The driver glanced at Wu Jinlan and several gentlemen before replying, "I'm the driver. I heard from a boss that if we take this road, we'll meet an injured Mr. Luo and should invite him to get on the bus."
Wu Jinluan's face became even paler, and his vigilance increased.
Back to my husband in a quiet manner, while the others shielded me in front.
Old Gong on my shoulder turned his eyes around and suddenly said, "Get on the bus then, four wheels are better than two legs. Since they've come to invite me, not going would be not giving face."
"This... Old Gong... the person's identity is not clear..."
Wu Jinluan nodded slightly and carefully said, "A steady hand on the tiller will sail a thousand miles."
My thoughts raced rapidly.
I have no acquaintances around the Jiuqu Mountain.
Only one person, perhaps around here, is Mr. Mao San who Wu Jinluan and his team have found!
But isn't it true that Mao You San has always been avoiding me, making it impossible for me to find him?
If it really is him, how could he suddenly come to fetch me?
Old Gong invited me to get on the bus, he must have already figured it out, but Wu Jinluan hasn't realized it yet.
"Uh... Just to make it clear, if you guys don't get on the bus, I won't go back to get my money back either. It's a one-time deal. I've been running around outside the city for a whole night, the fuel cost and the trouble fee are enough for a pot of tea."
The driver lit a cigarette, took a deep breath, and the spark suddenly illuminated.
"I'll get on the bus, old Gong's right," I croaked out.
Wu Jinluan didn't argue anymore, he breathed out a sigh of relief and gave a wink to the one on my back.
I was placed in the first seat of the back row, and the others filed in one after another.
After everyone got on board, the driver continued to smoke while turning the car around and heading towards the city direction.
The smell of second-hand smoke was unpleasant and sharp. Wu Jinluan waved his hand to disperse the smoke in front of him. The driver glanced at the rearview mirror before extinguishing his cigarette and opening the window for ventilation.
The gentlemen were mostly lost in thought. Wu Jinluan had been staring down, but suddenly looked up at me, hesitatingly saying, "Is it him? There were no clues, no signs, and he didn't mention..."
"Just when there was nothing, suddenly it happened, suddenly it appeared, seemingly unrelated but actually the greatest connection. That big donkey face is not God and ghost, unpredictable?" Old Gong hummed a few words.
In the past, he wouldn't dare to address Mao You San like that.
To be specific, Mao You San's big face and small eyes, old Gong's assessment is indeed very close to him, vivid and vivid.
"Indeed, that's right," Wu Jinluan nodded slightly.
The driver looked back at the rearview mirror again. His eyes were extremely surprised. He looked at me for a moment and then at Wu Jinluan.
After that, he looked forward again, but his head was slightly tilted as if in confusion.
It's quite simple. According to him, he was just randomly hired to pick me up; he was paid for it, and the location was given, so he's not affiliated with anyone.
An ordinary person couldn't see Old Gong. Wu Jinluan seemed to be talking to me, but actually I didn't speak, and Old Gong was answering. It's as if he were speaking to himself.
"Take it easy," I finally spoke up.
Wu Jinluan nodded slightly and didn't say much anymore.
As we moved further away from Jiuqu Mountain and closer to the city, the number of cars on the road increased significantly. The bright headlights of the trucks were even more blinding, and the driver occasionally cursed, expressing great frustration.
Only after entering the city did the cursing stop, and the streets became busier with more traffic. The road was quiet and peaceful.
Before I knew it, dawn had broken.
The car stopped outside a park. The driver said, "Here it is, where the boss said to drop me off. Get off, Mr. Luo."
We got off the car, and the driver left immediately.
The sky was still gray, and the sunrise was still a short time away. There was no one outside the park. It was too early even for the elderly men and women who usually exercise in the morning to arrive.
"Where is he? Why hasn't he come out?" Wu Jinluan looked around in all directions.
The other gentlemen were still unclear about it, their eyes carrying a tone of inquiry.
During the time I rested on the bus, I was slightly recovered, and now I am no longer being carried by someone.
"Having someone he doesn't know come to pick me up and drop me off is his way of hiding his identity, and he doesn't trust those around him," I said in a low voice. "Wait, if it really is him, he must have his reasons."
Wu Jinluan was silent again, not saying anything.
After about five or six minutes, I heard a faint wind chime.
Actually, there's nothing special about it.
At first, I didn't notice. Then I suddenly realized that the wind bell didn't exist in the park.
You see, there was a wind bell on top of the coffin in Mao You San's shop back then.
"Let's go," I said at the same time, following the direction of the wind bell sound.
I went straight into the park. The sound of the wind bell grew louder and clearer as I walked further inside.
Until I reached the deepest part of the park, the wind bell sound seemed to resonate just next to my eardrums.
Further on, there is no more path.
It's a mountain, located in the city within the park.
There's a barrier at the foot of the mountain, with a sign above it that reads "Do Not Enter for Visitors."
Under the tree, it looked like someone was standing and waving at me.
My heart rate suddenly increased, and I quickened my pace.
As I followed, the person had already started walking up the mountain.
Wu Jinluan and the others also saw the person, and they quickly opened the gate. After we entered, the last one closed it, and we hurried up the mountain.
No wonder this city mountain doesn't allow visitors to come up. The path is narrow and rugged, and there are even many tombs on the mountain, overgrown with weeds. It looks ordinary to us, but for ordinary people, it's quite eerie.
"Playing tricks," someone among the gentlemen whispered.
Wu Jinluan looked at him and warned, "Don't say nonsense."
The gentleman closed his mouth and didn't speak anymore.
The mountain isn't high, and as we reached the peak, a round orange sun just began to rise on the horizon, casting its magnificent light.
The sun has come up.
An ancient temple stood on the peak. In front of the temple, a tea table was set up, and next to it was a fireplace. A kettle was boiling over with water, and some snacks were on the table. There were also two enamel bowls.
I saw Mao You San.
He was still the same as when I last saw him, almost no changes at all.
He picked up one of the enamel bowls, slurped up a mouthful of tea, and exhaled deeply.
With his big face and small eyes, he looked at us.
"Acting like a deity, acting like a deity. You've always liked to go around by yourself, but this time you're with so many people. My tea bowl isn't enough." Mao You San stood up, with his ordinary and relaxed attitude and words that seemed like an old friend greeting each other. There was nothing extraordinary about it.
The gentlemen looked at each other and then at me.
Wu Jinluan looked even more alert, his eyes fixed on Mao You San.
"People, they can't always remain the same. In the past, I could only go around by myself. Now that some things have changed, naturally, there are more people around me."
"You, old Mao, your shop is closed, you don't do business anymore. You're traveling and enjoying yourself freely." I breathed out a sigh of relief and spoke in the same manner as if talking to an old friend, not showing any fear.
Mao You San hesitated slightly before answering, "You've changed."
"You too, how much like you used to be?" I asked in response.
