Free Web NovelChapter 428: Chapter 428: Huh, Men
For the summertime trip, Xu Zongyin had no objections at all. However, just to be safe, he arranged for a "bodyguard" for Xu Ancheng, Yi Roujing and their child.
This bodyguard is set for promotion this year, but has not yet officially started the position. Currently, without an assigned station, work won’t be disrupted. Importantly, this "bodyguard" will later work in He Province, where Beidai Mountain falls under their jurisdiction. Getting a head start on understanding the local customs isn’t a bad idea.
Yi Roujing met the bodyguard the day before departure. At first glance, his appearance and demeanor showed he was in the military—square face, single eyelids, exuding positive energy. He had deep respect and admiration for Xu Zongyin, which could be discerned from his expression.
They had a meal together, and from the conversation between Xu Ancheng and him, Yi Roujing learned that this man was Wu Guofang, thirty years old, an orphan since childhood, pushed around by relatives, and ultimately sold illegally. Xu Zongyin was the one who rescued him and found a childless family to support his education and military service, even helping with his career transition. freewebnovёl.ƈom
Wu Guofang was held in such high regard because of his progressiveness and excellence. This time, he specifically visited Jing City to see Xu Zongyin and volunteered to accompany Xu Ancheng on their trip to ensure everyone’s safety and get a closer look at his soon-to-be jurisdiction.
While packing luggage, Xu Ancheng found a strap among a pile of clothes. Curiously, he pulled it out and was momentarily confused, then realized it resembled the captivating lingerie Yi Roujing wore.
Yi Roujing’s lingerie and underwear were custom-designed by Ding Anmin after she saw them and boldly tried them on, falling in love. Now, all of Yi Roujing’s lingerie is taken care of by Ding Anmin, who reportedly earned considerable money from this craft, sharing some profits with Yi Roujing.
Xu Ancheng had seen it many times, yet each occasion still blushed and got heated eyes with thoughts unsuitable for children.
He hoped not seeing it worn would help, but holding a diminutive garment akin to lingerie pattern made him involuntarily swallow.
Yi Roujing entered the room seeing Xu Ancheng holding her swimsuit and staring blankly. If he weren’t so handsome, she would’ve acted out.
"What are you doing?" Yi Roujing grabbed it, playfully glared at Xu Ancheng.
"Can you try it on for me now?" Xu Ancheng requested with a straight face.
"It’s for the hot spring," Yi Roujing refused.
Upon hearing this, Xu Ancheng’s expression darkened, and his throat moved slightly, "Hot spring attire?"
Yi Roujing nodded.
"And the bottoms?" Xu Ancheng pressed further.
Yi Roujing gave Xu Ancheng a sidelong glance without answering, though he probably wouldn’t need help finding them.
When he found the trousers matching the skimpy top, which extended to mid-thigh, with an outer layer of sheer chiffon skirt barely covering the hips, Xu Ancheng’s eyes grew hot.
"Anmin made this?" Xu Ancheng knew such items wouldn’t be available publicly.
"Hmm, yes—" Yi Roujing had just replied when her wrist was irresistibly pulled, dragging her into the room’s bathroom. Xu Ancheng turned and locked the door.
"Put it on." Xu Ancheng’s eyes were full of determination, and seeing the heat in them, Yi Roujing awkwardly blushed, averting her gaze.
"Such tastes, heh, men," Yi Roujing muttered, but in the confined space, Xu Ancheng heard everything.
"Let me help you." Seeing her hesitation, Xu Ancheng directly took the initiative.
"Don’t do that, what if it tears..."
Ultimately, he feasted his eyes and satisfied himself at the cost of tiring Yi Roujing to the point of not being able to stand. The next day on the transport truck, she kept dozing off.
Ni Yanqing drove for the first half, and Wu Guofang took over later. Although Jiang Bomeng, Zhou Zeyuan, and Xu Ancheng all could drive, Wu Guofang had the most experience, and Ni Yanqing knew the transport truck best.
Ni Yan’an also joined them, meticulously preparing the truck’s cargo area in advance. She draped tarpaulin all around the back, leaving a vent at the top, placed worn-out quilts, layered with grass mats, and a few old sheets for covers, which sufficed for the scorching summer days.
So, those in the cargo area could recline instead of sitting, although the men had to squeeze towards the back with the packages.
This trip had a total of nineteen people. Xia Xingchen and Gu Shizhao didn’t come, as their child was too young to take out, but everyone else was there, mostly in pairs.
Four people sat in the front and passenger seats, while the remaining fifteen, along with luggage, were in the back. Though not very maneuverable, the atmosphere was indeed lively.
Ding Anmin, Shu Yujie, and Yuan Xiangyu were typical chatterboxes, with their continuous talking leaving Yi Roujing wishing to save her energy to breathe without feeling the air was thinned.
They stopped several times en route for restrooms and meals, leaving in the afternoon and staying overnight at a guesthouse on the way, renting six rooms in total. Unmarried women shared rooms, married families got one room each, while single men rotated shifts, with half staying to guard the vehicle since the guesthouse didn’t guarantee car security.
Waking up the next day, they took turns for breakfast at a state-run restaurant and continued their journey after digesting.
When they reached the foot of Beidai Mountain, the sun was blazing down, marking high noon.
After everyone got off the truck, Wu Guofang drove away empty and later returned with a sidecar motorcycle, loading several bags of grain in the sidecar and securing various food items to the back seat with straw ropes.
The motorcycle could directly reach a farmstead halfway up the mountain, offering convenient access for purchasing supplies and travel. freewebnovёl.ƈom
After getting off the transport truck, Yi Roujing and the others carried their luggage on foot, walking for half an hour. Although it was a mountain path, it was fairly broad, accommodating three or four people walking abreast.
Reaching halfway, a left side path of a minute or two revealed a farmstead set upon a flat part of the mountainside.
A pure wooden structure, with wooden fences surrounding it, had a north-south orientation of a line of wooden houses, also flanked by several rooms on either side, though the rear wasn’t as clear. Overall, the farmstead looked quite new.
"It was repaired and painted again two years ago. Previously, it was grander, with wooden archways and pavilions. There were more rooms, but they were smashed and damaged. Luckily, those that could be restored were," Ni Yan’an, who had been here before, softly introduced.
