Chapter 30: I Will Reclaim What I’ve Lost

At 6 a.m. in Binjiang District, there weren’t many pedestrians on the streets.

Most of them were out buying breakfast.

Some held soy milk and deep-fried dough sticks, others carried steaming buns.

Tang Feng crossed five traffic lights to finally arrive at the entrance of the long-distance bus station.

Currently, the bus station was still located in the District center.

In his memory, it wouldn’t be long before the bus station moved from its current location to the suburbs.

The reason for the move was simple: to prevent accidents.

After all, with the bus station in the District center, there was constant traffic, and accidents were common.

He thought Su Xiaoli might arrive a bit later, but as soon as he steadied himself, she appeared in front of him.

Su Xiaoli was exceptionally dressed today.

In a floral dress, she exuded a pure and fresh vibe.

It was clear to Tang Feng that she had dressed with care.

Su Xiaoli carried a small pink backpack, bulging with unknown contents.

“Did you just get here? Have you had breakfast?” Tang Feng asked with a smile.

“Not yet,” Su Xiaoli shook her head, “I didn’t sleep well last night and didn’t feel like eating this morning.”

“Didn’t sleep well? Was it because you were thinking of me?” Tang Feng joked.

“Hmph! Your face is really thick!” Su Xiaoli gave him a look.

Tang Feng just chuckled.

They entered the long-distance bus station and approached the ticket window.

“Tang Feng! Su Xiaoli!” Someone called their names.

Tang Feng looked and saw it was Fang Wei, a high school classmate, and a man in his forties beside her.

“Fang Wei! Where are you headed?” Tang Feng asked with a smile.

“My dad is taking me to an ophthalmology hospital in Daocheng District,” Fang Wei replied.

“Ophthalmology hospital? What’s wrong with your eyes?” Su Xiaoli asked, puzzled.

“I’m nearsighted. We’re going to the hospital to see if I can have surgery for my nearsightedness. If possible, I’ll have the surgery before I submit my college application,” Fang Wei explained.

“Are you thinking of applying to a military academy?” Su Xiaoli guessed.

“Exactly!” Fang Wei nodded, “Getting into a military academy has always been my dream. I thought my nearsightedness would prevent me from applying, but now that surgery is an option, it’s like a godsend.”

“While you’re chatting, I’ll go buy the tickets,” Fang Wei’s father said and headed to the ticket window.

Tang Feng quickly followed.

Soon, they purchased four tickets to Daocheng District.

“Young man, do you smoke?” Fang Wei’s father offered a cigarette pack to Tang Feng.

“I don’t,” Tang Feng shook his head.

“That’s good. It’s not a good habit, and I can’t quit,” Fang Wei’s father said, lighting up a cigarette for himself.

“Dad!” Fang Wei rushed over upon seeing her father smoking.

Her father chuckled, somewhat embarrassed.

“Fang Wei, what’s this about?” Su Xiaoli was puzzled.

“My dad has two nodules in his lungs from smoking. The doctor told him to quit, but he just can’t,” Fang Wei said, visibly agitated.

“Uncle Fang, she’s concerned about your health. If you can, try to control it,” Su Xiaoli realized the situation.

“It’s addictive. I’ve tried to quit as the doctor advised, but I just can’t,” Fang Wei’s father sighed.

“Try to reduce the amount gradually. If you smoke a pack a day, cut down to half a pack. At first, you’ll definitely feel uncomfortable because of withdrawal symptoms. The process is brutal and almost unbearable. If you want to quit, you need to be mentally prepared,” Tang Feng looked at him, offering advice.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Fang Wei’s father smiled.

The bus to Daocheng District arrived, and they began boarding.

Once on the bus, Tang Feng and Su Xiaoli sat together, with Fang Wei and her father behind them.

Tang Feng took out snacks and drinks from the plastic bag.

“What do you want to eat?” Tang Feng asked with a smile.

“How come you brought so much food?” Su Xiaoli was surprised.

“My dad prepared these. He was probably worried we’d have nothing to eat on the road,” Tang Feng replied.

“I’ll have a piece of chocolate,” Su Xiaoli decided after looking.

Tang Feng opened a box of Golden Emperor chocolate and handed it over.

Su Xiaoli broke the chocolate in half and stuffed one piece into Tang Feng’s mouth.

His cheeks immediately puffed up.

Su Xiaoli couldn’t help but laugh upon seeing his expression.

Then, she slowly savored her half of the chocolate.

Tang Feng quietly watched her.

The ticket inspector came on board to count the passengers.

Once confirmed, the bus started moving towards Daocheng District.

Su Xiaoli’s gaze wandered outside the window.

The wheat was ripe, a golden expanse.

Many farmers were busy harvesting.

“Tang Feng, did you ever mistake wheat for leeks when you were little?” Su Xiaoli suddenly asked.

“Yes, of course! When I went back to my hometown, seeing so much ‘leeks’ in the fields, I was completely dumbfounded! Later, I learned it was wheat,” Tang Feng admitted with a shy smile.

“It seems many people have similar experiences,” Su Xiaoli remarked.

“Yes,” Tang Feng nodded, “When I was little, I also mistook taro leaves for lotus leaves. They look somewhat similar.”

“I didn’t think so. But now that you mention it, they do seem alike,” Su Xiaoli said and yawned.

“You didn’t sleep well last night. Take the opportunity to sleep a bit on the bus,” Tang Feng suggested.

“Keep an eye on the stuff, make sure no one takes it,” Su Xiaoli said, handing over her bag to Tang Feng.

He slung it over his shoulder.

Soon, Su Xiaoli drifted off to sleep.

Her head unintentionally leaned against Tang Feng’s shoulder.

Seeing this, Tang Feng moved slightly to make her more comfortable.

Su Xiaoli slept soundly, leaning on him.

Tang Feng didn’t dare move, afraid of waking her.

He thought how great it would be to have a smartphone now to avoid boredom.

Luckily, the bus was showing a movie.

He glanced at it and recognized it as “A Better Tomorrow,” starring Ti Lung and Chow Yun-fat.

The scene was where he found out his brother had become a cripple.

Watching this, Tang Feng clenched his fist.

Before his rebirth, both his career and personal life were stagnant.

Others lived life; he merely existed.

Now, given a second chance and a system, he wouldn’t waste his life again.

This time, he wanted to live fully, achieving both in his career and love life.

Thinking this, he glanced at Su Xiaoli beside him.

Her presence and fragrance filled him with a burning desire to succeed.

The bus was slow and frequently stopped to pick up new passengers.

What should have been a two-hour journey took three.

“Where are we now?” Su Xiaoli asked, half-awake.

“We seem to have just gotten on the overpass,” Tang Feng replied.

Su Xiaoli slowly opened her eyes and looked outside.

“Tang Feng, look!” she pointed outside.

Tang Feng saw a man with a sign that read “Guide.”

To Su Xiaoli, it was novel, but to Tang Feng, it represented backwardness.

In an era without navigation apps, drivers unfamiliar with Daocheng District needed guides.

Though it cost money, it was better than wandering lost.

“This profession will gradually disappear with technological advancement,” Tang Feng said.

“Really? I feel like such jobs will always exist,” Su Xiaoli disagreed.

Tang Feng smiled, “You underestimate technology. Once navigation apps are developed, drivers will just follow the software’s directions.”

“Are you reading too much sci-fi?” Su Xiaoli joked.

“Many sci-fi concepts eventually become reality,” Tang Feng replied.

“I’d love to see what’s inside your head,” Su Xiaoli said.

“Just one thing,” he teased.

“What’s that?”

“You! You’re all I think about!” Tang Feng laughed, enjoying the moment.

“Hmph! Smooth talker!”

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