Chapter 49: Good Driving Skills

By October, the days had shortened significantly. By just after seven, it was already dark. Streetlights were still a rare sight, but the bright moon made it easy enough to see the road.

The autumn bugs chirped incessantly in the grass by the dirt road, creating a tranquil and enchanting atmosphere.

The temperature in the forest area was already dropping, and the chill of autumn evenings was even more pronounced. The cold wind mixed with the scent of pine helped wake Li Xian up.

After walking aimlessly for a while, he noticed that Zhou Yun had her head down and wasn't speaking. Li Xian, now more alert, asked, "Weren't you supposed to be looking for me about something?"

"Ah…" Zhou Yun lifted her head and glanced at him quickly, "Yes."

Seeing Zhou Yun's demeanor, Li Xian couldn't help but smile.

He knew that Zhou Yun and the second master had a history:

Old Zhou was an outsider who settled in the forest area only after a bus route was established. At that time, Zhou Yun joined the forest school which hadn't yet been closed and was in the same class as the second master.

However, Zhou Yun stopped attending school after junior high, while the second master went on to the forestry technical school. Their student relationship lasted less than two years.

In Li Xian's vague memories, his only impression of her was of a skinny girl with two braids, carrying a schoolbag.

It must be said, the skinny girl from his memories didn't quite match the vibrant Zhou Yun he saw now.

Not having worn a coat when they went out, the cold wind made Li Xian shiver. He urged, "Just say what you need to say."

Zhou Yun finally seemed to gather her courage and stopped walking: "Xian Ge, we were classmates in junior high. You sat in the fourth row, and I was in the second row!"

Li Xian was taken aback, "Is that what you wanted to tell me?"

He was somewhat speechless, wondering if Zhou Yun was just reminiscing about the old days or had some other intention. "No, no," Zhou Yun said, clearly frustrated by her interrupted attempt at conversation. "I wanted to ask you for a favor…"

"I see!"

Li Xian realized that Zhou Yun was actually here to find a job for her father. Amused by her roundabout way of asking, he said, "Who taught you to speak like that?" He added, "I mean, to build a connection before asking for a favor."

"It was my dad. A few days ago when he retired, he contacted former colleagues, saying he could get a one-time payment of ten thousand yuan… He even gave them gifts, but I don't have money to give you." Zhou Yun explained.

Li Xian couldn't help but chuckle. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, I'll take care of it. The renovation team needs to transport people to and from the forest, and before, it was all done by Brother Qinghe. Tell your dad to come to Wang Qinghe tomorrow. As for the wages, let Wang Qinghe sort it out."

He thought this would settle the matter, but Zhou Yun remained silent.

"My dad doesn't know I came to see you. I wanted to get your agreement first. You know my dad…" Zhou Yun pointed at her head, "He's stubborn and single-minded."

Hearing Zhou Yun's candid criticism of her father, Li Xian couldn't help but laugh. Considering Old Zhou's temper and stubbornness, Zhou Yun's description seemed accurate.

"Alright, then have him come to see me tomorrow. I'll arrange something for him. Is that okay?"

Zhou Yun finally smiled.

Li Xian found Zhou Yun intriguing. Thinking about how the passenger bus had changed hands, he asked, "What about you? No longer working as a ticket seller? What are your plans?"

Zhou Yun seemed to have her future planned out: "My mom's lungs aren't good, and she coughs a lot in the spring and autumn. I'm taking care of her now, but in winter, I plan to accompany my dad in the truck!"

Li Xian looked at her again, reconsidering. Winter in the forest meant a lot of logging work, and much of the wood was sold outside. This indirect demand supported the private transport industry of the forestry bureau.

Though this industry had only started developing in recent years, it could sustain a family if managed well during winter.

However, the job was far from pleasant—it was even harsh work.

Trucks used for transporting timber were usually old, with a rounded front and green or blue paint, lacking modern amenities like air conditioning. In the forest's winter, temperatures often dropped below minus thirty degrees Celsius, and even minus forty degrees during the coldest days. Such harsh conditions were challenging even for strong men, and many truck drivers Li Xian knew were plagued by health issues as they aged.

For Zhou Yun, such a harsh environment seemed difficult to endure.

Moreover, being a "co-driver" meant long shifts with little rest, often requiring two drivers to alternate. Li Xian was doubtful if she could handle it.

"Don't underestimate me, I can drive too!"

Seeing Li Xian's skeptical look, Zhou Yun seemed a bit annoyed. To prove herself, she mimicked holding a steering wheel and recited, "Depress the clutch, shift into first gear, gently release the clutch and accelerate…"

Li Xian watched her perform the textbook-like driving motions and thought the girl might be a bit delusional.

Just then, a rough panting sound from the nearby forest caught his attention.

With his experience, he immediately sensed something was wrong.

Li Xian quickly grabbed Zhou Yun, making a shushing gesture.

He moved cautiously toward the forest while whispering, "What's that kind of driving?

He moved cautiously toward the forest while whispering, "What's that kind of driving? Hey, those two in the woods have real driving skills!"

Zhou Yun, still puzzled, followed him quietly. As they approached the edge of the forest, the sounds grew louder. Li Xian noticed two figures in the shadows, their breathing heavy and ragged.

Li Xian's instincts told him that something unusual was happening. He took a careful look and saw that the two figures were struggling with a large, old-fashioned truck. The engine roared as they tried to get it started, but it seemed like they were having a hard time.

"Looks like we've found our real experts," Li Xian said with a smirk. "This is the kind of driving skill that's really needed around here."

Zhou Yun squinted into the darkness, trying to make out what was happening. "Who are they?" she asked.

Li Xian shook his head. "Not sure yet, but they're definitely dealing with something serious. Let's stay hidden and watch for a moment."

They crouched behind a tree, observing the scene. The two men were working tirelessly, trying to get the old truck to start. Their movements were rough and practical, showing years of experience.

One of the men, with his sleeves rolled up and covered in grease, finally managed to get the engine to roar to life. The other man clapped him on the back, and they both let out a sigh of relief.

"They really know their stuff," Zhou Yun whispered in awe.

Li Xian nodded. "Yeah, it takes skill and perseverance to handle a truck like that, especially in these conditions."

After a while, the men got the truck moving, heading toward the forest with its headlights piercing through the darkness. Li Xian and Zhou Yun waited until they were out of sight before standing up.

"That's some serious driving expertise," Li Xian said. "I hope your dad can handle it as well as those guys."

Zhou Yun nodded. "I'm sure he will. Thank you for helping him out."

"No problem," Li Xian replied with a grin. "Just make sure to get him to contact Wang Qinghe tomorrow."

As they walked back, Zhou Yun seemed more at ease. The night air was crisp, and the moonlight cast a gentle glow over the forest. Li Xian thought about the challenges ahead, both for the logging industry and for the people working in it.

"Good luck with everything," Li Xian said as they reached the edge of the village. "And let me know if you need anything else."

"Thank you, Xian Ge," Zhou Yun said with a smile. "I will."

They parted ways, with Zhou Yun heading back to her home and Li Xian returning to his own. The quiet of the night enveloped him as he walked, reflecting on the day's events and the people he had encountered.