As Bai Yichen reached the courtyard gate, he suddenly remembered something. Turning back, he called to Hu Zi, who was mid-yawn.
“By the way, if a woman calls asking for me, remember to use our emergency contact method to reach me.”

“Uh!”

Hu Zi quickly shut his gaping mouth, nodding in acknowledgment.
“Got it, Big Brother!”

The gate slammed shut with a resounding bang, cutting off Hu Zi’s voice. Just as he finished yawning and closed his mouth, something clicked. Panicked, he shouted at the closed gate.
“Hey, Big Brother, is it Xiao Wu calling?”

Unfortunately, the only response was the sound of Bai Yichen’s footsteps fading into the distance.

Meanwhile, Anxin hurried into the alley, where she saw Kai Zi waiting by a truck with Sanmao and Xiao Zhong. Spotting her quick approach, Kai Zi couldn’t resist cracking a joke.
“Wow, look at our punctual boss. We just got here, didn’t even have time to light a cigarette, and here you are, ready to exploit us poor working folk!”

Sanmao chimed in, joining the banter.
“Exactly! Anxin, we haven’t seen you in a few days, and you’re already landing jobs, huh?”

Last night, Kai Zi had rushed back from the countryside, dragging both Sanmao and Xiao Zhong out of bed to prepare for today’s job. He explained the situation in detail, including how Anxin had come to him with the work opportunity.

Hearing this, Sanmao’s opinion of Anxin shifted. This wasn’t just a gutsy girl behind the wheel—she had a sharp business acumen too. Despite being new to the industry, she’d secured a thirty thousands ton transportation job, something even seasoned workers like them hadn’t managed. That was no small feat.

Anxin strode over, glancing at the four trucks nearby before turning to the three men lounging around. She retorted bluntly,
“Alright, quit teasing me. I landed a job, and we’re all in this together. Isn’t that what you guys call ‘sharing blessings and burdens’? And you still have the nerve to make fun of me?”

She wasn’t making much from the deal herself. After covering fuel and food expenses, she’d only break even with Kai Zi’s share. Fortunately, her portable warehouse could supply some necessities to cut costs; otherwise, her earnings might not even match Kai Zi’s 10,000 yuan.

Still, she didn’t let these thoughts show and waved everyone over.
“Enough joking around. Let’s get to work. Come here, and we’ll map out the route before starting.”

Pulling a pen and paper from her pocket, Anxin quickly sketched a rough map of the provincial capital. Within minutes, she had outlined a simple yet clear layout.

Kai Zi, Sanmao, and Xiao Zhong exchanged looks of surprise. Kai Zi was the first to voice his admiration.
“Impressive, Anxin. Didn’t think you had this kind of skill.”

He’d underestimated her, assuming she was just a naïve rookie. Who knew she’d secure a big contract and whip up a detailed map on the fly? This was beyond the capabilities of many seasoned workers.

Not wanting to dwell on the compliment and risk exposing herself, Anxin quickly changed the subject.
“Alright, let’s save the flattery. We’re all in this together now, and teamwork is key. Let’s figure out the shortest route from the dock to the train station and get moving.”

Her words snapped the group into focus. The men’s casual demeanor disappeared, replaced by serious expressions as they studied her map.

Xiao Zhong stepped forward, pointing to the stretch between the dock and the train station.
“Here’s the shortest route: cut through the eastern district, pass the provincial government and hospital, then take the southern ring road straight to the train station.”

Having worked in the provincial capital for years, Xiao Zhong, Sanmao, and Kai Zi knew the streets inside and out—far better than Anxin, who had only driven taxis for a few days. Recognizing her own limitations, Anxin remained silent, quickly marking Xiao Zhong’s suggested route on the map.

“Alright, we’ll go with Xiao Zhong’s suggestion. Everyone good with this?”

She held up the map for the group to see, inviting feedback. Kai Zi stepped closer, scrutinizing the map before pointing out an adjustment.
“This route works, but the stretch from the dock to the provincial government is too time-consuming if we stick to main roads. I know a shortcut through the government’s back lot that can save us a lot of time.”

Sanmao nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, Kai Zi’s right. I’ve taken that shortcut before. The road’s a bit rough, but it won’t slow down the trucks, and there aren’t many residents nearby. If we’re in a hurry, it’s a great option.”

Xiao Zhong examined the map again and agreed.
“True, that’s definitely quicker than my original suggestion.”

Seeing the men reach a consensus, Anxin quickly made the adjustment.
“Alright, we’ll go with this route. And for lunch and dinner, let’s stop near the provincial hospital at noon and six.”

The three men turned to her in unison, their expressions a mix of curiosity and something hard to describe. It was as if she’d planned everything from the start and had been waiting for them to finalize the route.

Noticing their stares, Anxin hurriedly explained,
“Oh, my mom’s been in the hospital recently, so I rented a small house nearby. My family’s there, and they can cook for us. This way, we don’t have to worry about going hungry during the runs, right?”