“Hello, how much for this bicycle?” Xu Ying asked casually as she stood at the counter.
The clerk gave her a once-over, his gaze sweeping from her plain clothes to her neatly tied hair. His lips curled in disdain, and without even lifting his head, he sneered, “Can you even afford it? One hundred sixty-seven yuan — and you’ll need a ticket too.”
Xu Ying wasn’t the least bit surprised by his attitude. She reached out to touch the bicycle, running her fingers lightly along the handlebars and frame, thoroughly satisfied.
Without another word, she took out the ticket and the money, handing them over smoothly. “I’ll take it.”
The clerk’s expression froze. His eyes widened, darting between the cash and the ticket in disbelief.
How could this ordinary-looking girl have so much money?
But his hands were quick to snatch up the payment, and he hurried to push the bike over to her. The sneer on his face vanished like it had never existed, replaced by a smile of clumsy enthusiasm. “Here you go, girl — here’s your bike!”
Xu Ying wheeled the bicycle outside and gave it a test ride. It was smooth, light, and wonderfully comfortable. She hummed as she rode to the butcher, where she bought two kilograms of pork, both fatty and lean, making sure to get the best cuts.
Meanwhile, Xu Qiuye had spent more than an hour chatting with Brother Xu near the supply and marketing cooperative. As her shift was ending, Brother Xu finally dragged himself away with visible reluctance.
He walked out the door, but before he even made it three steps, he looked back at her — once, twice, three times — his heart visibly tugged.
Xu Qiuye’s cheeks flushed with a rosy glow. She waved, calling sweetly, “Next time I have a break, I’ll come find you, and we can go see a movie together!”
Brother Xu’s heart soared to the clouds. His face lit up with foolish joy, and in his daze, he smacked headfirst into the wall of the cooperative with a loud thud.
“Look at that, head over heels in love and blind to the road!” one of the clerks teased, laughing from the doorway.
Startled, Xu Qiuye hurried over, concern written all over her face. She reached out and gently touched Brother Xu’s forehead. “Does it hurt? Why are you so careless?”
Feeling the soft brush of her fingers, Brother Xu’s face turned bright red — ears and all. He stammered, “I-I-it’s nothing! Y-you… go on, go back to work!”
Xu Qiuye gave him a doubtful look, but when he nodded rapidly, she smiled and returned inside.
Brother Xu practically bolted down the street, heart thumping like a drum, mortified that Qiuye had seen him in such a silly moment.
At the village entrance, Xu Ying waved from the roadside. “Second Brother, heading home?”
Brother Xu approached, pushing his bucket-laden bicycle, but his eyes were immediately drawn to the gleaming new bike beside his sister. “Where… where did this come from?”
“I bought it, of course! Did you think it fell from the sky?” Xu Ying teased, eyes sparkling with mischief.
Brother Xu’s jaw dropped. He ran his hand reverently over the smooth handlebars. “Little Sis, where did you get the money for this?”
“Earned it!” Xu Ying announced proudly.
Brother Xu’s eyes widened even further. He didn’t know about the money Huo Chen had given her for the wild animals she sold and assumed she had made it herself on her last two trips to town.
“This… this must’ve been a fortune!”
Xu Ying lightly patted his arm. “Second Brother, we’d better get going. Mama’s probably worried sick by now.”
Brother Xu suddenly remembered the time. The sun was already sinking, and it would be past seven by the time they got home. Autumn days were shorter — they had to hurry.
Together, they pedaled down the road toward the village.
As they reached the yard, Xu Ying called out cheerfully, “Mama, we’re home!”
Mama Xu rushed out the moment she heard her daughter’s voice. She hadn’t seen her girl all day, and her heart had been aching with worry. She practically threw herself into Xu Ying’s arms. “My daughter! Mama missed you so much!”
Xu Ying propped the bicycle against the wall. Mama Xu squinted at the object in the fading light, trying to make it out. When she finally realized what it was, her eyes nearly popped out of her head.
“What is that? It’s beautiful!”
“I bought it,” Xu Ying said playfully. “Isn’t it nice? I’ll ride it to work.”
Mama Xu’s brows furrowed. “Ride to work?” Suddenly, her face lit up, her voice rising in excitement. “Wait… wait, are you saying you got a job at a state-owned restaurant?”
Xu Ying nodded calmly.
The laughter that burst from Mama Xu’s lips was almost a shout of pure joy. In the yard, Father Xu froze mid-swing with his axe, his jaw slack. “Daughter, what did you just say? Come again — Dad didn’t hear you right.”
Big Brother Xu stood stiff as a board, his bucket dangling from his hand, eyes wide in shock.
“I start work the day after tomorrow at a state-owned hotel,” Xu Ying announced lightly. “I’ll be riding this bike to and from work.”
Mama Xu’s and Father Xu’s eyes immediately reddened with emotion. “My daughter’s made it… working at a state-owned hotel! This is no less than your third brother — ah, our Xu family’s truly blessed!”
Father Xu waved his arm in delight. “Oldest, go buy a fish at the village entrance! We’ve still got that dried pheasant at home. The eldest and his wife can help cook — tonight we’re having a celebration. I’m going to the old house right now, and don’t forget to call the third son!”
Mama Xu nodded so hard it was a wonder her head stayed on. She washed up, put on her best clothes, and even dabbed a little of the fancy cream the third son had brought back — her face glowed as she stepped out, practically walking on air.
She headed straight to the village square — no stopping at neighbors’ homes like last time when she’d proudly shown off her eggs. This time, Mama Xu went straight to the busiest gathering spot.
People were just getting off work, preparing dinner, or stopping to chat under the eaves. When they saw Mama Xu approaching, they could smell the faint, sweet fragrance clinging to her.
“Captain’s wife, what brings you here?” Wang Lanhua asked with a surprised smile. “Oh my, what’s that wonderful smell?”
Mama Xu smiled coyly, walking up with the air of a young girl. “Oh, I was just at home with nothing to do and thought I’d come chat. This cream? My daughter insisted I use it — said I shouldn’t waste it on just her. Ah, I’m getting on in years… but the girl’s so filial, how could I refuse?”
The crowd’s eyes filled with envy.
“Sister-in-law, you’re so lucky!”
Mama Xu sat down gracefully, a pleased smile tugging at her lips. “I just wanted to visit and chat. Soon, my daughter will be off working, and I’ll be home all alone. I didn’t want her to go, really. How much can she possibly earn? But the girl was determined to work — she found herself a cook’s position at a state-owned hotel.” She sighed dramatically, then immediately peeked at everyone’s reactions.
Sure enough, there were gasps of astonishment all around. If Mama Xu hadn’t been restraining herself, she might have started dancing in the square.
“You’re joking! Working at a state-owned hotel?” someone blurted out.
“Isn’t Xu Ying just a slip of a girl? Can she even handle a wok?” another said skeptically.
“That’s right — state-owned hotels don’t just hire anyone. Are you sure you’re not exaggerating, Captain’s wife?” someone added with a sour note.
Mama Xu’s smile faltered for a second, then she straightened her back with pride. “Who says I’m making this up? My daughter starts the day after tomorrow.”
Wang Lanhua, knowing her well, laughed and clapped her hands. “Sister-in-law, this is wonderful news! Soon your whole family will be workers!”
At that, a fresh ripple of amazement spread through the square. Aside from the eldest son and Mama Xu herself, the entire Xu family would soon be employed. For the villagers, this was no small feat.
And for Mama Xu, tonight, she was the star of the village stage.