Chapter 33: Getting Closer, Bit by Bit

Taiping River Happy Island, outside the parking lot.

A white Audi A4L was moving forward in line.

The man in the driver’s seat suddenly stepped on the brake.

"What’s wrong, honey?" his girlfriend in the passenger seat asked, quickly looking up.

The man pointed to a Wuling Hongguang in front and to the side, his tone quite nostalgic. "Seeing the same model of car I used to drive, I feel a bit nostalgic."

"What’s there to be nostalgic about with that piece of junk? I don't get it." The girlfriend pouted, a look of disdain flashing across her face.

"Don't look down on it; it carried a heavy burden. When I was just starting out, I relied on it to scrape by." The man shook his head with a light laugh and patted the steering wheel. "Only then did I get this Audi, and only then could I have a girlfriend as beautiful as you."

He came from an ordinary background, earned his first pot of gold through hard work, started a small company with a friend, and bought a Wuling Hongguang S.

Carrying people and goods, braving the wind and rain.

Before the New Year last year, he finally "upgraded his gear" and bought this A4L, showing off in his village, and two days ago, he finally won over his high school crush.

His girlfriend glanced at him and smiled. "If you were still driving that Wuling, I wouldn't even be embarrassed to go out with you; you wouldn't even be able to see me."

"Haha, that’s all in the past. I’m just reminiscing."

His girlfriend smoothed her long hair, tilted her legs slightly, and said with an air of entitlement, "Can the passenger seat of that Wuling compare to me? For a girlfriend as pretty as me, do you have the heart to let her sit in that kind of car? Don't you think it’s a sign of disrespect?"

The man hurriedly tried to please her. "That’s right. Xiaoru, with legs as long as yours, at least a B-class car is needed to fit them."

"Hmph, you’re sensible." His girlfriend straightened her legs, looking smug.

The man gave a simple, honest smile and said nothing more.

This girlfriend of his was his "white moonlight" from his student days. Although her face wasn't exactly pretty, she had a slim waist, long legs, and a great figure.

She was also one of the driving forces behind his hard work over the years.

After parking the car in the tree-lined lot,

The man stepped out quickly, took the grill, ingredients, and picnic mat from the trunk, and placed them one by one into the camping wagon.

"This season, Happy Island is the best place for camping and barbecuing."

The woman, carrying her bag, applied lipstick to herself without any intention of helping. "The rest is up to your skills. Let me say this first: I’m very picky. If it doesn't taste good, you have to drive immediately to buy me something ready-made."

"Haha, alright, I’ll do my best."

The two had barely spoken a few words.

A white Wuling Hongguang slowly drove over and parked in the spot next to them.

It was clear the owner was not very skilled at reversing; the car wasn't parked straight and was still struggling to adjust.

The man couldn't help himself; he stood at the back of the car and enthusiastically helped guide them. "Forward, turn the steering wheel left, good, straighten it! Back, back, back! OK! Stop! Perfect!"

His girlfriend frowned, gave him a sharp pat, and shouted, "I’m hungry!"

"Oh, oh, right away!" The man hurriedly continued to pack things.

Charcoal, alcohol gel, tissues, drinks...

"Click—" The door of the Wuling Hongguang opened.

The man glanced over subconsciously, and the expression on his face froze.

A youthful and beautiful figure jumped down from the passenger seat.

Thick-soled platform shoes + calf socks + denim skirt, accentuating a pair of perfect long legs.

She wore a pink sun-protection jacket on her upper body and a lace sun hat on her head.

Her figure was sexy, her features were three-dimensional and exquisite, and her skin was in excellent condition.

There was a sense of pure and alluring atmosphere about her.

The girl smiled and waved at the two of them, handed over a bottle of yogurt she was holding, and said with a bright smile, "Thanks for the help, big brother."

When this pure and alluring girl stood in front of them, the man realized that she was quite a bit taller than him.

His girlfriend, standing in front of her, instantly looked quite unremarkable.

"Just a small thing, no need." The man hurriedly declined.

Tang Song also came to the back of the car, took the yogurt from Zhao Yaqian’s hand, and placed it directly into their camping wagon.

He smiled and said, "Take it, brother, thanks."

Zhao Yaqian scanned the surroundings and said excitedly, "It’s so beautiful here. Let’s hurry up and pack."

As she spoke, she stood beside Tang Song, helping to move things out of the trunk.

"These fried skewers and pizza are still warm. That’s great."

"I’ll take this bag of drinks; you have enough in your hands, Brother Song."

"This car is really good. It has so much stuff in the trunk, yet there’s still so much space."

"Next time, we can learn from this big brother and bring a grill."

Perhaps because she had completely resolved her recent inner conflict, Zhao Yaqian seemed particularly lively and talked a lot.

The girlfriend next to them, perhaps thinking of her previous mockery, had a changing expression on her face.

She gave a "hmph," kicked the man in the calf, and walked directly into the park.

The man’s movements stopped involuntarily.

He looked at the Wuling Hongguang, then at the sexy beauty, and then at the Wuling owner.

His head was a mess, and he didn't immediately chase after his girlfriend.

1:00 PM.

The two chose a clean patch of grass, spread out the picnic mat, and laid out the prepared food.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled light and shadows on the ground.

Zhao Yaqian sat cross-legged on the grass excitedly, holding starch sausages and chicken skewers in her left hand, and cheese pizza in her right.

While feasting, she shared interesting stories from her school days with Tang Song.

Laughter echoed incessantly.

After eating and drinking their fill, Zhao Yaqian lay on her side on the picnic mat, using the pillow-quilt Tang Song brought as a cushion, her fair fingers playing with the emerald grass blades.

A gentle breeze blew, bringing waves of fresh fragrance, making her feel a bit drowsy.

Tang Song’s gaze uncontrollably swept over her denim skirt, and as expected, he saw black leggings underneath.

Then he shifted his gaze to her full and delicate thighs. Truly beautiful.

Noticing the lingering glances from some men nearby, Tang Song decisively took off his jacket and covered Zhao Yaqian’s thighs.

He explained casually, "The river breeze is a bit cold."

Zhao Yaqian was stunned. She seemed to realize something, her face heated up, and she whispered, "Thank you, Brother Song."

Leaving Happy Island, they drove to the Yancheng Botanical Garden.

In April, the botanical garden was full of spring and blooming flowers.

They strolled along the forest paths, attended a few interesting cultural exhibitions, and viewed cherry blossoms, crabapples, peonies...

"Click!" The moment before the shutter sound, Zhao Yaqian actively tilted her head toward Tang Song, her cheek touching his shoulder.

Standing in front of a sea of blooming tulips, the two completed their first photo together.

"The young lady is so photogenic! The photos are super beautiful!"

"How do you maintain your skin? It’s amazing!"

The few female college students who helped take the photos were very enthusiastic, chatted with Zhao Yaqian for a long time, and gained some skincare tips.

After 6:00 PM.

Music played randomly in the car. Zhao Yaqian seemed tired, her eyes half-closed, leaning against the seat.

"BGM: I’ve been in a good mood lately, don't know why.

This mood I’m in now, I want to sing it to you.

..."

The Wuling Hongguang slowly drove out of the botanical garden, rolled over the streets at dusk, faced the magnificent sunset in the sky, and merged into the city’s traffic.

"BGM: The distance between us seems to be getting closer, bit by bit.

Do you have a special feeling for me too?

..."

"Ding! Congratulations to the player, the branch mission [My First Car] has been completed." ===== CHAPTER 35 =====