Chapter 2 has yet to begin, and the journey has already been tumultuous.

(Note: Please support the new book by voting and adding to your collection.)

In the dead of night, the city's stars were far less brilliant than those in the Qilian Mountains. Just as Zhao Chuxi was about to fall asleep, a series of footsteps woke him up instantly. The people in the northwest were tough, and Xining, a city where Tibetans, Uighurs, Han, and Hui people lived together, had a predictable level of security. Growing up in such an environment made Zhao Chuxi very cautious; he rarely trusted others. The events of the past year in Qilian County had only reinforced this belief. Moreover, since he was entrusted with a task, he did not want any unexpected incidents to occur if the goods were lost.

"Who's there?" Zhao Chuxi instinctively reached for the dagger tucked in his waist. The old monk had given it to him, saying it was a military dagger from the past, known as the 65-type military dagger. Zhao Chuxi had no idea about the famous 65-type dagger, but the handle was engraved with two characters: one side read "life" and the other "death." Zhao Chuxi called it the "Life and Death Dagger."

"It's me, Chuxi," Xiao Wang whispered, unable to sleep.

Hearing it was Xiao Wang, Zhao Chuxi relaxed and got up. "Why aren't you sleeping?"

Xiao Wang smiled shyly. "Can't sleep, came to chat with you."

Xiao Wang quickly climbed into the truck, and the two hid behind the cargo, leaning against the truck bed. Zhao Chuxi reluctantly threw a cigarette to Xiao Wang, not smoking himself. A pack of cigarettes cost several yuan, which was a luxury for him.

"Chuxi, do you have a woman you like?" Xiao Wang puffed on the cigarette, asking with a maturity beyond his years. Children from poor families grow up fast, perhaps explaining why he was more mature than his peers.

"A woman I like?" Zhao Chuxi muttered softly. He realized he didn't really have a woman he liked. There were two women he had a good impression of: one was the nurse at the Qilian County Hospital who had helped him a lot, and the other was her. Zhao Chuxi didn't dare to hope for their affection. The former, he knew, was out of his league, and the latter, he could only look up to. For Zhao Chuxi, finding any woman to marry in the future would be a lifetime commitment.

Zhao Chuxi shook his head firmly.

Xiao Wang was surprised, clearly not believing him. Zhao Chuxi replied helplessly, "The women in our village are all hardworking farmers, with dark and dry skin. You wouldn't like them either. I don't know many women in Qilian County. I've only seen women from big cities on the TV at the village chief's house. They are so beautiful, with perfect figures. Maybe I'll find a woman I like in the future."

"Don't worry, you'll definitely find a woman you like. There are many beautiful women in big cities, especially in Chengdu, where the women are like fairies, seducing you so much that you can't help but fall for them," Xiao Wang said with a lecherous laugh.

Zhao Chuxi, not fully understanding but not caring to, asked, "So you must have a woman you like? I heard Li Qingyi say that there are many beautiful women in college, and college romances are common."

Xiao Wang frowned. "Who's Li Qingyi?"

"A woman. Answer my question, you must have a woman you like," Zhao Chuxi quickly changed the subject, as if his secret had been discovered. Li Qingyi was her name, the only information Zhao Chuxi knew about her.

Xiao Wang noticed Zhao Chuxi's awkwardness and didn't press further, giving him a knowing look.

The vast parking lot was lonely, with the large lights turned off to save electricity, leaving only a few dim streetlights. The tip of Xiao Wang's cigarette was glaringly bright. He flicked the ash and sighed deeply. "Yes, how could I not? Unfortunately, I like her, but she doesn't like me. She's the beauty of our department, and many people pursue her, including rich second-generation kids who drive sports cars and powerful officials' children."

"Have you confessed to her?" Zhao Chuxi asked, somewhat disappointed.

Xiao Wang shook his head, laughing self-deprecatingly.

Zhao Chuxi was angry. "You haven't even confessed, how do you know she doesn't like you? You're a damn fool. You're not a real man. You should cut off that two ounces of meat and be done with it."

Xiao Wang laughed heartily, amused by Zhao Chuxi's scolding.

"I haven't confessed because I'm sure she doesn't like me this way. Chuxi, you know, unrequited love is the best. Unrequited love never ends in a breakup. When she's no longer the one I want, I can quietly leave," Xiao Wang said with a hint of sadness.

Zhao Chuxi leaned back, sneering. "I know nothing about that."

For a moment, they were silent. Xiao Wang smoked and thought, while Zhao Chuxi stared at the streetlights.

After a long while, Xiao Wang suddenly said, "Chuxi, you're a good person."

"I'm not a good person, don't be fooled by my appearance. In Phoenix Village, I was lazy and did nothing, stealing and cheating. Do you think I'm a good person?" Zhao Chuxi laughed, a laugh that was somewhat heart-wrenching. As an orphan, if he didn't have some skills, how could he have survived until today?

"If I'm not mistaken, you only have two packs of cigarettes. You gave one to Old Wang. This pack, I've observed, has sixteen cigarettes left, including the half you only took two puffs from in the evening. A person who is frugal with themselves but generous to others, no matter how foolish, I believe is a good person, at least not someone who would betray a friend," Xiao Wang said firmly.

Zhao Chuxi, feeling a bit embarrassed at being discovered, didn't notice that Xiao Wang called the driver "Old Wang" instead of "Dad."

Zhao Chuxi laughed bitterly. "A pack of cigarettes costs several yuan, it's too expensive. I have to save it. When I have money in the future, I'll smoke better cigarettes."

The scene froze at this moment.

Xiao Wang knew he would never forget this image: a man in his mid-twenties, dressed in rags, huddled in a messy truck, showing a mouthful of white teeth in a bitter smile, but with an unwavering gaze, as if nothing could shake his determination.

"Chuxi, when you have the chance, come to Chengdu. I'll treat you to the best cigarettes, the best drinks, the best cars, the best hotels, and the best women," Xiao Wang suddenly promised.

Zhao Chuxi was initially stunned, then he laughed in Sichuan dialect, mimicking Old Wang and Xiao Wang. "Alright."

It was late, and both were tired. Zhao Chuxi had to look for a job the next day, and Xiao Wang had to continue his journey. They stopped chatting, and Zhao Chuxi tidied up the makeshift bed, making room for both of them to sleep.

At three in the morning, perhaps due to the change in environment, Zhao Chuxi's stomach was churning. He had to get up to go to the bathroom. When he returned, he suddenly noticed the two Hui men who had been loitering around their truck earlier were now stealing from the back of the truck. Zhao Chuxi was shocked and didn't know what to do. He was clearly no match for them, and if he went to get Old Wang, it would be their territory, and without evidence, he would be at a disadvantage. Moreover, he didn't know how much they had already stolen.

As Zhao Chuxi was trying to figure out a plan, he saw an opportunity. One of the Hui men left, leaving the other looking around. Zhao Chuxi picked up a brick nearby and stealthily circled around to the man's back.

"Damn, diarrhea at this time, you bastard," the Hui man muttered, his eyes fixed on the shadow in front of him.

At that moment, Zhao Chuxi swung the brick at the man's head. Unfortunately, the shadow betrayed him, and the man turned around, dodging the brick and grabbing Zhao Chuxi's arm, delivering a powerful punch to his abdomen. Zhao Chuxi stumbled back, wincing in pain.

"You damn fool, trying to sneak attack me, you're asking for it," the Hui man roared, charging at Zhao Chuxi.

Zhao Chuxi, who had learned a few moves from the old monk, was initially at a disadvantage because he didn't expect to be discovered. This time, as the Hui man charged, Zhao Chuxi, despite the pain, fought back. The Hui man, who had some skills, wouldn't dare to steal at night without them, as it was a high-risk job.

Standing at less than 1.8 meters, Zhao Chuxi focused on low attacks, using his agility to his advantage. Otherwise, he would have been at a disadvantage against the 1.85-meter-tall Hui man. Zhao Chuxi, knowing the other Hui man would return soon, had to act quickly. He threw punches at the Hui man's body and head, determined to end the fight as soon as possible. The Hui man, enraged, grabbed Zhao Chuxi and slammed him to the ground. Before Zhao Chuxi could react, the Hui man was already on top of him, raining punches on his body and head, leaving Zhao Chuxi dazed.

"I'll kill you," the Hui man growled, his hands tightly around Zhao Chuxi's neck.

Zhao Chuxi's face turned red as he tried to resist, but he was no match for the Hui man's strength. As his breathing became more difficult, Zhao Chuxi's hand reached for his waist, pulling out the 65-type dagger. With his last bit of strength, he plunged the dagger into the Hui man's abdomen, stabbing him repeatedly, his eyes darker than the Hui man's, showing no hesitation.

The sudden change caught the Hui man off guard, and he loosened his grip, giving Zhao Chuxi a chance to breathe. However, his hand didn't fully let go. At that moment, Zhao Chuxi grabbed the brick he had dropped and smashed it into the Hui man's head. The Hui man, still dazed, didn't have time to react and was knocked unconscious, falling on top of Zhao Chuxi. Zhao Chuxi pushed the Hui man off and sat on the ground, gasping for air, staring at the Hui man's blood-soaked body, with only one thought in his mind.

It's over...

Before Zhao Chuxi could dwell on it, the other Hui man returned. Zhao Chuxi, determined not to be discovered, was about to act, but before he could, the Hui man was already knocked unconscious by someone else—Xiao Wang.

Xiao Wang ran over quickly and asked, "Chuxi, are you okay?"

Zhao Chuxi frowned. "I killed someone."

Xiao Wang had been woken up by the commotion and, shocked, had found a stick to help Zhao Chuxi. By the time he returned, the fight was over, and he had dealt with the other Hui man.

In the dim light of the streetlights, Xiao Wang noticed the Hui man and realized the seriousness of the situation. Without hesitation, he decided, "Chuxi, you have to run."

"If I run, I'll drag you into it," Zhao Chuxi shook his head, numbly.

Xiao Wang was furious. "Damn it, if you don't run, you'll end up in prison, and your life will be over. Don't worry, I can handle this."

"How can a college student handle this? I'm just a farmer, and my life is cheap. I might as well die. You have a long life ahead of you, and I can't drag you into this, it would be a sin," Zhao Chuxi, though carefree, had his principles. Thinking of the disappointed look in the woman's eyes, he shook his head in self-mockery.

Xiao Wang, moved by Zhao Chuxi's words, nodded firmly. "Damn it, if you don't run, I'll kill you. I'll say it again, I can handle this, and nothing will go wrong." He picked up the dagger that had fallen next to Zhao Chuxi, looking at it and saying, "65-type."

"Really?" Xiao Wang's determination finally convinced Zhao Chuxi, who didn't pay attention to his surprise. He would never forget this great kindness.

Xiao Wang nodded and quickly got into the truck, throwing Zhao Chuxi's woven bag down. At that moment, a truck nearby started up, ready to leave. Xiao Wang pulled Zhao Chuxi to a corner and whispered, "Climb onto this truck, go anywhere, just don't stay in Xining. Xining is a small city, and you might run into these people again. You know the consequences."

"Brother," Zhao Chuxi said with a grin, extending his hand.

Xiao Wang didn't smile, hesitated for a moment, and then firmly shook Zhao Chuxi's hand. "Brother."

At that moment, a truck, loaded with something, drove by. Zhao Chuxi quickly threw his luggage into the truck and climbed aboard.

As Zhao Chuxi was climbing onto the truck, Xiao Wang shouted, "Zhao Chuxi, if things get too tough, come to Chengdu and find me. Tell them you know Jiang Kaishan from the Chengdu Military District."

Zhao Chuxi had already climbed into the truck, and Xiao Wang, or Jiang Kaishan, didn't know if Zhao Chuxi had heard him. Thus, Zhao Chuxi, before his journey even began, was already on the run.

---

(Note: The following is an advertisement section, which has been omitted.)