tkworld #517 - What does it mean to push off a cliff?
#517 - What does it mean to push off a cliff?
Tang Yin and Wang Lina trudged along the rugged mountain path, the sound of rolling gravel echoing beneath their feet. Fine beads of sweat dotted their foreheads, and their breathing became somewhat rapid. Finally, at a bend in the road, the Qian Corporation's residence came into view.
However, the sight before them caused both of them to gasp. The once-prominent township enterprise had now been reduced to desolate ruins. The tall walls were covered with ivy, the green vines snaking around every crack. The paint on the iron gate had long peeled off, revealing mottled rust, as if silently recounting the ruthlessness of time.
The courtyard was overgrown with weeds, reaching up to half a person's height, swaying in the wind. A once-smooth stone path had now been swallowed by weeds, with only faint outlines remaining. The fountain in the center of the courtyard had long been dry, filled with fallen leaves and dust, having become a haven for wildlife.
The main building was a three-story European-style structure, its once-grand exterior walls now riddled with cracks, the peeling paint revealing gray cement. Several of the ground-floor windows were broken, crudely boarded up with wood. The railings on the second-floor balcony were crooked, appearing precarious. Many of the red roof tiles had fallen off, exposing the inner wooden beams.
Looking at this scene, Tang Yin couldn't help but complain in his heart, "This isn't some cursed mansion, is it? Does anyone really live here?"
He turned to Wang Lina and asked softly, "I wonder if the doorbell still works?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Lina decisively pressed the rusty doorbell button. In the silent Mist Hidden Village, the ringing from deep within the factory was clearly audible, echoing in the empty courtyard, sounding particularly long and desolate.
Tang Yin waited for a while, and seeing no movement, asked, "Looks like no one's home? Should I press it again?"
Wang Lina firmly shook her head, her expression serious, "No, that would leave a bad impression."
Tang Yin was a little surprised, "Are the people inside that difficult to deal with?"
Wang Lina sighed, saying helplessly, "Yes, very difficult, just like that."
The two of them stood at the door, waiting quietly. Tang Yin kicked at the small stones under his feet, bored, while Wang Lina nervously adjusted her clothes and hair from time to time.
A few minutes later, just as Tang Yin was about to lose patience, the legendary big shot finally made his appearance.
With a series of heavy footsteps, the iron gate slowly opened, emitting a piercing "creak." A tall man appeared behind the door, his appearance causing Tang Yin to widen his eyes.
The man was wearing a perfectly tailored black tailcoat, a snow-white shirt, and a meticulously tied bow tie. His leather shoes were polished to a shine, reflecting a clear image. Most striking were his gold-rimmed glasses, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight. His hair was meticulously combed back, seemingly fixed in place with hair gel.
The man's face wore an arrogant and aloof expression, his thin lips pursed slightly, appearing somewhat harsh. His eyes were sharp as an eagle, as if capable of seeing through people's hearts. Despite being in such a desolate environment, he maintained an inappropriate elegance and reserve.
The man spoke coldly, his voice with a hint of impatience, "What is it? Who are you?"
Tang Yin carefully sized up the person in front of him, thinking: This should be a man in his prime, or perhaps a little younger. Although his appearance is bright, his slightly pale face and occasionally twitching mouth reveal a hint of nervousness.
He subconsciously took half a step back, feeling a inexplicable sense of oppression from the man in front of him. Tang Yin glanced at Wang Lina, and found that her expression had also become tense.
Just then, the man's gaze fell on Wang Lina, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes, before returning to indifference.
...
Sunlight filtered through the mottled shadows of the trees, casting dappled light on the abandoned manor. Wang Lina took a deep breath, a well-placed smile appearing on her face, as warm as the sun: "Hello, Mr. Qian Jin, I am Wang Lina."
Qian Jin's eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses narrowed slightly, as if recalling something. His slender fingers gently pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, nodding, his voice with a hint of laziness: "I know you, a high school student from Mist Hidden Village." His gaze shifted to Tang Yin, his eyebrows raised slightly, "Who is this young man?"
Wang Lina seemed prepared, introducing him at a measured pace: "He is the victim, Tang Yin."
Hearing this brief introduction, Tang Yin couldn't help but complain: "Huh? That's a pretty brief introduction." His expression was somewhat wry, thinking how he had become a "victim."
Hearing this title, Qian Jin frowned slightly, his tone with a hint of confusion: "Huh? What do you mean?"
Seeing this, Tang Yin quickly cleared his throat and began to explain the ins and outs of the matter in detail. His pace was measured, his gestures coordinated with his words, trying to make his narrative more vivid. However, when he mentioned the word "Divinity River," Qian Jin's expression suddenly became serious, his brow furrowed, a trace of vigilance flashing in his eyes.
Sensing the subtle change in the atmosphere, Tang Yin quickly changed the subject: "Mr. Qian Jin, I want to leave here as soon as possible. If you have any motorcycle repair tools, would it be convenient to borrow them?" His tone carried a hint of pleading, his eyes full of expectation.
Qian Jin seemed to be pulled back to reality by this sudden request, he tilted his head slightly, his eyes with a hint of playfulness: "Did the tire blow out? Do you have an inner tube?"
Without waiting for Tang Yin to answer, Qian Jin continued, his tone with a hint of professional pride: "I have tire sealant here, but for laymen, it's hard to patch an inner tube, is it really okay?" His eyes swept over Tang Yin, as if assessing his ability, "If even the inner tube is broken, then you'll have to change the tire. I don't have a spare tire here, and even if I did, I wouldn't have any obligation to give it to you."
Tang Yin was confused, scratching his head and giving an awkward smile: "Um, sorry, I don't really understand what you're saying."
Qian Jin's expression instantly changed from profound to wry, he put his hands on his hips, his tone with a hint of teasing: "Are you kidding me? Or just obediently pay 5,000 yuan for rescue fees, just consider it tuition."
Seeing this, Wang Lina quickly interjected, her tone with a hint of worry: "Um… Mr. Qian Jin, is it not appropriate to let outside cars in at this time?"
Hearing this, the expression on Qian Jin's face instantly became astonished, his eyebrows raised high, his voice with a hint of disbelief: "Huh? You, as a high school student in the village, have gone to school in the outside world, are you still believing in that kind of thing?"
A wry smile appeared on Wang Lina's face, her eyes revealing a trace of complexity: "Um… I don't care, but, Uncle Gao and Granny Rong… after all, there have been too many outsiders these days."
Hearing this, Qian Jin seemed to have touched a nerve, his tone suddenly became somewhat agitated: "What does the affairs of Mist Hidden Village have to do with me! You want me to help him patch the tire? Huh?" His voice rose an octave, "You want me, so elegant, to be covered in oil?"
Seeing Qian Jin's emotional state, Wang Lina quickly waved her hand, her tone with a hint of reassurance: "I didn't mean that, but, as an elder, the traveler who died in Banghu, that would be a good story…"
Qian Jin seemed not to hear her, continuing to say angrily: "Hmph, only at this time do you know to respect the elders? Doesn't Mist Hidden Village have the Mist Hidden Village way of doing things?" His eyes suddenly became cold, "Why not push him off the cliff, huh?"
Hearing this sentence, Tang Yin suddenly felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave. His body trembled uncontrollably, countless question marks flashing in his mind.
Huh?
Push… push off the cliff?
What does this guy mean?
Tang Yin's eyes were filled with horror and incomprehension, he subconsciously took a step back, feeling as if he were in a dangerous maze. His gaze shifted back and forth between Qian Jin and Wang Lina, trying to read some information from their expressions.
Qian Jin's eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses flickered with a cold light, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a meaningful smile. Wang Lina lowered her head, the expression on her face obscure, as if thinking about something.
An eerie atmosphere filled the air, even the cicadas seemed to have stopped chirping.
...
Wang Lina stood there, her bright eyes darting from side to side, like a schoolchild who had done something wrong. Her voice carried a hint of coquetry, trying to hide the panic in her heart: "Oh my~ there's no such thing~"
The corners of Wang Lina's mouth turned up slightly, revealing a bitter smile. But in those eyes, there was a kind of indescribable light, as if she was about to press Qian Jin to the ground and rub him in the next second.
Tang Yin watched this scene, and secretly complained in his heart: This girl's acting is too bad. He took a deep breath, turned to Qian Jin, and said sincerely: "I'm very sorry, I'll find a way to repair it myself, but, can I borrow the tools?"
Qian Jin raised his eyebrows, looking puzzled: "What do you mean?"
Tang Yin patiently explained: "Just lend me the tools, I'll go somewhere else to repair it, of course, I'll pay for it." His tone carried a hint of pleading, his eyes flashing with a light of hope.
After hearing this, Qian Jin shrugged his shoulders, looking indifferent: "Whatever, but, if my tools are broken, even if you are a student, you will have to pay the full amount." After saying that, he turned and walked towards the factory, his back showing a cold temperament.
Tang Yin watched Qian Jin leave, scratching his head, his face full of helplessness: "Oh, it seems I have to find a way myself, how to patch the inner tube." His tone was full of regret for his lack of mechanical knowledge.
Wang Lina stood aside, unable to help but complain: "Mr. Tang Yin looks so dorky…"
Hearing this, Tang Yin fought back, not to be outdone: "Hey, do you think everyone who can drive can fix cars?"
Wang Lina blinked her eyes, saying innocently: "Ha, who knows, how can I say, don't you think a man who can fix cars is very charming?" Her tone carried a hint of teasing, as if deliberately teasing Tang Yin.
Tang Yin heard the hint in her words and couldn't help but ask: "In other words, you think Qian Jin is very charming?" His eyes carried a hint of mischievousness, as if waiting to see Wang Lina's reaction.
Hearing this, Wang Lina immediately waved her hand to deny: "Oh, how could he fix cars, he's just pretending." Her tone carried a hint of disdain, a flash of contempt in her eyes.
Tang Yin was amused by her reaction and couldn't help but ask: "If that's the case, why would he have repair tools?"
Wang Lina seemed to be waiting for him to ask this question, and immediately began to explain endlessly: "Qian Jin's family is in Baifeng Village, which is much bigger than here. This factory and warehouse are just a utility room, used to store things that the family doesn't need. Five or six years ago, Qian Jin did buy a motorcycle, but, I heard that because he couldn't ride it, he put the car in the cold palace."
After listening, Tang Yin couldn't help but sigh: "As expected of the countryside, there are no secrets." Qian Jin's pretentious, arrogant intellectual appearance appeared in his mind, and he couldn't help but laugh.
Suddenly, Tang Yin's eyes lit up, as if he had thought of a good idea: "Okay, it's decided, let's move all the useful things away."
Hearing this, Wang Lina's eyes flashed with excitement: "Like bandits? Okay!" Her tone was full of anticipation, as if she was about to start an adventure.
The two were busy for a while, Wang Lina suddenly stopped what she was doing, and asked worriedly: "I didn't get in your way, did I?"
Hearing this, Tang Yin showed a warm smile: "Of course not, if no one talks to me, I definitely won't be able to persist, you're really helping a lot."
Tang Yin picked up the toolbox manual and read it carefully. As he read deeper, his brow furrowed tighter and tighter. Finally, he put down the manual and sighed helplessly: "It seems that my motorcycle tire is the kind that is difficult to repair. It seems that the entire tire must be removed, how do I remove it."
Despite being uneasy, Tang Yin decided to give it a try. He comforted himself: Anyway, the worst case is to apply for rescue, so why not just disassemble it and see.
So, he picked up the tools and began to clumsily fiddle with them. The wrench seemed particularly disobedient in his hands, the screws seemed to be fighting against him, unable to be unscrewed. Sweat trickled down his forehead, wetting his T-shirt.
Wang Lina stood aside, unable to help but laugh: "Mr. Tang Yin, are you sure you're not fighting with the motorcycle?"
Tang Yin raised his head, shaking his head with a wry smile: "I think I might be more suitable to be a programmer, at least the code won't resist me."
After tossing around for more than half an hour, Tang Yin finally gave up. He sat on the ground, looking at the still intact tire, sighing in his heart: How can a layman fix this thing.
Wang Lina squatted beside him, patting him on the shoulder: "It's okay, at least you tried. I think you're already very good, much better than those who only pretend."
Hearing this, Tang Yin felt a warmth in his heart. He stood up, patted the dust off his body: "Thank you, Lina. It seems we have to think of another way. However, I think this experience is also quite interesting, at least I know that I am not suitable to be a mechanic."
As the sun set, golden rays spilled over the streets of the small town, adding a touch of warmth to the ordinary afternoon. Tang Yin squatted on the ground, beads of sweat covering his forehead as he tinkered with the motorcycle. A small crowd of curious villagers had already gathered around him. The aroma of food wafted from the cafeteria, stirring everyone's appetite.
Just then, a plump, amiable middle-aged woman emerged from the cafeteria. It was none other than Chen Xiang, the cafeteria owner, carrying a plate of freshly cooked side dishes. Chen Xiang looked at the frustrated Tang Yin and said with a smile, "Young man, it looks like repairs aren't easy. Wang Lina, come and have something to eat with them."
Upon hearing this, Wang Lina's eyes lit up, and she immediately cheered, "I can't thank you enough!" Her tone was full of anticipation for the food, as if the troubles from earlier had instantly vanished.
Zhao Gang, who was standing nearby, also joined in. Looking at Tang Yin's flustered state, he couldn't help but tease, "How come it's getting worse the more you fix it? Mechanical things are really unreliable." Zhao Gang's words carried a hint of jest, but his eyes revealed a trace of sympathy.
Wang Lina immediately defended the machine upon hearing this, "As long as it's not broken, machines are still very convenient." Her tone carried a hint of protectiveness, as if she were defending her beloved motorcycle.
Granny Rong walked over and asked with concern, "Can it be fixed before dark?"
Wang Lina smiled slightly awkwardly upon hearing this question, then replied confidently, "Well, it probably can't be fixed, but things will sort themselves out. Don't worry, Granny."
Tang Yin couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief upon hearing Wang Lina's answer. He secretly thanked Wang Lina for helping him deal with the surrounding onlookers who were watching him repair the motorcycle; otherwise, he, as an outsider, really wouldn't know how to handle it.
Just then, a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy squeezed out from the crowd. He was Chen Xiang's youngest son, Qin Yi, who looked at the motorcycle with a curious expression, then turned to Wang Lina and asked, "Sister Lina, is it easy to get a motorcycle license?"
Wang Lina's eyes lit up upon hearing this question, as if she had thought of something interesting. "Well, how should I put it? It's easy for small displacement bikes. I even have one." Her tone carried a hint of pride, as if she were showing off her driving skills.
Tang Yin also joined the discussion upon hearing this, "It's very troublesome for medium and large displacement bikes. Besides taking the driving test, you also have to take classes. Do you like motorcycles?" His tone carried a hint of curiosity, as if he wanted to understand the young man's thoughts.
Who knew that Qin Yi would suddenly become somewhat impatient upon hearing Tang Yin's question. "Huh? What's it to you!" His tone carried a hint of rebelliousness, but he immediately turned to the motorcycle, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "By the way, how much does this bike cost?"