Back in 1990, highway freight transport was nowhere near as "prosperous" as it would become decades later. There were no convoys of heavy trucks on the national highways late at night, hiding by day and moving by night.
So after Li Ye set out from the capital, he had been able to maintain a speed of eighty or ninety kilometers per hour. Leaving at three, he entered Qingshui County around eight.
The moment Grandma got in the car, she began dozing off. When she opened her eyes again, it was already daylight. She hurriedly said, "Xiao Ye, you've been driving all night. Pull over and let Juan drive for a while."
Li Ye said indifferently, "No need, Grandma. We'll be there in forty minutes at most."
Grandma said unhappily, "You think I don't know we're almost home? With so many drivers in the family, are you the only one who has to wear yourself out? What did she get a driver's license for, then?"
Li Ye bared his teeth in a grin. He knew Grandma was criticizing his two younger sisters, Li Juan and Fu Yiruo, for not taking turns with their big brother along the way.
So Li Ye explained, "Grandma, when we passed Cang County just now, Juan and Xiao Ruo both offered to drive, but I thought they were too slow, so I didn't let them switch in."
But Wu Juying said disdainfully, "You really have inherited the Li family's great prospects—always making yourself suffer while letting others take it easy. Do you think you can work yourself to death?"
"..."
Li Ye hurriedly pulled over and let Li Juan take the wheel.
Because he knew Grandma was no longer just criticizing the two younger sisters. She was taking shots at Fu Guiru and Han Chunmei too.