Mao was still as diligent as ever. However, after years of business life, he had developed habits that resembled an occupational illness.

When winter was ending, and the snow was about to melt, he would think about leading a team to travel around the surrounding tribes, aiming to make a big profit. Especially after Han Cheng recently shared the plan for the propaganda team, Mao became even more enthusiastic about this trip.

After all, at this time of year, most of the food stores in many tribes had already been consumed. If the tribe brought food and other goods at such a time, it would undoubtedly be greatly welcomed by those tribes.

It was a perfect opportunity to showcase the tribe's wealth, strength, and kindness.

When Han Cheng had previously shared his plans with Shang and Mao, he hadn't mentioned the idea of going out at this time of year. It was something they had come up with themselves.

"Let's wait a bit longer. The weather is still cold, and the tribe doesn't lack furs and such items. We don’t need to rush," Han Cheng praised their idea but didn’t immediately agree. Instead, he said this.

This was the truth. Han Cheng had experienced the hardships of traveling for business, especially after two trips to Copper Mountain last year. And that was when the snow wasn’t yet melting, so the roads were easier to travel.

Even though the tribe had tents, hats, and gloves, the difficulty of traveling in the cold season couldn’t be avoided.

The tribe had grown stronger and more prosperous, so there was no need to push so hard now.

His words didn’t have much effect. On the contrary, after hearing them, the two men felt warmer in their chests and were even more determined. They insisted that there was nothing to worry about with 'snow lotion', tents, and such things.

Han Cheng helplessly rubbed his forehead. If he had known, he might as well have not said anything in the first place.

Seeing their determination, Han Cheng, after carefully reminding them to pay attention to safety, had no choice but to agree.

On the third day, the trade team of the Green Sparrow tribe set out once again.

Led by Shang and Mao, the group, armed with weapons, led by deer carrying goods and accompanied by a few dogs, left the tribe and began their first trade of the new year.

This time, their goods were somewhat different from usual. In addition to salt and pottery, they brought a substantial amount of shelled rice.

Food was the most enticing and effective way to showcase wealth in this era. Since Han Cheng wanted the trade team to display the tribe's prosperity, it was natural that they brought more food with them this time.

After watching the trade team disappear into the vast snowy plains, Han Cheng returned to the tribe with his people...

The various sounds blended, the noise filling the air, giving one a headache. People from all directions, carrying large and small bundles and speaking different dialects, crowded together as they made their way to the distant station exit.

Even though they had tried to make the passage as spacious as possible, it still felt especially cramped and narrow near the end of the year.

Carrying a heavy backpack, Han Cheng was one of the many in this crowded group.

At this time, he was still young, appearing to be only around sixteen or seventeen. A few barely visible darkened stubble on his face made him look even more youthful.

In the crowded crowd, it was impossible to move quickly, so Han Cheng could only follow the crowd, slowly moving forward.

The best he could do was extend a hand to push aside a corner of a snake-skin bag that kept bumping into his face, trying to move it out of the way.

Of course, slowing down wasn’t possible either. Even if you stopped moving, the people behind you would push you forward simultaneously.

Once the corner of the snake-skin bag was pushed aside, Han Cheng found himself face-to-face with a woman dressed fashionably for this era.

Her slightly yellowed hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders. She wore a beige wool sweater on top and a tight-fitting leather skirt on the bottom, radiating a mature, seductive charm.

At just seventeen, Han Cheng had never been in such close contact with a woman, especially one like this.

At sixteen or seventeen, hormones were surging, and even the slightest stimuli could send a rush of excitement through him.

As Han Cheng moved to push aside the snake-skin bag, his heart skipped a beat. He immediately realized he had made a mistake.

His face flushed with heat as he instinctively shrank back, trying to distance himself from the woman in front of him.

He also reached out, attempting to pull the bag’s corner back to block his view, avoiding looking at her.

But neither of the things he intended to do worked.

Perhaps sensing Han Cheng’s actions, the woman turned the snake-skin bag to the side, making it impossible for him to reach it.

The small distance he had managed to create between himself and the woman was quickly erased by the pressure from the people behind him.

Han Cheng felt his body brush against the woman’s leather skirt, and she, too, clearly noticed him.

Her golden hair waves tilted to one side as she slowly turned her head toward him.

What appeared before Han Cheng was a beautiful face of a woman in her thirties.

Their eyes met briefly, and in an instant, Han Cheng quickly lowered his head, too embarrassed to make eye contact, his face burning red.

He pressed his body backward with all his strength, trying to create more space, but in the crowded mass of people, his body refused to obey, and the little distance he had gained quickly vanished.

Han Cheng was overwhelmed with embarrassment and shame for a moment, wishing he could disappear into the ground.

The woman didn't say anything but turned back around, which relieved Han Cheng. He wouldn’t have been able to explain anything if she had said something.

Just as his emotions were in turmoil, a small hand moved from in front of him to grab his wrist from behind...

Han Cheng froze, his mind going blank. He would have stood frozen in place if it weren't for the people pushing from behind.

The noisy sounds around him faded, leaving only the rhythm of his heartbeat in his mind.

This rhythm didn’t last long, and soon, a warm sensation spread across him...

“Damn it…”

In the night, Han Cheng muttered a curse under his breath. It had happened years ago, but he had dreamt of it again, and the memories were still vivid.

Lying here, he recalled the hand that had held him until they reached the station exit and the smile the woman had given him as she turned away. Even though many years had passed and he had moved on to primitive society, his face still couldn't help but burn with embarrassment.

How embarrassing!

Who teases a young man like that?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay