Zhou Jiaojiao quickened her pace at work, intending to retrieve the bicycle from her elder sister-in-law’s home after finishing her shift in the morning. She planned to take a day off tomorrow to go to the county town to pick out some fabric, and then she would make two sets of clothes for Lu Jiaxuan. After that, he’d be a presentable worker and couldn’t afford to dress shabbily, lest people laughed at him.
Shen Meng had no idea of Jiaojiao’s imagination. She had first returned the bicycle to her home, and then went to Xie Jinghao’s place to carry Lu Mingkai back. The little guy was over the moon upon hearing that they got a bicycle at home and eagerly asked Xiao Gang to join him for a ride.
Xiao Gang was young and also longed for a bicycle. He looked at Xie Jinghao with hopeful eyes.
"Mom, Bao wants to go."
"Go ahead, but remember to come back for lunch, okay? You can’t always eat at your elder aunt’s place." She added a layer of clothing to Xiao Gang and whispered a reminder in his ear. Seeing her son nod his head blankly, without repeating her words, she felt slightly relieved.
As they were about to leave, Xie Jinghao caressed her belly.
"Elder sister-in-law, hide the bicycle well at home, so not everyone comes to borrow it."
"It’s fine, they can borrow it, but they have to pay, just like they do for the production team’s bicycle."
Xie Jinghao was about to say something but gazed at the villagers working in the distant fields and slightly shook her head, "Elder sister-in-law, I’m afraid that won’t work. We’re all neighbors here, and it could harm the community spirit."
Xie Jinghao was thinking of Shen Meng’s best interests; recently, her sister-in-law’s reputation had improved significantly. With the purchase of a bicycle, if a good neighbor came to borrow it and was refused, it would ultimately damage Shen Meng’s own reputation.
Their relationship was so good now, she didn’t want anyone speaking poorly of her elder sister-in-law.
"What’s there to be afraid of? People who aren’t close won’t have the cheek to come and borrow it. After all, bicycles are precious items. If something goes wrong, it’s embarrassing to decide whether to compensate or not. Those with no shame who want to ride my bicycle will have to pay. Also, those who are on good terms with me usually won’t ask to borrow since they can borrow from the production team. But if they do borrow and return it in a bad condition, it spoils our good relationship. Of course, I’m not unreasonable. If it’s an emergency, I’ll certainly lend it out. I’d lend it to those in urgent need, not to the greedy ones. I’d lend out for the third time but not the second."
"Elder sister-in-law, as long as you’re clear on it, that’s fine. Actually, neighbors aren’t the most important. It’s our own family members that matter. Last time, when the elder brother suggested letting Jiaxuan handle the separation, he also mentioned recommending him to be a clerk at the commune. Although he didn’t get chosen as a clerk, he still took a temporary job. That’s eighteen yuan a month. Elder sister-in-law, be careful that our mother might set her eyes on your bicycle."
Shen Meng’s eyes flickered slightly. Lu Jiaxuan being able to work temporarily at the commune probably had something to do with Lu Zhenping’s influence, but it also indicated that the male lead was blessed with good fortune.
After she brought the two children home, she tied two bamboo chairs with handles on the front bar of the bicycle. She had tricked the kids by telling them that there were little chairs to attach to the bike, so they wouldn’t get sore bottoms while sitting.
The bicycle Shen Meng got from her space was a tad smaller and suited for girls. It wasn’t hard to ride at all; with two little rascals sitting in the front, the wind blew their giggles away as they smacked their lips from time to time. Shen Meng had given them each a piece of candy when mounting them onto the bicycle.
Mother and children rode towards the commune school. Lu Mingyang and his three siblings, along with Daqing and Erqing, were on their way when they noticed someone riding a bicycle in their direction from afar. Sharp-eyed Lu Mingliang suddenly exclaimed excitedly.
"Brother, Ming Fang, look, it’s mom! Mom’s riding the bicycle coming to pick us up with Ming Kai and Xiao Gang. Hehe, mom said she was going to the county town today. Maybe she went to buy a bicycle? Look, brother, the bicycle even has a big red flower on it. Is it ours?"
He had barely finished shouting when Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingfang also turned to look in Shen Meng’s direction. The other children craned their necks and ogled enviously.
The children who previously didn’t like to play with Lu Mingyang and his siblings now excitedly asked if their family bought a bicycle, turning Lu Mingyang, Lu Mingliang, and Lu Mingfang all red in the face with pride, as they held their chins high.
"Don’t know yet, maybe it’s borrowed. My mom is like that. She always insists on picking us up even though we know our way home."
Lu Mingliang chimed in with his brother, "Mom really... We’re not little kids anymore. She still can’t stop worrying. It’s quite a headache."
"Ming Liang, your mom really dotes on you guys," Erqing said enviously as he looked at Lu Mingliang. He also wished his parents would come to pick him up, but it wasn’t that his dad didn’t like them and his mom. His dad often beat them and even hit Yaoyao. As he eyed the nice clothes on Mingyang and the others, he glanced over at the nearby elder sister-in-law and wished he had such a mom too. But after a moment, he furrowed his brows; his own mom was pretty good too!
"Mingyang, there’s even a big red flower on the bicycle; it’s obviously new. Aunt, did you buy this bicycle? It’s smaller than the production team’s," Daqing said, pulling Lu Mingyang toward Shen Meng.
Shen Meng got off the bicycle and said, "Yes, it’s new from our family. These two little ones were causing a fuss wanting to ride it, so I cycled over. It’s just in time to pick up Mingyang, Ming Liang, and Ming Fang."
Lu Mingyang’s face lit up with pleasure, but he then said seriously, "With so many of us kids here, we won’t get lost. Mom, you should hurry home. I’m hungry, and we still have classes in the afternoon!"
"Alright, let’s go then!"
Shen Meng didn’t mind the boy’s indifferent tone; he had been very excited about buying the bicycle before.
Lu Mingfang, with an unhappy face, couldn’t see her elder brother. Taking advantage of Lu Mingliang and the other kids rushing to see the bicycle, she sidled up to Lu Mingyang.
"Big brother, don’t pretend. I know your heart is jumping for joy. Be careful or Mom will take you seriously. Then the next time you want her to pick you up, she won’t," huffed Lu Mingfang.
After saying her piece, Lu Mingfang ran off without paying any more attention to the somewhat stiff Lu Mingyang.
Shen Meng pushed the bicycle back to the village. It was normal for children to be curious and want to touch, push, or sit on it. She tried to satisfy them as much as possible because life for children in those days was really tough. Even a little experience like this might stay in their memories for a long time.
Finally, after sending the other children off, Lu Mingyang approached Shen Meng with trepidation.
"Mom, I’m actually really excited about the bicycle. I—I also want to learn to ride. Can you teach me?"
"Me too, me too."
"Mom, I want to learn as well."
Shen Meng didn’t look down on the children, but their size was really a disadvantage. It would be truly challenging for them to ride a bicycle.
"You can learn if you want, but I’m not trying to discourage you. It’s just difficult for you to even reach the handlebars. Let’s wait until next year. Eat well and grow taller this year. Strive to be tall enough to push it like me, then learn to ride. Okay?"
The kids looked at each other, their faces blushing slightly, but they also made up their minds to eat more and grow taller.
When Mom and the others arrived home, Zhou Jiaojiao was waiting at the door. Seeing the two woven chairs tied to the front bar of the bicycle, she couldn’t help but frown.
"Elder sister-in-law, you’re back. Take care of the new bicycle; the paint will wear off with the chairs tied like this. Alright, Ming Kai, Xiao Gang, get down now. Aunt still needs to take the bicycle away. It wasn’t bought for you to play with, it’s for your fourth uncle to get to work. You can’t be ignorant of that!"
Shen Meng: "???"
What nonsense are you talking about? A bicycle for Lu Jiaxuan to go to work with? What are you dreaming about???