When Song Ming went into the Sugar Factory to collect sugar residue, Li Long followed him in his Jeep. At the discharge outlet, Song Ming asked for two sacks. Li Long cleared out the back of the Jeep, loaded two sacks of sugar residue, and drove off to see his sister, Li Xia.
He had not been to Stone City lately and had found no time to visit his sister. He wondered how they were getting on.
In Chen Xingbang and Li Xia's Big Courtyard, Li Xia was chopping pig fodder. A half-grown sheep was tethered in the yard; Li Long had brought it over for Hongqin.
The gate was open, so Li Long drove the Jeep straight into the yard. Startled, Li Xia turned and saw that it was his Jeep. She sprang to her feet in delighted surprise, still holding the kitchen knife, and complained once he got out:
"What took you so long? I thought having a car meant you could come see us often. Now look, you only come once every few months. Even Dad visits more often than you!"
Though she sounded reproachful, she had really missed him.
"I've been busy," Li Long explained with a smile, then moved the two sacks of sugar residue out.
Water was still dripping from the sacks. Li Long took care not to get any on his clothes or trousers, though he could hardly keep it off the Jeep.
"I'll get a rag and wipe your car down, then make you something to eat!" Li Xia set her work aside. The pigs could wait a little longer for a meal; feeding her brother mattered more.
"Don't bother," Li Long said, hastily waving a hand. "Just help me clean the car. I'm meeting Song Ming, that driver from the Sugar