Chapter 110: Время лечит (Time Heals)

When Li Xian saw Cheng Liu, he was busy loading the disassembled machinery onto trucks for transportation to the timber freight section of the station in Chita. After just sending off a batch with Wang Tiecheng's escort, the workshop was suddenly filled with a large group of people who rushed in from the heavy snow outside.

Leading them was Cheng Liu, dressed in a Soviet-style pilot's sheepskin jacket and a snow military coat with exposed cotton. Soviet military uniforms were typically bulky and loose, which most Chinese couldn't wear properly, but on him, it seemed that even the buttons couldn't be fastened.

It was indeed Cheng Liu.

As the crowd settled inside the workshop, Xu Maohé, who had keen eyes, greeted him and patted Li Xian, walking forward together to welcome him.

With a pair of sharp eyes surveying the workshop, Cheng Liu's face twitched as he looked at Xu Maohé who came up to him. He said in a deep voice, "Xiao Xu, good tactics."

Xu Maohé chuckled and, with a playful grin, replied, "Sixth Master, don't you know my capabilities? I couldn't pull off such a big move. This was all arranged by my brother here!" He gestured to Li Xian with his thumb. "He's the one who paved the way!"

Seeing the young and inexperienced Li Xian, Cheng Liu nodded.

He looked Li Xian up and down, and with a cupped fist and a smile, said, "Little brother, I owe you one."

Li Xian waved his hand, "Sixth Master, since we're both from the same hometown, let's skip the formalities. At this point, if I said there's a lot of money to be made, it would be a lie. I don't have such a big appetite, so I can only take a small share. But this meal hasn't been touched much yet. You have the strength, and I'm offering you a favor in exchange for making sure I can take my small share home smoothly."

Cheng Liu was taken aback by Li Xian's straightforwardness but then burst into hearty laughter.

He then patted Li Xian's shoulder heavily and praised him as a genuine person. "Little brother, don't worry. You've gained the advantage and set the foundation. I'm making money off your success now. Not out of any empty-headed favor, but with this genuine business. You can count on me to handle your return home."

He then thumbed his chest and said, "Mark my words, if anything happens to your goods on the way, it's on me, Cheng Liu!"

Li Xian nodded and didn't waste time. He detailed the situation of the Chita Economic Committee members and the equipment in each factory to Cheng Liu.

Fearing he might forget, Li Xian took out a small address book he used during his visit to Chita.

Although the information seemed minor, if Cheng Liu were to investigate himself, it would take him three to five days. At this crucial moment, time was the most valuable asset! So, Li Xian's intel alone was enough for Cheng Liu to get ahead.

When Li Xian hesitated to take out the resale permits, Cheng Liu, who was looking at the small book of information, was momentarily stunned. He reached out and directly grasped Li Xian's wrist.

The thick stack of permits was sandwiched between them.

"You're a real Northeastern guy," Cheng Liu said while holding the permits, and then sighed sincerely before putting them back into Li Xian's coat pocket. "But even though Northeastern guys are honest, you still need to be cautious when venturing outside. Let Sixth Brother teach you, always leave a way out for yourself. Keep these things safe."

Seeing Li Xian's puzzled look, Cheng Liu waved to one of his men who was following him, "Lao Si, handle the transportation. Go to Manzhouli ahead of time, and bring these permits back when you deliver the goods to Harbin. If anything goes wrong on the way, just dig an ice hole in the Erguna River and don't come back to embarrass me."

"Got it, Sixth Brother," the man responded with a smile, bid farewell to Li Xian and Xu Maohé, and exited the workshop.

After making these arrangements, Cheng Liu didn't linger. After agreeing to treat Li Xian and Xu Maohé to a meal, he left with his twenty or so men.

As Cheng Liu exited the workshop, Xu Maohé hesitated for a moment and quickly followed him.

The two conversed outside, and Li Xian heard Cheng Liu cursing, "You're far worse than your little brother!"

Soon after, Xu Maohé returned with an excited expression.

When Li Xian asked him what he discussed with Cheng Liu, Xu Maohé shook his head with a satisfied grin and went to urge the workers to load the trucks.

After a day and night of coordination, over a hundred machines were finally loaded onto trucks at the Chita freight station.

In the small station, Kaja, holding the $500 Li Xian had given her, looked a bit conflicted.

"When will you come again?"

Holding the money, Kaja looked up at Li Xian with misty eyes and said, "I hope you come often."

Li Xian smiled slightly, patted the little girl's head, and was about to say something, but then he spoke, "Don't think too much about it. The world outside may not be any better. Live well. Didn't you tell me that there's a Russian saying, 'Vremya lechit...'"

Seeing Li Xian struggling with his pronunciation, Kaja couldn't help but smile through her tears, "Время лечит (Vremya lechit), time heals all wounds."

Li Xian patted his forehead, "Yes, time heals all wounds. Things will get better. You should love yourself, find someone who loves you as much as you love yourself, and live your life in any way that you think is happy."

Kaja pondered these words for a while before smiling.

She blinked, opened her arms to hug Li Xian, and then stood on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear, "I understand why you didn't accept me. You Chinese men are really stingy!"

Hey!

Feeling the tickling sensation by his ear, Li Xian was not pleased.

Just as he was about to retort, his face was held, and a small face pressed against his lips.

The next moment, he felt a warmth on his lips!

The warmth of her breath on his face made him shiver.

"Mmm!"

While Li Xian was completely stunned, steam shot up from the engine next to him.

"Alright! Someone will bite off your tongue in a minute! Let's go, let's go!"

At the engine's door, Xu Maohé waved his arms vigorously.

Li Xian's face turned red, and he turned to glare at the smug Kaja, holding his breath and pointing at her, "You..."

A second later, he gave up, "You win!"

With a quick turn, he ran up to the already started and slowly moving engine.

Touching his lips which still felt warm, he grabbed Xu Maohé's outstretched arm and jumped into the engine.

Behind him, Kaja hesitated for a moment, then ran after him with all her might.

"My father just turned our house into a guesthouse last week!"

"Mmm!" As Kaja struggled through the snow, calling out, the train driver blew the whistle.

"What did you say?" Hearing the shout outside, Li Xian leaned halfway out of the engine and asked loudly.

As the train gained speed, Kaja could no longer keep up and squatted in the snow.

Breathing heavily, her breaths formed a thin mist under the streetlight in the cold night.

Seeing Li Xian's figure disappearing into the distance, Kaja stood up again.

"My father just turned our house into a guesthouse last week! You're the first guest! You idiot!"

Watching Li Xian's figure completely vanish into the night, Kaja angrily kicked the snow on the ground.

"Idiot!"