Chapter 27: The Phoenix Bicycle

The sun gradually set in the west.

“Aunt Cui, is Jianguo’s wife really not coming to work?” Wen Wei’s wife, Xue Ermei, whispered.

Cui Yulan smiled, “Xiaochao is busy at home cooking and feeding chickens; that’s work too.”

Xue Ermei has been acting cautiously at work lately. She’s probably pregnant.

Saying this in front of Wen Wei’s mother, Cui Yulan is willing to let her daughter-in-law rest; whether Wen Wei’s mother agrees is someone else’s business.

“If you don’t have the life of a young miss, don’t have the thoughts of a young miss. Are you waiting to starve to death without working?” Wen Wei’s mother glanced at her daughter-in-law, making it clear that she wouldn’t be like Cui Yulan.

Cui Yulan chuckled and quickly walked home; she didn’t want to stay here.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, Wen Jianguo immediately saw the brand-new Phoenix bicycle under the eaves. He ran forward, wiped his hands on his clothes, and then carefully touched it.

“Wow, it’s brand new! This handlebar is so sturdy…”

“Big brother, just touching it won’t give you a feel. Take it for a ride around the yard,” Wen Wan leaned against the doorframe, smiling faintly.

Wen Jianguo swallowed, his heart itching. “Then I’ll ride it.”

At twenty-three years old, he had never ridden a bicycle. Only the village chief’s family had a second-hand bicycle in the whole village; everyone else relied on their feet or the village’s ox cart to go to town.

“Wen Jianguo, you little rascal, you don’t even know how, what are you riding for?” Cui Yulan, who had just entered the house, shouted loudly.

Wen Jianguo’s face darkened. “The bike’s already bought; what’s wrong with me riding it for a bit?”

“What’s wrong? What if you damage it? Who’s going to pay for it?” Cui Yulan glared at Wen Jianguo. “Put this bike away in the storeroom immediately, and take it out when your sister gets married.”

Wen Wan almost couldn’t help laughing. “Mom, what are you doing? Bicycles are meant to be used.”

Seeing Cui Yulan still disapproving, Wen Wan took her arm. “Mom, a bicycle is more likely to break if it’s not used. Besides, I’m counting on Big Brother to learn how to take me to town.”

“Xiaowan, what if you don’t like Zhou Haoting later? You’ll have to return everything,” Cui Yulan frowned, sighing softly.

Wen Wan smiled gently. “Mom, don’t worry, I’ll start working at the supply and marketing cooperative tomorrow, and I’ll have a salary every month.”

“Oh, I knew it! My daughter is the best!” Cui Yulan slapped her thigh, laughing so hard her gums showed.

Wen Jianguo also came over. “Little sister, if you work at the supply and marketing cooperative, will it be easier for us to buy things in the future?”

“Do you have money?” Cui Yulan stared at Wen Jianguo with a sharp look.

Wen Jianguo shook his head firmly. “No, you manage all the money; I haven’t hidden any private money.” He patted himself; he was afraid his mother and sister-in-law would pinch his ears.

Tian Xiaochao pushed Wen Jianguo away, smiling brightly. “Xiaowan, I made sweet potato and corn porridge. I cut the sweet potatoes into small pieces as you said; the porridge is even better.”

She completely forgot that while cutting the sweet potatoes, she had complained about Wen Wan’s many instructions and tasks, and her unwillingness to do them herself.

“Sister-in-law, I smelled the aroma as soon as I left the room. Sister-in-law’s cooking is amazing,” Wen Wan gave a perfunctory compliment.

She then pulled Cui Yulan to the bicycle. “Dad, Mom, I was thinking of letting Big Brother learn to ride first, and then he can pick me up and drop me off at work in town every day.”

Wen Jianguo patted his chest happily. “Little sister, don’t worry, leave it to Big Brother.”

“Wen Jianguo, don’t boast. If you can’t learn to ride, you’re not allowed to eat dinner tonight.” Cui Yulan raised her eyebrows; she couldn’t let her clumsy son injure her daughter.

Wen Dafu also chimed in. “Jianguo, don’t freeze. Learn quickly, I’ll help you.”

Wen Jianguo, smiling, pushed the bicycle and rode half a circle in the yard. He put his foot down to test it, and Wen Dafu followed closely behind, afraid of scratching or bumping the precious bicycle.

“By the way, Mom…” Wen Wan whispered to Cui Yulan, “I don’t know how to sew, so I won’t buy a sewing machine yet, but he gave me the ticket and money.”

As she spoke, Wen Wan took out the sewing machine ticket and money from her bag.

Cui Yulan looked relieved. “Xiaowan, you did the right thing. Buy the sewing machine when you learn how to sew, when you get married.”

It would be unsightly if it rusted at home. Her daughter is so clever.

Wen Wan: …She won’t learn to sew; it’s not for her.

“Jianguo, Dad, dinner’s ready. Shall we eat first and then continue?” Tian Xiaochao wiped the water from her hands and tentatively suggested.

Before Wen Dafu and Cui Yulan could speak, Wen Jianguo loudly refused. “No, I’ll learn right away.”

“Let’s eat first and let him learn by himself,” Cui Yulan waved her hand and decisively announced that dinner was starting.

Then, she pulled Wen Wan and turned to leave.

Wen Dafu made sure, “Jianguo, I’m leaving. You can do it yourself, right?”

“Don’t worry, I’ve almost got it. I’ll practice on the road.”

Before the words were finished, Wen Jianguo zipped out of the yard on his bicycle.

Wen Dafu: …The silly boy also wants to go for a ride.

“Where is he? He really isn’t eating?” Cui Yulan handed the chopsticks to Wen Dafu and looked towards the door.

Wen Dafu picked up his bowl, grumbling. “He went out to show off.”

“That fool! I told him to practice at home, but he ran out. If he falls and breaks the bike, just wait until I deal with him!” Cui Yulan angrily scolded; he’s so troublesome.

Wen Wan glanced at Tian Xiaochao’s face and comforted her. “Mom, Brother will definitely go out to practice, we have to go to town tomorrow morning.”

As Wen Dafu expected, Wen Jianguo rode his bicycle straight to the sun-baked field as soon as he went out.

Wen Hu’s third son, Wen Chao, pointed outside with his mouth open. “Dad, did Brother Jianguo ride past on a bicycle?”

“Yes, it’s Wen Jianguo,” Wen Hu said calmly; he had already known at lunchtime yesterday.

More than a dozen people were gathered in the sun-baked field, men in one group and women in another, eating and gossiping.

“Look, isn’t that Wen Jianguo?” Wen Wei, holding a bowl of sweet potato porridge, nudged the person next to him.

Wen Hui didn’t even raise his eyebrows, blowing on his bowl. “What’s there to look at?” The food isn’t cold yet; he’s starving.

“Whose bicycle is Wen Jianguo riding?” Aunt Jing pointed forward and shouted.

Hearing this, those who were eating and chatting all stopped and looked over.

“The Wen Dafu family really made it; they even have money to buy a bicycle,” Aunt Jing said sourly.

Someone reminded, “What Cui Yulan said yesterday seems to be true, it wasn’t just bragging.”

Those who had heard it yesterday looked at each other; now their faces felt like they were being slapped.

After Cui Yulan left, they had all said that she was bragging and showing off, that it certainly wasn’t true.