Era: Rise from the Wilderness

"My God...this...this sounds..."

She couldn't find the right words to describe it, but the excitement on her face was obvious. "It's... such a brilliant idea!"

"And it sounds like it could really attract a lot of people!"

"Two dollars, not much, everyone's willing to try their luck!"

"You've even found the location and the people?"

"Yes, we've tentatively decided on a location next to May 1st Square in Fuxian County, but we have a few other options. We'll hold it around the National Day holiday."

Li Yunjing nodded, "We've also found a few reliable people."

"That……"

Lü Ruoxi bit her lower lip, as if she had made a great decision, her voice filled with expectation and a hint of pleading, "Can I participate?"

"I...I want to try it too!"

"I don't want a share of the profits, I just... think it's so much fun!"

"It's so much more interesting than just attending classes at school!"

"I have a 7-day holiday for National Day!"

Li Yunjing was stunned.

He didn't expect Lü Ruoxi to take the initiative to participate.

"This... might be a bit... messy, the environment is chaotic, and..."

Li Yunjing wanted to politely decline.

"I'm not afraid!"

Lü Ruoxi immediately interrupted him, her eyes resolute, "I know it might be a little... well, not so 'orthodox,' but I think your analysis makes a lot of sense. This is indeed an opportunity!"

"Besides, I feel I can be of help!"

"I...I can help collect money, distribute lottery tickets, or...act as a 'shill'?"

"I think I'm alright as an actor!"

When she mentioned "Tuor", she smiled shyly, but the eagerness in her eyes did not diminish at all.

Looking at her expectant and trusting face, Li Yunjing couldn't bring himself to refuse.

Perhaps, letting her participate and witness the real workings of society and the flow of money might not be a bad thing?

All we need to do is protect her.

"……All right."

Li Yunjing finally relented, smiling helplessly yet with a hint of indulgence, "If you really want to come, you can come and visit during the National Day holiday and lend a hand."

"But it's agreed that you must follow instructions, safety comes first, and you can't wander off."

"Yes! I'll definitely follow your instructions!"

Lu Ruoxi immediately responded happily, her face beaming with a radiant smile that was even brighter than the autumn sun.

She even subconsciously reached out and gently grasped Li Yunjing's hand, which was resting on the table, and shook it. "Thank you, Yunjing!"

The soft, delicate touch sent a shiver through Li Yunjing's heart.

"Hurry up and eat, the food is getting cold."

He said in a low voice.

"Um!"

Lu Ruoxi was in a great mood and picked up her chopsticks again, eating with extra relish.

After finishing their meal, the two did not separate immediately.

Lu Ruoxi enthusiastically pulled Li Yunjing for a walk on campus, acting as a temporary tour guide.

They walked across the square with statues, through the small garden full of roses, stopped in front of the library's imposing building, and glanced at the dusty playground in the distance.

The afternoon sun was warm in autumn, and the breeze was gentle.

The two chatted about interesting things at their respective schools, their vague hopes for the future, and more details about Li Yunjing's upcoming "lottery project".

Most of the time, Lü Ruoxi did the talking, while Li Yunjing listened quietly, occasionally adding a few words.

Before they knew it, their fingers touched again. This time, neither of them immediately pulled away. They simply held each other's fingers, half-close, half-close, as they strolled along the campus path strewn with golden fallen leaves.

Time seemed to slow down and stretch out at this moment.

Plans to make money, school pressures, and uncertainties about the future were temporarily put aside.

At this moment, there is only the tranquil beauty of the autumn campus, the gentle laughter of those around me, and the warmth from their fingertips.

It wasn't until the sun was setting that Li Yunjing realized he should catch the last bus back to town.

"I have to go, there won't be any more buses if it gets any later."

At the school gate, Li Yunjing said with some reluctance.

"Um... Be careful on the road."

Lü Ruoxi nodded, her eyes filled with reluctance. "I'll go during the National Day holiday. Please let me know the specific time and how to contact you in advance."

"Okay, I'll try to get in touch with you."

Li Yunjing made a promise.

Looking at her profile, which was bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, he suddenly mustered his courage and said quickly, "Ruoxi, once things are sorted out here and I've made some money, I'll take you to a better place to eat and watch movies."

A blush rose to Lü Ruoxi's cheeks, but she bravely met his gaze and nodded vigorously: "Yes! I'll wait for you!"

After waving goodbye, Li Yunjing turned and walked towards the bus stop.

Even after walking quite a distance, he looked back and could still see that slender figure in a floral shirt, still standing at the school gate, waving at him.

The setting sun cast her long shadow, stretching all the way into his heart.

On the return bus, the bumpy ride and the smell remained the same.

But Li Yunjing's mood was completely different from when he arrived.

He carried the cash he got from clearing out treasury bonds, had a clearer plan for the "battle" during the National Day holiday, and... Lu Ruoxi's bright, trusting, and expectant eyes, and the faint, warm touch lingering on his fingertips.

This autumn seems destined to be extraordinary.

The group's fleet compound is always filled with a unique smell that is a mixture of diesel, gasoline, rubber, and rust.

Several old Jiefang brand trucks and several newly equipped blue Yuejin light trucks, as well as three rare Daihatsu vans.

Li Hongfeng, dressed in a suit and carrying a black briefcase, walked briskly into the team's office.

The office was small, the walls were yellowed from smoke, and tires and parts covered in grease were piled up in the corner. Behind a wooden desk with peeling paint, the team leader, Lao Yu, was sitting with his legs crossed, smoking a cigarette, and flipping through a crumpled driving logbook.

"Hey, Old Li? What a rare guest!"

"What brings you to this greasy place of mine today?"

Old Yu looked up, saw Li Hongfeng, and a familiar smile appeared on his face.

He and Li Hongfeng had been coworkers for many years and had always had a good relationship.

"Captain Yu, I need to talk to you about something. I'm a little embarrassed to say."

Li Hongfeng rubbed his hands together, a hint of embarrassment on his face.

"What's the matter? Don't be so polite with me, sit down and talk."

"Borrowing a car?"

"Isn't this a small matter?"

Old Yu patted a long, dusty wooden bench next to him.

Li Hongfeng didn't sit down. Instead, he walked to the desk, placed the black briefcase he was carrying on the desk, unzipped it, and took out four cartons of cigarettes simply wrapped in newspaper.

It is a "Hongtashan" brand that is in the upper-middle range of the market and is only occasionally bought by salaried workers to entertain guests.

He pushed the cigarettes in front of Lao Yu.

"Old Yu, this time... I'd like to borrow a Daihatsu for a while. It might take a bit longer, about half a month."

Li Hongfeng's voice was low and tinged with apology, "I know there are rules in the team that all vehicle use must be approved, especially for long trips."