Apocalyptic Hoarding Diary

Chapter 267 Interchange Vehicles

"Looks like quite a few people came in today for food truck modifications or maintenance..."

Xu Xiaoyan silently counted the few identical food carts in her mind, then turned to look at the shop's employees who still had their arms crossed and looked impatient.

Before she could come up with a solution in her mind, a faint sound of a motor driving came from afar and caught her attention.

She looked in the direction of the sound and saw a rather uniquely designed electric car slowly driving from the other end of the street.

She skillfully maneuvered around the crowd and stopped on the other side of the plaza in front of the "Honghu" company, not far from where she had parked food cart number 03.

It was a small, fully enclosed van, dark blue in color, and more conventional in style than her open-top tricycle food cart.

The carriage was completely sealed off, so you couldn't see what was inside.

The car was driven by an elderly couple with gray hair and dressed neatly and simply.

The old gentleman sat in the driver's seat, wearing reading glasses, looking focused.

In the passenger seat was an elderly woman with gray hair and a thin face, wearing a plain-colored cotton-padded jacket.

Xu Xiaoyan's eyes lit up instantly!

Previously, she had always thought that the "convenience service vehicle" only had one type of vehicle: the light green electric food cart she received.

After all, the schematic diagrams provided by the approval office, the actual items distributed by the management office, and what she saw in the warehouse and on the street were basically all of this style.

But the dark blue, fully enclosed car in front of her, although it also had a "convenience service" sign, was clearly designed and used very differently from her food truck!

This is likely a "convenience vehicle" that has been specifically modified to provide other types of services.

For example, delivery, small-scale logistics, mobile repair, or even a specific type of community service vehicle?

The base may have approved various types of "convenience service carriers" with different functions and permissions based on applicants from different regions, with different needs, or even with different "energy".

There might be more than just food trucks; there could also be delivery trucks, trucks providing specific technical services, and even... trucks capable of operating across regions?

The elderly couple drove this car to "Honghu" clearly to have it modified, maintained, or have certain equipment installed.

They looked quite old, but their demeanor was composed. They didn't seem like struggling business owners; they were more like retirees with a certain level of security or... people with special resources.

Xu Xiaoyan's mind immediately started working.

She can't squeeze in to watch the excitement, and she can't get anything done because of the chaos at the entrance and the atmosphere inside the store.

Rather than wasting time here and passively waiting for this farce to end, we should...

Why not take the initiative and strike up a conversation with this seemingly kind elderly couple who are likely knowledgeable or even knowledgeable?

Having made up her mind, Xu Xiaoyan no longer hesitated.

She straightened the backpack straps, which had become a little loose from jogging and jostling in the crowd, and then raised her hand to tidy up the stray hairs under her hat brim.

Then, she strode towards the dark blue car that had just come to a stop and was still running.

She walked to the driver's side window, bent down slightly, and aligned her line of sight with the interior of the car.

Through the car window, I could see an elderly gentleman inside who was taking off half of his reading glasses and gazing intently at the chaotic scene at the entrance of "Honghu".

And the elderly woman in the passenger seat, who was also observing with a slight frown, greeted him softly in a gentle voice:

"Grandpa, Grandma, hello, excuse me."

She greeted everyone politely before getting to the point, her tone carrying just the right amount of humility and a hint of helplessness due to the situation at hand:

"I see that the car you're driving looks like a community service vehicle? The design is quite unique, it's not quite the same as the one I was given."

"I just picked up a food truck today. It's my first time at 'Honghu' company. I wanted to make some modifications, but this is what I encountered..."

As she spoke, she gestured in the direction of the fight, her face displaying just the right amount of helplessness and confusion typical of a novice, as if seeking guidance from a "senior":

"I see you two are here on business as well?"

If it's convenient for you, could you please tell me about the process of "Honghu"?

"Are there any things we newcomers should be aware of?"

Xu Xiaoyan leaned forward slightly, maintaining a respectful posture of seeking advice. However, the response she received was not the kindness, patience, and explanation she had expected.

The elderly woman in the passenger seat originally had a kind and even somewhat scholarly appearance.

Upon hearing her question, his expression visibly turned cold almost instantly.

She turned her head and, through her exquisite gold-rimmed reading glasses, quickly glanced at Xu Xiaoyan from top to bottom.

Then, she said nothing, not even raising an eyebrow, only letting out a cold snort from her nose, clearly showing her dissatisfaction.

Then, she decisively reached out and pressed the control button for her side of the car window.

With a soft "hum", the car window, which was originally half-open, quickly and smoothly rose up.

With a soft "click," the door closed tightly, completely shutting out Xu Xiaoyan's questioning smile.

Then, the old lady adjusted her posture, leaned her head back on the soft headrest, placed her hands folded in front of her knees, and closed her eyes.

He had a posture of closing his eyes to rest, completely keeping everyone at arm's length.

This almost rude cold reception froze the smile on Xu Xiaoyan's face instantly, and a mixture of embarrassment, astonishment, and a hint of annoyance at being disrespected swept through her heart.

I was just asking politely, and my attitude was respectful and my words were polite. What did I do to offend this seemingly well-mannered old lady?

The elderly gentleman in the driver's seat clearly hadn't expected his wife's reaction to be so intense and direct.

He was taken aback at first, then revealed a clear sense of helplessness and apology.

His gaze lingered between the old lady, who was sitting in a trance with the car window tightly closed, and Xu Xiaoyan, whose smile was stiff outside the car window.

He turned his head toward the old woman whose car window was tightly closed and who clearly had no intention of paying any more attention to the outside world.

In a voice that wasn't loud but was clearly audible both inside and outside the car, he spoke with a reproachful tone:

What are you doing?

Why take out your anger on an innocent young girl who was just passing by and politely asking you questions, when you've suffered some grievances at your son's house?

Honestly...the older I get, the more I regress.

His tone carried a hint of reproach, but more so a habitual tolerance, and a touch of embarrassment at the thought of "family scandals not being aired in public."

Clearly, the old lady was in a bad mood today, and there was another reason for it.

After saying that, he shook his head slightly and reached out to unbuckle his seatbelt.

Then, he gave Xu Xiaoyan, who was still standing there, a slightly awkward smile, and then he pushed open the car door and got out.

The old gentleman was not tall and was somewhat thin, but his back was straight, without the hunchback typical of elderly people.

He was wearing a neatly ironed black Zhongshan suit, a gray sweater underneath, dark trousers, and a pair of slightly worn leather shoes that were polished to a high shine.

His face was deeply wrinkled, but his eyes were clear, and he possessed a gentle and refined temperament unique to intellectuals or those who had once held respectable professions.

He walked up to Xu Xiaoyan and stopped at a polite distance of more than a step. "Excuse me, young lady," he said, his voice a little hoarse.

"I'm sorry to make you laugh. My wife has a bad temper. She had a fight with her daughter-in-law this morning and just left her son's house."

She had a little disagreement over some household matters and is feeling resentful, so she's not happy with anyone. Don't take it to heart; she's not targeting you.

He explained sincerely, trying to defuse the awkward situation.

Xu Xiaoyan quickly waved her hand, forcing back an understanding smile.

"It's alright, Grandpa, you're too kind. I understand. Every family has its own troubles, and everyone has their bad days. I apologize for bothering you."

She acted very magnanimously, while also finding a way to save face. The old gentleman nodded, seemingly appreciating her understanding and consideration, and the apology in his eyes softened somewhat.

He changed the subject, seemingly wanting to deflect the earlier unpleasantness, and returned to Xu Xiaoyan's original question.

"The two of us," he said, pointing to the elderly woman resting with her eyes closed in the car, then to himself.

"Actually, I just had nothing to do, so I came out of the house to take a stroll and get some fresh air. I got bored staying in Zone B for too long, so I ended up driving to Zone C without even realizing it."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "The car's brakes seem a bit unresponsive; they feel soft when you press them and the rebound is slow."

As I get older, I have to be more careful and cautious. Safety comes first, so I thought I'd stop by to check it out and see if I needed any adjustments or to add some brake fluid.

Section B! Xu Xiaoyan's heart skipped a beat. Although she had some suspicions, hearing the old man say it so frankly was even more surprising.

"Coming from Area B," she couldn't help but let out a soft "Ah," her face revealing undisguised amazement and curiosity.

She subconsciously turned her gaze to the dark blue, fully enclosed car, her expression changing completely.

"Then...then your car..."

Her voice rose slightly with excitement and intense curiosity, but she quickly regained her composure, trying to remain calm.

"Could it be... one of those 'interchange' vehicles that can freely travel between Zone B and Zone C? The kind that requires special permission?"

Seeing her surprised yet inquisitive expression, the old man's smile deepened, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.

But Xu Xiaoyan keenly noticed that deep within that smile, there seemed to be a barely perceptible, complex, and even slightly weary expression.

He nodded, confirming in a calm tone.

"Well, sort of. This vehicle does have a cross-regional travel permit and can travel between the main roads of Zone B and Zone C."

"My God, this is... this is amazing!" Xu Xiaoyan exclaimed sincerely, her tone filled with undisguised envy.