturing out to buy a car, Shen Mo eagerly volunteered himself as a car expert, insisting on tagging along with the group.
After pondering for a moment, Father Hua recognized that Shen Mo was indeed a super scholar with extensive knowledge on various subjects. Having another consultant in the group could only be beneficial, and even if it was just for the sake of an outing, adding one more person wouldn’t hurt.
Thus, he agreed.
Father Hua called Yao Nan’s father, informing him that they wouldn’t need deliveries today since they were planning to go to the neighboring city to buy a car.
Upon hearing this, Yao Nan’s father, who was planning to pick up some small furniture in the neighboring city in the next few days, suggested that Hua Jie’s family could ride with him, saving the expense of a taxi.
Yao Nan, learning that his father was taking Hua Jie’s family to the neighboring city, clamored to join, leaving his father no choice but to bring him along as well.
Eventually, a four-seater truck was packed with six people; four in the front and two catching the breeze in the back.
In the city of Jinsong, with temperatures plunging to minus thirty degrees and the truck speeding at 120 kilometers per hour, the chilling wind made them question their life choices.
Wrapped in a tattered cotton blanket from the truck’s cargo, Shen Mo glared at Yao Nan, his face clearly unhappy.
“Heh, Brother Mo, if you’re cold, scoot over here. We can cuddle for warmth,” Yao Nan chuckled.
He even felt a bit smug about being able to use the word ‘cuddle’—it made him feel quite cultured!
Shen Mo gave him a fierce glare, halting Yao Nan’s attempts to move closer.
Cuddle my foot!
If Yao Nan hadn’t come along, the five of them might have squeezed into the truck, perhaps even allowing him to cuddle with Hua Jie.
Now, with Yao Nan added to the mix, fitting everyone inside was impossible, and inevitably, someone had to ride in the back.
Letting Yao Nan ride in the back alone would have looked bad, so, being the bigger man, he resigned himself to join Yao Nan.
His mind was filled with curses, but the howling wind made it impossible to voice them.
He just clenched his jaw tight, his glowering eyes expressing his mood.
Yao Nan missed Brother Mo dearly since they couldn’t meet often during the holidays. He was more than willing to endure the cold wind just to be with Brother Mo.
But seeing Brother Mo’s expression, it seemed he wasn’t too thrilled about sharing the chilly ride…
…..
Fortunately, the 4S dealership was located on the outskirts of the neighboring city near Jinsong, so the trip wasn’t too long.
As Shen Mo began to regret not taking a taxi alone, the truck finally arrived in the neighboring city.
As soon as the truck stopped, Shen Mo couldn’t wait to jump out—his actions clearly showing his displeasure at having shared the ride with Yao Nan.
Yao Nan and his father continued their journey to the other side of the city to pick up furniture from a factory.
Shen Mo greeted Hua’s parents and then made his way to the nearby KFC. He planned to order two cups of hot milk to warm up before joining the others to look at cars.
Father Hua turned directly into a nearby dealership selling domestic cars, with Hua Jie following excitedly behind.
As the New Year approached, only Xie Lili and Wang Xiaojun were left staffing the car dealership.
Wang Xiaojun had been out drinking with classmates on the night of the Little New Year celebration and had taken the morning off. Thus, Xie Lili was the only one minding the store.
As the New Year drew near, fewer people were buying cars, seemingly preoccupied with preparing for the holiday festivities. Those who planned to buy cars usually did so before the Little New Year.
Bored, Xie Lili idly cracked sunflower seeds, spitting the shells onto the floor.
Liu, the accountant at the dealership, was busy tallying accounts at a desk, muttering:
“All these seed shells on the floor are such a mess. If the boss sees this, you’re going to get scolded again.”
“The boss is too busy with New Year preparations to come to the shop these days.”
“There are no customers right now; I’ll sweep them up later.”
Xie Lili, nonchalant, leaned against a Xiali car and chuckled, asking:
“Liu, want some seeds?”
“I don’t have time for seeds. I need to balance the books by the end of the year.” Liu continued to work the calculator with persistent beeps, occasionally pulling out an abacus for a quick tally, thoroughly engrossed in her tasks.
Just then, a family crossed the yard, inspecting the various new and used cars parked outside while peeking inside at the dealership’s offerings.
Xie Lili glanced up and from experience, she knew that a whole family coming to look at cars often meant they wouldn’t buy anything expensive.
Such families, probably not very wealthy, would bring their entire savings, being extremely cautious—
They usually nitpicked over the price, complained about a car’s lack of versatility, fretted over fuel consumption, or worried that a car wouldn’t fit a family of six or seven comfortably.
In short, their shopping was inefficient; they asked endless questions, exhausting her with their inquiries, and they might ultimately decide against buying to save money.
Thus, Xie Lili only swept a glance over the family and remained seated.
Just watch!
The family’s daughter, although dressed in a coat that seemed quite expensive, was likely wearing a fake.
As soon as she entered the room, she looked around curiously, ready to touch everything, clearly a country bumpkin at heart.
Looking at the female host, who wasn’t even wearing a mink coat, it was obvious they weren’t a wealthy family.
Xie Lili cracked sunflower seeds while commenting idly.
…
In her previous life, Hua Jie’s family bought a car when her father was about to retire—a domestic Haval.
In that era, she never paid attention to car models when taking taxis.
Only now did she have the opportunity to carefully examine the cars often mentioned by people recalling the past—the Santana 2000 and the Xiali.
Cars from that era lacked the streamlined aesthetics of later designs.
The stepped hood looked a bit unsophisticated, yet oddly charming.
These old-fashioned cars sparked her desire to paint, unusual for a girl like her to want to draw cars.
Thus, while her parents searched among various models for a pickup, she seriously observed every model, regretting not bringing her sketchbook that day.
After Hua’s father entered the spacious showroom, Xie Lili finally sauntered over, her face bearing a perfunctory smile, and asked:
“Which model has caught your eye, sir?”
“How’s the performance of that Great Wall pickup?” Hua’s father pointed to a vehicle parked inside.
“That one is a remodeled scrap vehicle, just for display, we don’t have it in stock,” Xie Lili said lazily.
“And that one?” Hua’s father pointed to another pickup.
Turning her head, Xie Lili smiled meaningfully and said:
“That one’s a bit pricey, hehe.”
It was a Nissan pickup, costing over a hundred thousand—a price they dared to inquire about.
“How much?” Hua’s father approached the pickup and walked around it, admiring the beautiful and appropriately sized new vehicle.
He reached out to pull open the door, and Xie Lili, smiling behind him, said:
“That vehicle costs over 190,000 yuan. Are you planning to buy it?
“We don’t accept loans or IOUs here; it has to be paid in full, in cash.”
Xie Lili watched Hua’s father’s hand, her tone more of a warning than a sales pitch, even though she was smiling.
Hua’s father frowned and turned to give Xie Lili a stern look, clearly displeased.
Xie Lili smiled with pursed lips, not saying much more, nor did she step forward to continue her spiel.
Just then, Shen Mo entered the dealership carrying a bag of hot milk.
Xie Lili glanced back at the young man in a black down jacket. The fur at his collar was of exceptionally good quality, complementing his wealthy demeanor and handsome face, prompting her to ask cheerily:
“Is your family here to buy a car, little brother?”
“…” Shen Mo gave her a look and didn’t respond, walking straight over to Hua Jie to hand her a cup of milk, distributing the remaining two bottles to Hua Jie’s parents.
“Oh, a whole family,” Xie Lili said with an awkward smile, turning to take another look at the three who had entered first and then back at Shen Mo, noting that he looked quite different.
Shen Mo completely ignored Xie Lili and pointed at the car in front of him:
“This Nissan pickup with a diesel engine is okay, I guess, but it’s a gas guzzler, not very powerful. Driving it is like running a steam train—leaving a trail of black smoke behind. Those who know just saw it pass by, those who don’t think some dark spirit has descended upon the city, and it roars thunderously.”
With Huanhuan’s courage, scared even by firecrackers, sitting in this car she’d probably be terrified within minutes.
“Hey, such a big car having this fuel consumption is quite normal, but it’s not that bad,” Xie Lili immediately frowned and retorted upon hearing Shen Mo’s critique of her dealership’s cars:
“All cars make noise when they start, even motorcycles buzz when they run, so that can’t really be considered a fault of this car.”
Shen Mo gave Xie Lili a stern look, displeased with her attitude, deciding even if he wanted a Great Wall pickup, he wouldn’t buy it from her.
He exchanged a glance with Hua’s father, and their rapport from working together as carpenters was evident.
Hua’s father immediately said:
“Let’s look around some more.”
With that, he led the way out.
“… Alright then, take your time looking,” Xie Lili muttered under her breath as they turned away, her tone rather sarcastic—a typical passive-aggressive remark.
As Hua’s father, his family, and Shen Mo walked out of the dealership, they heard Xie Lili’s complaining voice behind them:
“If you can’t afford it, don’t waste time looking around, picking at this and that, complaining about fuel consumption and noisy engines, just admit you can’t afford it.”
Hua’s father caught his breath, ready to argue back, but was restrained by Hua Jie and his wife on either side, sparing Xie Lili from a lecture.