The tractor rattled and swayed all the way, hitting broad bends and sharp turns on the mountain road from time to time. Everyone rocked from side to side, but that did nothing to spoil their cheerful conversation.
Xiao Zhou, who was driving the tractor, was the son of Old Zhou from before. The father and son often drove their tractor back and forth along these mountain roads and knew the route very well.
In the darkness, the headlight and flashlights did not give them a very clear view of the road. They jolted along for nearly three hours before entering the city limits, where the road finally grew smoother.
Zhou Da pointed out the route and their general direction. The barren surroundings gradually gave way to residential areas of low houses, which did not look much different from their countryside, except that the roads were better and more level.
Everyone felt a little disappointed at the sight. They had thought the city would be something different.
"We haven't reached the city center yet," Zhou Da said with a smile. "Once it gets light, I guarantee you'll all be gaping."
Nobody committed themselves either way.
"How many more minutes until we reach the market? It's almost one."
"We'll be there in ten minutes."
With the road flat and empty, the tractor picked up speed.
As they passed through the city, despite the dim light at night, they still spotted several tall buildings. Just as Zhou Da had predicted, they all gaped up at the high-rises in wonder, shining their flashlights everywhere.
"See? I told you you'd be gaping once you saw them. Aren't the buildings here tall? There are several buildings over ten stories high here. They look beautiful in daylight. It's completely different from our countryside, and the streets are