Chapter 149 Everyone's busy with their own things

The impact of the newspaper article was greater than Zhou Weifang had anticipated.

For the next few days, the store was packed with people. He ordered more and more stock each day, and it was almost not enough to keep up with demand. He was so busy that he didn't even have time to catch his breath. When there was a rare moment when no one was around, he would lean against the counter to rest and say, "I knew there were a lot of people who read the newspaper, but I didn't expect everyone to love joining in the fun."

The capital city now has a population of over nine million, and the circulation of the Capital Daily is 1.2 million copies per day. It can be said that every family has a copy, and to exaggerate a bit, reading the newspaper once is equivalent to being seen by the entire city.

But it was just a fruit shop, not a place that sold anything fresh. Zhou Weifang thought about it carefully and really couldn't figure it out.

Zheng Sanmei overheard this and whispered, "I know what happened."

She'd been working here for a while and had become quite familiar with Zhou Weifang, so she spoke more naturally and smiled, "Haven't you noticed that a lot of them are young girls?"

Zhou Weifang hadn't noticed it at first, but after she mentioned it, she recalled: "It really is true, there used to be mostly elderly people here."

Zheng Sanmei tidied up the fallen fruit tree branches and leaves on the counter, saying, "I came here for you."

Me? Zhou Weifang subconsciously touched his face: "That photo was taken quite well."

More than just good, Zheng Sanmei said, "People say you look almost exactly like the people in those posters, and that you resemble that guy from Hong Kong."

It doesn't matter who he looks like; Zhou Weifang just wants to know if Luo Yan thinks it looks good.

He counted on his fingers how many days it had been since he last saw his girlfriend, then looked up to the sky and sighed, "Ten years."

Zheng Sanmei asked instinctively, "What ten years?"

Zhou Weifang casually replied, "No, I just said it offhand."

He changed the subject: "Since there aren't many people around now, why don't you have lunch, sister-in-law? I'll keep an eye on things."

Both the fruit shop and the car dealership provide meals, and everyone goes to the small restaurant next door to get their food every day. At the end of the month, Zhou Weifang will collect the bills for everyone.

The food wasn't bad; they had a vegetarian dish and a dish with a little meat, served with rice.

This food is much better than what I used to eat in my hometown village.

Zheng Sanmei cherished this job and said, "You eat first."

Today is Tuesday, a day that should be perfect for dates, but there's nothing to do.

Zhou Weifang had no appetite for the time being, and stretched his neck: "You really don't need to be so polite, sister-in-law, you go ahead."

Instead of wasting time talking nonsense, we should finish eating early and get to work.

Zheng Sanmei didn't stand on ceremony with him. She picked up her lunchbox and walked out, but before she took a step, she asked in surprise, "Yanzi, don't you have school today?"

Who? Zhou Weifang looked up abruptly.

Luo Yan smiled at him and said, "I just got out of school, so I came to find him."

Him? Zheng Sanmei turned around and looked.

She wasn't stupid. After thinking for a moment, she put down the lunchbox and said, "I'll eat at the store and then come over. You guys chat."

As soon as the person left, Zhou Weifang asked, "Are you tired? Have you eaten? Are you thirsty? I'll cut you a pear; it's sweet today."

Even if Jiaotong University isn't too far from the fruit shop, it still takes half an hour to cycle there. Luo Yan held his hand and said, "Don't bother with that. I'll go get you some food."

Someone always had to watch the shop. Zhou Weifang opened the drawer to get her some money, but the person walked away without looking back.

Even though he can't leave the store, he can still cut fruit.

Luo Yan came back with her lunchbox and started eating pears, saying, "You eat some too."

Zhou Weifang, noticing the portion size of the food, asked, "Have you eaten?"

Luo Yan swallowed what was in her mouth: "I ate it, otherwise I'll pass out halfway through the ride."

She was more exhausted from teaching for four hours in the morning than from running ten laps around the track.

Zhou Weifang breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."

"Still worrying about others?" Luo Yan said, "Just eat your food."

Just as Zhou Weifang was about to pick up his chopsticks, a customer came into the restaurant.

Luo Yan pushed him away from behind the counter and stood in front of the scale herself.

This guest, who liked to chat, said to the two of them, "Their parents are really good at raising children; the brother and sister are both very good-looking."

Siblings? Zhou Weifang thought to himself that we looked quite well-matched, but could only smile and say thank you.

Luo Yan laughed, "Don't let my brother know. Last time someone said I was his daughter, and it made him furious."

Compared to him, Zhou Weifang felt somewhat comforted, but still muttered, "Don't we look like a couple?"

Luo Yan: "At least people think we're like a family."

As soon as she finished speaking, she knew Zhou Weifang must be overjoyed. She turned her head and saw that his mouth was indeed stretched from ear to ear.

Zhou Weifang was genuinely pleased, and with a slight downward curve of his lips, he asked, "Did you and your aunt and uncle manage to buy any suitable tiles the other day?"

Last Sunday, Luo Yan went shopping with her parents for things to use in their new home. Her legs were so sore from walking all day that she rubbed them and said, "We've almost finished ordering everything."

That's good. Zhou Weifang: "Please feel free to use me wherever you need me."

No sooner had he finished speaking than another guest arrived.

Luo Yan wasn't a stranger to the fruit shop, and said, "No wonder you're so busy, business is really good."

"Whether it's good or bad, we'll talk about that later," Zhou Weifang asked her with great interest. "What do you think of the photo of me in the newspaper?"

Luo Yan: "It's great."

"That's good?" Zhou Weifang: "People say I look like a celebrity."

Hmm? Luo Yan raised an eyebrow: "Who is 'the other person'?"

Zhou Weifang: "I don't know who it is either, it's just a rumor circulating."

There were also rumors circulating, so Luo Yan might as well go along with him and coax him: "So beautiful, so beautiful, even more beautiful than a star."

Zhou Weifang: "I don't need other people's opinions, your opinion is enough."

Someone was coming. Luo Yan nudged him, signaling him to say something inappropriate that others might overhear, and waited to help the person weigh their items.

Zhou Weifang also looked at the guest and took the initiative to speak: "Auntie, you're here! The dates are good today, please pick a few more."

They're all regulars, so sometimes we chat a bit longer.

The old lady said, "Your stuff is much better. The shops on our street aren't as good, and they're a bit far away, which is too much for my old body."

Zhou Weifang: "Where do you live? I'll open another place when I have enough money."

The old woman said, "Two white strips."

It's about three miles away, which is indeed a long way from home for many elderly people.

Zhou Weifang knew the nearby alleys and lanes like the back of his hand, and said, "Okay, I'll open one next month."

Others took it as a joke, but Luo Yan didn't think so, and gave him a thoughtful look.

After everyone left, Zhou Weifang immediately said to her, "When I opened the shop, I already thought that if the business was good, I would open another branch."

Luo Yan knew about this: "But didn't you say you wanted to wait six months and see?"

At the time, they were unsure whether the business would work, but now the opportunity was perfect, and Zhou Weifang was not afraid to be a little more aggressive: "Now that the fruit shop has a bit of a reputation, why not name it this place so that it can be opened in all directions? We can open shops in all the east, west, south and north in the future."

Luo Yan's first thought was: "Do I need to apply for a separate license to open a branch? Will I pay taxes per person or per store? Are you allowed to run so many stores by yourself now?"

Zhou Weifang: "The branch can definitely be opened. I asked about it back then. As for the tax, I'm not too sure. I'll inquire about it later."

He always had a more methodical approach to things than Luo Yan.

She said, "Then you go ahead and do your thing."

To make money, you naturally need to spend time.

Zhou Weifang held her hand from behind the counter: "I just can't be with you anymore."

Luo Yan poked his shoulder with her other hand: "It's okay, I'll come visit you during the holidays."

As she said that, it sounded like when they were kids calling out to each other in the alley. Zhou Weifang touched her face, and when he noticed someone approaching, he quickly straightened up.

They barely exchanged a few words all afternoon.

Luo Yan still needs time to get back to school, so she hooked her finger around his and said, "Eat well and get some rest, okay?"

Zhou Weifang nodded repeatedly, but he wouldn't let go of her hand.

Luo Yan showed him her watch: "If I'm late..."

Zhou Weifang released his grip and took a step back: "Then my life is over."

"Good to know," Luo Yan said. "Let's go."

She rode her bike back to school, and still had time to leave the fruit at her brother's shop.

Luo Hong watched her rush in and out again, and said helplessly, "Slow down! You'll fall again!"

Luo Yan drew out "I know," but in reality, she quickly rode her bicycle into the school, arriving in the classroom even before the teacher.

She had barely sat down and caught her breath when she saw the class monitor approach, unusually wary, and ask, "Another activity?"

The class monitor rubbed his hands awkwardly: "I'm here on someone's behalf to find out when you'll be at the dance."

Ballroom dancing has become very popular at universities this semester, and Jiaotong University has opened its second floor as a venue on weekends. However, few people go there, and most people are taking a wait-and-see attitude.

Luo Yan: "I'm not going. I'd rather stay home and do my homework."

As the squad leader had anticipated, he said, "Anyway, I've asked, that's enough, I'll have an explanation."

Luo Yan didn't really care who he had to explain to; she just smiled, put the book on the table, turned the page, and reminded him, "The teacher is coming."

The class monitor quickly returned to his seat, and Luo Yan also looked at the blackboard attentively. After school, they packed up their things and went to the car dealership.

Upon seeing him, Luo Hong said, "We've been waiting for you to eat."

Luo Yan washed her hands and sat down. Looking at the dishes, she sensed something was off and guessed, "Has Mom been here?"

"Amazing!" Luo Hong exclaimed. "I didn't tell you on purpose, how did you know?"

Luo Yan: "Intuition."

If others said this to Luo Hong, they would definitely scoff, but his sister is indeed very perceptive at times.

He said, "She just left. She said the vegetables were all chopped and her dad called her out to eat, so he just cooked them and brought them over."

No wonder Luo Yan picked up her chopsticks and shared Zhou Weifang's latest ideas with her brother.

Luo Hong wasn't surprised at all: "He's always been a fast runner."

They came straight from returning to the city to open a shop; there aren't many like them in the whole of Beijing.

But rushing forward is risky, Luo Yan said, poking at her rice, "Actually, our personalities are really quite different."

According to her, starting a business isn't a bad idea; it's much better to move forward steadily, especially since she already has a considerable monthly income.

Luo Hong glanced at his sister: "If you feel it's not right, then break up."

How could he be like this? Luo Yan: "I didn't say I wanted it. We're all fine. No, you...you did this on purpose."

Luo Hong did it on purpose: "He's already not rushing very fast."

He didn't really like to talk seriously with his sister. He just slightly composed himself and said, "Brother Hong once said that I would definitely make money in the future, but not a lot of money."

This sounds a bit ominous, and Brother Hong doesn't seem like someone who can't speak properly.

Luo Yan asked curiously, "What do you mean?"

Luo Hong: "To make big money now, taking a little risk isn't enough, but I can't afford to take that risk."

He couldn't let his family of four worry about him.

Luo Yan seemed to understand, and her eyes darted around: "Is it because of me that Zhou Weifang has also become someone who can't make a lot of money?"

If that's the case, she...

Luo Hong thought to himself, "I've never even had a girlfriend, and all I do is analyze this and that for you guys all day long." He said, "No, what I mean is, all the things you think are radical are already a sure thing for him."

If the risk were even slightly higher, Zhou Weifang wouldn't have done it.

It seems that everyone has a different definition of radicalism. Luo Yan: "Now that you mention it, it seems like there's not much to worry about."

Luo Hong: "That lackey makes you worry?"

"Speak properly," Luo Yan said, "Why are you swearing?"

Luo Hong: "Am I not stating the truth?"

Luo Yan, though unconvinced, retorted confidently: "Just because I'm telling the truth doesn't mean I can always say it!"

Luo Hong tapped his fingers on the table as a warning: "Say it again."

Luo Yan pursed her lips and dared not say anything more. After finishing her meal, she immediately tried to slip away, but her brother stopped her to wash the dishes.

"I'll wash it then," she muttered as she washed.

Luo Hong couldn't hear what was being said, but he knew what it meant and said, "Are you cursing me?"

Luo Yan said to him, "You're just being presumptuous. I'm just memorizing vocabulary. There's an English test at the end of the month, and those who do well can go to a spoken English class."

Spoken English class? Luo Hong: "Does that mean being able to talk to foreigners?"

Luo Yan nodded: "The whole school only admits thirty people, I feel pretty hopeless."

Luo Hong: "I think you're like someone who hangs their head from the rafters and pricks their thigh with an awl."

But then he thought, "Which comes first, the exam or the sports meet?"

Luo Yan: "Martial arts first, then literature."

Well, it seems she'll be in a lot of trouble from now on.

Luo Hong: "Keep busy, everyone should be busy."

His words eventually came true for him, because homeowners always have to do some of the hard work when decorating a new home.

No matter how capable Liu Yinfeng was, she was nearly fifty years old and hadn't done much physical labor in recent years. Luo Xinmin was also inconvenient in many ways, so most of the work fell to Luo Hong.

He naturally took on the responsibility without hesitation, leaving earlier and returning later every day, running between the shop and his home.

Luo Yan was also busy, constantly reading aloud from her English book, only managing to find time to visit Zhou Weifang once.

Zhou Weifang shared her recent work progress with her: "I have found two suitable store locations, one in Hongmi Hutong and the other on Fumen Street. I plan to open both stores."

While simultaneously preparing to open two new stores, Zhou Weifang was spinning like a top. Despite living in the same city, the two rarely had the chance to meet.

He could only ask Zheng Sanmei to pass on letters to "Luo Hong" every day, and survive on the few words exchanged between them.

--

Until the day of the sports meet, the autumn sky was clear and cloudless.

Luo Yan got up early and wore a thin long-sleeved shirt, but felt chilly while washing up and thought about putting on another layer.

But she felt hot eating breakfast wearing two layers, so she changed them again after finishing her meal and going inside.

She had just sat down when she realized that the new clothes she had changed into were not suitable for running, so she got up again while still eating her steamed bun.

Luo Hong said, "You're going for a run today, not a date." He went back and forth all morning.

Luo Yanbai glanced at her brother: "I don't bother with the hassle of dating. I'm just saying, 'To do something well, you need the right tools first.' Don't you understand?"

Luo Hong chuckled: "Sorry, people like us who can run in first place barefoot really don't understand."

He's fast on his feet, so Luo Yan stomped on his foot and said, "Run, run, run, I'll make you fly."

Luo Hong gasped, but wanting to bring good luck to his sister, he didn't utter anything discouraging. He simply said, "Just you wait and see after you finish running."

Luo Yancai wasn't afraid of him. After eating the last half of the steamed bun, she said, "I can't eat anymore, or my stomach will hurt when I run."

Judging from this situation, anyone who didn't know better would think his sister was some kind of top contender. Luo Hong was both amused and exasperated: "I'd like to go in and see where you're ranked."

Luo Yan slammed her hand on the table and said something utterly unambitious: "I'm definitely not going to be last."

The family of three had no choice but to laugh at her, even Luo Xinmin shook his head: "Yanyan, your mother and I won't go see her."

"It's better not to look," Luo Yan said. "Then I can rush even slower."

While rankings are certainly important, she also has many worries: "The playground is all dirt, which makes it very easy to slip and fall. If I get seriously injured, it won't be worth it."

Luo Hong patted the air near her mouth: "Say something auspicious."

Luo Yan patted her face and changed her words: "Great fortune and no taboos."

He added, "The opening ceremony is at 7:30, I'm off."

She arrived at school early and found her class's seat according to the signs, standing and waiting while stretching her muscles and limbs.

When Ji Ning arrived and saw her like this, he said, "Be prepared for anything."

Luo Yan rarely had a miserable look on her face: "I'm really not good at sports."

Ji Ning patted her shoulder: "You're just too easy to talk to. The class monitor asked several people to run the 800 meters, but none of them were willing to."

Luo Yan: "He signed up for the most projects himself, so it's only right that I join in, since it's a group activity."

She has a cool and aloof demeanor, and often looks at people with a sense of distance, but those who know her well know that she is the most warm-hearted person.

Ji Ning, who knew a bit about it, said, "Next time, you should have him treat you to a meal."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the class monitor leaned over and asked, "Who's treating? What are we having for dinner?"

Ji Ning said irritably, "Perfect timing. Don't you think you should treat Luo Yan to dinner?"

They're quite familiar with each other, so it doesn't matter what they say.

But Luo Yan was afraid that people would take it seriously, so she said, "No need, no need, we're all classmates."

The squad leader reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of White Rabbit candies: "Give this one to us first."

Luo Yan took a piece, peeled it open, and ate it. As the others gradually gathered and lined up, they listened to the leaders' long and tedious speeches.

Fortunately, the weather was nice, so she wasn't too tired from standing; she just looked around a little bored.

Upon closer inspection, they discovered Zhou Weifang.

He didn't know when he arrived, but he was standing under a big tree. He probably noticed her looking over, so he waved in another direction, trying to cover his tracks.

When the event ended, Luo Yan went to find him first and said, "The teacher won't catch anyone today."

With so many students together, it's perfectly normal for boys and girls to talk to each other.

That's good. Zhou Weifang: "What time is your match?"

Luo Yan asked again, "Actually, if you're busy, this isn't a big deal."

Zhou Weifang's fingers twitched as he said, "It's been so many days since I last saw you. I've missed you."

Luo Yan's gaze fell on his hanging hands, and she asked, "Do you have anything else to do this afternoon?"

Zhou Weifang: "The only thing I want to do today is spend time with you."

Luo Yan raised an eyebrow: "It's a coincidence, I was fine after the competition."

Zhou Weifang: "Shall we have lunch at the Beijing Hotel?"

This sentence was more like a code. Luo Yan nodded slightly, and when she heard the announcement "Check-in begins," she said, "I'll go first, you wait for me at the finish line."

Zhou Weifang knew about her project early, but didn't expect it to be this early. He said, "Then I'll go call your brother."

He walked in a hurry, afraid of missing his chance.

But there was still a long waiting time after the check-in. When they arrived, Luo Yan was already taking another number.

Luo Hong watched from a distance, then nitpicked, "Why is there a 4? Can't we choose that?"

Zhou Weifang suddenly laughed out loud, recalling: "I remember on Yan Yan's first day of elementary school, the teacher assigned her a seat in the last row. You were furious and said it was bullying. I thought you had lost your mind at the time."

Who are you cursing? Luo Hong: "She's not tall, so why should we sit in the last row? Her deskmate is so big and strong, we don't even have room to sit."

Years later, he still felt that he was absolutely right.

Zhou Weifang now also feels that way, and he and his childhood friend are discussing why the school can't destroy all the number plates with the number 4.

Luo Yan ignored their "foolish talk" and waited at the starting line, rubbing her hands together.

When it was her turn, I wasn't nervous at all; I just kept running forward with my head down.

Luo Hong now had the leisure to comment on his sister's posture, saying, "Have you ever seen a calf like that? It's about like this."

Although it sounded a bit like an insult, Zhou Weifang actually thought it did.

The two exchanged a few words, and Luo Yan, having finished her first lap, was about to pass by, shouting "Go for it!"

The scene was so chaotic that Luo Yan didn't hear a thing.

She even forgot to tell him to "run carefully," and almost couldn't stop when she came to a stop.

Luo Hong tugged at his sister to stop her, saying, "Let's slow down."

Luo Yan bent over slightly to adjust her breathing, and after a while, she said energetically, "All done."

"These days of consistent training haven't been in vain," Luo Hong said. "Not bad, at least we're sixth."

Translated, that means third from last, but as long as she wasn't at the bottom, Luo Yan was already very happy and said, "Let's go, I'm done."

The three of them walked to the bike shop together, and then she remembered: "My bicycle is at school."

Luo Hong: "Take mine and go."

Zhou Weifang: "I see you can't ride anymore, I'll give you a ride."

Luo Yan was indeed exhausted, but remembering that they were at the school gate, she waved goodbye to her brother and then turned to the other side, saying, "Let's go a little further away."

After walking 300 meters, Luo Yan couldn't keep up and said in a spoiled tone, "Zhou Weifang, I can't walk anymore."

Zhou Weifang patted the back of the bicycle and told her to get on.

Luo Yan, sitting there a little worried, tugged hard at the hem of his clothes: "Slow down."

Zhou Weifang: "If you fall, I'll cushion your fall."

Instead of saying anything nice, Luo Yan patted him on the back and asked, "How did your talks with the fruit and vegetable company go?"

Zhou Weifang: "We've reached an agreement, but it's a bit complicated. We'll talk about it when we get there."

It's not appropriate to talk about money on the main street.

He said it was complicated, so it must be incredibly complicated.

Luo Yan couldn't think of anything, and instead said, "You're only wearing one layer, aren't you cold?"

"You're not cold, are you?"

"I was practically sweating."

"Are you sweating? If so, I'll go slower, or you'll catch a cold if the wind blows."

"No, it's still quite hot."

"You must have been hot just now, walking so briskly."

"I also felt like I was running really fast, like I was flying."

"Fly?" Zhou Weifang hesitated for a second: "Absolutely, very fast."

Luo Yan was overjoyed by the straight man's performance, even though she knew it was mostly just flattery. But nobody wants to be in a relationship just to cause trouble every day, so she was still very happy.

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Author's note: Good night!