Chapter 3: The Deal with Anan

                       

After Cheng Yun finished asking, several people were stunned. They looked around at each other, then realized who the “potato seller” she meant was.

Because no one else moved, all eyes fell on the man standing there in a daze.

Cheng Yun raised her chin. “Don’t know me anymore?”

The man remained stunned until someone behind him nudged him. “Anan, do you know?”

Cheng Yun sighed softly. Anan.

He looked a little different in daylight. His skin was still dark, but even darker now, making his well-defined eyes appear especially bright.

Cheng Yun walked over and stood in front of him. Anan’s eyes wandered—looking here, looking there.

“Hey.” After one night, Cheng Yun found him even more interesting. “You really don’t know me? You ate my meal for free last night.”

Anan stammered, froze, then slowly turned.
“It wasn’t free. You insisted on treating me.”

His voice was low, flat, without intonation—straightforward.

“Yes.” Cheng Yun said generously. “I treated you.”

Anan looked aside again.

Cheng Yun lowered her head, noticing a pile of boxes on the ground. “What are you doing? Yesterday you helped your friend sell potatoes, and today you’re unloading boxes?”

Anan shook his head. “No. This is my job.”

“My job?” Cheng Yun asked.

He looked at her for a second, paused, then said, “Yes.”

While Cheng Yun was talking to Anan, Liu Jie approached from behind.
“Leader.”

Cheng Yun turned. Liu Jie glanced at Anan. “Do you know each other?”

“Oh, no.” Cheng Yun replied. “Just met once.”

Liu Jie nodded, then showed her a sheet of paper. “Leader, this is the route we discussed with the travel agency. Starting here, first to Anshun to see Huangguoshu Waterfall, then…”

The route filled half a page, detailed with notes behind each attraction. Liu Jie seemed thorough, clearly tasked with reception.

“That’s it. For the car, it depends on your opinion. You can use our company’s car, or charter one from the agency. Ours may be a bit crowded.”

Cheng Yun said, “Then the travel agency—”

She stopped mid-sentence, sensing movement beside her. Subtle, but noticeable. She glanced calmly and saw Anan tugging at his coat, shifting a few steps. Their eyes met briefly before he looked away.

Cheng Yun almost laughed.

“Xiao Liu.”

Liu Jie, busy checking the route, immediately responded. “Yes, leader, what’s wrong?”

“Go inside and ask what models they have.”

“Done! I’ll go now.”

He ran back. Cheng Yun lit a cigarette, waiting silently.

Anan lowered his head, grinding his shoe against the ground. Faster and faster, perhaps anxious.

Finally, before Liu Jie returned, Anan hesitated.
“You want to charter a car?”

Cheng Yun turned. “What?”

“You want to charter a car?”

“Oh.” She nodded. “Yes.”

Anan leaned sideways, checking if Liu Jie was back. Seeing no one, he whispered, “This way.”

“….”

Cheng Yun followed him aside, amused. “What a shady deal.”

Anan lowered his head, whispering, “Charter my car.”

“Isn’t your car for hauling goods?”

He startled, then said, “It can haul people too.”

Cheng Yun rolled the cigarette in her hand, thinking. Anan added, “The agency charges three hundred a day. I’m cheaper.”

She sneered, glancing at him. “How cheap?”

“Two hundred.”

“Oh… that’s cheap.”

The deal struck, Anan offered advice. “The agency’s cars are minibuses. Just say they’re too big, uncomfortable—”

“Wait.” Cheng Yun cut him off. “When did I say I’d charter your car?”

Anan froze, utterly confused.
“Didn’t you say I’m cheap?”

“Yes.”

“Then you meant to charter mine.”

Cheng Yun raised her brows, feigning realization. “Sounds like that.”

“….” He fell silent. He wasn’t stupid—he knew she was teasing.

“You’ll still take the agency’s car.”

Cheng Yun asked, “Won’t the agency fire you for stealing business?”

Anan shook his head. “I’m not theirs. I only haul goods. Sometimes they call me when short on vehicles.”

Cheng Yun glanced at the street lined with agencies, each with vans parked outside.

Before they finished, Liu Jie returned, sweating. “Leader! The car’s arranged. Let’s rest inside until the driver arrives.”

Anan turned to leave.

“No need,” Cheng Yun said.

Both stopped.

“No need?” Liu Jie asked.

Cheng Yun smiled. “No need to bother. I’ll handle it myself. Call Tour Guide Zhang—I’ll find a car.”

“That’s inconvenient,” Liu Jie protested.

“It’s not.” Cheng Yun looked at Anan. “Where are you going later?”

“Kaili.”

She nodded. “Too cold for waterfalls. I’ll charter his car and go to Kaili.”

“This…” Liu Jie faltered, staring between them.

“Call Tour Guide Zhang,” Cheng Yun said. Then to Anan: “When are you leaving?”

“Now.”

“You go call her,” Cheng Yun told Liu Jie.

“Wait—leader, you…” Liu Jie was overwhelmed. Cheng Yun smiled. “You still have work. Don’t trouble yourself. I’ll call if needed.”

Reluctantly, Liu Jie nodded. “But this car…”

“All cars are the same. I’ll manage.”

“Okay, I’ll call Director Zhang.”

He ran back. Cheng Yun looked at Anan.
“Let’s settle your business.”

Anan pursed his lips, then said, “We count money first.”

Cheng Yun laughed. “Afraid I’ll skip the bill?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

She pulled out her wallet. “How many days in Kaili?”

“How many do you want?”

“Usually?”

“Two or three.”

She handed him cash. “One thousand. Return extra, add if short.”

He counted. “Okay.”

She walked ahead. He looked at her back—the trench coat hem lifted by wind. He stared two seconds, then looked away.

“Is this your car?” she asked, pointing to the van just unloaded.

“No. Come with me.”

“Wait. The guide too.”

“Oh.”

Tour Guide Zhang hurried out, urged by Liu Jie. Cheng Yun and Anan waited.

“Do you smoke?” she asked.

“No.”

“How long to Kaili?”

“Not long. I drive fast.”

“I’m not in a hurry. Safety first.”

“Don’t worry.”

She studied him. “Has anyone said you don’t talk much?”

Anan was stunned. For the first time, she looked at him properly. He wasn’t handsome, but there was an indescribable energy.

“Are you an ethnic minority?” she asked.

“Yes.”

No wonder. Cheng Yun smiled.

Before she could continue, Tour Guide Zhang rushed out. “Sorry to keep you waiting!”

Anan led them to the car. Cheng Yun told Zhang, “Don’t call me leader. My surname is Cheng—call me Sister Cheng.”

“Okay. Call me Xiao Zhang.”

“Alright—wait.”

They turned the corner. Anan opened the car door.

Zhang froze. “This car?!”

Anan nodded. “Mm.”

“What kind of car is this!”

“Miniature.”

“Can you even drive this?”

“I just did.”

Zhang panicked. “Sister Cheng, wait—I’ll arrange another car. This is too bad—”

“Wait.” Cheng Yun walked over. “What brand?”

Anan thought. “Don’t remember. Got it from a friend.”

“You have many friends.”

He stayed silent.

Liu Jie arrived, saw the car, startled. He glanced nervously at Cheng Yun.

She smiled faintly, pretending not to mind.

Zhang grew anxious. Liu Jie panicked.

Anan said, “It’s okay.”

“What’s okay!” Liu Jie pointed. “The reflectors are gone!”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“No reflector means no door—!” Zhang exclaimed.

Cheng Yun’s eyes fell on the worn gray van. The passenger seat had no window, the door loose.

Anan climbed halfway through the window, pulled out a chain lock, looped it, secured the door, and yanked. The car shook, dust falling.

He turned. “No problem. Don’t worry.”

Zhang nearly fainted. Cheng Yun laughed aloud.

Anan looked at her silently.

“No, unsafe!” Liu Jie cried. “Leader, wait ten minutes—I’ll call another car!”

“"No need to bother." Cheng Yun walked to the car, "That's it."

Liu Jie panicked. “No, leader, it’s too unsafe! Please wait ten minutes, I’ll call another car. It’s not troublesome at all.”

Cheng Yun turned to Tour Guide Zhang. “Xiao Zhang, don’t take this one. Wait for their car, go with them, and we’ll meet in Kaili.”

“But—” Zhang hesitated.

Cheng Yun looked at Liu Jie. “You have my phone.”

“Yes, yes…”

“That’s it. Take her back and wait.”

Liu Jie had no choice but to lead Zhang back to the agency.

Anan seemed relieved. Cheng Yun teased, “Afraid you’ll lose the business?”

Anan bent down to check the tires. Hearing her words, he only hummed.

After checking, he straightened. “Get in first.”

Cheng Yun sat in the co-pilot seat. Anan closed the door, locking it tightly with the chain.

“Hey…” Cheng Yun’s voice was soft.

Anan turned, startled to find her head leaning against the window frame, only a fist’s distance from his face. Her hair brushed lightly in the breeze.

She smiled. “Tie it well. I don’t want to die in your car.”

Maybe she was joking. Anan couldn’t tell.

Her black hair fluttered in the draft, her lips curved faintly.

“No,” Anan said quietly.

“What’s your name?”

His hands paused. Then he answered, “Zhou Dongnan. My friends call me Anan. You can call me that.”

He pulled the door hard, made sure it was locked, then walked around to the driver’s side and climbed in.

Cheng Yun leaned back, watching him sideways. “Anan.”

The lighter clicked, stuck for a moment, then flared to life.

Cheng Yun turned her head, gazing out the window.

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