Though sleeping was mentioned, the mind was far from idle, lost in thought until evening.
Jing Lei had been busy with reports. The company's opening meant a lot of data to record and various tables to organize.
Computers hadn't yet become commonplace in offices back then, so everything had to be handled with pen and paper.
I got up from the sofa, and Jing Lei said, "Awake?"
She had been using only a desk lamp, not turning on the main room light for fear of disturbing my sleep.
I replied, "I didn't fall asleep, just thinking about this and that until now. But it's okay, lying down for a while made me feel better."
I got up to turn on the light, and the room instantly became much brighter.
She tidied up the ledgers, stood up, and said, "Hungry? Let's go get something to eat, then we'll pack some to bring back for the workers."
We went downstairs together. It was already completely dark. I wondered if Wen Siqiang had brought Master here yet, so I called him to ask.
Wen Siqiang said Master was in the workshop and that he was at the Grand World.
It seemed I had been lying down for a long time.
I told Jing Lei I was going to the workshop first and asked her to wait for me here.
I wanted to ask Master if he had eaten and if not, we could go together.
Master was busy in the workshop. When I asked him to come out to eat with me, he told me to just bring some back, as time was too tight for him to leave.
I had no choice but to close the door and back out to find Jing Lei.
Master had to go to the jade gambling shop during the day, so he could only work a few hours at night and had to work at a breakneck pace.
I told Jing Lei that we'd just grab a quick bite outside and pack for Master and the workers, as time was pressing and Master couldn't get away.
Jing Lei suggested we go to a food stall where they had ready-made bento boxes, which we could just order. She proposed ordering a few extra so we could eat with them.
I agreed, saying it would save time.
By night, many food stalls were set up in Ruili, with people coming out to cool off and drink.
We asked the owner to pack over ten bento boxes with rice, then packed some meat dishes and vegetarian dishes separately into a few boxes. We packed a special set for Master, and then asked the staff to box them up individually and put them in the trunk.
I then asked for two cases of beer and put them in the car as well.
Jing Lei finished paying and came over, telling me that once these tasks were done, I should practice driving. Once I was proficient, she'd find someone to help me get a license, as it would be convenient to know how to drive.
I calculated that I was still two months shy of eighteen, and by the time I learned to drive, my ID card should also be ready.
Time passed so quickly. Since I stopped attending school, almost a year had flown by.
The young boy who used to be bullied had grown into a young man, capable of acting like an adult.
I said that my mind was always occupied with things, so I wouldn't learn to drive and it was better to be taken around by others.
She said that learning to drive didn't necessarily mean driving all the time; it could be for emergencies and was useful.
She was right. Skills are never a burden, especially driving, which is a fundamental skill that should be learned.
Wen Siqiang mentioned that he never learned from anyone; he was bold and just drove whenever he got into a car, gradually learning.
To be honest, I was a little scared of cars. I was fine with being a passenger, but driving actually made me a bit apprehensive.
We drove to the workshop. I got out to give Master his portion, along with two bottles of liquor. I hadn't seen Master drink before, but I figured most people wouldn't refuse beer and a few sips might help relieve fatigue.
Master was using a rock saw to cut a large stone, seemingly intending to cut off a piece from the side.
Confused, I watched as he stopped the machine, got down from the driver's seat, and told me, "You don't need to worry about things here. You focus on your work. I'll call you if you're needed."
I placed the food I was holding on a platform and urged him to eat quickly, opening a bottle of beer and placing it next to the bento box.
Master didn't want me to ask too many questions, so I quickly retreated. Some things are better left unknown.
Jing Lei gave most of the dishes and rice to the workers. We kept one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and one box of rice, and took them to the office to eat.
She didn't eat much at night. Women cared about their appearance and feared indigestion and gaining weight from eating too much.
I was genuinely hungry. Jing Lei didn't eat rice, just a few bites of vegetables. I finished all the meat dishes and the box of rice.
She asked if I had had enough and offered to go get more if not. She had ordered extra boxes when buying food, fearing the workers wouldn't be full, so there were likely leftovers.
I said I was full. I had been hungry for a long time when I was younger and disliked waste, so I always finished all the food and rice.
She said that while not wasting food was good, stuffing oneself might not be ideal. However, one shouldn't go hungry. She added that I was still growing and it was normal to have a large appetite, so I should eat what I needed.
She collected the used disposable utensils, put them in the trash bin, then went to the restroom to get a wet towel and gave it to me to wipe my hands.
After wiping, I handed the towel back to her and, on impulse, hugged her.
Ever since returning from the public auction, it had been one thing after another. Although we saw each other, we hadn't truly spent quiet time together. While she stayed with me day and night a few days ago, I had been unconscious. Last night, as soon as I recovered, she deliberately avoided me, letting me sleep alone.
She was afraid that we might act on impulse and affect my health.
What a wonderful woman. She, who lived a life of privilege, had never endured such hardship. She had cared for me day and night, feeding me and attending to my needs for many days. After I woke up, she continued to provide constant care, putting aside her own overwhelming responsibilities.
I held her tightly. She struggled a bit, looking anxiously at the door, as if afraid someone might come in. I didn't let go, and after a few attempts to move, she nestled into my shoulder.
We hadn't been intimate for so long. In that moment, our blood seemed to meld together.
After a long while, we emerged from our private world, looking at each other, our lips meeting again, and the storm returned.
Finally, exhausted as if we were puddles, we both collapsed onto the sofa.
Nothing in the world was more beautiful than this.
I kissed her forehead, got up to wash my face, and asked her to rest in the office while I went to check on Master Zhang and the others in the workshop.
Bao Gang's classification and marking of raw stones was a monumental task. Unlike the raw stones we procured, the mining sites were already designated, and the original markings had been done. These, however, were collected from different locations, even looted, and even if there were markings, they were incomprehensible, requiring them to be reclassified and re-marked.