60s: I have a store

Chapter 620 The Great Wall
After nearly a month of busy work, Zhou Yimin finally finished. After getting off work on Saturday, he went home, ate a little something, and prepared to go to bed because he was too exhausted.

He had just lain down when he fell into a deep sleep, and it wasn't until the Sunday morning sunlight streamed through the window and fell on his face that he slowly opened his eyes.

The locust tree leaves rustled in the wind outside the window, and the shouts of tofu vendors echoed from the alley. This long-lost sense of relaxation made him breathe a long sigh of relief; finally, he could rest for a day.

This kind of life reminded Zhou Yimin of the 996 work schedule of later generations.

He stretched lazily in bed, and when his fingertips touched his pocket, he felt a stiff piece of paper.

He took it out and saw it was a bicycle voucher awarded by the factory. He stared at the voucher for a long time, and then Zhou Yimin suddenly remembered Zhang Yan.

It seems he never gave any decent gifts. He has his own motorcycle, and Zhoujiazhuang also has a bicycle.

If it were put on the black market, it could fetch a lot of money, but Zhou Yimin didn't care about that amount at all.

As usual, I opened the store and bought today's flash sale item.

There are 100 catties of pork, 100 bottles of canned yellow peaches, 100 catties of peanut oil, and 100 bolts of cloth.

I had a simple breakfast: I took out some pig's trotters I had bought before from the store, which were still hot, along with a bowl of millet porridge.

After finishing breakfast, he pulled a canvas bag from under the bed and carefully put the bicycle ticket inside his notebook.

I stuffed two more packets of fruit candy into my bag; those were bought from the store.

Immediately, he started his motorcycle and drove towards the alley where Zhang Yan's house was located.

When passing a grocery store on the street corner, Zhou Yimin stopped his car and went in to buy a bag of steamed rice cakes that Zhang Yan's younger sister, Zhang Lu, loved to eat.

The closer you get to Zhang Yan's alley, the more lively the sounds become. There are old men carrying birdcages taking a stroll, middle-aged women sitting on doorsteps picking vegetables, and children chasing and playing.

The motorcycle stopped under the old elm tree at the entrance of the alley. Several little girls who were playing hopscotch at the door saw him, and one of them, who had a ponytail, immediately shouted, "Sister Yan Yan! Your boyfriend is here!"

Zhou Yimin smiled and waved to them: "Is your sister Yan Yan home?"

"Yes! I just finished my homework," the little girl answered crisply, skipping and hopping as she ran into the yard.

"Sister Yan Yan, come out quickly, Brother Yi Min has brought some good stuff!"

Zhou Yimin wasn't stingy; he took out the candies he had prepared in advance and gave two to each person.

After receiving the candy, everyone thanked Zhou Yimin.

Just then, Zhang Yan heard the commotion and immediately ran out: "Brother Yimin, what brings you here?"

"What, not welcome?" Zhou Yimin untied his canvas bag and shook it.

"I brought you some nice things."

Zhang Yan blushed and quickly waved her hand, "Of course you're welcome, come in and have a seat!"

As she spoke, she reached out to pull Zhou Yimin's arm, the force not strong, but it conveyed a genuine warmth.

Zhou Yimin smiled, picked up his canvas bag and some steamed rice cakes, and followed him inside. He had just entered the room.

There stood a little girl with pigtails at the entrance of the main room. She was Zhang Yan's younger sister, Zhang Lu, holding an eraser in her hand. When she saw him, she sweetly greeted him, "Hello, Brother Yimin!"

The sound of a chair being moved came from the inner room, and Aunt Zhang came out carrying an enamel basin.

When she saw Zhou Yimin, her eyes lit up and the wrinkles on her face smoothed out: "Yimin's here! Come in and sit down."

Zhou Yimin looked around but didn't see Zhang Jianshe, so he asked, "Aunt Zhang? Where's my Uncle Zhang?"

Her voice was loud and clear, with a sharp edge. "Your Uncle Zhang is always like this! He's been working overtime every day lately, and he didn't rest today either. Otherwise, we could have had a couple of drinks together."

Zhou Yimin put the things on the octagonal table and replied with a smile, "Aunt Zhang, don't be angry. Uncle Zhang is also making a contribution to the people."

Aunt Zhang had been married to Zhang Jianshe for so many years, so she knew his character well and wasn't angry. Instead, she turned to him and said, "Yimin, you're here so early, you must not have had breakfast yet!"

"I'll make it for you right now, just wait a moment."

Zhou Yimin patted his stomach and answered truthfully, "Aunt Zhang, I've already had breakfast, you don't need to make me anything!"

Zhang Lu then said, "Mom, I'm hungry again."

Aunt Zhang said helplessly, "Zhang Lu, are you a reincarnated starving ghost? You just ate breakfast!"

Zhang Lu stuck out her tongue: "I was hungry, I had no choice!"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhang, though somewhat helpless, still walked towards the kitchen: "Alright, you and Yimin wait here!"

Zhou Yimin was not given a chance to object at all.

Zhou Yimin couldn't very well rush into the kitchen and say no, could he?
After Aunt Zhang finished speaking, she tied on her apron, and the bellows on the stove soon started whirring, filling the kitchen with a faint aroma of rice.

Zhang Lu then asked, "Brother Yimin, what delicious food did you bring?"

Zhou Yimin did not answer, but simply handed over the bag.

After Zhang Lu took it, she couldn't wait to open it. As soon as the zipper was halfway open, she saw two packets of fruit candy with shiny Sun Wukong patterns on the wrappers.

Zhang Yan was a little curious and went closer to take a look.

Zhang Lu immediately took out the candy and ate one right away.

It's fortunate that Aunt Zhang wasn't here, otherwise Zhang Lu would probably have been beaten up again.

Who would open a gift in front of others? It's very impolite.

Zhang Yan guessed that Aunt Zhang would be preparing breakfast soon.

Just then, Zhang Lu reached out to grab it again, but Zhang Yan gently patted the back of her hand: "Pour some water for Brother Yimin first."

Zhang Lu had no choice but to go and pour water.

Looking at the two sisters' adorable faces, Zhou Yimin felt a warm glow in his heart.

Just then, Aunt Zhang came out carrying a bowl of millet porridge: "Yimin, the porridge is ready, eat it while it's hot!"

Zhang Lu placed the water glass in front of Zhou Yimin: "Brother Yimin, have some water."

After saying that, he thought of taking the millet porridge from Aunt Zhang's hand.

However, Aunt Zhang patted him on the shoulder and said, "Yours is in the kitchen, go get it yourself!"

Zhang Lu had no choice but to go inside and reluctantly take out the millet porridge.

Zhou Yimin sat at the table, eating pickled cucumbers and drinking millet porridge. The hot porridge slid into his stomach, making him feel comfortable all over.

Aunt Zhang sat to the side, chattering on and on about things at the factory, and reminding him to take care of his health and not to stay up late all the time.

Zhou Yimin responded to each of them, occasionally looking up to see Zhang Yan and Zhang Lu whispering in the yard, glancing at him from time to time.

Zhang Lu could only sulk silently, not daring to utter a single complaint!

After finishing breakfast, Zhou Yimin wiped his mouth, looked at Zhang Yan, and said with a smile, "Yanzi, we haven't gone out to play in a long time, how about we go out for a bit?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan's eyes lit up instantly, and she nodded vigorously without hesitation: "Great! Great!"

She was secretly delighted, having long wanted to spend some time alone with Brother Yimin.

Hearing this, Zhang Lu quickly came over, tugged at Zhang Yan's clothes, and looked up at her, saying, "Sister, brother-in-law, I want to go too!" Zhang Yan was immediately at a loss, and the smile on her face froze for a moment.

She stole a glance at Zhou Yimin, thinking to herself, "It's such a rare opportunity to be alone with Brother Yimin. It would be so awkward to bring Zhang Lu along!"
He's practically a little light bulb.

But she couldn't directly refuse her sister, so she was caught in a dilemma.

Just then, Aunt Zhang came out of the kitchen, holding a rag. Hearing Zhang Lu's words, she glared at her and said, "Zhang Lu, you're busy! Have you finished your homework? I remember you said yesterday that the math problems were hard and you hadn't done many of them."

Zhang Lu was taken aback by her mother's "tough" attitude. She hung her head and muttered softly, "I... I can do it later."

"Wait a minute? The sun will have already set by then!" Aunt Zhang threw the rag on the table.

"Go back to your room and do your homework. You can come out to play after you're done, or you won't get any dinner."

Zhang Lu knew her mother meant what she said, and that she definitely couldn't go with her.

She could only pout sadly, nod silently, and return to the house, turning back every few steps.

Zhang Yan finally felt relieved and secretly gave Aunt Zhang a grateful look.

Zhou Yimin couldn't help but laugh as he watched this scene.

He stood up and said to Aunt Zhang, "Aunt Zhang, we'll be going now and will be back later."

"Go on, go on, be careful." Aunt Zhang waved her hand and then reminded Zhang Yan.

"When you go out with your brother Yimin, don't go crazy and come back early."

"Okay, Mom," Zhang Yan replied obediently, and quickly walked to Zhou Yimin's side.

Zhou Yimin pushed out the motorcycle, kicked it with his foot, and started the engine.

Zhang Yan sat down in the back seat somewhat awkwardly, hesitated for a moment, and then gently grabbed Zhou Yimin's sleeve.

If this were in later generations, she would definitely be clinging to Zhou Yimin's waist, but the people here are more honest and simple.

"Hold on tight," Zhou Yimin said, and the motorcycle whirred and slowly drove out of the alley, heading towards the outskirts of the city.

A breeze brushed against her cheeks, carrying a slight chill, but Zhang Yan felt a warmth in her heart, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile.

The motorcycle traveled on the dirt road outside the city, the trees on both sides rushing past, kicking up clouds of dust.

With one hand on the handlebars, Zhou Yimin turned his head and asked loudly, "Yanzi, is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

The wind was a bit strong, so Zhang Yan leaned closer and answered from behind Zhou Yimin, "I want to go to the Great Wall. I've never been to the Great Wall before in my life."

Her voice carried a hint of anticipation and longing, her eyes gazing into the distance as if she could already see the Great Wall.

Zhou Yimin nodded and replied loudly, "Okay, let's go to the Great Wall then!"

After saying that, he stepped on the gas, and the motorcycle sped up, heading towards the Great Wall.

Along the way, the two would occasionally exchange a few words, but most of the time they remained silent. However, this silence was not awkward; on the contrary, it had a peaceful and beautiful quality.

After seeing that there was no one around, Zhang Yan leaned against Zhou Yimin's back, feeling the warmth of his body and the vibrations of the motorcycle, and felt a sense of security.

Zhou Yimin sensed this but didn't say much, only gave a smile.

About an hour later, the majestic Great Wall came into view.

Zhou Yimin slowed down and parked the motorcycle at the foot of the Great Wall.

Zhang Yan jumped off the back seat, looked up at the Great Wall in front of her, and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

At that time, there weren't many tourists visiting the Great Wall, unlike in later years when it was crowded with tourists everywhere.

It is worth noting that a saying has been passed down through the ages: "He who has not climbed the Great Wall is no true man."

Zhou Yimin never imagined that he would finally be able to see the Great Wall with his own eyes now, a place he had never had the chance to visit in his previous life.

The city wall gleamed gray in the sunlight, winding its way into the distance like a sleeping dragon.

Occasionally, you can see a few local villagers carrying firewood walking across the city wall; otherwise, it is completely silent.

Zhou Yimin walked up to Zhang Yan and asked with a smile, "How is it? Isn't it spectacular?"

Zhang Yan nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling with excitement: "It's so spectacular! Brother Yimin, let's go up and take a look!"

As she spoke, she grabbed Zhou Yimin's hand and ran towards the steps of the Great Wall.

Zhou Yimin was pulled along by her and laughed along, quickly following in her footsteps.

Stepping onto the Great Wall, Zhang Yan seemed to be infused with boundless energy, her eyes sparkling with excitement, her steps light and quick, as if she never got tired.

She ran to the edge of the stack, craned her neck to look down, and exclaimed "Wow!"
He then stroked the mottled bricks on the city wall, his fingertips tracing the marks left by the passage of time, his face full of curiosity.

"Brother Yimin, look how thick this wall is!"

"Brother Yimin, the view from here is really beautiful!"

Zhang Yan's clear and resonant voice echoed across the silent Great Wall.

She was completely unaware that her strength was gradually being depleted; on the contrary, she became more and more energetic as she climbed, and would occasionally turn back to wave to Zhou Yimin, urging him, "Brother Yimin, hurry up! There seems to be a beacon tower ahead!"

Zhou Yimin watched her skipping and hopping away, and shook his head helplessly.

This girl was sitting quietly on the back of the motorcycle just now, but once we got to the Great Wall, she became like a wild horse let loose.

He quickened his pace to catch up, reminding him, "Slow down, the steps are uneven, be careful not to fall."

Zhang Yan wouldn't listen to anything and just kept rushing forward, her skirt billowing in the wind like a butterfly spreading its wings.

Zhou Yimin followed behind her, shaking his head helplessly. He thought to himself, "You'll get what's coming to you soon enough." He immediately started running, disregarding his physical exhaustion.

But before long, that enthusiasm faded.

In less than half an hour, Zhang Yan slowed down, her cheeks flushed, fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her breathing became somewhat rapid.

She leaned against the city wall, panting, her steps as heavy as lead, unable to take another step.

"I can't go on... Brother Yimin... I can't walk anymore..." Zhang Yan leaned softly against the city bricks.

Zhou Yimin stepped forward, took a water bottle from his canvas bag, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to her, his tone slightly teasing: "Who was urging me to hurry up just now? Now you know you're tired, huh?"

Zhang Yan stuck out her tongue sheepishly, took the water bottle, and gulped down several mouthfuls.

The cool water slid down my throat, instantly relieving much of my thirst and fatigue.

She found a relatively flat spot to sit down, stretched out her legs, and said weakly, "I didn't expect climbing the Great Wall to be so tiring. I should have gone slower."

"And it doesn't even look steep?"

Zhou Yimin sat down next to her, looking at her exhausted appearance, and couldn't help but laugh: "You just don't realize it from your perspective, try looking from below!"

Zhang Yan didn't have much strength left to speak, so she could only nod to indicate that she understood.

(End of this chapter)