"Sister, we have been stuck on the highway these days. I wonder what is going on outside?"
Zhang Jiayi took the meat bun and asked while eating it.
"Then you are really at a big loss. The prices of everything on the market are rising like crazy. Originally, a pound of rice only cost two or three yuan, but now it has risen to more than 20 yuan."
The old aunt couldn't help but sigh.
"Does the official just not care?"
"Of course I will, otherwise the price will have to increase several times. But then again, if the price is set too rigidly, people won't be willing to sell it!
The ones who will suffer at that time will still be you urbanites who cannot buy food. The current situation is that you are not afraid of rising prices, but you are afraid that even if you have money, you will not be able to buy anything."
"Ahem, that's true." Zhang Jiayi nodded, and then asked: "Sister, how is the security outside? Is it safe to travel far away?"
"Don't worry, there is absolutely no problem with safety. There may have been some chaos a few days ago, but things have gotten much better these two days. Now there are police everywhere, checking ID cards at every turn, and bad guys don't dare to come out."
"Really? Is there a train station here in Jieyang?"
"Yes, where do you want to go?"
"Huicheng."
The old aunt shook her head: "All trains going south have stopped. Now there are only trains going north and west. And you don't need to buy a ticket. You can go directly to the train station to queue up. You don't have to spend a penny. The whole journey is free."
"Why are there no trains going south?"
Zhang Jiayi frowned.
"I also heard people say that it seems to be to evacuate the population. As for the specific reason, I am an old woman and I don't know very well."
"Is there a shuttle bus to Huicheng?"
Steven asked immediately.
"All shuttle buses have stopped. Now we can only charter a bus. Isn't there a ride-hailing service online? You can place an order and have a look. If you pay a little more, someone should take the order." The old aunt replied.
Zhang Jiayi's eyes lit up: "Is the road accessible?"
"As long as you don't take the expressway, all other roads are open. Someone in our village just came back from Shencheng and I haven't heard of any traffic jams on the road."
"That's good."
The couple breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.
……
At 1:30 in the afternoon, the van finally arrived in the center of Jieyang, which looked particularly deserted.
There is rubbish everywhere on the street and no one is cleaning it.
The shops are also closed.
Pedestrians all had solemn faces and hurried steps.
Coupled with the policemen all over the streets, it gives people a very depressing feeling. It is far less leisurely and contented than in rural areas and lacks a lot of fireworks.
After getting off the bus, the couple spent a lot of effort before finding a B&B to stay in.
Because it is a self-owned property and does not employ employees, this B&B is still open for business.
The owner of the B&B was very enthusiastic. When it was dinner time, he saw that the two guests had no place to eat, so he took the initiative to invite the couple to have dinner together.
Zhang Jiayi took out a famous watch from her luggage and gave it to the other party as a thank you gift.
"It's too valuable, I can't accept it."
The B&B owner recognized the watch brand at a glance.
"Uncle Zhou, compared with your meal, this watch can neither be eaten nor drunk. It is worthless. You are welcome."
"If I read it correctly, your watch is worth at least tens of thousands of yuan. I really can't accept it."
The B&B owner shook his head repeatedly.
"Uncle Zhou, this is our sincere wish. Besides, the most precious thing right now is food. The depreciation of famous watches is very bad. You really don't have to be polite to us."
Steven immediately echoed: "Boss, just accept it!"
"Okay, then I'll accept it shamelessly. You two will eat first, and then I'll fry two more vegetables."
The B&B owner ignored the two people's obstruction and happily left with the gift.
In less than half an hour, there was a plate of steamed sausages and a bowl of braised pork on the table. Smelling the aroma of the meat, Zhang Jiayi couldn't help but swallow her saliva:
"Uncle Zhou, you are too polite."
The owner of the B&B waved his hand and took out a bottle of liquor: "Steven, would you like two glasses?"
Steven shook his head and declined quickly:
"I'm really sorry. I have a bad stomach and the doctor won't let me drink."
As a husband, he is still wary of this when he is away from home and it is a special time.
"Uncle Zhou, let me have a drink with you."
Zhang Jiayi took the initiative to take the wine glass.
She is from Luzhou and has a pretty good drinking capacity.
A couple of drinks is nothing.
"Okay, let me pour the wine for you."
The owner of the B&B suddenly said happily.
The food has passed three rounds, and the wine has passed the five flavors.
Zhang Jiayi took the opportunity to bring up the matter of chartering a car and wanted to inquire with the other party.
The owner of the B&B patted the table on the spot:
"What kind of car is included? I happen to have an old BYD. Although the car is a bit old, the battery was just replaced last year. You can just drive away!"
"How can this be done?"
"You two, don't be polite to me either. This car isn't worth much to begin with. Even if you don't want it, I will get rid of it. When I sell this house, I will go to live with my daughter for retirement." "Ah? Uncle Zhou, where is your daughter's home?"
Zhang Jiayi asked.
"New Zealand."
"How do you go so far?"
"There's nothing I can do. I'm just a daughter. Isn't the end coming? She doesn't trust me to stay here alone and insists on letting me go."
"Then you really should go there. New Zealand has a total of just over five million people. Its population is equivalent to that of one of our second-tier cities, and the pressure of life is much less."
Zhang Jiayi analyzed it carefully.
The owner of the B&B shook his head: "Actually, I think it's good to stay in the country. There are more people and more strength. If everyone works together, there will be no difficulty that we can't overcome."
"Each has its own pros and cons!" Zhang Jiayi said and took out her mobile phone: "Uncle Zhou, that's great. We bought your car and I'll transfer 100,000 yuan to you!"
"No, no, I said I'd give it to you."
The owner of the B&B quickly waved his hand.
"Uncle Zhou, if you don't accept the money, we won't have the shame to drive. I'd better go online and see if there are any rides?" Zhang Jiayi insisted.
The B&B owner resisted for a long time, but finally accepted the car payment.
But early the next morning, he got up before six o'clock. Not only did he give the couple a lot of snacks, but he also carefully prepared two sumptuous lunches.
When they parted, Zhang Jiayi took the initiative to hug the old man, and she felt the long-lost hospitality from him.
Although there are many people who "take advantage of others" along the way, there is also no shortage of good people.
After leaving Jieyang City, the two of them headed south.
Although the state highway is generally smooth, there will be some minor congestion from time to time.
After hurrying and slowing all the way, the couple still failed to reach Huicheng before night came.
Finally, at the strong request of Li Dajuan and others, they had to take a temporary rest for one night in Haifeng County.
Today, unlike in the past, driving at night is really dangerous.
Have a good night's sleep.
Early the next morning, the couple simply ate these snacks and then set off again.