Era: Rise from the Wilderness

"Yes, yes, safety first."

Li Hongfeng snapped out of his thoughts and looked ahead. "I think we should find a place near a bus stop when we get to the city and drop you off."

"You two be careful when you go out to play, don't go too far, and come back on time."

"I'll finish my business here around 3 or 4 pm. I'll still be waiting where I dropped you off, or perhaps we could arrange a regular meeting place?"

"Need not!"

Li Yunjing said, "We'll go to Ruoxi's cousin's house this morning. After we're done, we'll wait for you at People's Square at noon. Whether you've finished your business or not, come and pick us up."

"become!"

"Oh, right, here's 100 yuan. Take it. If you need money, don't let the girl pay."

As he spoke, Li Hongfeng steered the wheel with one hand and took out a hundred yuan from his wallet with the other.

A brand-new 100-yuan bill, carrying the faint leather smell of his father's wallet, was handed to him by Li Hongfeng from the driver's seat.

Li Yunjing didn't stand on ceremony and reached out to take it, his fingertips touching the unique texture of the paper.

"Thank you, Dad!"

He grinned, his voice clear and bright, carrying the unique composure and a hint of pride of being recognized that comes with a young person receiving a gift from an elder.

He certainly didn't lack that hundred yuan; the principal wrapped in oil paper in the lining of his backpack was much thicker.

But the father didn't know.

This money represents the father's sentiments as the head of the family and a man who worries about his son's lack of money and face "outside," but it is also a silent admonition and a delegation of authority.

Take it and spend it if you need to; don't embarrass yourself in front of your classmates.

He folded the money in half and carefully put it into his pocket, separating it from the wad of money that Lü Ruoxi had invested earlier.

Li Hongfeng caught a glimpse of this action in the rearview mirror, which made him even more satisfied.

Kid, you know to keep your money safe, that's not reckless.

Lu Ruoxi watched from the side without saying a word, only slightly pursing the corners of her mouth.

"Once you arrive in Bincheng, you two should discuss things and not wander off."

Li Hongfeng added another piece of advice, this time directed at Lü Ruoxi, in a gentle tone, "You two are growing up now, you're both going to university, you need to learn to be independent and learn to live independently."

"Yes, I know, Uncle Li."

Lü Ruoxi nodded obediently.

"Okay, Dad!"

Li Yunjing smiled and looked out the window.

After the van passed the last township toll station, the road ahead became wide and straight, and road signs began to frequently point to "Bincheng".

The smell in the air seemed to have changed as well; the earthy and crop scents unique to rural towns were gradually replaced by more complex urban dust and faint industrial odors.

The carriage fell silent for a brief moment.

The only sounds were the steady rumble of the engine and the blurry noise of the scenery rushing past the window.

Li Yunjing gently grasped Lü Ruoxi's hand, which was placed at her side, in the shadows of her father's blind spot.

The girl's hand trembled slightly, her fingertips were cold and slightly damp.

Those were sweats from nervousness.

She didn't pull away or move; she simply let that warm hand envelop hers.

Her heart suddenly started beating erratically, pounding so loudly in her chest that she wondered if Uncle Li in the seat in front of her could hear it.

She didn't dare turn to look at Li Yunjing. Her gaze was fixed on the gray-blue fabric cover of the seat back in front of her. Her cheeks began to burn uncontrollably, her ears quickly turned crimson, and even her neck felt hot.

Li Yunjing didn't even look at her.

He turned his head to the side, gazing at the ever-changing scenery outside the window.

Neat protective forests, gray water towers at a factory in the distance, and Liberation trucks carrying goods.

But his thumb, almost imperceptibly, gently and slowly caressed the smooth back of Lü Ruoxi's hand.

The touch was like a feather, or a subtle electric current, instantly coursing from the back of her hand to every part of Lü Ruoxi's body.

Lu Ruoxi froze, holding her breath.

A strange emotion she had never felt before, a mixture of shyness, panic, and a hint of secret sweetness, stirred up ripples in the lake of her heart.

She wanted to pull her hand away, but she was also tempted by the reassuring warmth and strength emanating from his palm.

Yesterday's heavy conversation about "safety" in the room seemed to have been dispelled by this silent, cautious touch.

He was neither the calm, calculating, and sharp-eyed "partner" nor the ruthless "character" who would pull out a knife and had a cold gaze.

At this moment, he was just Li Yunjing, a somewhat nervous boy who would secretly hold her hand when his father couldn't see him.

In the front seat, Li Hongfeng was intently watching the road, humming along to the intermittent strains of "A Young Man's Ambition Knows No Sorrow" playing on the radio, completely unaware that a silent, youthful heartbeat was unfolding in the cramped space of the back seat.

Sunlight streamed through the car window, casting dappled, dancing shadows on the two men's clasped hands.

Li Yunjing's fingers tightened slightly, as if conveying some kind of silent promise or encouragement.

Lu Ruoxi finally mustered up her courage and quickly and subtly turned her head to glance at him.

Just then, Li Yunjing turned to look at her.

Eyes facing each other.

No words were spoken.

His eyes no longer held their usual calm or sharpness, but only a gentle, smiling light, like the clear blue sky outside the window at this moment.

Her cheeks flushed even more, and she hurriedly lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering like the wings of a startled butterfly.

But the hand he held slipped back slightly, so gently it was almost imperceptible.

it is more than words.

The sounds of the engine, the wind, the hoarse singing from the radio, and the father's occasional cough... all became the background noise of this brief, silent exchange.

Two young bodies, separated by a thin layer of clothing, sat shoulder to shoulder in the bumpy train carriage.

The warmth of their palms, the touch of their fingertips, a fleeting glance that quickly fades away—these created a secret and thrilling little world that belonged only to them.

Seemingly having forgotten the time, the subtle atmosphere was broken when Li Hongfeng's voice rang out again: "Let's stay here. There are bus stops for routes 2 and 5 right ahead, so it's convenient to go anywhere."

The two of them released their hands almost simultaneously, their movements so fast it was as if they had been burned.

Lu Ruoxi quickly hid her hands behind her back, but the lingering warmth and touch on her fingertips wouldn't go away.

"Okay, Dad, you go ahead with your work this morning, we'll go do ours. Let's meet at People's Square at noon!"

"Your car is parked in a conspicuous place, so we can see it and come directly to you!"

Li Yunjing withdrew his hand, stroked his chin, and smelled the fragrance of Lü Ruoxi on his hand. He looked out the window with a normal expression, as if nothing had just happened.

The car stopped.

The time for parting has come.

"You two be careful!"

Li Hongfeng gave his final instructions.

"Don't worry, Dad!"

Goodbye, Uncle Li!

The two got out of the car and stood on the unfamiliar, bustling streets of the coastal city.