Twenty years of cold chain

At the end of the lunar year, the people who came with him to manage the equipment also went home for the New Year.

Hu Shutong was left to "take the lead" here.

Hu Shutong called home and Luan Pingxin, and also reported the latest situation to his teacher. On New Year's Eve, the village was much more lively, with children's laughter and sporadic firecrackers creating a festive atmosphere. Hu Shutong didn't have many thoughts on his mind, and his heart was not too stirred. He first walked around the yard, wondering when Shengxi would reply, and then went back to his house before ten o'clock.

Hu Shutong didn't feel the coldness of this foreign land, but there was one thing he couldn't understand. Essentially, this was a cold storage exploration project, with documents from above and directives from below, but the support was far too weak. He was left here like a free-range animal.

There was no point in thinking about it anymore, so he prepared to go to sleep before the midnight firecrackers started.

But just then, Hu Shutong glanced to the side and was startled!

Outside the window, a dark hand stretched out, swinging left and right like a pendulum. After a while, it called out repeatedly in a low voice, "Brother Shutong, are you asleep? Are you asleep?"

"Who!" The voice sounded like a wandering ghost, and Hu Shutong quickly got up.

"Liang Lu, it's me, Liang Lu."

Hu Shutong breathed a sigh of relief. Normally, he wouldn't feel this way, but now that everyone who came with him had left, he was the only stranger in the land, and any unusual emotions would unconsciously be amplified.

"Why are you acting so strangely!"

Hu Shutong opened the door, and Liang Lu stood outside, carrying a lot of things in his hands.

Liang Lu chuckled somewhat awkwardly, "I usually don't dare to come looking for you, I'm afraid you'll ignore me. But it's New Year's Eve, so I'll have to give you some face! Brother Shutong, can I come in?"

"No need, no need, I didn't take it to heart."

Liang Lu's actions surprised Hu Shutong. He stood so seriously, spoke so earnestly, and his expression was so sincere—it was almost like a ritual. He seemed particularly sensitive about that matter. In Hu Shutong's view, it was nothing more than a misunderstanding, a matter of venting without understanding the situation. Adults wouldn't hold a grudge, let alone a high school student.

When Hu Shutong replied, he appeared somewhat relaxed, but Liang Lu seized on this and seemed to misunderstand Hu Shutong's expression. "Brother Shutong, are you unwilling to accept my apology?"

"No, no, I really didn't take it to heart. Don't make it so serious."

"real?"

"Hey! You, why are you being so suspicious about such a small thing?"

"Then we'll never mention that again!"

"certainly."

Liang Lu finally smiled again, his entire demeanor and speech instantly changing. Without a word, he began tearing open the bags on the table. Hu Shutong glanced over, and what he saw was truly astounding—the scene was far too lavish.

Liang Lu brought a bottle of liquor, two plump braised pig's trotters, and the four-happiness meatballs that Lianghu Village always had on New Year's Eve. What surprised Hu Shu the most was a bag of fried fish.

Hu Shutong still doesn't know the name of this fish, but he ate it quite a lot during his university years. On some weekends, Jiang Zhipeng would always arrange to bring back some alcohol to the dormitory for entertainment, and the fried fish from this alley was a must-buy. It was a small fish less than an inch long, with a peculiar smell like burnt pepper.

Seeing Hu Shutong's gaze, Liang Lu immediately smiled. "Brother Shutong, isn't it very endearing?"

"You're really amazing, how did you get that?"

"No. 1 High School is not far from Mingda University, and we are quite familiar with that area. This kind of small fish is also known to be everywhere in our school. I specially brought some back before the holiday. I never expected to run into people from Mingda University when I came back."

Hu Shutong smiled. It would be a lie to say he wasn't moved. Besides meeting a familiar face in this foreign land, it also brought back many memories of his dormitory.

Firecrackers began to sound outside. Hu Shutong didn't mince words, opened a small bottle of liquor, poured himself a small bowl, and ate it. "I won't say much in thanks. I'll remember this meal."

Liang Lu, offering water instead of wine, smiled with a hint of reproach and said, "Brother Shutong, why are you being so polite with me? I'm just hoping to share in the good fortune this New Year so I can get into Mingda University in the future!"

Mingda was undoubtedly a common topic between the two, and they talked a lot about it. Hu Shutong spoke candidly about cold chain logistics, and Liang Lu listened intently. Cold chain logistics is a complex and multifaceted field, but Hu Shutong explained it in a very concise and comprehensive manner, making it easy for Liang Lu to understand.

Liang Lu was very curious about Hu Shutong's choice of this path. If he hadn't witnessed it firsthand, his views would have been the same as those of the general public, and he couldn't imagine that it was actually a systematic discipline. Naturally, the story of Mozi County reached Liang Lu's ears. After learning about Hu Shutong's background, Liang Lu finally understood why he was able to settle down and dedicate himself to a remote village.

The two men came from similar backgrounds, and as they chatted, Liang Lu asked a lot of questions about cold chain logistics, both big and small, in general terms. Hu Shutong was happy to answer. Although he wouldn't be a senior in high school until the fall, if he kept this idea in mind, he might eventually enter the industry. Besides, the realities of his hometown would subtly influence his thinking.

They chatted until midnight, and Liang Lu asked Hu Shutong for some book recommendations before finally deciding to leave.

"Brother Shutong, hasn't Brother Shengxi replied to you yet?"

Before leaving, Liang Lu suddenly asked a question.

When Liang Lu suddenly asked this question, Hu Shutong was not surprised. "There are no secrets in the village." Besides, it was impossible for Shengxi to suddenly start talking without saying a word. No matter if it was from the front or the back, he would definitely let some information out to see the attitude, so as not to cause gossip to his family.

Not yet.

Hu Shutong didn't want to discuss this topic with Liang Lu. Liang Dafeng had "put in a lot of effort" to explain why the warehouse couldn't be opened for business for so long. It was difficult to say anything too serious in front of Liang Lu.

Liang Lu, however, came prepared, carefully observing Hu Shutong's expression and secretly trying to gauge his reaction.

His eyes were slightly narrowed, his brows furrowed in thought, and a sudden flash of sternness appeared.

All of this made Hu Shutong realize that Liang Lu was no ordinary person.

Looking at the bag of fried fish, Hu Shutong realized it was a lie the moment he took his first bite.

Liang Lu has been back for almost a month, and this fish was only fried yesterday.

It must be said, they went to great lengths.

……

I've loved cold chain logistics for twenty years.