60s: I have a store

Chapter 624 Spread
The atmosphere in the courtyard gradually eased. Zhang Jianshe looked at the brand-new bicycle, then at Zhou Yimin, feeling a mix of emotions.

Zhou Yimin is indeed a sensible and reliable young man, and he is sincere towards Yanzi. However, the gift is too expensive, which makes him feel a little guilty.

Even Zhang Jianshe faced numerous difficulties in buying a new bicycle, not because he lacked the money, but because bicycle tickets were extremely rare.

You should know that on the black market, a bicycle ticket can fetch over a hundred yuan, which shows how precious it is.

Seeing that it was getting late, Zhou Yimin got up to say goodbye: "Uncle Zhang, Aunt Zhang, it's getting late, I should go back now."

Zhang Jianshe grabbed him, his tone resolute: "Yimin, how can this be? It's already this late, you have to stay and have dinner before you leave."

"There's no room for discussion on this!"

Seeing Zhang Jianshe's unyielding attitude, Zhou Yimin had no choice but to agree: "Alright! Then, Uncle Zhang and Aunt Zhang, thank you for your time."

"No trouble at all," Aunt Zhang chimed in, already holding an apron.

"Yanzi, Zhang Lu, come in and help!"

Hearing their mother's call, Zhang Yan and Zhang Lu rushed into the kitchen to help!
Zhou Yimin originally wanted to go in and help as well.

However, Zhang Jianshe, quick-witted and agile, pressed him down into a chair: "Yimin, I don't need your help!"

Zhou Yimin had no choice but to sit down again and chat with Zhang Jianshe about everyday things.

Aunt Zhang and the others were busy in the kitchen, bringing out all the good things they could find in their home.

On the cutting board were fresh green vegetables that Zhou Yimin had brought, as well as eggs that he had specially saved that morning. He even took out a large piece of cured meat that he usually couldn't bear to eat, sliced ​​it into thin slices, and prepared to stir-fry the vegetables.

Zhang Lu's mouth almost watered when she saw so much delicious food being prepared.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Yan reminded her, "Lulu, wipe your drool."

Zhang Lu didn't realize what was happening and did as Zhang Yan said, but to her surprise, no saliva came out.

"Mom, look, my sister is playing a trick on me!"

Aunt Zhang looked helplessly at her two daughters: "Come and help us quickly! Do you still want to eat?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan and Zhang Lu immediately began to help. With such delicious food, they couldn't refuse to eat it.

Soon, a variety of delicious aromas wafted from the kitchen: the sweet and sour smell of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and the oily aroma of stir-fried cured meat with greens. Zhang Lu was so tempted that she kept circling around the kitchen doorway.

Not long after, Aunt Zhang came out of the kitchen with dishes: a plate of golden scrambled eggs with tomatoes, a plate of glistening cured meat stir-fried with greens, a bowl of steaming cabbage and tofu soup, and finally a plate of steamed white flour buns, filling the table to the brim.

Zhang Jianshe took out the bottle of fine wine and poured a glass for Zhou Yimin and himself. The aroma of the wine instantly filled the air.

"Yimin, don't be shy, eat up." Zhang Jianshe raised his glass.

"Come, let me toast you. Thank you for taking such good care of Yanzi."

Zhou Yimin quickly raised his glass and clinked it with Zhang Jianshe's: "Uncle Zhang, you're too kind. This is what I should do."

He could only say that people nowadays are too naive; if this were in later generations, they would probably be told, "You don't love me at all."
Aunt Zhang kept putting food on Zhou Yimin's plate, scooping the cured meat from the plate into his bowl: "Yimin, eat more, you seem to have lost weight lately."

Zhou Yimin did not feel that he had lost weight.

However, there is a kind of thinness that elders think you are too thin.

Seeing that Aunt Zhang had been giving all the meat to Zhou Yimin, Zhang Lu quickly picked up a few more pieces and put them in her bowl, afraid that if she was too slow, there wouldn't be any left.

Seeing this, everyone couldn't help but laugh.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Yimin immediately transferred all the meat from his bowl to Zhang Lu's bowl, saying, "Lulu, eat more, you've lost weight."

Zhang Lu didn't stand on ceremony and accepted everything.

Although the meal was simple, Zhou Yimin and the others enjoyed it very much.

After the meal, Zhou Yimin wanted to help clear the dishes, but Aunt Zhang stopped him.

It was getting late, so Zhou Yimin took his leave.

Zhang Jianshe escorted Zhou Yimin to the gate of the hospital and repeatedly told him to come and visit often when he had time.

Zhou Yimin agreed: "Uncle Zhang, you can come to my house for a visit when you have time!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhou Yimin drove away on his motorcycle.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, everyone in the courtyard woke up and opened their doors.

Early risers prepare to go shopping, while men prepare to wash and groom themselves before heading to work.

As soon as he stepped out of his house, almost everyone's attention was drawn to the sky-blue bicycle in front of Zhang Jianshe's house.

The bell on the handlebars was still covered with a thin layer of dew, and it looked brand new.

In this era when bicycles were comparable to sports cars today, it was a major event for anyone in the neighborhood to acquire such a large item.

"Is Aunt Zhang home?" Aunt Wang, who lives across the street, was the first to come over, her eyes fixed on the bicycle, her tone full of curiosity.

"Did your family buy this bicycle? It's really nice!"

Immediately afterwards, other neighbors gathered around, asking questions all at once.

"Yes, Aunt Zhang, is this the Flying Pigeon brand? It must have cost a lot of money!"

"Do you still have bicycle tickets? These tickets are hard to get these days. Where did your family get them?"

Many people nowadays have money to buy bicycles, but they are struggling because they don't have the necessary permits.

So I wanted to ask, where did Zhang Jianshe's family get the tickets?

Aunt Zhang was sweeping the floor when she saw everyone gathering around. A smile appeared on her face, and she straightened up and said, "This wasn't bought by our family; it was a gift from Yimin to Yanzi."

"Zhou Yimin?" The neighbors were stunned when they heard this, and then their faces showed shock.

They naturally knew that Zhou Yimin was Zhang Yan's boyfriend, and Zhou Yimin had come quite often, although they weren't very close, they had met quite a few times.

One of the residents clicked his tongue in amazement and said, "Yimin is too generous! A bicycle costs almost two hundred yuan, and you need a coupon for that. That's enough for an average family to save for half a year!"

Aunt Wang nodded repeatedly, "That's right! I knew before that Yimin cared about Zhang Yan, but I didn't expect him to give her a bicycle this time. He really treats Yanzi like family!"

"Aunt Zhang, is there some good news coming your way?" another young woman teased with a smile, her eyes full of envy.

Aunt Zhang blushed at what she was told and quickly waved her hand, saying, "It will be soon."

She didn't even try to hide it; she just told everyone.

Those present were very happy for Zhang Yan after hearing this, as she had found such a good partner. Zhang Yan got up early, specially changed into the floral dress she had bought yesterday, and carefully wiped her bicycle clean before pushing it out of the courtyard.

Aunt Zhang's smile never stopped when she saw this scene. Having such a good son-in-law, she was proud to talk about it.

She felt somewhat guilty towards the Zhang family for not giving birth to a son. Although her husband didn't say anything, the gossip surrounding her was definitely not good.

Since Zhou Yimin appeared, the gossip has decreased and eventually disappeared, while the compliments have increased.

Zhang Yan straddled the bicycle, gave it a gentle push, and the bike glided smoothly off.

This was the first time she had ridden her own bicycle to school, and she felt both nervous and excited.

The streets were already crowded with pedestrians in the early morning, most of them rushing to work or school.

Zhang Yan stood out as she rode her sky-blue bicycle through the crowd.

Feeling the gazes coming from all directions, Zhang Yan's cheeks flushed slightly, but she couldn't help but straighten her back and push off with even more force.

Soon, the university gates came into view.

Zhang Yan slowed down and carefully rode her bike into the university. There were still quite a few people there. Although she knew how to ride, she wasn't very skilled yet, so she had to be extra careful.

Just as I got near the teaching building, a familiar voice called out to me.

"Zhang Yan, wait a minute!"

Zhang Yan stopped her bicycle, turned around, and saw Li Caifeng, her classmate.

Li Caifeng walked over quickly, staring intently at her bicycle, and asked in surprise, "Zhang Yan, why are you riding a bicycle to school? Is this your bicycle?"

Zhang Yan smiled and nodded, a hint of pride in her voice: "Yes, this bicycle was a gift from my boyfriend."

"Your boyfriend gave it to you?" Li Caifeng's eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief.

She knew how precious bicycles were; her parents had saved up for years but couldn't bring themselves to buy one.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yan's boyfriend was so generous, giving her such an expensive gift before they were even married, which immediately filled her with a strong sense of envy.

Li Caifeng wondered why she couldn't find a partner as outstanding as Zhou Yimin, even though she was clearly prettier than Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan didn't say anything more, and waved to Li Caifeng: "I'm going to put the car away first, see you in class."

After saying that, he rode his bicycle towards the bike shed, leaving Li Caifeng standing there dumbfounded.

She stood there for a long time, then left with mixed feelings.

As soon as she entered the classroom, Li Caifeng couldn't help but start discussing with her classmates: "You don't know, Zhang Yan rode her bicycle to school today, and it was a brand new Flying Pigeon brand. She said it was a gift from her boyfriend!"

Upon hearing this, everyone else was shocked and exclaimed, "Really? A bicycle! That's worth almost two hundred yuan, and there are tickets in high demand too. Her boyfriend is too generous!"

As soon as these words were spoken, more and more people were drawn to the topic and gathered around to inquire about the details.

Li Caifeng embellished her description of what she had just witnessed, vividly recounting everything from the color of the bicycle to its pristine condition.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire grade during the ten-minute break between classes.

It can only be said that in this era where there is little entertainment, gossip is the best form of entertainment.

By the time the second period ended, the students in the next class also knew about it.

In less than a morning, the news spread throughout almost the entire university that Zhang Yan had a generous boyfriend who gave her a bicycle as a gift.

Everyone gathered together and discussed it enthusiastically.

"Zhang Yan is so lucky! Her boyfriend even gave her a bicycle. I wish I had a boyfriend like that." A girl with a ponytail said longingly, her eyes full of envy.

“That’s right, bicycles are so rare these days. Many people save up for years and still can’t afford one. Her boyfriend just gave it to her like that. He must really love her!” another girl chimed in, her voice full of emotion.

In a corner of the teaching building, several girls who usually liked to compare themselves with Zhang Yan gathered together, talking sourly.

"It's just a bicycle, what's there to brag about? Who knows what it was traded for?" A girl in a red top said with a pout, her eyes full of jealousy.

“Exactly, she’s not even married yet and she’s already receiving such an expensive gift. Doesn’t she worry about what people will say?” Another girl chimed in, her tone dripping with jealousy.

As they talked, they secretly observed the reactions of those around them. When no one paid them any attention, they reluctantly shut up.

But anyone with eyes could hear the resentment and jealousy in that sour tone.

This proves the old saying: "If you can't reach the grapes, you say they're sour."

Zhang Yan, the person involved, was unaware of the situation and focused on attending class.

Just as the lunch break bell rang, Zhang Yan was packing up her books when a woman with two braids and an anxious expression rushed to her seat. It was her best friend, Lin Xiaomei.

"Yanzi! Yanzi!" Lin Xiaomei gasped for breath, grabbing Zhang Yan's arm, her eyes filled with urgency.

"There are rumors that your partner gave you a bicycle. Is that true?"

Several classmates who hadn't left yet stopped and looked at Zhang Yan, waiting for her answer.

They had only heard about it and hadn't received a response from the person involved. Now that they had the opportunity, they slowed down their packing.

Zhang Yan gave an affirmative answer: "No mistake, it's true."

Upon receiving the witness's testimony, the people present immediately erupted in uproar.

Wow! They really gave us a bicycle! I'm so envious!

"Yanzi, your boyfriend is so good to you! Congratulations!"

"This bicycle must be really cool. When can we see it?"

Everyone chimed in with envy, congratulating Zhang Yan and their eyes practically overflowing with admiration.

Just then, a tall boy said with a smile, "Yanzi, you bought such an expensive bicycle, this is a huge happy occasion, shouldn't you treat us?"

As soon as he said that, everyone agreed: "Yes, yes, you have to treat us!"

Zhang Yan didn't hesitate and readily nodded: "Okay! No problem, let's go to the cafeteria, I'll treat everyone to something good."

She was calculating in her mind that she was usually quite frugal, so she had saved up quite a few receipts and money, and she never expected that they would come in handy this time.

Lin Xiaomin and the others escorted Zhang Yan to the canteen.

When others saw this, they quickly made way for them. It was quite rare to see so many people chatting together on their way to the cafeteria.

(End of this chapter)