AWB Chapter 194: Erecting a Memorial Arch for Our Sports Cars
Chapter 194: Erecting a Memorial Arch for Our Sports Cars
"what?"
Li Xianglian was stunned, and quickly waved her hands, "No... I didn't!"
"Why are you hiding if you're not around?"
Qin Rushan persisted, squeezing her fingertips with his large hand. "You're my lawfully wedded wife, we're married, we've got our marriage certificate, and we've had a wedding banquet. It's only natural for me to hold my wife's hand! What law says a married couple can't hold hands while walking?"
"If you think my hands are too rough and uncomfortable, just say so."
Qin Rushan snorted and made a move to let go, "I'm not going to bother with that."
When Li Xianglian saw that he was about to become stubborn again, she became anxious and no longer cared about being shy.
She grabbed Qin Rushan's fingers tightly with her other hand.
"I don't mind!" Li Xianglian's face flushed red with anxiety, her big eyes brimming with tears. "I'm just... just shy. Don't be angry, I'll hold your hand! Fine, I'll let you hold my hand!"
Looking at her adorable face, Qin Rushan's pent-up anger instantly dissipated, and he couldn't suppress the smile on his face.
"That's more like it."
He took that soft, boneless little hand back into his palm, his thumb rubbing against the back of her hand twice. "Come on, I'll take you to the team to teach those bastards a lesson."
Li Xianglian was completely under his control, and could only blush as he led her through the streets in a flamboyant manner.
When we arrived at the entrance of the transport team's compound, it was even more lively.
Several newly serviced Jiefang trucks were parked there. Yang Dong, Houzi, and a few other drivers, shirtless and wiping the trucks, were taking a shower under the tap.
"Hey! Is Brother Qin taking his wife on a work inspection?"
Yang Dong was rinsing a tire with a large hose when he looked up and saw Qin Rushan's smug expression. He immediately threw the hose on the ground, wiped his hands haphazardly on his trouser leg, and grinned so hard that his back teeth were showing.
Qin Rushan led Li Xianglian and strode confidently through the courtyard gate.
Li Xianglian tried to pull her hand back, but Qin Rushan pulled her along, pressing her directly against his arm.
The way they were asserting their sovereignty was so strong that it could be heard from miles away.
The courtyard instantly erupted in chaos.
Old Liu, who was hunched over in the repair pit, poked his head out with his face covered in engine oil; Monkey and Da Zhuang, who were sitting under the shade of a tree smoking, and a few newcomers who had just received their driving allowance, all swarmed around him.
"Brother Qin, it's not even the hottest time of summer yet, why are you already sticking your wife to you? Are you afraid she'll run away?" Monkey said with a cigarette in his mouth and a wicked grin.
Da Zhuang chimed in from the side, "Look at the way Brother Qin looks at him, like he's looking at a gold nugget."
These men were usually quite unruly, but in front of Qin Rushan, they showed a mixture of awe and closeness.
Qin Rushan's trip to the provincial capital to transport melons earned everyone more in dividends than three months' wages at the factory. Now, everyone treats him like a god of wealth.
Qin Rushan laughed and cursed, then pulled out a pack of "Da Qianmen" cigarettes from his pocket and tossed one to each of the rowdy brats.
"You all better keep your eyes to yourself!"
Qin Rushan stretched out his long arm and pulled Li Xianglian into his arms, shouting with boundless pride, "We just moved here a couple of days ago, and I've been busy driving around these past few days, so I haven't had a chance to celebrate. In a couple of days, I'll host two tables at home, with plenty of good wine and meat, as a belated wedding feast for you! If anyone can't come up with a gift, don't blame me for throwing them out to wash truck beds!"
"Alright! Brother Qin is so generous!"
"Sister-in-law, you'd better keep an eye on Brother Qin, don't let him try to fool us with plain water!"
Surrounded by people, Li Xianglian was still a little awkward, but seeing everyone's warm and open eyes, her anxiety lessened considerably.
She bent slightly and said in a sweet voice, "Brothers, don't listen to his nonsense. There will be plenty of meat for you. I'll cook it for you myself."
"Did you hear that? My sister-in-law spoke up!"
Monkey grabbed Yang Dong, who was about to head to the warehouse, and slyly glanced at Qin Rushan. "Brother Qin, you're so good to your wife, why don't you share your experience with the brothers? So that silly boy Yang Dong won't get kicked out of every blind date."
Yang Dong blushed and said, "Get lost! I just have high standards!"
Suddenly, the monkey approached Li Xianglian mysteriously, speaking loudly enough for everyone in the courtyard to hear: "Sister-in-law, don't let Qin Ge's tough exterior fool you, he only has eyes for you. Remember that scene at 'Golden Splendor' in the provincial capital last time? You didn't see it..."
Li Xianglian's heart skipped a beat. The name "Golden Splendor" was obviously not a respectable place.
The monkey gestured exaggeratedly, "Good heavens, in that big karaoke bar, those women were dressed so scantily, their cheongsams had slits all the way up to their waists, and their makeup was thicker than paint on a wall. There was this one in a red dress, she was such a vixen, holding a wine glass, her body so limp it was like she had no bones, she just leaned right into Brother Qin's arms, her breasts were practically touching his buttons..."
The noise in the courtyard instantly subsided.
Everyone held their breath and stared at Qin Rushan's expression.
This kind of thing is not uncommon among long-distance drivers; it's just a bit of a charade.
But if you expose him in front of your wife, that's a different story.
Li Xianglian pursed her lips, her fingers unconsciously gripping Qin Rushan's clothes.
Qin Rushan remained expressionless, staring coldly at the monkey, a hint of danger flashing in his eyes.
The monkey chuckled, then changed the subject: "And guess what? Brother Qin was as still as a rock, he didn't budge an inch! He shoved that woman away, and yelled coldly, 'Get lost! I find her dirty! My wife at home is a million times better than this vixen!'"
The monkey imitated Qin Rushan's tone perfectly.
A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.
"Hahaha, we're truly impressed by Brother Qin's 'top-tier male virtue'!"
"Disgusted by dirt! Unbelievable! Brother Qin is just trying to make our sports cars look good!"
Li Xianglian's heart, which had been hanging in suspense just moments before, now felt as if it had fallen into a pile of cotton.
She looked up at the man beside her.
Qin Rushan's profile was strong and his eyes showed no sign of guilt, only a deep sense of protectiveness towards her.
"I'm telling the truth."
Qin Rushan noticed his wife's gaze, lowered his head, and said to Li Xianglian as if no one else was around, "Those women outside aren't even worthy of carrying our A-Lian's shoes. I'm afraid I'll get a sty just looking at them."
If this line were placed in the county transportation team compound in the 80s, it would be an absolute game-changer, a confession of love.
Those drivers who had initially been looking forward to a good show were now filled with envy.
How much must a man cherish his daughter-in-law to be able to keep his belt in a place like that?
"Alright, stop gossiping and get back to work!" Qin Rushan waved his hand, shooing the group of bachelors away like flies.
At this moment, Xiao Lan emerged from the side room, lifting the curtain behind her.
She was wearing a short-sleeved white shirt today, with a pearl brooch at the collar, and carrying a small leather bag.
Upon seeing Qin Rushan and Li Xianglian, she smiled, her charm carrying a touch of mature older sisterly composure.
"Oh, Brother Qin, you've brought A-Lian over already?"
Xiao Lan stepped forward and naturally took Li Xianglian's hand. "I also heard what Monkey was talking about earlier. Brother Qin, your performance is so good that I'll have to ask Lao Xu to write a big-character poster and put it up at the entrance of the team so that everyone can learn from it."
Xu Yuecheng, who was locking the warehouse door behind him, almost slipped down the steps when he heard this.
He touched his nose, glanced at Xiao Lan somewhat guiltily, and thought to himself, "I want to learn, but you have to give me the opportunity!"
"Let's go, Ah Lian."
Xiao Lan ignored Xu Yuecheng's gaze and pulled Li Xianglian toward the row of stone tables in the backyard where hair ties were made. "We have a lot of work today, let's start early. Brother Qin, can I borrow your wife for a bit? I promise she'll be returned intact and won't tire her out."
Qin Rushan nodded, watching the two figures disappear into the distance, then shouted at Li Xianglian, "Rest if you're tired! Don't listen to her. Save the little money you earn for candy!"
Li Xianglian turned around and waved to him.
That day, Li Xianglian sat in the backyard of the transport team, listening to Aunt Liu and Aunt Hua praising Qin Rushan with envy, and her needlework seemed to gain energy.