Chapter 197: Chapter 195: Fuel Consumption: 58 L/100km

"Fill it up, thanks."

The massive vehicle, like an armored personnel carrier, was the center of attention wherever it went.

After he parked at the gas station, the attendant was so busy staring at the vehicle he forgot to pump the gas.

Hearing Fang Chenyi’s reminder, the attendant quickly snapped to it, grabbing the nozzle and starting to fuel up.

Five hundred, a thousand, fifteen hundred, two thousand, twenty-three hundred... CLICK.

The pump didn’t click off until it had dispensed two thousand three hundred yuan worth of gas.

Seeing the total displayed on the pump, a nearby truck driver who had wandered over to get a better look couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement.

"Holy hell, twenty-three hundred yuan in gas? My seventeen-and-a-half-meter semi-truck only takes four thousand for a full tank! Young man, what’s the fuel consumption on this thing? It’s gotta be over twenty, right?"

Once the tank was full, Fang Chenyi said a word to Bai Menghan, then opened his door to go inside and pay. But just as he stepped out, the truck driver approached him with a cheerful grin.

Fang Chenyi smiled and greeted the man, speaking as he walked toward the convenience store.

"Not quite. The manufacturer claims fifty-eight, but the real-world consumption is probably around sixty. I’m in a bit of a hurry, man. Gotta go pay."

PFFT—

The truck driver instantly sprayed out the mouthful of tea he’d just taken. He started coughing violently, sputtering in shock.

"S-Sixty? Good Lord! My truck only gets a little over forty, and that’s when I’m hauling thirty tons! This thing eats sixty? No wonder the tank is so massive. A single tap on the gas must cost more than five yuan."

It wasn’t just the truck driver who was astonished; everyone nearby was stunned by that figure. A guy standing by his little Chery QQ swallowed hard and muttered, "Sixty... Holy crap, that’s more than ten times what my car gets! Just how loaded is the guy driving this thing?"

When Fang Chenyi came back out after paying, he saw a crowd of people with their phones out, all taking pictures of his vehicle.

Seeing this, Fang Chenyi just gave a wry smile and waved to the small crowd. "Hey, everyone. I’m in a bit of a rush today, so I can’t let you all come on board for pictures."

With that, he pulled open the door, got in, and stepped on the gas, roaring out of the station. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

In the car, as he started the engine, Fang Chenyi handed a plastic bag to Bai Menghan. "It’s already seven o’clock, you must be hungry," he said with a smile. "There’s a family thing we have to deal with, so just have a little something to tide you over for now, babe."

Bai Menghan took the bag from him with a sweet smile, a warmth spreading through her chest.

She hadn’t expected him to be so considerate. Even while rushing to help with her family’s problems, he hadn’t forgotten that she still hadn’t eaten dinner.

"Thank you, darling."

Bai Menghan opened the plastic bag and took out the cookies inside. As she unwrapped them, she murmured softly, so quietly it was as if she were only speaking to herself.

Fang Chenyi, who was focused on driving, didn’t quite catch what she said. He shot a quick glance in her direction and asked, a little confused.

"What’s wrong, Xiao Hanhan? What was that? I didn’t catch it."

But Bai Menghan just pressed her lips into a smile. "It was nothing. Here, open up. Let me feed you first."

...

Two hours later, the vehicle pulled to a stop in front of an old apartment complex. Even in summer, the sky was now completely dark.

Fang Chenyi got out first, then jogged around to the passenger side to help Bai Menghan down. "Careful, Menghan," he said, concerned. "It’s a high step, don’t twist your ankle."

Hearing this, Bai Menghan smiled sweetly. Instead of getting down, she wrapped her arms around Fang Chenyi’s neck and said in a rare, coquettish tone...

"If you’re so worried I’ll twist my ankle, then you’ll just have to carry me down."

Fang Chenyi gently tapped her on the nose, then reached in and lifted her out in his arms.

But just then, a cough echoed from behind them, followed by the voice of his future father-in-law.

"Ahem. You’re a grown woman, can’t you walk on your own? Chenyi drove all this way; he must be exhausted. Get down from there."

The sudden voice made things incredibly awkward for the two of them. Bai Menghan wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole.

Gently setting Bai Menghan down, Fang Chenyi turned around awkwardly. Spotting her father holding a large plastic bag, he quickly reached for it.

"Sir, here, let me get that. I’ll carry it for you."

Father Bai quickly pulled the bag away, waving his other hand with a cheerful smile.

"No, no, it’s fine. You’ve been driving for so long, you must be tired. I can carry it myself. Really. I’m sorry to have troubled you this late at night."

Even though her father insisted, Fang Chenyi still managed to take the plastic bag from him. Walking half a step behind the older man, he spoke.

"Please, Sir, don’t say that. You’re treating me like a stranger. I’ve said it before, just think of me as a son. Menghan wasn’t very clear earlier... what exactly happened?"

Father Bai waved his hand, gesturing for them to talk upstairs.

When they got upstairs and opened the door, the living room was, once again, filled with people, just as it had been the first time Fang Chenyi visited. The only difference was the location, and the absence of two people: Bai Mengyao and Chen Xi.

"Grandma, Mom, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Third Uncle, Third Aunt."

As he stepped inside, Fang Chenyi politely greeted everyone in the room.

Seeing that Fang Chenyi had come, everyone quickly rose to their feet.

"Chenyi’s here."

The grandmother, seated on the sofa, sighed upon seeing Fang Chenyi and Bai Menghan. She beckoned them over.

"Sigh... It’s so late, why did you make the young couple rush over? Come, come, sit here next to Grandma and rest for a while."

Hearing her grandmother call them a "young couple," Bai Menghan blushed. After changing into a pair of slippers, she hurried over to her grandmother’s side.

Fang Chenyi also went to greet the grandmother first, then turned his attention to his Second Uncle and Aunt, who were sitting off to the side with haggard expressions. He began to console them.

"Second Uncle, Second Aunt, please don’t worry. Whatever the issue is, if it’s something money can solve, then it’s not really an issue. There’s five million on this card. The PIN is the last six digits of the card number. Please, take it and use it. If it’s not enough, just let me know. Second Uncle, Second Aunt, please don’t rush to refuse. Our family... well, we might be short on a lot of things, but money isn’t one of them."

As he spoke, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a bank card, and offered it to his Second Uncle. It was the card he’d had Bai Menghan transfer the five million to back in the car.

Second Uncle and Second Aunt were stunned. They frantically waved their hands, refusing to take it under any circumstances. In response, Fang Chenyi simply smiled and placed the card on the coffee table. Before his uncle could protest again, he changed the subject.

"Uncle, Auntie, that’s just a small thing. For now, let’s talk about what actually happened. I heard her husband is asking for a divorce?"

[To be continued...]