Tranxending Vision - Chapter 45

Chapter 45

New Workers

Ning Jing did not reappear again after leaving with Ren Wen-Qiang and there was no phone call either . Xia Lei was a little worried but he did not call her . He had his concerns – Ning Jing's parents liked Ren Wen-Qiang very much and wanted him to be with Ning Jing . If he kept meddling, wouldn't he become the third party? He did not want Ning Jing's parents as enemies . It would be bad if Ning Jing's father's heart problem were to be triggered . Because of all these reasons, Xia Lei put Ning Jing out of his mind for the moment .

Xia Lei cancelled the online order in the end, since the equipment Shentu Tian-Yin had given him was enough to upgrade Thunder Horse Workshop . Buying more equipment would be a waste . With the money saved, he could also buy vehicles . He bought a Great Wall Haval H6 and a Great Wall pickup . The Great Wall Haval H6 was for himself while the pickup was for Ma Xiao-An for his own use as well as a delivery vehicle for delivering the processed parts to clients .

On the fourth day, the five newly recruited workers reported for work . They had all worked with him previously at construction sites . One was a man in his early fifties, Teacher Yang Ben-Cai . One was an honest wage-earner from Sichuan, Wang You-Fu . Then there was a local middle-aged Master, Liu Xue-Bing and a 19-year-old Cui Yong, fresh from technical school . The last was a woman from the north, Chen A-Jiao, who was either 28 or 29 and had an open mind . These five, other than Cui Yong who'd been introduced by Yang Ben-Cai, had all worked with Xia Lei before and were familiar with him .

"Lei, I didn't expect you to become your own boss in such a short period of time," Teacher Yang Ben-Cai was all smiles, "You'll have to take care of us old comrades in the future . "

Xia Lei laughed as he said, "Of course . You guys took care of me in the past so now it's my turn to take care of you . Let's make money together . "

"Heh heh heh… Let's all be comfortable and not be so formal . *" The honest Wang You-Fu said, his dark face beaming with a guileless smile .

Zhou Xiao-Hong looked at him from one side, thinking, 'This guy… what is he saying? Such a bumpkin . "

The youngest, Cui Yong, had spectacles on and he was a little stiff but he gathered his courage and greeted Xia Lei, "Boss Lei, please take care of me . "

Xia Lei patted him on the shoulder and laughed as he said, "I'm not much older than you . Just call me Big Brother Lei . "

Cui Yong immediately greeted him, "Big Brother Lei . "

"Let's work hard . This workshop is our home," said Xia Lei .

"Lei, you did it . When did you become so amazing? My deadweight at home can't hold a candle to you . He only knows how to torment me," Chen A-Jiao giggled . She fired words like machine gun bullets, "You missing a lady boss? You must be, heh heh, I'll consider it…"

Ma Xiao-An interrupted, "Big Sister A-Jiao, hold up . You're thinking of becoming our lady boss?"

"Nuh, nuh, nuh!" Chen A-Jiao made a mosquito-smacking gesture and was not one bit shy, "If Lei here fancies me, I'll do the nasty with him right now . You willing, Lei?"

Xia Lei was speechless .

The workshop was suddenly filled with laughter . It was common to joke around like this in construction sites; men and women said whatever they felt like and sometimes the women were freer with their words . They were from the construction sites so the habits from their previous workplace would not disappear overnight .

"Lei, will you take up her offer?" The local Master, Liu Xue-Bing asked, egging him on .

Xia Lei was embarrassed, "Stop, it's just a joke and it doesn't mean anything . "

Chen A-Jiao spoke, "Yeah, that's right . I'm married and I have kids – how can I be paired with our Lei? I'm talking about our village's Yan-Zi . That girl is b-e-a-u-tiful . Her skin's like dough, her bum's big and round, her knockers…"

Beep beep— Beep beep—

A series of beeps from a car horn interrupted Chen A-Jiao .

The one leaning heavily on the horn was Jiang Ru-Yi, who was driving a brand new Great Wall H6 . It was Xia Lei's car but he did not dare to drive it on the roads . He'd only practiced on empty lots in the area and when he was not driving it, he would let Jiang Ru-Yi drive it to break it in . Jiang Ru-Yi was, of course, 100% willing to do so, especially when it was Xia Lei filling it up with petrol .

Jiang Ru-Yi wound down the window and shouted, "Lei, hurry up! We don't have time!"

"My sister's going to Jing-Du today for her studies . I have to send her off . Xiao-An, you lead the team . We'll have a nice meal tonight as a welcome dinner," said Xia Lei .

"Sure," Yang Ben-Cai and the others replied smilingly .

"Lei, tell Xue for me to study hard and make sure to make something of herself," said Ma Xiao-An .

Xia Lei patted Ma Xiao-An on the shoulder, "I'll definitely pass the message on . I'll be going now, everyone . See you all later tonight . "

They sent Xia Lei to the door . "Hurry up, you're wasting time," Jiang Ru-Yi urged .

"Okay, enough with the rushing . I'm here now aren't I?" said Xia Lei .

Jiang Ru-Yi half got out of her seat and opened the door for Xia Lei . He got in and she stepped on the accelerator, moving into traffic .

"Are there any problems with this car?" asked Xia Lei . This was the most valuable purchase he had made in his life and he was worried that there would be quality issues .

"No problem . Don't listen to those people who boast about how good those joint-venture cars are . This car runs better than my Polo and it's more spacious too . It's more cost-effective," said Jiang Ru-Yi .

Xia Lei felt more at ease then . He looked at Jiang Ru-Yi changing gears and stepping on the accelerator and felt an itch to drive, "Don't just drive it around on your own . You have to teach me too . "

Jiang Ru-Yi rolled her eyes at Xia Lei, "You have a licence but can't drive . I've got to hand it to you . Is that Long Bing woman not worried that you'll knock people over? She actually gave you a licence just like that . "

"Are you going to teach me or not?"

"I'll teach you . Put your hand on the gear-stick and I'll tell you when to change," said Jiang Ru-Yi as she slowed the car .

Xia Lei put his left hand on the gear-stick and waited nervously for Jiang Ru-Yi's instruction .

Jiang Ru-Yi suddenly reached over with her right hand and grabbed Xia Lei's hand .

Her hand was cotton-soft and boneless and her skin was smooth . Xia Lei was suddenly sensitive and said embarrassedly, "What are you doing grabbing my hand?"

"Teaching you how to drive . What were you thinking?" Jiang Ru-Yi glared at Xia Lei, then stepped on the clutch and moved Xia Lei's hand forward . "It's in third gear now . It's necessary to increase the gears when you drive . Got it?"

"Got it . " However, Xia Lei's gaze landed on Jiang Ru-Yi's thigh and his mind also became rather active, throwing out all sorts of messy images .

They went on like that, one teaching and one learning . The Great Wall H6 suddenly sped up and slowed on the road, angering quite a few other drivers…

A route which would have taken half an hour took Jiang Ru-Yi and Xia Lei an entire hour . Back in their neighbourhood, Xia Lei brought Jiang Ru-YI through his door . A large suitcase sat on the sofa . Xia Xue was all prepared to leave . She stood when she saw Xia Lei and Jiang Ru-Yi walk through the door . "Brother, Big Sister Ru-Yi, why are you so late? I waited more than an hour . "

"Your brother wanted to learn how to drive so I taught him on the way here," Jiang Ru-Yi laughed, "You know, your brother's dumb as a brick . A simple thing such as a gear shift took him ages and he still hasn't mastered it . "

Xia Xue looked at Xia Lei and, mysteriously, laughed .

Xia Lei rolled his eyes at Jiang Ru-Yi, "Let's go . You're so long-winded you'll surely have a big mouth later in life . "

"So what if I'll have a big mouth! It's none of your business!" said Jiang Ru-Yi .

"Okay, okay, stop arguing . Haven't you argued enough for over 20 years? Hurry and send me to the airport or I won't make it on the plane," urged Xia Xue .

The two of them stopped then and helped Xia Xue with her luggage before leaving the flat .

At the airport, Xia Lei accompanied Xia Xue all the way to the ticket window . "Xue, remember to give Miss Long a call when you arrive in Jing-Du . She will take care of you . "

"Don't worry, brother . I got it . " Xia Xue had tears in her eyes . In all her years, this was her first time leaving her brother and she was a little reluctant .

"Come, Xue . Big Sister Ru-Yi will give you hugs . " Jiang Ru-Yi enveloped Xia Xue in a tight embrace .

"Big Sister Ru-Yi, I can't bear to leave you and my brother…" Xia Xue could not hold it back any longer and tears flowed .

Jiang Ru-Yi consoled her and spoke warmly, "Silly girl, it's not as if you're not coming back . Won't you be back during winter break? If you miss me or your brother you can call us . You can also use QQ video to chat . Isn't that seeing us too?"

Xia Xue was choked with sobs, "But…"

Xia Lei also couldn't bear to part with his sister but he put up a front, "What's all this crying for? You're finally going to learn some independence . Quick, go in . Call me when you arrive to tell me you got there safely . "

Xia Xue stopped her tears at his words and pulled her suitcase past the ticket window . After a few steps into the entry channel, she looked back . The sight of that made Xia Lei's heart squeeze .

Xia Lei turned to leave only after he lost sight of Xia Xue .

Xia Lei continued his driving lessons on the way back and Jiang Ru-Yi let him take a wheel on the more remote sections of the road while she sat in the passenger seat and issued commands . It was good to learn how to drive but Xia Lei felt like Jiang Ru-Yi was being a pervert – touching his hand and even his thigh .

"Brakes, brakes!"

"Not again…"

Sure enough, even before she changed the tone of her voice, Jiang Ru-Yi's hand landed on his thigh, pounding hard to tell him to step on the brakes . The part she pounded was also close to the groin area, which was a sensitive spot . This made Xia Lei very nervous . He was afraid Jiang Ru-Yi would move her hand upwards, just a little, at any time and pull his handbrake up .

Back in their neighbourhood, Jiang Ru-Yi drove his Great Wall H6 to the police station . Before she left, she took 400 yuan from Xia Lei for petrol money .

Xia Lei was rather depressed, "Driving my car and using my money to pay for petrol . What the hell is she?"

Back home, the flat felt cold and lonely . Xia Xue was gone and Xia Lei felt an emptiness in his heart . He walked to the television cabinet and looked at their family picture . Xia Xue and himself were smiling happily in the picture and his parents also had blissful smiles . However, those blissful days were never coming back .

Then he saw the glass bottle behind the family picture with the little pill still in it . Just as he was about to take it out for a look, his mobile phone rang .

It was from Chi Jing-Qiu .

"Lei, Xi-Tian Guesthouse, Room 201 . I'll wait for you," Chi Jing-Qiu opened with that line right away .

Xia Lei paused, "You're in a guesthouse waiting for me… waiting for what?"

"For you to bed me," said Chi Jing-Qiu with a laugh .

Xia Lei frowned, "Stop kidding around . I'm not in the mood . "

"Fine . It's business . Didn't I talk to you about it? I have a purchase order for you," said Chi Jing-Qiu .

"Good, I'll be right there," said Xia Lei .

*He was using very region-specific words from Sichuan: 安逸, 巴适