Chapter 5

Chapter 3073: Old Friend

"You must have been driving non-stop to be able to produce a 36-hour record," said the man.

"Of course, I have a competitive nature and can't stand anyone outpacing me. I have to break their records," Zhang Gang said proudly.

"Well, that's not a good idea. Driving that fast is dangerous."

Zhang Gang looked at Lin Yi, "Brother, take it slow. Once you start the long haul, you'll understand that driving a big rig isn't easy. I won't wait for you."

"Even though my skills are average, I don't think I'll need you to wait. I can handle it on my own."

"You don't need me to wait? 2300 kilometers in 36 hours? Do you think this is a small car, averaging over 100 km/h?"

"Haha..."

Zhang Gang's words made everyone in the dispatch room burst into laughter.

They were all experienced old drivers who understood what it meant to drive a big rig.

Human energy is limited. After driving for a few hours, one needs to rest appropriately and also reserve time for meals.

Driving at night requires even more caution and a slower speed.

Forget Zhang Gang's 36-hour record; being able to complete the journey in 48 hours is already impressive.

The person in front of them clearly had no experience, and they wondered why he was hired.

"Words are cheap; let's see how you do," said the dispatcher.

With that, Lin Yi took the ticket and left the dispatch room.

"Old Zhang, these newbies don't understand the rules. Give them a lesson later to show them what a real pro is like."

"I don't think Old Zhang needs to do it. Once he makes the trip, he'll know what this job is all about."

"Right, no amount of talking will help. Once he experiences it, he'll understand how terrifying a 36-hour record is."

Hearing the comments, Zhang Gang felt a bit arrogant. He shook his neck and wrists, "I've been in good form lately. I plan to break my own record and see if I can shave off an hour."

"You're the man. I always just make it on time."

"You can't deny the difference between us young ones and you, ha ha..."

"Ha ha... You really can't take compliments. A few words and you get all puffed up."

"Alright, I won't chat with you anymore. I'm off."

Meanwhile, Lin Yi had already gotten into the truck.

He hadn't noticed before, but he checked the vehicle again after getting in. The truck was relatively new, about four or five years old, and should be able to handle high speeds.

After about an hour, all the cargo was loaded onto the truck.

Lin Yi began his long journey.

Looking at the navigation route, he remembered the business trip to Ice City that winter.

He wondered how the girl named Anning was doing now.

Lin Yi shook his head, hoping she was doing well.

Since it was night and the transfer center was in the outskirts, he soon hit the highway. He pressed the gas pedal, and the speed quickly reached 100 km/h and kept climbing.

Under normal circumstances, driving that fast at night is dangerous, even for a small car, let alone a big rig.

But for Lin Yi, it was nothing.

His night vision was far superior to that of an ordinary person.

Moreover, his physical endurance was terrifying. He could go 24 hours without food or water and still maintain his mental state, easily completing the 2300-kilometer journey in one go.

Lin Yi estimated that he could reach Ice City within 24 hours.

He drove from night to day, and then from day to night again. The temperature dropped from above 10 degrees to below minus 10 degrees.

Such a dramatic change in temperature is almost impossible to see in other countries.

After about 22 hours, Lin Yi easily arrived at the cargo yard in Ice City.

Actually, he could have arrived an hour earlier, but the temperature difference between Zhonghai and Ice City was at least 30 degrees. Even if Lin Yi could withstand the cold, wearing thin clothes would make people think he was crazy.

So, when he reached Beijing, he bought a set of winter clothes, ate some food, and continued driving.

Although it was his first time, with the dispatcher's guidance, everything went smoothly.

The people here were as热情 as ever, though their voices were a bit loud, they sounded very comforting.

After parking, Lin Yi took the ticket to the dispatch room.

"Is there something wrong with your ticket?" a male dispatcher asked.

"Huh? I haven't touched it since I got it. What's wrong with it?"

"It shows that you left Zhonghai last night and arrived here in less than 22 hours. Did someone in your area write the time wrong, maybe missing a day?"

"No, it's correct. I drove for 22 hours straight."

"Ah?!"

Hearing Lin Yi's words, everyone in the dispatch room was shocked.

"Really? Over 2300 kilometers in 22 hours?"

"I didn't stop at all. I had food in the truck, which saved a lot of time."

"That has nothing to do with it." The male dispatcher gave a thumbs up, "You young people are amazing. We can't compare to you."

"Thank you, thank you," Lin Yi said modestly.

"Wait a moment. I'll issue your ticket now. You can go and rest for a day. Come back at this time tomorrow to pick up the cargo."

"Alright."

After about ten seconds, the return ticket was issued.

Lin Yi returned to the truck, but the system notification didn't sound in his mind.

"What's going on? I've already completed the trip, but the task isn't finished?"

[The system task requires a successful round trip.]

"I see."

Lin Yi wasn't in a hurry. He tidied up in the truck and planned to find a hotel for the night.

Taking a taxi back to the city, the snow had been cleared to the sides of the streets. The white breath he exhaled seemed to have a cold taste.

For young people working away from home, this taste was the taste of home.

"Quite a coincidence."

Walking on the familiar yet unfamiliar streets, Lin Yi felt a bit nostalgic.

The last time he came, it was also winter, with snow covering the entire street.

People on the street were in a hurry, but some were walking slowly, taking photos and checking in from time to time.

They seemed to be from other places, just like him.

But walking on the streets, they seemed to blend into the city.

Following the address in his memory, Lin Yi arrived at the hotel where he had stayed before.

Everything here was the same, many places looked exactly as they did the last time he came.

But upon closer inspection, there were some changes.

These changes made Lin Yi feel strangely uncomfortable.

"Damn, when did I become so sentimental?" Lin Yi muttered to himself.