Chapter 146: A Little Woman Buzzing Around a Man

At ten o'clock in the morning, Li Sheng and Tang Xin arrived at the designated location set by the commune, where Wang Dongliang was already waiting for them.

This time, Wang Dongliang was to accompany Li Sheng on the trip, and he was waiting nearby with his truck. Yet, from afar, he saw Li Sheng pushing a bicycle, accompanied by an exceptionally striking woman.

Wang Dongliang had seen the Li family sisters before, but this person was obviously none of them. She must be the bride Li Sheng had married just before the New Year.

Squinting, Wang Dongliang took a closer look, his face a mask of utter disbelief. When he first heard that Li Sheng had gotten married, he had wondered what kind of woman could possibly have married him.

After all, while Li Sheng was undeniably skilled at his job, he was also rather dull. Even when the two of them went on driving trips together, practically inseparable for over a month on the road, Li Sheng might not say more than a few words to Wang Dongliang the entire time.

At the time, Wang Dongliang had thought that if a man like Li Sheng took a wife home, the two of them would probably sit in bed in total silence until dawn.

To his surprise, upon returning from their last trip, Li Sheng went out to buy a bicycle for his wife, mentioning that he had reserved it at the supply-and-demand depot since before the New Year. It had seemed then that he was deeply affectionate toward her.

Now, laying eyes on Li Sheng's wife in person and beholding the fairy-like young woman, Wang Dongliang finally understood why his longtime work partner had changed so much.

Just look at Li Sheng's wife—she was breathtakingly pretty. Wang Dongliang thought she was a hundred times, a thousand times more attractive than his own wife.

As the two drew closer, Wang Dongliang found himself unable to look away. He was not merely admiring a beauty out of superficiality; he was simply consumed by curiosity.

Usually, whenever Li Sheng was with him, he was utterly taciturn. Was he going to act the exact same way around his own wife?

Clearly, that was something Wang Dongliang would never get to witness. The tender affection Li Sheng reserved for Tang Xin was naturally a secret to outsiders.

Compared to Li Sheng, Wang Dongliang was a much more lively person, so as the couple approached, he took the initiative to greet them: "Li Sheng, is this my sister-in-law?" No sooner had the words left his mouth than Li Sheng swept a glance his way, inexplicably making Wang Dongliang feel a twinge of guilt.

Strange. The sun was high and the weather was far from cold, so why did a chill run down his spine? Was he somehow not allowed to greet his sister-in-law?

Rubbing his nose, Wang Dongliang let out a sheepish chuckle and honestly introduced himself. Tang Xin was not the least bit shy; she smiled openly and said, "Hello, I am Li Sheng's wife, Tang Xin." Since they were in a rush to leave and still had matters to attend to upon reaching the provincial capital, they had no time for lengthy pleasantries.

Wang Dongliang merely stated that upon their return, he would definitely invite his younger brother and sister-in-law over for a meal. Meanwhile, Tang Xin spotted a small restaurant not far away and figured that their journey would take at least several hours by truck, meaning they might not arrive at their destination precisely by lunchtime.

Most restaurants these days offered nothing to fill one's stomach unless it was standard mealtime. Therefore, Tang Xin said, "Brother Li Sheng, wait for me a moment." Seeing Li Sheng nod, she broke into a light jog toward the nearby eatery.

It was not mealtime, so proper dishes were unavailable, but the small restaurant did sell steamed buns and noodles. The best part was that these did not require ration coupons—a rarity indeed, even if they were slightly pricier than usual.

Tang Xin did not mind. Without hesitation, she bought ten large meat-filled buns and ten plain steamed buns, which should be more than enough to feed two grown men.

Besides, once they reached the provincial capital, she would no longer be responsible for them. It would be even better if they could find a way to get a hot meal then.

She had spent quite a bit of money, but Tang Xin did not feel the pinch at all, let alone considering her recent earnings. Even the money Li Sheng had brought back from his latest driving trip was handed over entirely to her for safekeeping.

In the past, his earnings were always given to Mrs. Li, with Li Sheng keeping only a tiny fraction for himself. Now, however, Li Sheng had divided all his income into two equal halves—one half for his birth mother and the other for his wife, leaving not a single penny for himself.

Yet Mrs. Li had refused to accept it, insisting that since her son was now a family man, the household finances naturally belonged in the hands of his wife.

Furthermore, Tang Xin was already managing the household affairs of the Li family, so it was only right that all household income be entrusted to her.

Mrs. Li believed that if the family ever needed money for an emergency, her daughter-in-law would certainly produce it. Meanwhile, Wang Dongliang had watched in bewilderment as Tang Xin uttered just a few words and hurried away, only to return holding a large package.

"Sister-in-law, what is this..." Wang Dongliang asked, thoroughly confused. Even Li Sheng looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Tang Xin smiled and said, "You two have a drive of several hours ahead of you to the provincial capital. When you get there, you won't know anyone, and you might not immediately find a place to eat. You can just ask someone for some hot water and eat these buns and steamed buns." Wang Dongliang immediately burst into laughter, exclaiming, "Sister-in-law is truly thoughtful! Thank you so much."

To be honest, back when they traveled for work, it was not uncommon for them to go an entire day without eating simply because circumstances made it inconvenient.

He had not expected Li Sheng's wife to be so attentive, anticipating even this need for them. Of course, Wang Dongliang was not arrogant enough to think it was for him; he knew he was simply basking in the reflected glory of his younger brother-in-law.

Naturally, the sister-in-law had bought these things out of care for Li Sheng. Comparing the two, Wang Dongliang couldn't help feeling that his own wife didn't think or act quite as thoughtfully.

Time was truly running short, so neither of them delayed any longer. They got into the truck, and Li Sheng drove off.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Wang Dongliang felt a bit more relaxed. He opened the bag, greeted by the savory, appetizing aroma of meat buns.

He couldn't resist teasing with a smile, "You lucky dog, look at your wife—she bought you so much good food." Li Sheng always maintained a stony, expressionless poker face when away from home, but the slight upward curve of his lips at that moment betrayed his true inner feelings.

Throwing a sidelong glance at Wang Dongliang, Li Sheng smiled and said, "If you want to eat, just eat. Help yourself to the buns and steamed buns."

To tell the truth, after heading to the transport team early in the morning and driving the truck all the way here, he was indeed getting a bit hungry. Wang Dongliang stood on ceremony no longer, picking up a bun and biting into it heartily.

As he ate, he gave the driver an approving thumbs-up. Seeing his colleague and friend's gluttonous expression, Li Sheng chuckled inwardly, feeling an even greater surge of pride at having such a wonderful wife.

Back at the starting point, as Tang Xin watched the truck gradually recede from view, she felt a slight pang of melancholy in her heart.

Fortunately, she quickly adjusted her emotions. She refused to become one of those clinging little women who revolved entirely around a man, acting as if they were helpless without one.

Even though her bond with Li Sheng was growing stronger by the day, Tang Xin always kept a scale in her heart.

They were husband and wife, destined to be the most intimate presences in each other's lives for the days to come. Yet they were also two independent individuals who ought to possess their own independent thoughts and actions.

And so, Tang Xin began to ponder: while Brother Li Sheng was away from home for the next few days, what should she do?