The sky collapsed, and in the blink of an eye, I found myself transported to Nanluoguxiang.

As usual, Li Kaixin arrived at the transportation station early.

But as soon as you enter the parking lot, you can feel a tense atmosphere that is completely different from the usual relaxed atmosphere.

The driver's quarters were bustling with people. The experienced drivers, all dressed in neat work clothes, were checking the tools and preparations, while the apprentices were busy filling their water bottles. It was a scene of everyone being ready to go.

"Master, is this a mission? A long-distance drive?"

Li Kaixin walked quickly to Master Chen, who was checking the tire pressure, and asked in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible excitement.

Without even looking up, Mr. Chen kicked the tire with his foot, making a loud sound.

"Long distance? You need to give us a day's notice so we can prepare food and bedding. Today's trip is short; we're going to a neighboring county to pick up goods. We'll be back this afternoon."

He straightened up, dusted off his hands, glanced at Li Kaixin, and said, "Perfect, let me show you the way and show you what our line of work is all about."

Upon hearing this, Li Kaixin felt reassured and hopeful, and thanked Master Chen.

"Oh, thank you, master!"

Soon, the tasks were assigned.

Master Chen and two other experienced drivers each drove a car, forming a small convoy.

Li Kaixin naturally followed Master Chen. The other dozen or so vehicles at the station also had tasks, heading in different directions.

Three green Jiefang brand trucks roared out of the transport station and headed straight for the cotton mill in the east of the city.

When we arrived at the factory, the head of the logistics department was already waiting for us at the warehouse entrance with his men.

Upon seeing the three drivers, the chubby section chief immediately broke into a warm smile, quickly approached them, and offered them cigarettes one by one with a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes in his hand.

"Master Chen! Master Wang! Master Zhang! Thank you all for making this trip! Come on, have a smoke and rest your feet!"

Even Li Kaixin and his apprentices who were following behind him were given a cigarette by the section chief.

Li Kaixin quickly thanked him, and although he didn't smoke, he took the bag and tucked it behind his ear.

After exchanging pleasantries, the workers began busily loading bundles of plain-colored cotton cloth and canvas into the truck beds.

The section chief stood by and spoke to him, his tone so polite it was almost ingratiating.

Once the cargo was loaded, the convoy set off again.

As they drove out of the cotton mill gate, Mr. Chen steadily gripped the steering wheel.

He said to Li Kaixin in the passenger seat, "Watch carefully: start, shift gears, and watch the road conditions. There are many people and cars in the city, so you need to be sharp-eyed, attentive, and quick-witted."

"Yes, Master!"

Li Kaixin focused intently on Master Chen's every move. It is said that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth, and seeing it firsthand from the passenger seat was far more intuitive than just listening to theory.

The truck quickly drove out of the city and onto a bumpy dirt road.

Master Chen stopped explaining and focused entirely on driving.

Li Kaixin, on the other hand, began to truly experience what the hardships of a bumpy journey meant.

This feeling was much more intense than the bus ride I took a few days ago; the bus swayed and bounced up and down erratically.

It felt as if all my internal organs had shifted; the cornbread I ate that morning was churning in my stomach, and my face turned pale.

Master Chen glanced at him, a knowing smile playing on his lips, his booming voice drowning out the noise of the engine and the bumpy ride.

"How was it? Pretty tough, huh? You'll get used to it! The first time I rode in a car with someone like that, I threw up halfway through! You're doing pretty well, you managed to hold it in!"

Li Kaixin forced a smile, but secretly rejoiced that her physique had been modified and that she was more adaptable.

I took a few deep breaths and tried to adjust my breathing and posture, and the discomfort gradually lessened.

Around noon, the convoy traveled for about two hours and arrived at its destination.

A state-owned breeding farm located on the outskirts of the county town.

As soon as the car came to a stop, the person in charge of the farm warmly greeted them and led the three drivers and Li Kaixin directly to the canteen.

"Fellow workers, it's getting late. The canteen has prepared a light meal. Eat before you get back to work!"

Master Chen didn't refuse and explained to Li Kaixin in a low voice, "It's the rule that when we're on a trip and it's noon, the receiving unit will provide a lunch, no tickets or money required."

Li Kaixin was secretly delighted; such good news!

Perhaps because of the driver, the food at the farm was still mainly cabbage and potatoes, but there was significantly more oil in the dishes, and you could even see a few thin slices of meat. Each person also received a hearty steamed bun made from two kinds of flour.

After the meal, the workers began loading the slaughtered and cleaned pork carcasses onto the truck, replacing the previous cloth.

After loading the truck, the person in charge smiled and took out several pieces of pork wrapped in oil paper, giving one piece to each of the three drivers. Each piece weighed more than two pounds.

Even Li Kaixin and his apprentices were given a slightly smaller piece of pork, about half a pound.

"This is just a small token of my appreciation. Thank you all for your hard work, chefs. Take it home and add some dishes to your family's meal!"

"Oh dear, I can't accept this!"

"You're too kind!"

The three experienced drivers were polite in words, but they all accepted the gifts deftly, and their smiles became much more genuine.

Li Kaixin quickly thanked them, gaining a more direct understanding of the hidden benefits of the driver industry – these were real, tangible perks!

On the way back, the carriage was filled with a faint smell of meat, but it made people feel happy.

As the sun began to set, the convoy finally returned to Beijing.

The factories had all closed by then, and the streets were sparsely populated.

Looking at the empty road, Master Chen suddenly said to Li Kaixin, "There aren't many people on the road. You drive for a while, and I'll watch from the side."

Li Kaixin's heart skipped a beat, a mixture of nervousness and excitement in her voice: "Master, can I do it?"

"What are you afraid of! I'm sitting right here! Drive slowly and get a feel for it!" Master Chen's tone left no room for argument.

Li Kaixin stopped refusing, stopped the car, and switched places with Mr. Chen.

The moment I got behind the wheel, I immediately felt a world of difference compared to driving a car in my previous life!

The steering wheel was frighteningly heavy, requiring considerable force to turn; Li Kaixin's muscles were tense, his mind highly focused, not daring to be distracted in the slightest.

Master Chen watched from the side, offering guidance.

Li Kaixin was sweating profusely as he drove the not-so-long road from the edge of town to the cotton mill, but he finally breathed a sigh of relief when the truck came to a smooth stop in front of the cotton mill warehouse.

After unloading the goods, Mr. Chen drove the last leg of the journey back to the transport station.

As soon as the car came to a stop, they saw Director Xie standing in the parking lot, seemingly waiting for them.

"Old Chen, you've come back just in time."

Director Xie came forward, his face serious.

"I just received a notice that there's an urgent mission tomorrow: a long-distance trip to the Northeast to haul grain. The round trip will probably take at least ten days."

"Everyone, go back tonight and prepare your food and bedding! We'll depart promptly at six o'clock tomorrow morning. No one is allowed to be late!"

As soon as he finished speaking, all the drivers who heard it tensed up.

Li Kaixin was both nervous and full of anticipation.

......

Li Kaixin carried the half-pound of precious pork to the entrance of the courtyard house, by which time it was already completely dark.

My younger sister and brother, like two little door gods, are standing on tiptoe, peering out.

"Brother! You're back!"

The two little ones' eyes lit up brighter than the stars when they saw the oil paper package in Li Kaixin's hand.

At the dinner table, Li Kaixin handed the pork to his mother and told his parents that he would be taking a long-distance trip to Northeast China the next day.

Upon hearing this, the mother's face immediately filled with worry: "Going so far? It's cold in Northeast China! Be careful on the road!"

After a moment's thought, the father solemnly instructed, "When you're out in the world, be observant and quick-witted, listen to your master, and don't be reckless. Safety first."

The younger brother and sister also looked concerned.

"Big brother! Be careful."

"Big brother! I'll miss you."

"Dad, Mom, Xiao Kai, Xiao Xiao, don't worry, I will be careful," Li Kaixin replied solemnly.

After the meal, the mother began to busy herself, taking out the largest cloth bag in the house and preparing dry food, cotton clothes and quilts for her son for the next ten days.