Chapter 80 Part 1

During the summer holidays, many people go out to travel. Fortunately, their middle school finished earlier than regular high schools by a few days. When they set off, the massive summer self-driving tours had not started yet.

Still, when they got on the highway, they had to wait in line for a while.

Sitting by the window, Chu Yi asked, "Why don't those cars over there get in line and just go through?"

"That's an ETC lane. You need to apply for a card that scans your license plate so you can just drive through without stopping to pay," Yan Hang slowly moved the car forward. "You don't need to have the card on you or stop to pay when you exit either."

"Oh," Chu Yi nodded. "You should get one when you buy a car in the future."

Yan Hang glanced at him and smiled. "You make it sound so easy."

"I'll help pitch in when the time comes," Chu Yi turned to look at him. "I'll start working next year."

"Alright," Yan Hang nodded. "Let's make a plan - for a 200,000 RMB car, you contribute 50,000. How's that?"

"No problem," Chu Yi agreed.

Yan Hang laughed and rolled down his window to take the card from the toll collector.

The collector was a young girl with a very professional smile. "Have a nice trip!" she said.

"Thank you," Yan Hang replied.

"Have a nice trip," Chu Yi echoed. "Our journey is starting."

"Mm," Yan Hang murmured in agreement. After going through the toll booth, he stepped on the gas pedal. In the rearview mirror, he could see Chu Yi's bangs blown straight up into a faux hawk. His eyes were nearly blown shut from the wind.

"Not going to close the window?" he asked again.

"Nope, leaving it open," Chu Yi responded.

"There are two pairs of sunglasses in the compartment in front of you - one mine, one Old Cui's," Yan Hang said. "Put a pair on or you'll go blind from the wind."

"Okay," Chu Yi opened the compartment and took out two cases. He opened them and looked inside. "This flashy blue pair is yours, right?"

"Yup," Yan Hang smiled with a nod. "The black ones are Old Cui's - you can wear his."

"No, I want, the stylish ones," Chu Yi put on the blue pair.

"Looking sharp," Yan Hang glanced at him. "With that, you look like a gangster."

"Aren't you going to wear some too for the glare?" Chu Yi asked.

"Yeah," Yan Hang nodded.

Chu Yi took out the black pair and put them on Yan Hang, then scrutinized him for a while. "Yeah, you look just like one of our underlings."

"Yes, Boss Dog," Yan Hang played along. "How's my driving so far, Boss?"

"Not bad," Chu Yi nodded. "Keep up the good work."

Yan Hang had calculated earlier that without any stops, it would take around 4 hours to reach their destination. But they were definitely going to stop and rest along the way. He had never driven on the highway for this long before. Like Old Cui had instructed, he needed to focus on safety.

"There's a rest stop up ahead," Chu Yi said, still leaning against the wind.

"Got it," Yan Hang replied. "We can pee, get water and food, and stretch our legs."

"Don't list peeing first," Chu Yi critiqued.

Yan Hang laughed and slowed down to exit the highway.

After using the bathroom and washing his face, he came out to see Chu Yi walking around taking photos with his phone. "What are you taking pictures of?"

"The travelers," Chu Yi explained. "They look different from regular people."

"True," Yan Hang observed the people around them.

"It must have been like this for you and Uncle Yan too, right?" Chu Yi looked at him.

"Not really," Yan Hang stretched lazily. "We didn't even have two bags between us. It was more like migrating than traveling - going from place to place without a destination or ever looking back."

Chu Yi didn't respond and looked back down at his phone.

Traveling and going everywhere. Chu Yi had always wanted to travel. When summer break ended each year, his classmates would talk about where they went for vacation. He would always just listen quietly from the sidelines.

The farthest he had been before going to boarding school was to his grandpa's place. Traveling had never even crossed his mind, and it seemed like no one else in his family had considered it either. His grandma probably hadn't even left their district before.

Chu Yi picked out a few photos he wanted to post on Moments, but decided it still wasn't enough. He went over to Yan Hang, "Brother Xiao Tian, can you help me take a picture?"

“This pose is so cool,” Yan Hang snapped several photos in quick succession, “Dog Bro, let me remind you that after posting these kinds of photos on your Moments, please reject all the girls trying to flirt with you.”

“How to reject, reject them?” Chu Yi asked.

“Just don’t reply.” Yan Hang said.

“I don’t even know how, how to reply anyway.” Chu Yi said.

“That’s perfect then,” Yan Hang said, “Please maintain your cluelessness in this area.”

After taking the photos, the two of them sat on the edge of the lawn and ate some food before setting off again.

“I like this feel, feeling,” Chu Yi said, “On the road, running and running, with you by my side.”

Yan Hang didn’t speak, but reached out and pinched his chin, then started the car.

The sunshine was great, the wind carried the scent of dust and grass, the radio host made awkward small talk from time to time, the music cut in and out due to poor signal, the highway stretching towards the horizon was ahead, the continuous green in the distance, and the dog leaning against the window watching the scenery in the passenger seat.

This feeling was indeed very nice.

Life can sometimes be full of novelty and fun because of uncertainty, but too much uncertainty can also make one feel insecure.

If there is one person you know for sure will be there when you turn your head, all the uncertainty becomes more bearable.

Chu Yi didn't sleep well last night. Now he kept staring at the retreating scenery outside, the hypnotic effect should work quite well. Probably less than an hour after leaving the rest stop, Yan Hang realized he had fallen asleep hanging in his seatbelt.

The posture was a bit undignified, but very cute.

Yan Hang closed the car window and turned on the air conditioning.

The hot wind had made his face numb all this way, yet he didn't know where Chu Yi got so much energy to keep sticking his head out excitedly, just short of panting with his tongue out.

They stopped at another rest stop before getting off the highway.

They filled up the gas tank again.

After leaving the toll station, Yan Hang pulled over and took out his phone to start navigation.

Chu Yi looked around. There was less farmland now, some tall buildings could be seen in the distance, and the green belts along the road ahead were very wide, with thick lush grass that looked very comfortable.

This was the city where Yan Hang was born.

It felt very unfamiliar.

When the car moved forward again, Yan Hang talked less, maybe to hear the navigation voice clearly, or maybe something was on his mind now that he had returned to this city.