Chapter 1

On both sides of the road, there is gray and soil, and the grass and the leaves of the shrubs that have grown are all white. It has been raining since last night until now, yet the rain has not washed away the original green of the leaves.

"I won't open this thing," Sun Wenqu said as he turned around to walk back. "If I start it halfway, it will definitely end up as just a shell. I don't want to walk, especially since it's raining."

"We need to get it back," Ma Liang said, "or we will change it, change the lock."

"Are you inviting me for a welcome dinner?" Sun Wenqu smiled, put his phone into his pocket, "Just the two of us?"

"The channel." Ma Liang finished speaking.

Moreover, he is also afraid that the bumps on this road will cause him to hit his teeth when he speaks; he cannot afford to damage his neatly aligned and white teeth. In the past, there were indeed people who approached him to shoot a toothpaste advertisement.

Woken up by the workers at six in the morning, even if the workers were silent, I would still be awakened by Manager Zhang next door. Even if neither of them made a sound, the chickens raised in the house across the street would start crowing at four o'clock, disturbing my sleep.

"Why aren't you starting it?" he asked Ma Liang after starting the vehicle.

"Go." Ma Liang took a set of car keys from his pocket and placed them in his hand

I can see that there is no dust at all. Sun Wenqu pointed his finger across the table, which was very clean

Sun Wenqu tugged at the blanket, turned over, and buried his face into it

"Liangzi, how many years have I known you?" Sun Wenqu glanced at him, "This should be Sun Jiayue's car... Is it hers or did she buy it for me?"

Sun Wenqu has always had poor sleep, finding it difficult to fall asleep. Singing a lullaby and counting a few sheep can easily lull him to sleep, but even the slightest sound, like an ant burping in the room, immediately wakes him up

Thus, the vehicle was driven out of the narrow path, bumping along until it reached the "main road". This road is only half a meter wider than the one outside the engineering department's yard. It used to be a concrete road, but now it is merely a mix of mud, stones, and potholes.

After wandering around a few rooms, I found myself standing in the living room, unsure of what to do next

One can tell from the voice that this person is Old Liang. He has been here since the day he was brought up from the pottery clay site of my father, speaking as if thunder were rolling, and he doesn't even need to throw a punch to settle a fight

She said, "That kid is..." Ma Liang pointed behind the woman and said, "Your son"

Three loud knocks, followed by a robust voice saying: "Manager Sun! Someone is looking for you!"

"Ask away." Sun Wenqu glanced at him

I don't know, Sun Yao frowned, even if I did know, I wouldn't let Liangzi go pick him up

However, it seems that it was not successful

At that moment, Sun Wenqu pushed his sunglasses back onto Ma Liang's face, then turned to glance back; Manager Zhang was standing in the second-floor corridor, watching him.

He frowned slightly and patted Ma Liang's shoulder: "Let's go"

"Here, borrow this," Ma Liang said, also pulling on his seatbelt, taking out a cigarette to light. "Just borrow it, you can drive it."

Ma Liang? Manager Zhang clearly seemed unfamiliar with this name, as if he were pondering it

"Dad," Sun Yao paused before walking behind him and gently pinching his shoulder, "Why are you making such a big fuss? I’m going to say something you might not want to hear... You said he would be gone for three years, and now that three years have passed, it’s only natural for him to come back."

Before Ma Liang could speak, Sun Wenqu stepped out of the courtyard. Just as he was about to walk towards the car, a female voice called out from behind, "Sun Wenqu!"

I just got up and haven't washed up yet," Sun Wenqu rubbed his face and asked, "How did you come here?

Sun Zhengzhi hung up the phone and tossed his mobile onto the table, turning to look at her: "You are aware of this matter, right?"

What mistake should I recognize? Sun Wenqu slammed the brakes and stopped the car in the middle of the road. What is my mistake? Is it wrong for me to like men? Is it wrong for me not to want to be a potter? Is it wrong for me not to like those bottles, plates, and jars? I have already spent three years in the mountain valley, am I still wrong?

Dad, Sun Yao sighed, "How long are you all going to do this? Qu hasn't been home for three years, and in less than two months, it's going to be New Year... My mom misses him terribly..."

I have actually stayed in such a place for three years, which is truly remarkable perseverance

When, of course... now, Ma Liang also glanced over there, "That brother... buddy, look, we've been watching for a long time, if we don't leave now, it will be... it will be time to report to the old man."

Sun Yao, who was sitting on the guest sofa, was startled, nearly dropping the cup in her hand onto the floor. She stood up and walked over to her father, waving her hand at him.

This time, Ma Liang did not inform others about his return, so there was no lively scene of a group of people welcoming him back as there had been in the past.

You are old, old... that, with me, said Ma Liang, the number is still kept.

It is estimated that apart from him, no one else can compete with their own father to this extent

"This car will be returned to Sun Jiayue tomorrow; I won't drive this thing." Sun Wenqu stepped out of the door. His house is on the first floor, and there is a small yard of about seven to eight square meters outside. He has planted quite a few flowers in the yard, and despite not having returned for three years, Ma Liang has taken good care of them; they are surprisingly still vibrant.

After living in a place for three years, one would expect a person like him to feel some sentiment upon leaving so suddenly, yet he felt none; all he had was the thought of leaving quickly, as the car bounced along, speeding through the rain.

Sun Wenqu suddenly pulled his head out from under the covers

He is just idly hanging around here, not responsible for accounting, not in charge of personnel, and not managing the land. Manager Zhang usually just takes him to the construction site to wander around, discussing how the soil is, how much of this batch there is, and what the quality is like. His father is merely keeping him restrained.

I understand what you mean, "Sun Wenqu drove the car forward again, " doesn't he think I am useless? Am I not capable of becoming the kind of person he wants?

"So what?" Sun Zhengzhi glanced at her, let out a cold laugh, and interrupted her words, "Do you think he will come home for the New Year?"

"Did you really drive this car in?" Sun Wenqu stared at the car in front of him, his eyes nearly not blinking, then looked down at the car key in his hand, confirming that he was not mistaken. "You drove a Beetle here? You are quite capable! You didn't scrape the undercarriage to pieces, did you?"

Initially, I was contemplating contacting Ma Liang in a couple of days to discuss ways to get myself out of this situation, but unexpectedly, Ma Liang was more anxious than I was and came over right on time.

"Can I walk?" Sun Wenqu said, after thinking for a moment, he turned to look at him and said, "Forget it, the car won't be returned to Sun Jiayue. She will definitely say, 'If you don't want it, just throw it by the roadside.' Keep the car, you drive it."

Ma Liang sighed, his hand reached towards his pocket but then stopped.

"... ... is, Ma Liang, he said his name is Ma Liang," Old Liang glanced at him and said, "Be careful of catching a cold, didn't you just have a fever last month"

"Can't you just speak directly?" Sun Wenqu couldn't help but laugh

He had two sets of keys; before leaving, he gave one set to Ma Liang and the other set to Li Bowen

I came to pick you up," Ma Liang chuckled twice, thought for a moment, and then came over to give him a tight hug, "You've lost weight... you.

Sun Wenqu glanced at the car keys, then turned his head to look at the second floor behind him, where Manager Zhang was walking towards the end of the staircase while talking on the phone

still unable to stop laughing

"Do not speak on his behalf!" Sun Zhengzhi brushed her hand away and stood up, "I said he would stay for three years, but I never said he would return after three years. I can have someone bring him back right now to stay for another three years! This insufferable thing, even staying for thirty years is not considered long!"

The early autumn in the mountains is a season for sleeping, especially on such a morning when the autumn rain is falling gently, it feels almost disrespectful to get out of bed.

"I don't want it anymore," he said

I have tidied up said Ma Liang from the side

"Why didn't you stop him!" Sun Zhengzhi shouted into the phone, slamming his hand on the desk.

"It is right in the engineering department office," said Old Liang

"East, are you not taking anything?" Ma Liang asked

"Ask, ask, ask... Sun Wenqu!" Ma Liang, upon seeing him like this, became anxious and rushed over to grab him, "Don't be so reckless, young master. The old man is having second thoughts. If someone stops you, you will still have to wait... another three years"

Sun Yao fell silent and, after a moment, stood up and left the office. He instructed the secretary outside to bring in a cup of ginseng tea before departing.

Sun Yao remained silent

Where is he? Sun Wenqu turned around and went back into the room, pulling clothes and pants from the chair by the bed and putting them on.

Look, the woman stood in front of him, crossed her arms and let out a cold laugh. She turned to the person behind her and said, "It has only been a few years since we last met, and your father no longer recognizes me."

Sun Wenqu entered the bathroom, took a shower, changed into a new set of clothes, and glanced at himself in the mirror, feeling a sense of rebirth

"Who is looking for him?" Manager Zhang's voice sounded.

This hairstyle needs to be redone; it was styled at a barbershop in the nearby town when I accompanied Manager Zhang for procurement. It carries a certain charm reminiscent of Master Wang from the village entrance.

Ma Liang took out the mobile phone from the drawer under the coffee table and handed it to him, fully charged and powered on

"Do you ride a motorcycle?" Ma Liang asked, "Or is it an electric scooter?"

Throughout the journey, Sun Wenqu did not speak. The chassis of the Beetle is too low; if it rains for another two days, he and Ma Liang are sure to get stuck. They might even be caught by his father's men and sent back to the trench construction site.

I don't want it, " Sun Wenqu clicked his tongue, " it's like sitting in a shoebox.

This engineering department, previously known as the command department, was renamed after he arrived. They are excavating some kaolin and have set up a command department; those who are unaware might think they are digging trenches.

It is estimated that the message has been delivered

The noise of early rising workers preparing to start their tasks came from outside the window, and footsteps could also be heard in the corridor outside the door. He struggled to regain a bit of the sleep that had begun to fade away. He was a kind-hearted person, very reluctant to let down the heavens.

"Here is the key for you," Ma Liang said as he placed the key he had left on the table before going into the mountains for his training. "Make sure to remember to return that set."

"Hurry, I haven't found any other cars," said Ma Liang

Ma Liang?" Sun Wenqu looked at Old Liang outside the door and asked again. The chilly autumn wind blowing in from the corridor gave him goosebumps all over.

Hmm? Sun Wenqu glanced at him

"I didn't take anything except for the person," Sun Wenqu glanced at the rearview mirror, seeing no one pursuing them. A yellow dirt and stone road extended behind the car, completely deserted. "I don't usually use that phone, so it doesn't matter whether I take it or not."

Ma Liang took the key and chuckled twice

He brought someone with him? Sun Wenqu asked while entering the bedroom. The bedding on the table was clearly newly changed by Ma Liang for him. He opened the wardrobe to take a look; inside, besides the clothes he hadn't taken away, there were also two sets of women's dresses. He pulled them out and threw them onto the sofa in the living room, "Damn, why didn't you throw these away"

I haven't driven a car in three years," Sun Wenqu said as he drove the car out. Just after driving for less than ten meters, he hit a pothole and jolted a bit, almost biting his tongue. "This road is worse than when I came here."

If there are not enough people, I will find you two inflatable dolls, one for each side, said Ma Liang

"Let you all pull, pull... the cart is pressed by the earth." Ma Liang smiled, holding onto the seatbelt.

Sun Wenqu did not ask any further questions, took his coat, and put it on while walking out of the room, rushing down the stairs directly to the office of the Engineering Department across from the dormitory building

"What are you doing here?" Sun Wenqu walked up to him and directly lifted his sunglasses, saying, "Your speech is already poor, and yet you pretend to be blind."

New. Ma Liang nodded slightly

Sun Wenqu was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly turned his head to look at Ma Liang: "What did this sister say?"

Where is my old phone? he asked Ma Liang

He picked up the phone and was about to dial when Ma Liang stopped him, saying: "First, let's have a meal. It's on me."

However, after the two of them walked out of the courtyard, Sun Wanqu looked at the car parked next to the dirt pile at the entrance and was stunned: "What is this thing?"

"I don't, it's not that..." Ma Liang was bombarded by him, making it even more difficult for him to articulate his words.

Sun Wenqu glanced at him, said nothing, and simply patted him on the shoulder

I haven't gotten up yet..." Sun Wenqu replied, dragging out his words

Although Sun Wenqu did not enjoy the boisterous chatter and banter of people at the drinking table, he suddenly felt a bit lonely standing in the living room of his own home

Sun Wenqu remained silent for half a day, then turned his head and looked at Ma Liang seriously: "You are fortunate that your tongue is not sharp."

Since being thrown into this wretched place by my father, he has not slept soundly for three years

Liangzi

Ma Liang was standing outside the office, wearing sunglasses, and from a distance, one could see his beaming smile.

Sun Wenqu conducted two more inspections and found no further issues; it is estimated that if there were any, Ma Liang would have already tidied them up.

He couldn't bring himself to look in the mirror more than necessary during his three years in the valley

Is there already an acquaintance upon just returning?

Ma Liang glanced at him and, after a moment of silence, said: "I bought it for you..."

"Calling names seems to carry weight, and the words are heavy..." Ma Liang also smiled, then composed himself again, saying, "If it were me, I would tell you to go and admit a mistake to the old man, and that would be it"

No. Ma Liang put the cigarette case back into his pocket

"It may not necessarily be Jiayue," Sun Yao poured him a glass of water and said, "Liangzi has such a close relationship with him, so it wouldn't be surprising if he went to pick him up."

"I want to smoke," Sun Wenqu said, "open the window."

"Please take a look at this." Ma Liang said

He promised to stay for three years, and today is October 9, exactly three years.

The sound of the crowing is as if it is laughing

After bumping along for over an hour on the road, he finally let out a sigh of relief once they reached a smooth stretch. He adjusted his seatbelt and asked Chong Maliang, "Where did the car come from?"

"It's not that I'm saying this to you," Ma Liang took out a cigarette and lit it, "You don't want to become like him, the kind of... device he desires, you also don't have, haven't become anything else... other devices."

You are ... ... '' Sun Wenqu stared at the woman for several moments, wearing sunglasses that covered half of her face. The remaining half of her face was quite beautiful, but her makeup was heavy. She looked somewhat familiar, yet he could not recall who she was.

Manager Zhang does not know Ma Liang, but at this moment, this name holds a significantly different meaning for him, one that could make a person instantly leap out of bed, throw off the covers, and rush to the door in nothing but their underwear.

Originally a four to five hour drive, due to poor road conditions, the journey took until the afternoon for Sun Wenqu to reach his own residence

Although he has been here for three years, there is basically nothing in his room. Apart from a few changes of clothes, there is a pile of kaolin materials, maps, and the like, which he occasionally flips through. They are all dog-eared, looking as if they have been perused for over a hundred years, much like an old family genealogy.

Sun Wenqu remained silent, raising his hand to check the time, only to realize that he was not wearing his watch

That is your sister! Sun Zhengzhi's anger was somewhat difficult to suppress, and he sat down heavily in his chair

You old man, you take the lead," Ma Liang said, still somewhat anxiously glancing back.

Sun Wenqu stopped, looked at the courtyard, then turned his head to glance at the road leading outside, and finally gritted his teeth and got into the car

Where did he get that car? Zhang Bing said he was driving a Beetle! Where did Ma Liang get a Beetle? He only has a broken van, and it's second-hand! Sun Zhengzhi slammed the table again

He glanced at Ma Liang, who was following him, truly worthy of being the one who could be kicked out of the "master's door" by his father for his sake

"A person named Ma Liang," said Old Liang

Do you have your phone with you?" Ma Liang suddenly remembered and asked while tugging at his seatbelt and bouncing around.

As usual, he could not fall asleep today; not only could he not sleep, but he was also unable to even feel drowsy. Someone knocked on the door of his room

"Car." Ma Liang said

I saw it as, "Sun Wenqu stretched lazily, 'Let me be clear, although I haven't had good food for three years, I still won't go to those few restaurants that I used to find tiresome.'"

"Drive." Ma Liang pointed to the car keys in his hand

"Ask ... ... ask, ask ... ..." Ma Liang sighed and turned to face him

When you drive out, Sun Wanqu threw the keys of the Beetle to Ma Liang, saying, "I no longer know the way."

He turned his head to take a glance behind him, where a woman was slowly walking towards him, taking one step at a time. Following her was a tall man wearing a baseball cap and large headphones around his neck, making it difficult to see his face.

"Don't talk to me about that," Sun Wenqu said as he reached out and took the cigarette from his mouth, throwing it out the window. "Go ahead, is it my second sister's or my mother's?"

One by one, they are truly capable! The veins on Sun Zhengzhi's forehead throbbed, "Truly capable!"