When Li Haochen arrived at the warehouse, Li Rendong was already ready to depart. After a brief greeting, they prepared to set off, as they might not be back by the next evening.
With a mighty roar of the engine, Li Haochen embarked on his journey home for the New Year.
Li Rendong was not old, but his driving skills were excellent. He maneuvered the long semi-trailer with ease, turning at narrow intersections without even pausing. Sitting in the passenger seat, Li Haochen was terrified, watching as the front of the truck and its trailer formed a perfect ninety-degree angle.
Soon enough!
The vehicle entered the highway. Driving at night was quite frightening, with only their own headlights illuminating the pitch-black surroundings.
However, it was much better than navigating at night on the sea. At least occasionally, they encountered small cars whizzing past on the highway or long-haul buses and trucks.
Before long, Li Haochen felt a wave of drowsiness. After exchanging a few words with Li Rendong, he slipped into the sleeper berth in the back to sleep.
In the early morning, a short honk startled Li Haochen from his slumber.
He rubbed his eyes and pulled back the curtain to see that they were surrounded by buses and trucks. They must have arrived at a service area.
Li Rendong was asleep, leaning on the steering wheel. The loud horn had not even woken him, indicating he was quite accustomed to it.
He pushed open the car door and stepped out. He could see that most of the drivers and passengers were still asleep, with only a few light sleepers awake and fiddling with their phones.
Even in the south, late winter mornings were very chilly. Li Haochen, wearing a jacket, still felt a hint of cold.
He wrapped himself up and walked into the convenience store. It was probably too early, as there were very few customers. He walked around and saw plenty of food options, including noodles and rice. Li Haochen ordered a bowl of beef brisket noodles, which tasted alright.
The indifferent attitude of the server was rather unpleasant. However, there was no other service area for tens of kilometers, so if he didn't eat, he would have to go hungry until the next one.
After eating his fill, Li Haochen bought a few cans of Red Bull and two packs of Yunnan cigarettes before returning to the truck.
"Dongzi, you're awake! Have some food."
"Thanks."
As they were like brothers, Li Rendong didn't stand on ceremony and started eating. Long-haul drivers were content with any food and didn't fuss about whether it was good or not.
There was still a long way to go, so the two did not rest much longer.
The highway became more crowded during the day, which limited their speed. They arrived in Xinning County in the evening. After a brief rest, they set off again.
At eight in the evening, they finally entered the village. The scene before them delighted Li Haochen.
"Dongzi, the village road is repaired so quickly? Uncle Jun said it wouldn't be finished until after the New Year?"
"The city leaders showed concern and dispatched an additional construction team to help. It was only completed yesterday."
Li Haochen thought for a moment and realized it must have been arranged by Liu Yufu, that influential figure. It was good, considering he had invested heavily in building this road.
As soon as the truck stopped, Li Dehai and Li Haoyang were already waiting at the entrance. Li Haochen got out and embraced them.
"Uncle, Brother, I'm back."
"It's good that you're back. Are you hungry? Come inside quickly. Your aunt cooked the pot-side stew you like. Dongzi, have some with us before you go back."
"Uncle Hai, I won't be polite then. This aroma, I can tell the ingredients are good just by smelling it, hehe!"
About ten minutes later, the four of them worked together to unload all the New Year goods from the truck, piling them high in Li Dehai's yard.
At that moment, Li Suli brought out a large basin of steaming pot-side stew, its aroma wafting through the air.
"Come, Haochen, Dongzi, eat it while it's hot."
Li Haochen walked over to the pile of New Year goods, picked up a bottle of Maotai, and said, "Uncle, Brother, Dongzi, how about a drink?"
"Drink, of course, we drink! It's a happy occasion today, hehe!"
As they spoke, Li Dehai took the wine, opened it, and a rich aroma filled the room.
Just as the wine was being poured, Li Dejun walked in.
He was also a heavy drinker, and the smell of wine was too much to resist. He walked straight to the table and said with a smile, "I've timed it just right! Aihai, fill it up, fill it up, hahaha!"
"Alright, alright, if you're here, how could I shortchange you?"
Li Suli went into the kitchen and brought out an extra set of bowls and chopsticks. "You guys eat first, I'll go back and make some more dishes to go with the wine."
"Haochen, Uncle toasts you with this glass of wine."
Li Dejun raised his glass and drank it down in one gulp, a smile plastered on his face.
Li Haochen knew why he was toasting him; his lifelong goal was about to be realized. He used to lie awake at night worrying about the village's development, but now he was excited sleepless every night by the tremendous changes in the village.
"Uncle, this glass of wine should be for me to toast you. If it weren't for you all these years, how could our village have the kind of life it has now?"
They clinked glasses and drank heartily, their conversation filled with life's emotions. Who would have thought they would have such a prosperous life back then?
That night, all five men at the table were drunk. Even Li Suli, who usually didn't touch alcohol, had two glasses, which showed how happy she was.
They woke up almost at noon the next day. The wine was good, and there was no hangover, only the lingering smell of alcohol with every burp.
After washing up, Li Haochen made a video call to Murong Yanran to report his safety and ease his longing, of course, not forgetting Xie Baolian, enduring half an hour of her nagging.
"Haochen, breakfast is ready."
"Coming."
Breakfast was very rich: a large pot of stewed sea cucumber, white shrimp, and sand cockle porridge. The first spoonful was incredibly sweet and fresh, an effect only achieved with the freshest wild ingredients. It seemed Li Dehai had gone out fishing very early to catch them.
This familial affection was sweeter than any delicacy.
"Uncle, have the procedures for food processing been completed?"
"They have been completed. The town expedited the process, and they will be approved in a few days. After the New Year, once the production area is renovated, we can start production."
"That's good. Brother, is your wife going to give birth soon?"
"Yes, her due date is in March."
"Then she'll be just in time for school in September. I've already spoken to the authorities, and she'll be going to the County First Middle School."
"Haochen, I..."
Li Haochen knew what he wanted to say and patted Li Haoyang's shoulder. "Brother, we are brothers by blood. There's no need to say anything."
After breakfast, Li Haochen picked up two bottles of wine and a pack of cigarettes and walked to Li Shuren's place in the back alley. He was lying on a rattan chair, basking in the sun.
Seeing Li Haochen appear, a look of joy appeared on his face, but he seemed less energetic than before. He waved lazily at Li Haochen.
"Great-Grandpa!"
"Little grandson, you're back. It's good that you're back."
Li Shuren pulled Li Haochen to sit beside him and looked at him earnestly, smiling, "You look energetic, very good!"
With that, Li Shuren closed his eyes and continued to sunbathe with a smile.